Wonderful community restaurant with a brilliant concept. Everyone is welcome here and can eat regardless of your ability to pay. Patient and friendly staff which are all volunteers . Menu changes every two weeks and is delicious. The chefs are top notch. Will be back again. read more

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Everything was delicious, fresh, and truly creative. It was top-notch quality, and well-thought out. The menu is limited to two items per appetizer and entree as well as one dessert. The interior is cozy and homey, helping to create a comforting environment while eating delicious, perfectly prepared meals. JBJ Soul Kitchen is a gem and an invaluable resource for the community. It provides the overlooked and undervalued the most basic necessity of life: food. And not just any food, but a top-rate restaurant quality meal. It helps to preserve the dignity of the guests who may not have anything else in life. This place feeds the those who can't afford to pay for free in exchange for them washing their own plates and some service before they head out. Those that can pay, they suggest $20 for the meal, but it's truly whatever you can afford to pay. The money goes right back into the operations. Most of the staff there are volunteers: the only paid staff was the head chef. JBJ Soul Kitchen is a program from the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. This is the same rockstar and actor, Jon Bon Jovi who established this foundation. read more

Food is always good but they should have a menu. I went a few times n didn't like anything on the menu. Im vegan n dairy free.

Corn ice cream will u serve it ever again omg was amazing...i love jbj soul kitchen both locations ....Teresa

Such an amazing place! The food was spectacular, and what they do for the community is a tremendous blessing. The service was spectacular, as always, and the ambiance is perfect. I always enjoy coming here whenever I get the chance!!! Highly recommend. read more

What a terrific operation. Nicest people, delicious food, and a noble cause. Highly recommend checking it out if you are in the area. They also sell their seasoning blends so you can take home the goodness. read more

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We absolutely love this concept of paying it forward for others, but we were not expecting how wonderful the food was! My partner had the pork chop with hot honey glaze, and we loved it so much that we tried to replicate it at home the following week. I had the eggplant and I could taste the freshness of every single ingredient which came together like poetry. The staff are so wonderful and really in tune with the mission of giving and service. We will definitely be back!! read more

This place is awesome ! We had a wonderful experience in a very nice setting. The staff is so nice and accommodating. I wish it was closer to my home. I would be here often. The food is fabulous!! read more

JBJ Soul Kitchen - Chef in the kitchen - New American Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

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amazing people, good food, good ambiance, good attitudes and good cheer because everyone here is on a mission to provide a cool experience for those struggling and those that want to pay extra. Pay it forward if you can, and if you can't then it's ok. Great times will be had here! Enjoy the seasonal stuff and the staples! Thanks for giving us hope read more

Super nice staff, great food, not just good but great. Enjoyable ambiance, will be back next trip through.

The service! The food! The purpose! What an amazing privilege to dine here and support this mission!

My mom has been wanting to come here for a very long time, we finally got a chance to. When we arrived, I loved that the restaurant was connected to a community space, and written on the wall are words of encouragement to chat with your neighbors. The entire dining set up was very professional. The servers were more casual, like grandmas and moms, gently checking in to make sure you have everything you need. And since there is a flat price for the food, you can feel a little less shy about asking for it. They took photos and were happy to chat with us, and regularly cleared our tables of dishes when we were done. The menus were posted in the doorway before entering and then we were handed them again at the table. Before taking our orders, we were told the specials of the day. My mom ended up getting one of the specials, a seafood quesadilla. While I went with the salmon. For appetizers, I got the salad, which was perfect, my mom got the soup which was on the saltier side but we still ate it all up. The salmon was well cooked though I think it could have still used a sauce. Overall, the portions were filling, though they didn't take long to eat. For dessert, we were asked if we wanted a fruit cup or chocolate cake. We went for the chocolate cake--it was so moist and spongey, I was really surprised!!! I would love to learn how to make a chocolate cake like that. At the end they also encouraged us to take some winter accessories that were on a table, and I got a very cute rainbow scarf to remember this birthday lunch with my mom. I would definitely come here again. read more

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Am in visiting family and have wanted to go here for quite a while. Service was good and friendly. Food was quite good also. They have a changing menu and tonight I had gnocchi and sweet potatoes, 2 had chicken pot pie and the special was blackened shrimp. The soup was a curry carrot and apple, was a very good meal. read more

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Another great lunch at JBJ Soul Kitchen. Excellent food and really great staff. Highly recommended.

