My friend and I drove in from Staten Island and were looking up soul food restaurants in New Jersey since we were going to be in the area visiting the Liberty Science Center with the kids. After leaving the science center, we decided to head straight to this establishment, not knowing what we were getting ourselves into. Little did we know, this place is extremely popular and that we probably should have placed an order ahead of time. We ended up waiting about an hour and a half for our food, and to be honest, we were extremely frustrated. We were hungry, annoyed, and disappointed because no one communicated that the wait would be that long. If we had known ahead of time, we likely would have made a different decision. That being said, we decided to be patient and wait--and I am so glad we did. Once I got back into the car, I took a small taste of the food and immediately looked at my friend and said, "OMG! This food is so delicious. You're not going to believe this!" When we got home and actually sat down to eat, we were blown away. The quality, flavor, and care that went into the food were incredible. Every bite made us understand why this place is so popular. I don't enjoy waiting that long for food, and I do think better communication about wait times would make the experience much better. However, the food was so phenomenal that it completely changed my perspective. Great food is hard to find, and this place truly delivers. I would absolutely come back again--but next time, I'll definitely order ahead! read more

I have nothing to say other than the food here was outstanding. I have worked in the area for 20 years and never tried this restaurant and that was a mistake. I ordered the fried fish with sides of candied yams and macaroni and cheese. The fish was fried perfectly and tasted great. The yams were one of the best I've ever had. The macaroni and cheese was also amazing. I was going to try the meat loaf which is supposed to be really good too but they were all out by the time we arrived. The service was pleasant and we were in and out in 20 minutes. I will definitely be back to try other menu items read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Fried fish, candied yams, and macaroni and cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

In store Customer Service is excellent. Food nicely prepared and delicious. Will recommend friends and family. read more

No harm but for me the food was not good the rice had no taste the green beans was mushy but the pork chop was cooked to perfection.

Oxtails are on POINT !! 1st time ordering yesterday . You definitely get your moneys worth w. This spot . read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Oxtails , Carolyns Mac And Cheese Yams - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

The food is tasty and good but the customer service is terrible first the food was overly delayed while it wasn't busy and they forgot my juice after the long wait which I had to go back for after leaving and realizing and they had nothing to say when I told them this. read more

The food tasted pretty good and gave a southern feel that I miss from Florida. The food takes a while to be made so prepare to wait in your car unless you order before heading there. read more

Food was good. My sister ordered yams, Mac n cheese, cabbage, and fried pork chops. She said everything was good only thing she wish was the yams were sweeter. I didn't take a pic of my food I had only mac n cheese and green beans. Both was good. read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Mac n cheese, candied yams, cabbage, fried pork chops - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Just my opinion, not a huge fan. This isn't a good tasting soul food place. The rice taste like ramen noodles, the wings are decent one day and terrible others. The mac/cheese is horrible. Service is great though' read more

I had no idea! This place has some amazing food. The sticky wings are an excellent starter. Simply perfect. Great portions if you are sharing with two or three people. The BBQ Jerk is delicious. The sides hit just right. The rice and gravy, the sweet potatoes and the collard greens were divine. Very authentic. The food arrived hot! I will order again. I'll even stop by now that I know how good the food is. read more

Literally amazing. The Mac and cheese, the greens, the catfish, the boneless Buffulo wings ! If you truly enjoy southern food and live in Jersey where sadly there aren't enough southern spots please try Carolyn's . You will not be disappointed!! I can't wait to try other foods on the menu. I'm super happy that I found this place . read more

Delivery was made. Collard greens tasted spoiled. Potato salad was ok. Ribs were covered in bbq sauce but dry!

LOVE AT FIRST BITE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, when you tell me about someplace being a "Soul Food" resturant I'm going to always be super picky...that's just the way it is with me. I'm a Caribbean Lady who appreciates incredible tastes. I don't have soul food often so when I do I have high expectations. This restaurants food is a winner! The flavours are rich and filling in your mouth. It's best to take a bit of each item by itself so you can taste the nuances in each...no lie. This was my first time ordering from this restaurant and I'd ordered them from off the Grubhub app. The portions were great for me and it was well packaged for takeout. Well I ordered the Meatloaf which comes with a choice of 2 sides. I chose String Beans and Macaroni and Cheese as my sides with an extra order of 3 other sides just to try. I ordered Collard Greens, Potato Salad and Candied Yams....to drink I had Pink Lemonade the only thing I was missing was Cornbread. The Meatloaf had a lovely glistening brown sauce poured over the top and it was delicious, moist and well seasoned incredibleness (I wished I could order a whole loaf to freeze and serve when I want!!!) yes it was that good. The Mac and cheese was melt in your mouth with big cheese flavour. The collard greens at first bite almost blew me out of my seat at home! I did a double dip on the second bite for sure. The potato salad was a bit soupier than I normally make at home but when I tell you I couldn't stop eating it I'm not even joking. No doubt I will be ordering more frequently from this restaurant!!!! Fast favorite of mine as of now for sure!!!! My hats off to the Chef!!! ;-) read more

