I don't know Toledo like that. My first time here, I passed through the Vistula Historic District on my way out to do some work in the Ottawa Hills area. Funny, I didn't see one hill in all of northwest Ohio, much less in the place called, "Ottawa Hills." Why you gota lie? So anyway, driving through Vistula, I noticed how it has its fair share of black people. I love soul food. Who doesn't? It is ground zero for American cuisine. I googled around, some places weren't open; some other places turned out to be closed permanently. Josephine's Kitchen was alive. Now they operate on CPT, that much has to be said. You know what that means? It doesn't matter, it's all love. I got the smothered pork chops with greens and mac n cheese. I chose corn bread over the dinner roll. Pork chops was falling off the bone. Greens was right. The $15 dollar plate of food must have weighed five pounds. They feedin ppl here. The proprietress was one of the most competent and hospitable women I have ever come across. A talented and humble woman. read more

Ordered the meatloaf Sunday dinner. Absurdly huge slice of a dense meatloaf with gravy. Very tasty. Came with two sides and a bread option (roll or cornbread) I went with the Mac and cheese which was extra buttery and yummy and the greens which were a little salty for my taste (but I think most would disagree with me). I called ahead and my ordered was ready in 15 mins. Inside there is limited seating. Everyone was very nice. Mainly posting to update the menu pictures :) read more

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Josephine's Soul Food in Toledo has a friendly staff and a cozy vibe. It's best to order ahead, as the wait can be long. The fried chicken is crispy, juicy, and full of flavor--definitely a highlight. The mac and cheese is okay but could be creamier. Unfortunately, the peach cobbler is very bad--it's undercooked and not enjoyable at all. Stick to the main dishes, especially the chicken, for a satisfying meal. Corn bread is great. read more

Josephine's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

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The food is amazing and reminds me of my grandmother's cooking from down south. I did carry out service and my food was very hot and ready when I got there to pick it up. They have seating inside if you would like to sit and eat your food there. read more

We were in Toledo for the day, and I discovered Josephine's through Yelp. The owners are great. We told them we were from out of town, and they were so welcoming. The food is amazing also. We loved the catfish and mac & cheese the best, but the cabbage and candied yams are also great. I don't think you can go wrong with anything from this restaurant. I wish I lived closer, but believe me I will one day return to Josephine's Kitchen. read more

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Heaven....that's all I can say! If you want authentic soul food, this is the place to go. Simply amazing. There should be a line wrapped around the corner & down the block waiting for any dish from this lovely kitchen. The owner is so so kind & personal. Love, love, love! read more

I was working in Toledo and did my normal Yelp search for food. In the mood for something different it suggested Josephine's. Small little joint located in a head on a swivel kinda neighborhood, you must wear a mask to order. No problem. The lady who took my order was super funny and pleasant, and we talked about our dogs and showed pictures. I ordered the Fried Whitefish, Mac n cheese and yams. It took only 10 or so minutes and she handed me my bag. You could feel the weight of the bag and knew the portions were no joke. I decided to just eat in the car and OMG. Enough fish for 2 people, it was dusted in a cornmeal crust that had a little extra somethin somethin flavoring it. Cooked perfectly I was just in heaven!! The yams. Super sweet and sticky these were more like a dessert. Mac n cheese. I swear this was taken straight from my Aunt Bobbie's kitchen. I haven't had food like this since I was 15 back home. The kind of flavors that just took me back to a time where who gave a damn about calories, sodium or carbs. It was Flavortown and I was on a 40 minute stroll. Soul food is just that. Something that your soul needs to make you slow down and remember a simpler time. I couldn't tell you how much my plate cost and honestly didn't care. It was that good. Sorry for no pics. I got yams on my phone and ate half the phone lol. Stop in and see these folks. Your soul will thank you! read more

I was very disappointed with my food. I had very high expectations given the 4-5 star reviews I read. I had the smothered pork chops, greens and dressing. To start there is no organization when placing your order. One woman was clearly disturbed that she had waited 20-minutes to place an order. You weren't quite sure where to stand to give your order or pick up your food. No one in back was really addressing anyone. They were quite busy. A couple ladies finally came out with pads to take down what you wanted. Back to the food, the pork chops were dry and tough. The gravy on top helped very little to moisten this meat. The dressing and greens had no seasoning. I love corn bread dressing and these had no flavor. The greens were bland as well; with no seasoning or meat in site. I feel like this food was cheaply made with no added touch to make it tasty and worth the money. read more

