I wouldn't classify this review as a fair assessment of the place being that I didn't eat anything during this visit. I love the Jacob on Lenox Ave (check my review) and eat there a lot, but this Jacob kina came off as the neglected step-child. A bit disappointed. The space is considerably smaller with no place to dine in and just had a dingy feel to it. The buffet didn't appear appetizing at all, like the food been sitting untouched under the hot lamps all day. All the food looked familiar, but in a culinary Bizzaro kina of way. At the Jacob on Lenox I walk around the buffet trying to figure out what to eat cause everything looks so damn good. I walked around the buffet here trying to figure out what to eat cause aint a damn thing look good. A far cry from the quality and presentation I've grown accustomed to from the Jacob on Lenox. I didn't eat anything here outa respect for big brother Jacob. I'm gona pretend I never met little brother Jacob and continue to patronize the joint on Lenox. You should too, there really not that far away from each other. Shrug, what you goin do? read more

Here's my Jacob's strategy: literally scoop a few mouthfuls of everything from the hot bar into your sexy styrofoam container. It's really good, classic soul food and your best bet is to try a little bit of all they've got to offer. You may not love everything, so it's a perfect way to experience it all while still being satisfied. I love the hot buttered corn, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, oven roasted chicken, brisket, ribs, fried rice, collard greens. It's all. so. good. Leave the tiny side cups for stuff from the cold bar, like fresh fruit and salad. Don't go too crazy, otherwise you're going to leave with about 5 lbs of food and about $35 less in your wallet. Not that I've ever done that... People who work there are wonderful. They don't make fun of me when my glasses fog up from the steamy soul food goodness. Cash only baby. read more

This place has a a decent buffet with many hot and cold options. The food is weighed, so keep that in mind. If you're an omnivore, who doesn't mind meat in your veggies, there are lots of hot vegetable options like collards and black eyed peas. If you're a vegan, good luck - looks like salads are your only option. I am giving this place a 4 because all the food, including the meat, was nicely presented and the buffet was clean. I selected from the cold section: green salads, olives and fruit. Most of the green salads are dressed with vinaigrette. There are some traditional soul food salads like potato and macaroni. They also had Asian styled snow peas, which were tasty. There is a seating area in the back with 2 and 4 person tables. There are TVs, free water and a unisex bathroom. read more

KEY WORDS: fast, cheap, delicious, clean, friendly, fresh. It was 1 PM, there were Four of us, visiting Harlem, hungry for lunch, eager to try Soul Food, and with a time restriction. I was being treated to lunch and I don't like to be expensive. Using our Google maps and Yelp we found Jacob within walking distance of our 2 PM appointment. We didn't know what to expect, but we walked in to a hot and cold buffet, ($5.99 a pound. REALLY!) and a friendly staff. There would be no looking over a menu, ordering, waiting. And everything looked appetizing! We took our styrofoam clamshell platters and each filled them up to the top with whatever looked interesting. We all got something different. The total cost for the four of us was around $46. (that was the number I overheard. so if you are REALLy hungry you might expect to buy about two pounds of food. your mileage may vary.) and this included a couple of sodas. It is hard to believe, but each of us cleaned our plates entirely except for a few bones. I don't know what everything I had was called but I had collards and banana pudding, barbecued ribs, and fried chicken, fresh green salad, and a few other delicious mystery items. The restaurant ambiance was very casual, the buffet in the front, and sort-of cafeteria style seating in the back. Nothing intimate or cozy, but more open. (I can picture bringing the family in for a big sit-down meal.) I remember liking the music but it was quiet enough to ignore if you wanted to. There were really nice paintings on the walls. I mean, real art works. The bathroom is very clean, and there was free water to help ourselves to (it was a hot day.) Our destination was about five blocks away, we made our appointment with time to spare. Our food digested very well, too, and that is important! read more

This restaurant is the same style and ownership as the location on Lenox Ave. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/jacob-restaurant-new-york). I am not sure how it rated 5 stars there, but it is decent food. I believe the food is $5 per pound. The setup is salad bar style, with a small dining area in the rear. Tried the fried chicken, BBQ Ribs (not great), mac & cheese (plus) and some fresh fruit. read more

Jacob Restaurant - The classy address plaque at Jacob. - Buffets Near Me - New York, New York

