My son picked this place. The place is very small, maybe four tables. It's really a one man…read moreoperation with some help to clear tables. Each meal is cooked by Shaun who is especially nice, friendly, and puts love into each dish he prepares. You can tell. Just take a breath when you walk in and take it in. Service is good, but like I said - its a one man operation so just be patience. The Fried Chicken and Devil Eggs are EXCELLENT. We would go back. Keep up the good job Shaun. Nicely done.

Came here to grab a bite with friends. The inside is very casual. The food was good and the…read moreportions were great for the price. I tried the Babyback Ribs and Fried Chicken Soul Sandwiches. The Babyback Ribs were really good. The ribs are taken off the bone for the soul sandwich and plated on slices of potato rolls. The Fried Chicken was good but not the best I've had in Charlottesville. I would have liked the outside to be crispier. The cornbread that comes with the order was also good. It was not traditional cornbread-- it tasted like carrot cake corn bread. The Mac and Cheese was a little too overcooked for my liking. However, for the meat sandwich and two sides were a large portion and cost 12 dollars which was awesome. Overall, Soul Food Joint is a charming locally owned soul food place downtown. It wasn't the best fried chicken or barbecue that I've had in Charlottesville, however the food was good and the portions were great for the price.

Food is excellent!! I've loved everything I've eaten there except the potato salad wasn't a fav…read more But overall, I'll go again and again. Everyone there is so nice and accommodating. The cleanliness could improve but nothing that would deter me from dining there. I think I'd have to say the pork chops and collars are my favs!

Been open for three weeks and the food is delicious if you want lunch you better get there early…read moreshe might run out but she definitely will reopen at 5pm. Like I said she is a new place come out and give her some soul food

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.

I often enjoy lunch from here. The service is friendly and the food is very good! I like the…read moremeatloaf and collard greens best.

I visited Lynchburg, VA with intentions of supporting excellent businesses who were also…read moreblack-owned. Listen, I was most determined to find food that would make me dance when I ate it! Using a blog post from the town's website, I made my list of places to visit- Home Cookin' wasn't on it. On a whim as we returned to our lodge, I googled "soul food". Behold, Home Cookin' came up, and it was in my area! It was a God deal. In fact, Home Cookin's love-filled soul food inspired a praise dance as I ate it! Sooo good! Plus...Home Cookin's staff was warm and welcoming- like I was their family visiting their home. Their service was quick, but I didn't feel rushed. They even invited me to come back and see them again before I left town. I did! And here's why: I could hardly contain my excitement for the opportunity to enjoy their home cooking again! Sooo good! (Pictured: Well-seasoned baked chicken, green beans that reminded me of my grandma Hattie's, creamy macaroni and cheese that I devoured, and the fried-to-order fish meal I savored on my second visit. Not pictured: Homemade Sprite Pound Cake and Peach Cobbler- both of which I indulged with pleasure!)

I've had several excellent meals here…read more Strongly recommend: - meatloaf - catfish - corn pudding - baked beans - cornbread - coconut pineapple cake I'm still exploring the menu and the variations by day of the week.

The food was sooo good! We got the fried catfish filet lunch, which included two catfish fillets…read moreand two sides, and split it. Tipped a little extra to make up for split plate. The fish was PERFECT. The woman who was running the place was kind and friendly. Can't wait to go back!

Fell in love with Papa's during our first visit here. We had the shrimp basket and shrimp and…read morecatfish poboy, both served with fries. Everything came out hot and crispy, and both the fish and the shrimp had the lightest touch of batter so the seafood flavor really came through. We ordered extra sides (a steal at $3 each!) of mac and cheese and beans. You could make a meal out of the mac and cheese itself-it is a very generous portion of creamy, cheesy goodness! The standout for me of all the dishes was the baked beans. You have never had beans like this. Trust me. I rarely eat beans because they're often too sweet, but Papa's beans are only slightly sweet and laced with an amazing smokey flavor (they are cooked with smoked brisket). I'm excited to come back and try the collard greens! On top of all the fantastic food, Jamar, the owner and chef, came out to ask us about our meal, which was the highlight of our visit. You will not meet a nicer, more caring restaurant owner! He really cares about his customers and you can tell the food is made with heart. It is truly a family business, with Jamar's mom behind the counter and home cooked recipes on the menu. It is worth the wait to get food this good, so kick back with a beer at one of the tables outside while your food is being prepared with love! 5 stars for food, 10 stars for service. It's like going to someone's home for dinner. Pro Tip: You can't see Papa's from the road if you are on North Delphine. It is on the backside of the mini-market on the corner (you may see the picnic tables on the side-that's where Papa's is!).