Wow, what a fantastic place! The only thing better than the delicious food was the kind and friendly staff. You truly felt part of a warm community the second you stepped in the door. The menu is seasonal, and we were lucky to be there when the chef made a fresh Greek chicken salad, lemon and ginger orzo soup, bruschetta chicken with zucchini that I'm going to try (badly) to replicate at home, and delicious fruit and slice cake for dessert. Great food, great people, and a great cause. Can't wait to go back! read more

The food was excellent and we love the concept. All volunteer servers were friendly and responsive and food came out quickly. I love that there is a rotating menu and that this community restaurant feeds people in need. Definitely check it out! read more

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Incredible! First, what an amazing program, Everyone eats is a great concept. Secondly, I had an amazing 3 course meal that started off with a tasty Mixed green Beet salad, that was tangy and fresh. My main course included a roasted chicken bedded on a creamy garlic mash, that had a wonderful sauce. And finished off with a Vanilla and cherry cake, Brought me Joy ! I can't wait to return. read more

Amazing food! Amazing service!! Amazing experience! JBJ Soul kitchen gives you the opportunity to enjoy a great meal and Pay it Forward at the same time! read more

Wow!! Our first time to the Soul Kitchen. The volunteer servers, and host were extremely welcoming, and efficient. We had the salmon entree , and a special paste dishes, both were outstanding. This restaurant has a fixed $20 fee for a 3 coarse lunch, no matter what entree you choose. The atmosphere is upbeat. Fresh flowers on each table, as well as cloth napkins. Dinning here is a must do experience. read more

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Not to be taken advantage of but this is food that I didn't expect along with service and friendly people chipping in to help the less fortunate. Luv and respect Jon. read more

I understand that this place is basically for people who can't afford a nice meal. I had the omelette and the texture was weird. Very fluffy, but not soft. Service was great and the people were all very friendly. I did give the recommended donation. Will try again. read more

Amazing food and atmosphere. The waitresses and waiters were extremely gracious and professional. Highly would recommend

WOW This non-profit community restaurant was on my list to visit for quite some time and am so glad that I finally made the trip and the food and service was so awesome. The place has nice decor and clean. Once we sat down, we were given a dish of grilled eggplant and it was SO delicious. Then we had our 3 course meal served with water and unsweeted tea. Everyone enjoyed their dishes. The smoked pork loin was so tender and flavorful. The minestrone soup was yummy. They even served hot tea and coffee with dessert. With such an amazing meal, all they ask for is $20 contribution per person. Of course, you can pay more. If you are visiting Jersey Shore, definitely should have a meal here to support their good cause. read more

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I am so sorry it took me so long to visit this incredible restaurant. Not only does Jon Bon Jovi know how to write and sing a song and entertain millions he also knows how to put together an incredibly beautiful and well thought out restaurant for all people to enjoy, no matter how much money they have or don't have. As the website describes you get a three-course meal which is prepared by a well-known or amazing local chef. I had a choice of a salad or soup I chose the salad which had fresh greens, mushrooms, carrots crumbled blue cheese and this incredible dressing. Since I'm a vegetarian I next chose the corn fritters and sliced grilled carrots, oh my God incredible, the best fritters and carrots I've ever had also came with a delicious sauce. For dessert I was offered a fruit cup or a homemade red velvet cake with chocolate sauce with whipped cream and a cherry on top. One of the best cakes I've ever had. The restaurant is clean, modern, you get a cloth napkin, real silverware a beautiful drinking glass, choice of water, unsweetened iced tea, coffee or tea. At the end of your meal if you cannot afford to pay you can offer to wash dishes or help out, the suggested price for the meal was $20 I would've given them $30, so I also donated an additional $100 for their pay it forward program which would enable five people to eat for free and I also bought a T-shirt. The staff there are all volunteers and are incredibly friendly and just plain awesome. Once again what a great idea from an incredible Man. There should be more restaurants like this but in the meantime I will revisit JBJ soul very often! read more

JBJ Soul Kitchen - Corn fritters with sliced grilled carrots, amazing! - New American Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

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Absolutely perfect. But please help with the purpose of this foundation. Let's help anyone who is hungry.

From the concept, to the service, and the food, there is greatness on all levels at JBJ Soul Kitchen. Menus change and give people the opportunity to try new, fresh, and locally grown food with a gourmet healthy flair. The concept of pay what you wish or donate your time is a beautiful concept that should be a model more widely used all over. We brought my sister in law and her room mate of special needs here for lunch and they enjoyed themselves as much as we did. You could tell staff enjoyed volunteering their time here. THANK YOU! read more

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Amazing, amazing amazing!!!! From the kindness of the volunteers, to the presentation and plating of the food this place was one of the best experiences I have had, the flavor of the food was robust and everything paired together very well. This place even though has limited options on the menu, it makes you step outside of your comfort zone for a unique culinary experience. This is perfect for a date night, a new experience or if you need a hot meal and can't afford one, they let you eat in return for volunteer work! You can also pay it forward for someone in need to get a free meal! It's a great way to do something good for a community while dining in a phenomenal atmosphere. I would come back again!!!! 11/10 I would recommend JBJ Soul Kitchen!!!!!! read more