I want to start by saying, customer service was SUPERB. extremely friendly. Everyone who walked out of the kitchen said hello to me and how are you! However, I waited about 25 mins before I received my food. We didn't get drinks until the food was served and I had to ask for them. The drink options were limited (koolaid & I believe pop from a vending machine, maybe more but I wasn't told ) which I have no issue with. It made it more of a authentic and genuine experience in my mind lol. Im sad to say food was underwhelming bland . The potatoes very buttery but that's about all of the flavor. The spaghetti lacked meatiness and real flavor. Catfish was nothing special but it was seasoned very well. The Mac and cheese was separated and noodles were overcooked.. nice flavor... not "wowed". Yams were delicious! I was brought two samples to try ( potato salad & some other type of dressing) best part of my meals! The potato salad was the BEST I've ever had. I will be back because the customer service was amazing; and the reviews on all social media platforms are amazing for this place! #blackpower Total was 21$ something! read more

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Must-try the catfish and their fried chicken... Great seasoning and favor. Get 4 sides... the food was hot. Finger licking good! Everything was delicious. For sure, comfort food. It's casual dining. Can pop/soda from the machine. Just 10 minutes from the Toledo Zoo. Great customer service and friendly place. You know the food will be great from the outside. House converted to a restaurant. Don't need to be fancy on the outside to have good food. Good food takes time to make. read more

I have to admit that it takes me forever to try some Mexican, Chinese, and Soul Food places. It's because in many places they can be hit or miss and I'm pretty particular. Likewise, it took me TOO long to get my butt to Josephine's. I'm even more ashamed because it bears my grandmother's name lol. I finally managed to call in an order. The 20 minute wait time was very reasonable and the place is easy to find. It's a quaint little place that's like visiting your grandma for some home cooking. The retro tables and chairs are perfect. There are a few places to sit but I can imagine that most want to eat this yummyness while snuggling at home. My first time I got a variety of entrees. I tried the fried catfish, ribs, greens, potato salad, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Everything was cooked to perfection. No soggy cornbread or overcooked greens. The catfish was perfectly crispy and flaky and the ribs were tender and smothered with flavorful BBQ sauce. The entrees are plentiful. I have been there a hundred times since then! My friends and family love it. I do wish they had some smaller entrees for days when I have a lighter appetite. Sometimes I just share one entree with someone else lol. I highly recommend it. read more

Rolled up to what looked like a house. I wasn't sure if I had the right place, but it said Josephine's and I was hungry, so in I went. $13.50 for a plate with sweet potatoes, cornbread, mac & cheese, and 5 ribs, what more can you ask for??! Being the little person I am, this meal lasted me 3-4 more meals.The owners were great. Super friendly and recommended the ribs. The food was good. I hear this place gets crowded on Sundays. No soft drinks, except from the machine, so maybe consider bringing your own. read more

Ive eating here a few times. The last time I got 3 meals! 2 catfish dinners and a baked chicken dinner. Everything was so good. I also bought a banana pudding and peach cobbler...I didn't care for either one but I'm also very picky about my sweets. The food was so good, I didn't really care about the desserts to be honest. I live over an hour away and it's def worth the drive every single time. read more

First visit to Toledo and a colleague wanted soul food. Josephine's came up and the reviews from locals and visitors made it easy to give it a try. I am visiting from the deep south and appreciate how the staff and patrons were friendly and made you feel welcome. The food was fresh, flavorful, and filling. Sunday is a packed house so call in ahead to place your order. read more

Josephine's Kitchen - Fried chicken wings, greens, mac & cheese, yams, and cornbread - Soul Food Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

Food is delicious! Can order the food in advance and get it to go .Great variety on the menu; soul food

Didn't realize it was take out only. But that's ok. Service was friendly and fabulous. The catfish was seasoned perfectly and cooked so ends were crispy and the middle was succulent. The corn bread patty was sweet, moist and tasty. The green beans were over cooked and I should have known better than ordering French fries to go. They never pack well. read more

