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Bowmans Soul in the Wall

3.5 (142 reviews)
ModerateSoul Food
Open • 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Bowmans Soul in the Wall Photos

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Non seasoned greens, no soul sweet potato casserole,  and pork ribs that'll make you wish you ordered something else.
Joe S.

If you like greens with no seasoning, sweet potato casserole with no sweet or soul, and "peach Cobbler" which appears to be can peach filling and microwaved in the serving styrofoam, then this will be your favorite place. I wish I would have checked the ribs before I let my kid eat them. Apparently "they were fine!" If you like fair seasoned-day old, broiled pork ribs, covered in sauce to mask what soul food ribs to be, you'll enjoy these too.

Dining area
Jeannine C.

The food is great! I had some problems ordering take out which was kind of annoying because the hostesses repeated my order it seemed like a million times before I walked out to wait but the mistakes were eventually fixed swiftly and professionally so I'm not complaining :) The food was worth it. Its truly a soul food joint with a real soulfood taste! The inside gave me a vibe as well and cant wait til we're done quaratining to sit and have dinner at the actual restaurant. I ordered the fried catfish plate with mac and cheese and candied yams. My favorite dish was the candied yams because the candied yams had pecans in it. That was interesting to try because I've never seen a dish quite like that.

Collard greens and cornbread
Stephanie S.

You have to try the turkey wings!! They were falling off the bone, super tender. The wings were delicious, actually everything I had was yummy. The sweet potato casserole is no joke. It tastes like candied yams whipped, baked, and with pecans on top. The macaroni and cheese is the baked kind (the only kind worth eating if you ask me), and it had a good balance of cheese and noodles. Even the cornbread is sweet. I like the atmosphere, very chill. I had a to-go order, but the service from the time I placed my order until I paid was spot on!

Heated deliciousness, Crab dip
Don C.

Walked in to Bowman's, the place was pitch dark. With what little light that seemed to squeeze through the half-closed blinds, we were able to find a booth and begin our Grubbing journey. When we first entered Bowman's Soul in the Wall restaurant in Hampton, VA, my Grubbing Buddy and I noticed the place had sort of a Louisiana vibe to it, not really prominent, but subtle displays gave it away. The crab dip appetizer arrived shortly after we ordered it, and what looked to be a simple dish turned out to be bursting with awesome flavor. The dip was heated, had plenty of lump crab meat and was very tasty. Shortly afterward, our entrees came out. I ordered the crispy, juicy fried chicken with two sides: fresh collards and perfectly seasoned cabbage. My Grubbing Buddy ordered the liver and onions along with the collards and some mac and cheese. Our waitress was attentive and curious as to whether we were enjoying our visit. The chef came out a couple of times asking if we were OK, checking to find out if we liked the food. If he hadn't stepped out the kitchen, I would have sworn there was somebody's country-cooking grandma back there stirring up a pot of delicious soul-food fixin's. We will most definitely be returning to this establishment if only to tryout all of our other Soul Food favorites...

Crack Wings and mashed potatoes

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4 months ago

I visited from CalIfornia. Bowman's is Black owned and the food and drinks were absolutely delicious

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3 months ago

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7 months ago

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6 days ago

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1 month ago

portions are way too small for the price won't be coming here again wards soul food have big portions for the price

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4 months ago

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6 years ago

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2 years ago

Food wasn't as season to taste or fresh and service wasn't friendly or welcoming! Personally was over hype!!!

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5 years ago

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7 years ago

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1 year ago

loved everything people was friendly food was good. the restaurant was clean not to many people in there

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

My meal I had twice was good. I would order again. I have already told my family and friends about this place

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

my cornbread was hard and burnt chicken wasn't seasoned and yams and macaroni was ok

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Mama J's Kitchen - Mac and cheese and sweet potatoes are on the side.