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What a fantastic concept... no one is turned away due to inability to pay. There are no prices for this fantastic 3 course meal served by volunteers, just make a donation (and buy a pay it forward meal so others can get a meal too). Those that cannot pay can volunteer to get a meal for them and their family. No reservations, first come, first seated and served (except for the volunteers, who get seated and served first). Please note that alcohol is not served here and you can't bring your own wine, etc. It is a wonderful place with a wonderful message of hope. We will definitely come again when we are in the area! read more

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The food here is above average and the dining experience pleasant. But this review is not about that. If you go here, you support BULLYING ! Most of the people working here - I would say 95% are good-hearted, well-meaning people that genuinely want to help the less fortunate. However I cannot understand why the management here would openly holler at and demean those that are working here. They have created a toxic atmosphere of bullying and that is just not right ! This is why I will never go here again ! If you go here, you are supporting BULLYING ! It's just that simple ! DO NOT SUPPORT BULLYING ! read more

went there when it first opened and never went back below average chef and food. felt bad for the servers. found out chef and hostess DO get paid no voluntering from them. food pantry I agree with they help the needy. I donate myself to them. but not the restaurant read more

Don't be misled by the name. It's not soul food... it's not just a kitchen... it's gourmet food in an attractive casual restaurant that's good for the soul because it's for a good cause. Soul Kitchen rocks -- thanks to an old rocker who hired a talented chef! Thank you, Jon Bon Jovi! $20 prix fixe includes soup or salad, bread, iced tea, entree, dessert and coffee or hot tea. All were excellent. No tipping allowed. No sales tax. I had New England clam chowder, a big portion of broiled salmon over lentils, and chocolate mousse with tasty chocolate shavings. Mi amor had pork medallions. All were delicious! Perfectly prepared, promptly served, nice presentation. Bright, clean restaurant with cheerful and attentive waitstaff. It was a bargain price for a great meal, so we gladly left an additional donation. The only minor ikssue was the noise bouncing off the walls from the chatter of many happy patrons. Located in a strip mall behind CVS near the traffic signal at Silver Bay and Hooper Ave. Some of the proceeds support an adjacent food pantry that closes before the 5PM restaurant opening. Check JBJ Soul Kitchen's days and hours before you go. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! read more

Looking forward to visiting this establishment & hope to be able to contribute some volunteer time. Nice to see places like this are still running strong. Keep up the great work read more

The food is delicious and most of all the volunteers make you feel welcome . We will definitely be going back. Great place to give back. Highly Recommend read more

Tried this for he first time today based on yelp reviews. Awesome ! Love the concept of a community kitchen helping those in need. The volunteers were so friendly and attentive. Four of us. Had lunch which included the cod, brown rice bowl, waffles, soup and dessert. All of it was great ! For a suggested donation of $20 each, the price is fair and the food fantastic. The hours of operation are funky and change so check before going. read more

In one word this place is WONDERFUL! Great mission, happy atmosphere, delicious-clean food and attentive servers with positive attitudes! What more can we ask for?! I learned about this gem after seeing Jon Bon Jovi share his mission on TV in 2017. Do yourself a favor...visit one of their locations. You will not be disappointed. Thanks to Jamie, Cheryl and Dawn for exceptional service! Special Thanks to Jon Bon Jovi for giving Hope. read more

Awesome food, everything was so fresh, farm to table is gospel here, fresh flowers on all tables, linen napkins, wonderful servers, overall you're enjoying an outstanding meal and giving to the community, how can you go wrong? read more

Wonderful place to come and eat. The people are very friendly, and all there to support a great cause. The food is presented with love, and cooked to perfection. I've been there several times, and have sent many friends, all of whom have enjoyed their experience as well. read more

food is mediocre but I go for the charitable nature of this place!

The food is actually really tasty. All of the volunteers were very nice and helpful. I would definitely recommend and go back.

A cool concept that opened its 2nd stop in May. Everything was brand spanking new and fresh. The pre fixed price is a good value when you factor in all the good that you do by going there. The food was fresh and presented well. The staff of volunteers are eager and sincere. I had the salmon and mom had the chicken (huge portion of half a large chicken) from the menu that changes every 2 weeks. Much of greens come from the local farm that too, offers volunteer opportunities. The mix of those that can afford the meal with those who benefit from the generosity of others makes this no ordinary soup kitchen. There is not a hint of difference that I could see between the voucher holders and the paying customers. The all volunteer staff was zealous in their attempt to make everyone feel welcome. The chicken portion was enormous and the bread basket was teeny tiny, perhaps reminding us that enough is enough while not being cheap about it. The hours are ridiculous but it is staffed by volunteers, so what are ya gonna do? Buy an extra meal if you can afford it! There was no pressure to donate, but you will feel so much fuller if you do. read more