This is on some slap yo mama type good ish! Being real, It did look a lil sketch bc it's essentially a house turned into a restaurant but don't let that fool you. The food was made to order so it was hot and fresh and that mac and cheese is honestly where it's at! I would highly recommend this place for some good soul food! read more

Josephine's Kitchen - Chicken wings, fries and Mac and cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

Was in town in Toledo for a convention at the Seagate Center and wanted to try something that wasn't a chain. Reviews looked great so stopped in here. The entire staff was super friendly and welcoming, made me feel like I'm a regular here. I got the Catfish, Mac and cheese and greens and some peach cobbler for dessert and they were all fantastic. Catfish is some of the best I've had, super crispy on the outside and moist inside. Thry brought us some yams black Eyed peas and potato salad to try and they were all great as well. I'll be stopping in here every time I'm in town for sure! read more

Omg YES! Everything about this was amazing and flavorful. Went pretty far out of our way with the hope that the reviews on here were real and we were NOT disappointed. The catfish was crunchy and moist, green beans had tons of flavour and a little kick, and I'd eat that fried okra every day for the rest of my life if I could. This is one of those unexpectedly, secretly great places that you see on diners, drive ins, and dives. I'm absolutely certain we'll be back. read more

Josephine's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

Baked chicken was overcooked and dry, dressing had little gravy and was too thick, sweet potatoes were wayyy too sweet..oxtail dinner was nice..for $23 it better be.. green beans and black eyed peas good..peach cobbler was too runny.. not worth the money we spent, first time here read more

Great Food. Excellent selection of food. Great Macaroni. Great service. Best soul food in Toledo.

When I was a kid, I would attend family BBQs and picnics. All my relatives would bring their best homemade food dishes to share. The food at Josephine's Kitchen reminds me of those great picnic days. The food is awesome. It's all homemade and tastes the way soul food should taste we had the rib dinner and roast dinner. The ribs were big, tender and juicy. The roast was so tender and flavorful. It melted in my mouth. The sides were all outstanding. This is not a big place. If you are local, you can carry out. There are a few tables for dining in, but it is no frills. The effort and money all go towards the food and service. The people running JK are friendly and care about the food. Try this place. It's great. read more

I've lived in Toledo all my life. And Josephines kitchen definitely takes the spot for BEST soul food in town. Customer service was very helpful and polite. Has a very home feeling type of vibe as well which always makes the food more enjoyable!! Definitely a 5/5 highly recommended. Best place in town! read more

We ate here on a Saturday. They had just opened. Drove about 45 minutes just to hit this place up that's been on our list for awhile now. Did not disappoint. Jerome was amazing. Food was out of this world. I got the baked chicken, collards, mac and cheese. My friend got the ribs, collards, green beans and mac and cheese. Both served with some corn bread. Finished it off with lemon pound cake. The food was so delicious and fresh. Very reasonable prices. We left stuffed and satisfied. It will be a must now anytime we're in the area and craving that good ole southern soul food! Highly recommend! read more

Wanted some good home cooking. Read reviews and tried Josephine's. The food was amazing, the service was great and the staff was so friendly. I live about 4 hours away but I will be back for sure. The picture speaks for itself. I promise if you try this place you will not be disappointed, tell them Amber from Cincinnati sent you. read more

Josephine's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

Thank god this place exists!!! So good! Found it on yelp & glad I gave it a try. Totally worth the drive. Will be back for sure. We had the meatloaf & ribs. Tried the Mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans & corn bread. You need to give this place a try! People were very nice & the food was ready when we arrived (we called in the order.) Had the banana pudding for dessert very good. I visited on a Sunday the menu for Sunday is wide variety. read more

Josephine's Kitchen - Meat loaf & ribs. Can't wait to try more from this place! - Soul Food Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

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UNBELIEVABLE home cooking in this gem. Everyone is friendly and helpful and the food is some of the best I've had. We had ribs, baked chicken and fried wings. Each meal comes with two sides. All the sides were great and we got samples of others. Yams awesome, potato salad is flawless. Right near science museum. Dont miss this place read more

The owners were very friendly. The smothered pork chops had a little to much seasoning for me but other then that they get the thumbs up.....(I don't like a lot of seasoning, but my daughter loved them so there you go). Come get your eat on. And I got a delicious piece of cake. read more

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First time there and the food was amazing! Everything is cooked to order and fresh. Def worth the money if you want some good soul food in the area. read more