This place is heaven on earth (or hell on earth, depending on how much you end up gorging yourself). It's just close enough that I can walk there and just far enough that I wouldn't go every single night. If you are looking for a soul food place that has a good mix that you can pick and choose from, Jacob Restaurant is the place for you (BTW, it's just "Jacob" and not "Jacob's." If anyone knows why that is, please educate me). I came here a couple times but this is the first time I'm writing a review. I brought a friend with me who helped me move into my new apartment and we stacked up on food. It came out to be about 4lbs worth and the total bill was around $21. They do accept credit/debit cards now with a minimum of $5 purchase. The cost per pound is $5.49, which I think is a huge steal, especially if you just load up on the protein. Ox Tail: Really delicious and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. The sauce that they come in was also amazing. BBQ Pork Ribs: Pretty standard. Not bad, but not great either. Still, I enjoyed them and would definitely get them again. Brisket: Ughhh so delicious and mouth watering. The meat was done well where it was very tender, because a lot of places mess up the brisket and dry it out. Not here though. Definitely recommend it if it's available. Curried Goat: A little dryer and tougher than the other meats, but that's the nature of goat meat, so not going to hold it against the chef. The spices on the curry were really well done and gave it the nice kick that the other meats lacked Mashed Potatoes: excellent. Tasted like they were marinated in butter though. Not that I mind. Lima beans and Turkey Neck: got this in accident, but it was great. The broth especially was really good. All in all, this place is a total bargain. I always end up getting like 2 lbs of food and hating myself afterwards. But the good kind of hating. read more

I walked in with high expectations and let me tell you, they were met. I have only been to another soul food restaurant, so I wanted to try this one to see what they had to offer. Staff was super nice and the restaurant was super organized and clean. The food was above average. The chicken and the ribs were delicious and the yams were incredible. I was actually looking forward to eating yams because the previous restaurant I had been to didn't have yams. I filled my plate up and finished everything to the brim. The white rice could've been better but it mixes in really well with the yams and macaroni. The price is probably the best thing about this place. $6.49 for a pound of food is great for my wallet compared to the $9.99 the other place would charge. A little far from where I go to school but I am willing to make the trip and come back to get a nice plate of food. read more

Soul Food At Its Finest Reommend To Anyone Who Wants To Try Something Different.Finger Licking Good. read more

Jacob Restaurant - Feeling Sassy. - Buffets Near Me - New York, New York

I actually came back to update my review because I learned that this Buffet Style Restaurant opens their doors and hearts to feed the community all day on Thanksgiving and also donates the unused food to local Churches and other community organizations nightly. Last month they hosted a "Thanksgiving in July" where again, opened their doors to feed the community.free of charge. While these events appear to happen at their other location on Lenox Avenue and 129th Street, I'm going make an effort to support this business more frequently. I am however. going to leave, my initial review. I've been eating here since it opened several years ago.m. The staff is exceptionally nice and friendly which in my opinion can be just as important as the price points and food. When it first opened, the food was very good but it fell off after the first year or so. They have a good variety but the food is over cooked for my taste and the seasoning leaves an unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth. This is a buffet style restaurant that charges by the pound, so it's best that you're mindful of what you put on your tray because you can wind up paying for a few small pieces of meat or fish and a side order of something that doesn't really justify the overall price of your meal. There is a separate station for fresh salads, fruit, lightly steamed vegetables and other standard fare. The hot buffet has a good variety, which changes slightly every day and the staff are always on hand to make sure that the trays are full, clean and the food is fresh. They have a good variety of very tasty deserts including freshly baked cakes and pies that are pre sliced, generous portions and are worth every penny along with banana pudding that is sold by the pound or prefixed in a container. The buffet appears to get less attention about an hour before closing so keep that in mind. They have ample seating in the back and they usually play good music or have a decent music video on which is helpful for me since I usually go alone. The place is always clean, including the bathrooms and has a very laid back vibe which is great if you want to bring your kids. It's a good place to go if you don't feel like cooking and just want something quick to eat. The menu does vary but certain staples like oxtails, Mac and cheese, collard greens are always available. There are two locations which have their own energy. Although the place on 129th Street has a nicer layout, I prefer the one on on 8th Avenue. I hope this is helpful. read more