See all

Pros 1. Smothered Fried Chicken was Delicious but the Portion was of Young Chicken. Next time I will need to order a 2nd Leg Quarter.. ha ha 2. The Baked Mac n Cheese was Delicious. So far Best in Jersey City. I wish Baked Mac n Cheese was Popular Downtown Jersey City instead of Stove Top Versions.... I like Eggs in my Mac n Cheese... 3. Yams was Deliciously Sweet! 4. Pepper Steak was Delicious. Cons 1. I wish it was Downtown JC. Carolyn's Soul Food Downtown please and thank you. Or... Carolyn's SFD or Carolyn's Soul Food 2 or Carolyn's Soul Food II. read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Smothered Fried Chicken, Baked Mac n Cheese, and Yams. - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

It was good but the wings nearly had meat and the mac and cheese didn't have much flavor. Yams were delicious though I loved them. We did uber eats so maybe that affected it too. read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Sticky Honey Garlic Wings with yams and Carolyn's Mac and Cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

The place is not consistent, the food is not fresh, the staff is nice. I was over charged for a dinner. Instead of an apology or a refund I was yelled at then blamed for not checking the price before handing over credit card. The pricing on the menu isn't right and very misleading. Ownership unapologetic and rude. Canned string beans?! Are you serious. This place broke my heart. Don't disappoint yourself, stay home and cook. read more

I have lived in JC for 8 years. As a Black American, I actively look for Black-owned and operated businesses to patronize. I hate to say it, but CAROLYN'S KITCHEN is a real disappointment. The food is fine-sometimes great-- when you can get it. The service is so erratic that even delivery drivers tire of waiting for the food and walk out. This can happen IF the restaurant is even open during the displayed hours. I waited for 1& 1/2 hours for a delivery (throughout my 45-minute lunch break), and watched as the expected arrival time went from 2PM to 2:20PM to 3:50PM!!! What kind of service is that?! How long does it take to fry a pork chop? If there is a really long prep period, please let that be known, so that your future customers can prepare themselves for the wait. That common courtesy will take you farther than what you've got going, now. Needless to say, I'll not be patronizing their establishment again, and I'm really quite pissed that it came to this. Good luck. read more

Even though the food is good they are now charging for the sides if you order a pork chop dinner they charge for the rice and gravy, extra for string beans , so on and so on. I support black business but now I have to protest this management is now being greedy and now charging for sides when it should come with meal therefore you are paying extra ,extra for their food. Unbelievable!! I gave it 2 stars because I am appalled by the pricing. Please get real when we order fish you do not even provide hot sauce and ketchup with the meal. Highway robbery now, shame on you!! read more

I always forget to leave a review. We've ordered many times and its our go to order in spot. I've seen the bad reviews and idk what they're talking about. Maybe I've caught Carolyn's on only good days but every time I've gone I've enjoyed it. I def didn't see mice holes in my cornbread but again, maybe the exterminator came on the days I've ordered. Who knows. But it's a city and mice are SOB when it comes to kitchens. Probably would surprise you to know that most restaurants have a rodent/pest problem low key. The only problem I have is we'd eat there more often if the hours were expanded. By the time we decide to order out it's usually so late they're closed. Not their fault that we're indecisive until the last minute, but that's the only real problem I've had with Carolyn's. Those sticky wings tho boyyyyyy read more

Meatloaf is disgusting!! The yams and Mac was okay ; nothing to write home to mama about ... I'll try the whiting and if that's nasty , I'm not returning!!!! Brooklyn have all the god soul food ! read more