Great food. I'd eat here everyday if I could. Sundays is the best day to be here since they have the full menu. Baked Chicken, Smothered Pork Chops, Greens, Fried Okra and Mac n Cheese. read more

Top notch comfort food! Scratch made- just like your Grandma's Sunday meal. There are daily specials and a few meals served on Sunday only. We'll be back! read more

Was in Toledo for a conference and found out about this place. There was an older women in there who was the owner she was very friendly and welcoming and told me the history of the restaurant. The food was very delicious. I had order the Fried fish (cooked to order), mac & cheese, and yams all very good. It was so good I even called my friends who were also in town for the conference and had them come over and they thanked me for telling them about it. If I am every in Toledo for some strange reason again. I will definitely return to this place. read more

2015-02-08 Thanks to all the previous reviewers who mentioned that it was best to go late Sunday afternoon to avoid the church crowd. Talk about gracious service and service with a smile. When they learned that we were first-timers they explained what they had to offer and the added fact that the Sunday dinner came with a complimentary piece of cake. We ordered mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, collard greens, cabbage, meatloaf and fried chicken. EVERYTHING was mouth-watering yummy! I would go back to order just the cabbage it was that good. I have no idea how they prepare it or what spices they added but it was absolutely delicious. The fried chicken was actually fried chicken wings which surprised us. However, the crunchy coating was light and flavorful...not greasy at all. I am not a meatloaf maven like Gerry, but even I have to admit that was the best meatloaf I have ever had. Full of flavor and the gravy enhanced the taste and was not thick and clumpy like gravy too often tends to be. The collard greens were good...if a little salty..but then ...there was ... The cabbage...I cannot say enough good things about the cabbage. We did not order ahead of time so we had to wait while the chicken was being fried to order...well worth the wait. It was amazing the number of people who came in to pick up take out orders. The cakes...the corn bread and the free slice of spice cake were both moist, melt in your mouth... We will definitely be going back to try the other offerings...of course, at least one of my sides will always be the cabbage! read more

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Damn good. Not gonna lie if you're from out of town this place might throw you off you might drive right past it and think maybe you shouldn't stop lol you might wanna turn around and go back because it is worth it. Very friendly atmosphere And home cooking you can't find anywhere else. read more

We stopped hear for lunch on a Saturday headed back to Columbus, OH from Detroit, MI. Yelp did not lead us wrong. Josephine's is a tried and true southern soul food cuisine. I had the Tilapia, Candied Yams, and Cabbage -- it was delicious. I also tasted my friend's Mac-N-Cheese and Fried Okra. Thumbs up all the way around. Next time I'll get Whiting, Greens and Potato Salad. read more

Great selection of soul food pretty close to downtown. I had the pork chops, collard greens, and okra and left feeling very satisfied and replenished! read more

Easy 5 stars! I had the ribs, Mac and cheese, and candied yams. I can't wait to go back and try other stuff. The customer service is fabulous. They even brought us samples of all the sides so we could try them. read more

Soiid southern home cooking by the nicest people!~

We drove ourselves 2 hours north today to see what all of the fuss was about at Josephine's. Wow! The service was like mom's house. We said we'd never been there before and were served samples of everything we didn't order because these folks are proud of their kitchen. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and I mean everyone. The staff was welcoming, other customers were welcoming, we helped fix the vending machine. The food!!! Holy cow, the food was welcoming and melt your taste buds fantastic. I want to move into Josephine's kitchen. Eat here, you won't be sorry. read more

Josephine's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

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Wow! We're driving home to Chicago from vacation in Virginia and found this spot for lunch in Toledo. This was the best meal of our entire vacation! I had fried chicken wings, potato salad, green beans & corn bread. My husband had fried catfish, fried okra, greens & corn bread. It was all fantastic. The food is all made to order, fresh--that is a rare treat when getting fried food in a restaurant--Can't remember the last time I had fried chicken (or potato salad) that good. The owner was there and was really friendly, as was the waitress. They had a high chair for our toddler and were patient with us and the mess the baby made. Our son loved the food just as much as we did. The food was very reasonably priced too! We will be coming here every time we are in the area. Thanks for a great meal and a pleasant, restful road trip break. (Well worth the extra time getting to and from I-80) read more