We recently visited Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken to sample their Southern comfort offerings. While some dishes absolutely nailed it, others left us wanting more–here’s the full breakdown.
The Food
Hot Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit
Rating: 5/5
This was the clear winner of our visit. The biscuit struck the perfect balance–soft, buttery, and substantial enough to hold up to the generous chicken portion. The sauce is where this dish really shines, delivering rich, sweet flavors that complement the crispy chicken beautifully. Despite the “hot honey” name, don’t expect much heat–it’s more sweet than spicy–but the flavor profile is so well-executed that you won’t mind.
“Which Came First?” Box (Chicken Fingers + Fried Egg over Biscuit & Gravy)
Rating: 3/5
This creative concept had potential but fell short in execution. The chicken fingers were decent–crispy and well-cooked–but the dish was let down by incredibly bland gravy that tasted like it needed another round of seasoning. The shredded cheese sat in unappetizing clumps rather than melting into the dish. With some serious attention to seasoning and technique, this could be a standout item.
Glazed Blueberry Biscuit
Rating: 5/5
Think of this as Bojangles’ Bo-Berry Biscuit’s sophisticated cousin. Fresh, plump blueberries are baked right into a tender biscuit, then finished with a delicate glaze that adds sweetness without overwhelming the fruit. It’s comfort food elevated–familiar enough to feel nostalgic, refined enough to impress.
Sweet Tea
Rating: 5/5
Exactly what you’d expect from a Southern establishment–properly sweet, refreshing, and authentic. If you’re a sweet tea enthusiast, this won’t disappoint.
Iced Coffee
Rating: 2/5
Unfortunately, this tasted like yesterday’s hot coffee poured over ice. Even with vanilla syrup and creamer, it lacked the body and flavor you’d want from a proper iced coffee. Skip this and stick with the sweet tea.
Atmosphere
Rise opts for a clean, minimalist aesthetic that prioritizes function over charm. The space feels more like a modern fast-casual spot than a cozy Southern kitchen, though the playful biscuit character artwork on the walls adds some personality. Seating is available but not particularly inviting–this feels designed more for quick meals than lingering conversations.
Ordering Process
The restaurant operates on a kiosk-only ordering system with just two terminals, and they don’t accept cash. While this streamlines operations, the kiosks themselves are frustratingly slow and poorly designed, with too many nested menus and sluggish response times. If you’re not tech-savvy or the person ahead of you is struggling with the system, expect delays.
Bottom Line
Rise succeeds when it focuses on what it does best–quality biscuits with thoughtful flavor combinations. The Hot Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit and Glazed Blueberry Biscuit are genuinely excellent and worth the visit alone. However, the restaurant seems to struggle with more complex dishes that require careful seasoning and technique.
The sterile atmosphere and clunky ordering process detract from what could be a more welcoming Southern dining experience, but if you’re willing to overlook the ambiance for quality comfort food, Rise delivers where it counts.
Recommendation: Stick to their biscuit specialties, bring your appetite for sweetness rather than spice, and maybe pack some extra seasoning if you’re feeling adventurous with their other menu items.