I've ordered from here a few times and only cause it's the only soul food place that delivers in the area (that I know of at least) it's always disappointing though. For one they take FOREVER. Which would be okay if the food was good but it isn't. The prices are high considering the portions. 3 wings for $13? Most places give 4. I've been to many soul food spots and the sides are usually heaping, not the case here. Now the food.. is bland. When I think of soul food I think of hearty, flavorful food. This leaves much to be desired. The chicken wings have no flavor, the mad and cheese is bland and just awful to be honest, the collard greens are bland missing something .. the yams are ok though. The meatloaf was AWFUL. Catfish small and flavorless. I wanted to like this place but it just doesn't do it. Hopefully I'll find another soul food spot out here read more

I've tried their chicken breast meal but their meatloaf is sooo good with mac & cheese nd yams. I love this spot nd the lady at the front so helpful. I'd encourage anyone to try they just don't take card nd tax is not included in the prices in the menu board. read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - a meal in a styrofoam container - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

See all

Ordered Sticky Wings, Side of Candied Yams and Carolyn's Mac and Cheese. The best thing was the Mac and cheese. The yams were very dry and the sticky wings were over saturated with whatever sauce they use. The wait was over an hour. Probably won't order from here again. read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Sticky Wings, Side of Candied Yams and Carolyn's Mac and Cheese. - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Good food! Fried foods are made to order. Call ahead. Worth the wait. If you order for delivery on UberEats or DoorDash order ahead. This is my go-to spot for soul food. My favorite is the Smothered breast, mac n cheese & yams. I recommend this place all the time BUT if you wait until the last minute to order you will be disappointed. Just keep in mind this SOUL FOOD not FAST FOOD. read more

This is the most disappointing restaurant I have ever ordered from. I did a seamless order and continued calling after waiting 2 hours. Finally after someone answers the phone, I am told they just got to work and don't care what my order was. Even when I volunteered to pick up the order, I was told they dont have time for this and hung up the phone. When I called back I was given the excuse that the 80 year old aunt answered the phone and that someone was late to work. I'm sorry but if you take my money, a certain amount of respect should be given. I was never rude, loud and even offered alternative options. I refuse to allow this restaurant to be a representation of how Soul Food black businesses operate. I wasn't even allowed to say if the food was good or not. The fact that the customer service was so poor, down right rude, and disrespectful just makes you not want to even spend your money or support them as a small business. Please Support small business but small business needs to remember customer service matters. read more

Carolyn...The food is great! Im hooked. I have some less than great soul food mostly from the Newark side and Everything I had at Carolyns has been great. I love the Catfish dinners - they are fried golden to perfection - they are popular and often sell out if you order late, like i mostly do. By late I mean after 4:30pm because Carolyn's closes early. The Baked Mac and Cheese is everything, as are the Yams and Collards. (Yams and Catfish sold out today - Im sad) I've been ordering from here for over a year and will definitely continue. read more

I was there today with one of friends and we ate. The food was outstanding. If you want food in five minutes, go to a fast food place. The fried chicken was hot of the pan. The yams, collard greens, and potato salad reminded me of eating back home in North Carolina. The "Uptown Tea" is a winner. It is better than Sweet Tea, Carolyn came out of the kitchen to visit with us, and some was so humble. I took home German Chocolate Cake, and I ate half, it was delicious.The customer service was very, very good. If you want good food, you cannot rush it. Everything was outstanding. Rev. Dr. J Gayle Gaymon read more

I would love to leave "0" stars but unfortunately I have to leave one. I placed a simple order and had to wait exactly 57 minutes. The place is a small shabby establishment but I was willing to give it a try because most diamonds come from the rough. Do not order your food in person, place the order online. If you order in person you will wait a minimum of 1 hour. I got a catfish sandwich which came with one piece of fish, a turkey wing dinner with one turkey wing. Save your money and time. Wasn't worth the 35 minutes it too to get there. read more

The best Soul food in Jersey City. The food has alot of love in it. I definitely will be back here. read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Strawberry cake - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

See all

The food was awesome awesome awesome awesome! The service was great my cashier was very friendly, she was very thorough, She didn't mind explaining all the options, she didn't mind answering all my questions, and to put the cherry on top the food was absolutely delicious. And it taste fresh. read more

I ordered my food at 10:30am for a delivery for 1pm. Was called at 12:30pm saying the max and cheese is baking. My food arrived at 2:40pm the max look like the left overs from the night before and was cold. No bread, no sauces... no cornbread. And they would t answer the phone I called 4x's... I will never order again. Not cool. Grubhub delivery from a 18:00 meal to a $30.00 delivery. Nope lesson learned to neva Eva again. Not worth it . Fresh Mac and cheese my ass. Leftovers. read more