This new and unassuming restaurant does southern cooking with a homestyle touch you can taste…read more Currently they are still in the process of opening, but they have started to serve food under a limited menu. My wife and I stopped in and got two chicken sandwiches. All and all these sandwiches alone demonstrated a keen eye for quality. The chicken was tender and the breading has a good flavor. I look forward to this restaurant opening its doors completely. If you are just traveling through the area or are a local. I except this place to become a hometown classic.

Mother's Day menu for Brunch , the atmosphere and vibe is perfect... Service is on point , this…read morefelt like family. Not Many real soul food spots here and this is recommended, bring your stretch pants so you can expand your taste buds

The food and service was absolutely amazing. There was a great selection. Everything was home made…read more The fried chicken was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The greens were perfectly seasoned. My husband loved the green beans and ribs. The portions were generous. Oh, and the German chocolate cake was fabulous!

Please Ignore The Following Reviews:…read more 1. People who have not tried the food. The chicken is not dried out, it is crispy, savory, and delicious. The sides are all excellent. If you arrived late or near closing time, I suggest you come around lunch time. Leaving a negative review because you couldn't or wouldn't eat here is problematic to places that work hard to put out a quality product. 2. People who don't enjoy chicken. Yes, people have told me they don't like Brown's because they don't eat meat. Great. 3. People disgusted with its location. Yes, it's in a gas station. That is part of this location's appeal; it's a genuine hole in the wall. The food tastes great and they wouldn't be allowed to operate if they were dirty, which, in my opinion, they aren't. 4. People irritated at how a manager is speaking to a customer. I get it, this can irritate me, too. But 1 star? Get out of town. I've been going here for years, and the old and new management has been nothing but kind to the people I've seen order. This, along with Wayside Chicken and Mel's Cafe, is some of the absolute best fried chicken in Charlottesville. Best of all, it's affordable! Please support this place, spread the word, and learn what the hype it all about.

Somebody reach out to Michael Stern. His Roadfood review is sorely out of date. The business is…read morestill there, but it's no longer owned by the Brown family. Some other family runs it. The chicken is edible, but not memorable. The pieces are pretty small as well. Not worth a detour.

I hate to be that guy to ruin the 5 stars but... roll was hard, chicken salty as heck, fried hard…read moreas well which was good... yams not sweet, and please... I love Mac and cheese but the Mac and cheese tasted like leftovers and looked like leftovers. My girl had pork chop and guess what... salty her cornbread was dry and burnt at the top I feel bad for you guys around here being this is your only soul food spot would not recommend keep driving far away till u find the next soul food joint.

friendly service my Potato Salad was pretty good but the fried chicken was a miss Not sure what…read morehappened that day but was not seasoned and chicken look like it was cook in old grease

Mr. B's Soul food was amazing. This was the best Jerk Chicken I have ever had and the ribs were…read moreoutstanding. He makes is own BBQ sauce; out of this world and the portions were generous. I would highly recommend trying his food at his location in Stafford across from CVS and in front of 7/11 gas station/store. Hi struck is clean and well organized and Mr. B is a friendly guy who treats his customers like family. Thank you Mr. B and I will be back for more!

Running errands and was extremely hangry. Saw a food truck with a smoker off to the side in the…read moreparking lot of 7-11 and decided to give it a go. OMG! I'm so glad I did! I ordered the jerk chicken with black eye peas, mac & cheese, and cornbread. The jerk chicken drumsticks were delicious. The black eye peas had bits of pork (I think) and mac & cheese were amazing. They weren't stingy with portions, I couldn't even finish it all. The food truck fellas were very friendly and even ran out to my truck to give me condiments for my food but didnt need it because the food was that good. They are a new business. I'm all about helping small business owners especially when the food is amazing. Please check them out! I plan on going back this coming weekend.