Mama J's Kitchen

4.3(1.6k reviews)
68.0 mi•Jackson Ward, Downtown
•$$

7 out of 5 stars. Yes, I said 7…read more So I went to Mama J's after scoping it out on Yelp, and let me tell you something: Richmond, we may have a problem. I have found the food. I initially walked into the market next door, which is actually great because there aren't a lot of grocery stores nearby. Then I headed over to Mama J's on a Monday afternoon. The place was teeming with associates doing all kinds of things, which I actually loved. I was seated quickly and started looking around. It was comfortable and familiar, even though it was my first time there. Then my server greeted me, called me "baby," and suddenly I felt like I had walked into my auntie's house. Okay. We were off to a good start. I ordered an Arnold Palmer and some catfish nuggets. Now, I knew I was in the right place when my server brought me TWO glasses of the most perfectly made Arnold Palmer. Two. Glasses. Start the happy dance. While I waited for my food, I looked around at the old photographs and magazine covers featuring Mama J's. It all made sense. The restaurant felt familiar because it felt like somebody's dining room. A place that has history. A place where people have been eating, talking, laughing and coming back for years. Then my catfish nuggets arrived. HOT. Golden. Crispy. When I tell you I did a happy dance... I ate those catfish nuggets with a knife and fork, humming to myself and saying, "This is the best catfish I have eaten in my life." And mind you, I eat out at least twice a week. So I ordered the crab cake sandwich with a side of macaroni and cheese. We were not particularly focused on vegetables because my server could not promise me the collards and cabbage weren't cooked with chicken broth. It's fine. I didn't really want my vegetables anyway. Then my plate arrived. HOT. I ate that macaroni and cheese and literally had to rock, hum and say to myself, "Woo. This food is good." The crab cake sandwich and fries were so good that I immediately knew some of them were coming home with me for lunch tomorrow. Because I may love food, but I also believe in planning ahead. Now let's talk about this crab cake. First, the brioche bun was EXACTLY the right bread. I am not a sliced-white-bread kind of woman. I need a brioche bun sturdy enough for the remoulade to hold onto. And then there was the crab cake. Enunciate that K. Fresh crabmeat. Maryland could NEVER. I know, I know. Maryland swears they have the best crab cakes. No ma'am. No sir. The best crab cake is sitting on Clay Street, about a mile from the James River, in Jackson Ward, the Harlem of the South. And the fries? HOT. You know that perfect fry: crispy on the outside, soft in the center? Yeah. Those. At this point, I was full and getting sleepy at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. But apparently that wasn't enough because I ordered some potato salad to go so I could top off tomorrow's lunch. Because priorities. I left Mama J's full as a tick. Came home. And promptly took a several-hour nap. That is how good this meal was. Mama J's, you have officially set the bar. 7 out of 5 stars. I am going back. And, quite frankly, they are going to get sick of seeing me. Richmond, if you haven't been to Mama J's, what are you waiting for?

As a DMV Native, Mama J's is one of Richmond's best most premiere restaurant spots in a city where…read moreI had some underwhelming experiences. Mama J is the Carolina Kitchen from the DMV meets Richmond. I remember the manager and staff being accommodating, welcoming and it remains the highlight of my trip to Richmond earlier this year. The side dishes are great, however the baked chicken breasts was undercooked and should had been cooked more. I won't hold it against them to that level, as the rest of the food and beverages were excellent. The customer service and down home vibe from management really stood out in a great way to me. The portion sizes were great; however it can be pricey for a mid-size city. Carolina Kitchen has just as good food up North in the DMV and is actually cheaper and mor affordable. Fortunately, I am a great cook like a homemade chef, however when it comes to treating yourself, I think this spot in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood is a highlight here. This is way better than Lillie Pearl which is pretentious and does not have the soul, grounded, and kindred spirt of MJs. I loved the atmosphere, interior design/decorum, and vibe of the joint cool bar section and tables with seats. It would be nice if they had booths that were more comfortable, but again I won't hold it against them.