This place is so good! They have a great assortment of options and the food is always fresh and hot. However, once you get past the top layer of the macaroni & cheese it looks and tastes a lot like Stouffer's or some other quick-bake variety. So y'all might have to tweak the recipe on that... but otherwise everything else I've had is on point! read more

Hmmm... I wanted to like this place. And I've had a filling meal there, but it's just all a bit underwhelming. Cornbread dry & too sweet (I know). Fried chicken soggy. Greens gone bitter. Onion in the oxtail gravy crispy. The food's good, but not great. It's not really any cheaper than anywhere else-- though it is open late -- but not worth breaking down over a buffet to go, methinks. Right. It's late and I should sleep. read more

The food was delicious. The buffet has all the soul food you can think about. In the back, there's a sitting room, self service. And on the week end they have a jazz band which is pretty cool! read more

Their soul food is always good and I enjoy that they have a couple of non soul food choices like curry chicken on the Hot Bar.

First time at the location on 8th. I went to the one on Lenox just before I got here but didn't buy anything. Food was amazing. read more

Jacob Restaurant - Fried chicken, Mac & cheese, collard greens, candied yams, BBQ ribs, and braised beef ribs 4/30/16 - Buffets Near Me - New York, New York

The food at this place is absolutely INCREDIBLE. Honestly, I've never tasted such delicious soul food. The cornbread, avocados, mac n cheese, jerk chicken, greens and those yams... WHAT! Amazing. Highly recommended, this location (I think this one does the catering) and the other location on Lenox. Either way. Fantastic. And the service is spectacular, the owner is such a sweetheart. Eat HERE! You'll never regret it. read more

It doesn't get any more basic than this: Take a styrofoam tray; serve yourself from dozens of hot- and cold-food trays containing an impressive assortment of soul food, from salads to curried goat; pay by the POUND; stuff yourself; take the rest home. No frills at all, as you can imagine, but at $71 for a family of 4, it's hard to complain. My daughter discovered the place while living in the area, and couldn't wait to take us. While it's not the best soul food I've ever eaten, it's not bad at all -- and a lot cheaper than the fancy fare Marcus Samuelsson is serving up the street. Biggest annoyance is parking, of which there is precious little, and made even more annoying by all the double-parkers who rush in, grab their food, and rush out before they get towed away. You might want to Uber it, or take a bus. read more

Placed a catering order here for our BaByQ. The food was amazing and everything was ready at the same exact time we agreed on. Our friends and family were raving about the food. We'll certainly use them again for future events. read more

The food choices are amazing. There is always multiple options for lunch and dinner service. Staff is always welcoming.

Jacob is a buffet, family style restaurant. I went to this restaurant twice just to make sure that it wasn't a fluke. The food is excellent! On my first trip, I had the mac & cheese, greens, fried chicken, greens and black eyed peas. With the exception of the fried fish, it was soul food done right! I had the short ribs, smothered turkey wings, yams and mac & cheese on my return trip. Everything was on point!! I read the reviews about the environment and it is not a place to find "ambiance" or formal dining. However, it is very clean and a neighborhood spot where you can chit chat with locals (if you are comfortable...know what I mean). GO FOR THE FOOD & PRICE. read more

I enjoyed my dinner. I stumbled upon this restaurant late at night, and I must say the food was good, and fresh. The flavors were genuinely soul... It was a bit nerve wrecking that the staff was cleaning up, putting up chairs and mopping as I was eating my meal. This made me feel a bit rushed. Yes, I will go again if in the area. read more

This restaurant is a buffet so every food is charged by lb. The foods are cheap as well as delicious. There are meats, seafoods and vegetables that you can choose. read more

Jacob Restaurant - 5 lines of delicious food! 2 lines are mainly vegetables. Meats are in most of the 3 lines. A little Seafoods and rice. - Buffets Near Me - New York, New York

I can't get enough. From the salad bar to the half n Half. I wish I could get calamari fried rice again. But I'm as happy to get what I like Staff is always pleasant and kind. Can't find nothing to complain about. read more

It's a simple buffet with some seating, nothing spectacular!