I usually get my soul food in Newark but I was craving it and in jersey city so I ordered from the only soul food spot that showed up on my uber eats which was Carolyn's . Wait time wasn't so bad but for the amount I paid for the food I expected much more . The food was okay in taste but they give a very small amount . I ordered the sticky wings with greens n yams. I had about 5 mini yams on my tray and an ice cream scoop of greens. The wings were 6 small drummetes. The meal cost about $14 and then ordered the banana pudding which was $5 so i expected a nice size... WRONG! They gave the size that the pizza store charges $1.50 for and on top of that it was mostly cookies hardly any pudding. I'm seriously very disappointed. I pay $12 at my usual spot and get 3x as much food . Won't be revisiting . read more

I'm was visiting all the way from Nebraska. Decided I wanted some soul food and stopped in. Food was so delicious! Cake too die for... must visit if you're not scared of the hood. read more

I have never in my life eaten such delicious southern food, OH MY GOD. Every single piece of everything we ordered was amazing. It came delivered and it was HOT, affordable, delicious... I have nothing negative to say. We got sticky wings, Mac and cheese, collard greens, fries, and so much more for such a great price. Pros: Affordable Delicious Tender meat Perfect portion Hot Cons: NONE read more

THE BEST SOUTHERN FOOD IN JC!!!!! I order from here at least twice a month and every single time it's amazing. I have never had a complaint. They communicate with me when my orders may consist of items they ran out of and always accommodate. If you want southern dishes on the go this is the place! read more

Tried soul food for the first time here. The place itself is pretty spacious. The two ladies up front at the counter were very nice and friendly. Really enjoyed the customer service here. The dining only had 4-5 tables but was well kept. I ended up ordering the chicken leg lunch special with green beans and a side of Mac and cheese. The portions were very generous. On the the hand, I did not enjoy the green beans. Maybe because I was not used to it, but the rest of he good was great! The chicken leg was pretty big and it even came with rice and gravy. The chicken was very crispy. The rice with gravy also went great with the chicken. The mac and cheese was also tasty. Usually mac and cheese is not cheesy enough and bland but this one was good. There is also lots of parking up front for those who want to dine in. Just a tip, they only accept cash! read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Chicken leg lunch special! Generous portions! - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Okay where has this place been my whole life? The absolute best fried chicken I've ever had. The chicken, sweet potato side - amazing. Oh and try the yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I never tasted a more moist and delicious yellow cake- the piece is huge! Delivery takes a little long Bc they scratch make the chicken to order. This isn't sitting under a heat lamp- it's real food that's worth the wait. Don't complain when this food is out of this world. Order it, you will thank me. read more

Carolyn's Kitchen - Fried chicken breast with wing. Fresh made to order, crispy and delicious. Mac and cheese and sweet potato. - Soul Food Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

See all

Yesterday I ordered the Catfish with collards and yams and I cleaned my plate!!! My daughter had the yams with the mac & cheese. Everything was delicious. I'll be back most definitely and I'm spreading the word P.S., today I ordered from another local spot in Jersey City (we wanted to try it out and support) and both my daughter and I believe CK's was better, hands down! read more

I wanted to update my review to reinforce how good the food is here. Calling ahead is definitely recommended because it's about a good half an hour wait. I ordered 2 dinners. Smothered pork chops and turkey wings with yams, potato salad, mac and cheese and cabbage. Everything was seasoned perfectly and so freaking good. And the portions were plentiful. And I'm definitely a soul food snob. It really takes a lot to impress me when ordering soul food outside of home and I will continue to come here. This time I went inside to pick up the food. Now granted, the neighborhood isn't the greatest, nor is the decor of the restaurant inviting for a sit down meal, but for great soul food take out, this is the spot. read more

I dont care how many times I give this place a chance it's my friends family. They continue to disappoint. Thus time like always, they purposely leave out corn bread like always after spending $30. Also, they served cabbage that appeared to be from the day before (when you're a cook you can tell). Only 1 Turkey wing with the order (continue to not give you the food for your money!!! And what is the need for a lip ring when ordering (very unsanitary). If I could I'd give it a zero. No more chances!!! read more