Service with attitude, and not a good one. I asked if a menu item was good, the counter person said don't ask me, I'm too picky. That was not a good sign. Then I ordered and came back to pick it up 10 minutes later and I was told it always takes 20 minutes. I asked if I could pay while I was waiting as the restaurant was empty, she said no. The whole thing was pretty unfriendly. They did absolutely nothing to make me feel welcome. I wanted to love the place but with this attitude I'm out of here. Food Fried fish was fair, it was very dry without much spice. Fries were good but no salt and pepper just basic fried units. read more

I've been here before. I realized it the moment I stepped foot in the doorway. I wasn't impressed then and I'm not impressed now. I ordered the chopped bbq sandwich which was tasty. The chopped bbq was good enough though the bbq sauce was a little too spicy for my taste. I didn't like the roll it was on. It looked like a toasted hamburger roll. The owner a female or someone with authority came in and did not greet me. No hello or anything. Not a total waste but not worth a third trip. I should have gotten the pernil from the restaurant near me. read more

I have been looking for an authentic soul food restaurant for many years since I moved up to Brewster from the Bronx 14yrs ago and finally BJ's Soul Food Restaurant has opened in Beacon NY...Well I have to say this place is like eating the delicious meals I grew up on... The owner and her staff are so nice and welcoming. They let you know ahead of time that our food is cooked to order, so please be patient with us....that is excellent customer service and let me tell you, it's undoubtedly worth the wait. So please if you are ever in Beacon and what a truly good dinning experience and some really good food for you Soul...BJ's is the place to eat... read more

Amazing fried chicken. Amazing corn. Amazing people here. So friendly and casual. Came here after a hike up Mt Beacon. Get your soul food here! read more

Great service great food!! Ordering was made simple. Food made fresh to order a little expensive but well worth it.

I ate here twice and was disappointed. The vegetables are canned not fresh made. The food was not good. I ordered the ribs and had to recook them in my oven. Mash potatoes were instant. I hope one day they change cooks. This place can be. Very successful if they improve their menu. Also waiting time was much to long. read more

It's a miss. First the good... chicken wings, fried whiting and coconut cake were good. The mashed potatoes are not real. Sad. Though they were upfront about it when I asked. Smothered pork chops...chops themselves were good but smothered not in home style gravy but a salty "Lipton onion soup mix" gravy. Sad. Mac and cheese...sigh not good. Green beans tasted canned. The banana pudding was literally boxed banana pudding with slices of banana and a few vanilla wafers on top again sad. I had so much hope but seems like they are cutting way too many corners. It's probably fine fir anyone who doesn't know or had any real southern food. I wish them well and hope they read this and make some changes. It wouldn't be hard to make this place really good. read more

This soul food spot is GREAT! The chicken n waffles were crazy delicious. The Fried chicken was crispy but juicy on the inside. The waffle was perfect as well. The greens have some secret ingredient in them! Between my daughter and I we also had the pig feet and yams. TRUST this place is a hidden gem. read more

Praise sweet baby black jesus for this gem!! Friendly staff!! Covid focused mom and pop jawn with perhaps thee most amazing food ive had in forever!! Chicken and waffles were superb but i was not prepared for the fried chicken!! Freshly made fried and seasoned to perfection!! So thankful theyve survived the pandemic!! Support local business and bring cash (credit card fees hurt everyone!!) read more

I am baffled. I just left the restaurant and this is ridiculous. After we received our order, we had a wrong meal so we spoke to our waitress and she gave the dirtiest look and attitude, didn't apologize, and grabbed the meal aggressively and walked out the restaurant crying. We then spoke to the manager who said who would handle it and gave us new waitress and a 25% discount that we appreciated. Then as we walked out, we received dirty looks from the hostesses and as we quietly walked out the door they say "don't let the door hit you on the walk out". I am furious. read more

Great home style food. I had some of their fried chicken, coconut custard pie, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and oxtail with rice. I don't think they gave me enough rice but besides that, feels like you went to your uncles or aunts house and your family fed you. Great hospitality and delicious food! read more

Food orders came out wrong or cold. Terrible experience. Meatloaf, tuna salad, collard greens and chicken were lacking. Wouldn't recommend