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Mama J's Kitchen - Seating

Seating

Mama J's Kitchen - Pork Chops, Cabbage

Pork Chops, Cabbage

Mama J's Kitchen - Exterior

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Exterior

Coopers Restaurant and Lounge

Coopers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1(52 reviews)
14.3 mi
•$$
Family-owned & operated
Outdoor seating

Coopers Restaurant provided an exceptional experience for our family's repass for 50+ guests on a…read moreFriday at noon. Initially, I resisted choosing Coopers due to its lack of aesthetic decor and worries about how it would compare to pricier local venues requiring steep deposits. However, turning to Coopers turned out to be the best decision we could have made for a celebration of life repass. The staff accommodated our diverse group seamlessly. Cheri and the servers delivered next-level service, expertly managing a large crowd and handling every drink order with absolute grace. They seated family and friends up on a riser while thoughtfully arranging floor seating for our mature guests in their 80s using walkers and wheelchairs. While the venue's interior is basic, the food was the true highlight for everyone from ages 1 to 100. The Meats: The fried chicken was seasoned to perfection, and the baked chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender. The smothered pork chops with onions were so tender they could be cut with a fork, and the hot wings were a massive hit that disappeared quickly. The peel-and-eat shrimp was well-seasoned, and the shrimp fried rice--though a unique spin with plenty of shrimp and vegetables--was just average. The only real miss was the fried fish (Tilapia or Whiting), which had a fishy smell that could be resolved by washing it after defrosting. Pig feet looked tender and well seasoned I was told. The Sides: The candied yams were the undisputed star of the side dishes with just the right amount of sugar and syrup. The mashed potatoes tasted genuinely homemade, and the cabbage was a hit for most with a nice flavor profile. The collard greens, green beans, and macaroni and cheese drew mixed reviews, leaning middle-of-the-road, while the salad bar and cold salads like potato and macaroni salad were solid additions. Vegan/Vegatrian - Salad bar (Please ask question on the other sides) Collard Greens and String Beans may have meat or meat broth. Pescatarian - Peel and eat shrimp and fried fish STANDING OVATION to the cooks in the back they need more recognition of being able to cook for a diverse age and taste buds. Please keep in mind these cooks are cooking for a large diverse crowd some patrons have food restrictions due to medical issues and cannot have highly seasoned and spicy foods. So, the cooks cannot be creative with the seasons like other restaurants or your home. A must try is the Chicken (Fried and Baked), Smothered Pork Chops, Turkey Wings(Sunday), Cabbage and Yams. These are solid staples everyday of the week. Coopers restuarant offered incredible value, avoiding the exorbitant hundreds or thousands of dollars charged by traditional catering halls/restuarants for uncertain headcounts, and ensured we didn't waste food. Most importantly, it gave us a spacious, welcoming environment to fellowship and honor a loved one together. If you need a accommodating venue with great food and reasonable pricing for a large group, seriously consider Coopers restuarant.

Before I begin let me start off by saying that this review is based solely upon my personal…read moreexperiences and my personal experiences alone, so without further explanation let's begin!. This spot was highly recommended by some of my acquaintances. You have the option to pick your food, pay for it and leave or you can dine in and enjoy their buffet style option!. I would recommend checking this place out!.

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Coopers Restaurant and Lounge
Coopers Restaurant and Lounge - Cakes a plenty

Cakes a plenty

Coopers Restaurant and Lounge

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The River Restaurant & Lounge - The River Restaurant & Lounge

The River Restaurant & Lounge

3.7(11 reviews)
16.0 mi

We came here for a birthday party. We were allowed to reserve some tables and decorate a bit. That…read morewas very nice of the owners. We did bring in a few cupcakes for the birthday candles. The party was for about 50 people most over 30 years old. I love the spacious dance floor and the sound system. They played a great mixture of music that coveted all the age groups, including the must have lube dancing music. The DJ made sure we enjoyed ourselves and led a toast fir out birthday girl. The owner welcomed us, and the entire staff was very friendly. The food was good, most people in our party had wings. The adult beverages were yummy and substantial, so everyone was happy. The seating is comfortable, and the venue decor was thoughtfully done. The food service was good and the owner checked on our party several times during our event.. Hubby and I are going back next weekend to dance and dine. Enjoyable location for 30 plus crowd.