We liked the casual atmosphere and the simple, home-made dishes at BJ's Restaurant. The staff were super friendly, and even though there was only one server on the floor and several tables were already taken, we were served relatively quickly. We tried the split pea soup and the short ribs were delicious and cooked perfectly! We left feeling satisfied and happy, and that's how you want your customers to leave. We will be back! read more

If you want true Southern comfort SOUL FOOD, this is it. You've found it. I promise you, everything on the menu is cooked straight from the heart, and there is literally no other place that serves better southern food. You won't regret coming here. read more

Great restaurant with excellent service. I was nearby visiting in search for a place to have dinner and I found them on Yelp. I showed up on Monday. The door was open but there was a sign on it that read "closed on Monday". I peaked my head in and asked the lady and gentleman that were talking inside if they were open. The lady replied, "No, we are closed but I will fix you up something to eat if you would like." Me being me I declined the offer and said I will come back tomorrow afternoon. As I walked away I couldn't help but think how I would never receive that kind of service at any chain. I could not wait to come back the next day. I highly recommend BJs and I will eat here again if i am ever in town. read more

Really good fish the wait time was a Little long but other than that the food was really good if you want fried CHicken get the wings because the dinner is too big the pieces of chicken is huge and the Macroni and cheese was also kinda of fake tasting ! But the fish is great and the chicken as Well read more

Three crabby and hot people stopped here for lunch today and came out happy, smiling and revived. The food was delicious. We tried the BBQ sandwich, fried dark meat chicken, collards and cornbread. We loved it all. We're already figuring out when we can go back to try other things on their menu. The receipt mentioned they have been in business 42 years. No surprise - they are doing soul food right. read more

I have never eaten better eggs and grits and beef sausage in my life. This place looks low key from outside but the food served inside is the best of the best. We didn't want the eggs end. We nearly fainted with the first bite of the cornbread. Even the coffee is delicious. A diner coffee that tastes better than artisanal quirky coffee shop brew! Thank y'all for an amazing breakfast. (Oh also they were open on Thanksgiving Day which was a blessing from the heavens) read more

Just had a bacon egg and cheese. Best bacon egg and cheese I've ever had. All the ingredients were fresh instead of pre-made. The atmosphere is really great too and the people were nice. Will definitely be back. read more

Delicious home cooked food. If you have a big empty stomach but a small wallet this is the place to go! Fried chicken fresh and hot. My sister got BBQ ribs (huge plate) that she demolished. Corn beard was yummy. Large size for potato salad was no joke and it was yummy too. The staff was incredibly sweet and friendly. Food service is not as fast as things like fried chicken is cooked fresh to order but it is well worth the wait. We were in no rush when we visited but it is good to know this if you are in a hurry. If you have the time stop in for delicious food and friendly service! read more

This was a religious experience. If you're one of those types who's all about the food- Go Here!!! It's a super low-key place. Definately doesn't stand out among many other large places on Main Street. But a sign in their window that said BBQ and Oxtails turned my head round real fast. Family run place, lots of locals. Diner like atmosphere. Took a gander at the menu and I was like, "table for two please!" Yes, they were unprepared for the weather. Yes, we waited a few minutes extra and had to substitute a couple of sides. You know what, IT WAS WORTH EVERY BIT. Corn bread the way people used to make it who knew what corn bread should be. The crunchiest, tastiest, indulgent fried chicken that made me close my eyes while I chewed. Yellow rice with gravy....candied yams frosted in sweet all spice sauce.....the best colard greens ever.....potato salad that made me shake my head in disbelief. I will never be the same again. It would be sacrilage to ever mention KFC or Kennedy Fried chicken after this. It just won't do. It won't. I will be back. Shortly. They had homemade cakes behind the counter that Beckoned to me like sirens. I just had no room for it. If you're not the stuffy type. If you're not a snob. If you know the real thing when you taste it- go down to Beacon. Pick anything off the menu and it will be amazing. I should have taken that slice of lemon cake to go. read more

When we were planning for our wedding in Beacon, we needed to find a good catering option for a rehearsal dinner picnic on the 4th of July. We had chosen an Italian restaurant that was difficult to work with. At the last minute I had a thought to check out what else was in the area. BBQ was an obvious choice for a good 4th of July picnic food, so I tried calling BJ's. Brenda answered the phone, and from the first minute talking to her I knew this was the place. She said "We're gonna make this easy". She gave me three choices of meats and two sides, plus cornbread for a VERY reasonable price per head. We were ordering for 60 guests and she even had me knock the order down to 50 cause it would be "plenty of food" -- she obviously could have made more money on the order if she had encouraged me to over-order, but she didn't!! The food was AMAZING. Best fried catfish I've ever had, amazing fried chicken, pulled pork, mac and cheese, collard greens and cornbread. All SUPERB, delicious, travelled well and was ready on time. We literally got dozens of compliments from the guests at the rehearsal dinner picnic, everyone loved it!! There was plenty of food for everybody, but not TOO much. The best part is, through the course of the weekend it ALL got eaten -- we were finishing the collard greens with brunch on Sunday! Brenda wanted me to let her know how everything was... So as soon as I finish this review I'm gonna give her a call! read more

If I lived in Beacon, I'd be here every week. The service here is so friendly and nice, and while it does take a while to get your meal, you can bet that everything was freshly made to order. We came for dinner and breakfast the next day. For dinner, the fried chicken was tender and crispy. The collard greens and mac + cheese were delicious too. The chicken soup was no cop-out, it was dense, creamy, and perfect for my sore throat. Plus, it came with a hunk of the BEST corn bread I've ever had. Breakfast grits came with a pat of melted butter on top, plus I got the corned beef hash and 2 eggs over easy. FYI, I thought the corn bread was better than the biscuit. Oh my my my, words can't express how good that corn bread is. We even bought back some corn bread muffins to take back to NYC! Like all the best meals, food at BJ's is so simple and so good. It was my favorite restaurant after visiting Poppy's, Max's on Main, & Homespun Foods. read more

If I could leave a zero star review, I would. We came in over an hour before closing and were told there would be a 30 minute wait for food. Ok cool no problem. After sitting for 15 minutes the guy took our order, but then the cook hollered no more orders. They still don't close for 45 minutes. They guy did offer to sell us a slice of cake, no here's a piece for your inconvenience or even a drink. Terrible customer service, zero excuses. read more

I was in Beacon for wedding and decided to stop at BJ's for lunch after reading all of the excellent (but not deserved) Yelp reviews. First of all, walk in the door, and you are transported to a diner straight out of 1976. This could be overlooked and even considered charming if the food had lived up to expectations. I ordered the chicken and waffles. About 5 minutes after placing my order, the waiter came back to the table and informed me that my chicken would be chicken wings, as they were apparently out of any other chicken parts. I didn't want chicken wings, but when I told him that, I was told that they had already been thrown into the fryer. Oh, my apologies, I guess I'll just eat them, then...which is exactly what I did. The waffle was nothing to write home about, either, and it was served with Aunt Jemima maple flavored syrup. Ew. Overall, despite my failed chicken and waffles, the other food was good enough (not memorable enough for me to remember what it was for the purpose of this review) but heavy. If you're looking for a light lunch, this is not your spot in Beacon. read more

Our first time there and we were really charmed by the friendliness of the proprietor and the waitstaff. When we arrived, there was one booth available at the back next to the kitchen, and when booths up front opened up, the waitstaff asked if we wanted to move to one of them which was a pretty cool thing to do. Since it was our first time, I thought we'd try the fried chicken and fried fish, both tasty and battered fried well. I must have "soul" in my soul -- I ate my entire side of collard greens, including my partner's, who is not as into greens. It was the perfect comfort food. My fried chicken came 3 pieces to a plate (your choice of white/dark meat), with side of greens, and rice/gravy ($9.99) I packed my chicken to bring home to my kid and he commented on how tasty it was, even upon reheating. Most of their customers are local residents and that makes for that down home feeling. The best way to describe it is the feeling you got when you were a child and your grandad brought you to hang out with his buddies at his favorite coffee counter. It was just pretty darn cool to hang with the regulars. I would love to go back and try their oxtails next time, for sure. read more

Favorite restaurant in Beacon! Fried chicken and sides are always done to perfection. The cornbread is out of this world delicious.