SERVICE: it took sometime for anyone to notice we were waiting to be seated then we were told we…read morehad to wait for the hostess by a waiter, and security (10 mins) FOOD: when the food arrived to the table it was cold easy fix, still good Ambiance: very appealing relaxed atmosphere BUT THERE ARR CAMERAS IN THE LADIES RESTROOM!!!!

Photos
The River Restaurant & Lounge - The River Restaurant and Lounge's grand opening was a success!

The River Restaurant and Lounge's grand opening was a success!

The River Restaurant & Lounge - Come and book a seat in our VIP section! Go to www.theriverrestaurantandlounge.com for more details.

Come and book a seat in our VIP section! Go to www.theriverrestaurantandlounge.com for more details.

The River Restaurant & Lounge

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Croaker's Spot

Croaker's Spot

3.9(973 reviews)
67.4 mi•Manchester
•$$

We had the pleasure of visiting Croaker's Spot while in town from Northern Virginia and stopped in…read morefor an early dinner. From the moment we arrived, we had an amazing experience. We were warmly greeted by a lovely hostess who ended up being our server, Jamila, I hope I spelled her name correctly. She was truly one of the best servers we have had in a long time: attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and full of great suggestions. She checked on us often without being intrusive, and her customer service was exceptional. When I mentioned that I did not care for the mac and cheese, Jamila immediately offered recommendations for another side. To our surprise, the chef even came out personally to apologize and brought me a fresh serving of mac and cheese. The replacement was much better! That is what I call going above and beyond to make customers happy. The food was delicious. I ordered the catfish dinner with collard greens and candied yams. The catfish was moist, fried to perfection, and seasoned just right. The collard greens were flavorful and well seasoned, while the candied yams reminded me of my grandmother's homemade yams sweet, comforting, and absolutely delicious. The portions are huge, so you definitely will not leave hungry. Between the wonderful hospitality, outstanding service from Jamila, and amazing food, Croaker's Spot gave us a memorable dining experience. We will definitely be back!

Corn bread = great Chips / fries = great…read moreFish = nasty, oily, dried out, chewy. In a word, garbage. I gave it to the stray cats. And over priced I got some cake there also, another mistake. Lord knows how long it had been sitting, drying out. Cat food also Save your money, don't eat here

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Croaker's Spot
Croaker's Spot - In this dish, I saw Jesus (so so so good).

In this dish, I saw Jesus (so so so good).

Croaker's Spot

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JEM'S "Take A Plate" - Just disgusting and very disappointing. Waste of our money.

JEM'S "Take A Plate"

3.7(56 reviews)
15.7 mi
•$$

I've eaten at JEM's several times. I love the Cabbage and Macaroni and Cheese these items are the…read moreBEST. Pros: Cooked to order and Large portions of food Cons: They don't always pick the phone for the calling orders. The long wait sometimes The customer-facing staff is slow sometimes putting the orders in the bags. The Food: Fried Chicken: Overall good (a couple of times a little burnt) Turkey Wings: Pretty good, a large portion Whiting Fish: Just okay - Would not order again Chicken and Dumplings: Extremely salty - Would not order again Cabbage and Collards: I order this all the time, very good especially the cabbage. Yams: It is good if you like very sweet yams. Macaroni and Cheese: A must-buy so delicious! Potato Salad: This is truly a hit or miss for me. Sometimes it has a hint of vinegar and that makes the potato salad taste sour.

I ordered Mac n cheese and meatloaf. The prices are pretty reasonable. But as for the food, it…read moredidn't feel like restaurant quality. I'm picky about meatloaf, but I gave it a try. The meatloaf was a decent portion, but very bland. The ketchup helped it somewhat. The Mac and cheese was bland as well but it was cheesy, so I was ok with that. The texture and everything was fine. I wouldn't go out of my way to have this again, but if I'm in the area and wanted something , maybe. A little seasoning would probably change the experience!

Photos
JEM'S "Take A Plate" - Whiting dinner

Whiting dinner

JEM'S "Take A Plate" - Liver and Onions

Liver and Onions

JEM'S "Take A Plate"

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Bowmans Soul in the Wall - soulfood - Updated October 2026

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