Best food that we've had in Beacon. We got oxtail with gravy (awesome) and fried chicken breast (great, but we think you should get leg/thigh for a juicier experience). Collard greens and cabbage were meh, but the cornbread was AMAZING and the Mac and cheese was delicious (a little on the overdone side). Sweet potato pie was sweeter than I usually like, but hey, it was still delicious. WE'LL BE BACK! read more

Wow im from nyc and no soul food resturant in the city can touch this place Not even silva's in manhatten My wife and i really enjoyef this spot Staff is wonderful The food comes out nice and hot and pls be patient they make ur order as it ordered So no food sitting on hot racks read more

This is a very unprofessional place if business. A lady came and curse someone out in the kitchen. Plenty people walked in the Kitchen to have a conversation. Then the food wasn't even good. Rice made with can bean and frozen shrimp not fresh!! Just a disappointment read more

Happy to find a soul food restaurant in Beacon. I like to try soul food restaurants wherever I travel for regional comparisons. BJ's restaurant is unassuming decor lends to the extremely casual atmosphere. Several booths along the wall, counter with some stools and couple of long tables set in between. It also seemed like they were under construction as well since there was a sign saying that they would be closed next week. Two people were already dining when we walked in so I had a chance to see how hefty the side portions are and became excited. I always make sure to order the holy trinity of sides mac and cheese, candied yams and collard greens. I was devastated to find out they were out of yams but remembered the huge serving of potato salad I saw on the other customer's plate so we ordered that instead. I ordered baked chicken and my fiancé ordered chopped bbq and we split an order fried chicken wings. The food took about 25 minutes to come out which I imagined was the amount of time it took to make the wings yet it came out after dinner plates. I noticed immediately how small the portion of potato salad was which would not have been an issue had not seen the customers. So i asked if he had a double order and he said he didn't. I tried the greens and they were pretty simple. It taste like it may have been seasoned with salt. Unfortunate we had two orders of greens neither of us ate. The mac n cheese was good but not what I would expect from a soul food restaurant. It was more like a mac n cheese sauce but it was tasty. We ate that and the potato salad sparingly. I would have ordered more but we didn't want to wait another 20 minutes for it. The baked chicken and chopped bbq were tasty and the wings were amazing. I think the price point is spot on as well. I look forward to trying the yams and seeing the space after it's remodeled. Hopefully they'll give consistent side portions. read more

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Great food and not that expensive. Wait for food was long but worth it. Chopped bbq was amazing! read more

Recently stumbled onto this establishment--me and my guest, who was visiting from the city decided to have lunch here and were immediately welcomed by the warm atmosphere of BJs daughter. Her candidness and enthusiasm for us to try her moms food made it so worth it. The cornbread, fish, and greens were my favorite ! read more

This was a great experience for me and my family. The food was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. I will be visiting again very soon.

Oh my God this place is SO GOOD. I got the baked chicken with corn and mashed potatoes and not only was it delicious, you get a ton of food for the price. There WILL be a wait (we ordered takeout on a Saturday afternoon and it took an hour) because they cook everything to order. It's definitely worth the wait. read more

Impromptu drive to Beacon, my wife & I came across this establishment, the food to order was the difference maker, nothing like fresh food to order. I usually don't patronize eating soul food being an African American man where my roots are soul food but I was pleasantly impressed, food was superb. I was happy to know we supported a small black owned business. We will be back! read more

After placing my order I make my coffee..it's lukewarm I ask for them to heat it and they told my make it the last time I ask. I walk out terrible customer service read more

This place is a gem. Juicy, crunchy, crisp chicken and collards that I've had like no other. Also have had the fish and Ribs. All lovingly made by seemingly decades old recipes. The "soul" is in this soul food for sure. Incredible prices for the portions. We also had them cater with a couple of trays of fried chicken a few years back, lovely people to deal with. I hope they never ever leave. read more

Soooo good! True soul food! I'm from texas but raised in north carolina in a homegrown cookin family and let me tell u, this restaurant brings back some great family cookout nastalgia read more

I live in the beacon area, I ordered a cheeseburger, I never usually eat cheeseburgers from soulfood restaurants, I always order a dinner or lunch plate,which is pretty close in relation and for cheeseburgers I always find some place else like the diner or something. Well now thats over ! She made the best d@m ghetto burger! The french fries were good too! I also love her fried fish, cabbage, cornbread (too good). Everything else I've tried and loved, good food for the soul! However don't be scared to get her "ghetto burger". It's big, juicy and cooked and seasoned to perfection. Good handmade burgers. Thanks Chef! You made my the rest of my day run smoother and more comfortable. read more