This place is so good and so convenient and so cheap that I don't know how folks can knock it. Yes, there are a ton of Soul Food buffets in Harlem, but my family likes Jacob's restaurants. They are clean, the service is good, they turn the food over pretty quickly, they have a good selection of veggies and there is a small dining area. They played Luther Vandross videos the whole time we were there today. Loved it! This location is kind of in the hood...But parking is pretty easy and it is wheelchair accessible. We are regulars. read more

Price: About $6 Highlight: Live music Jacob's is one of those neighbourhood places that is not necessarily a place for Yelpers or Zagat staffers but you can definitely feel has a loyal local clientele. The food is laid out like in most delis, you fill your carton then your food is weighed at the cashier and you pay $5 per lb. I had the jerk chicken, fried chicken, mac & cheese, crab cake and rice and peas and honestly only liked the jerk chicken. They had live music, a nice surprise, a full band it seems made up of music teachers who teach at nearby schools and graced us with selections from the buena vista social club. read more

This is a quality local buffet in the heart of Harlem where you'll find tender oxtail, short ribs, fried chicken, jerk and much more. The black eye peas, collard greens, mac and cheese, rice and peas are all good. Even the salads and fruit are super fresh. At $6.99/lb for hot and meat only, $5.99/lb for cold, you can't beat the deal and taste of the hours that went into cooking each item. The presentation is clean and fresh which can be difficult to maintain in buffets. One caveat, don't ask for coffee. Get a soda or something that is refrigerated. Their coffee was flat out awful, cold and bad flavor rendering it undrinkable. I didn't bring it back to complain so as not to spoil my near perfect gluttonous experience. Just decided to sip my bf's Pepsi who happens to share the same name as the restaurant. Jacob, whose artwork, community honors and accolades on the wall and the best R&B this side of Motown playing in a loop make this place a fun, happy throwback, "feed your soul" kind of place. This is not gourmet but it's great gourmand, so stick with the program. read more

Jacob Restaurant - Buffets Near Me - New York, New York

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I LOVE IT! I just started working in the neighborhood and finally got to try this place. By far, this is the BEST food around. Everything seems to be freshly prepared and the staff is friendly. They have a really good selection, with so many options. Tons of fruits, salads, pasta's and meats. I got baked pasta, jerked chicken, mixed salad and a piece of salmon- all for $6.25. A nice portion. The best part was that the jerk chicken was way better than the local Jamaican spot on Fredrick Douglass & 146th. The food was very good and I'll definitely go back again, and again. This is my new spot. Jacob is a jewel in this area. read more

I am hooked. I just moved to this neighborhood seven weeks ago, and found this wonderful place just a one minute walk from my front door. I can see coming here often when I don't want to cook. It's your basic pay by the pound NY buffet, but with comfort food. How great is that? I had the brisket, ribs, fried chicken, okra, greens, and rice. No complaints here. If there where any, it'd be my fault for grabbing the wrong thing. Just get what looks good, pay, and get out. Easy peasy... Hooked I tell you, hooked... read more

I love Jacobs. I come probably once a week. The good is good and reasonably priced. I love the live music during Sunday brunch. The staff is efficient and friendly read more

Soul food by the pound? HELL YES! I live around the corner from this place, and I'm here about once a month (though I'd love to come by here more, I'm sure that my arteries wouldn't forgive me!). Staff is incredibly friendly, food is to-die for! Try their avocado salad and plantains as a side, and their cornbread is top notch! This place is a little bit dangerous, though. With food this good, once you try it your waistline might never be the same. Also, another poster lamented the "$11 a pound" prices. This is not the case! It's $4.99 per pound, and it's easy to pile on a ton of food. Generally, I find that one full take-out box will be anywhere from $8 to $12, depending on what you get. But you'll have more than enough food to get stuffed, plus some leftovers! read more

This is one of my favorite places to eat. I love all there food. It not over seasoned there are so many variety to choose from. The price is right. The customer Service is excellent. I have always had a pleasant experience when I order food. Highly recommended. read more

Jacob recently cater my sister baby shower and the food was off the chain like usual. Jerk chicken, collard greens and rice and peas. There was no food left over after the shower. This place is a must go for outer towners and locals. read more

Wonderful Soul Food! Came to harlem for Celebrity chef Marcus Samulesons Red Rooster but the wait was over an hour and the music to loud. Walked down the street and decided to try Jacobs. So glad we did! The black eyed peas, collard greens, short ribs, mac and chese all delicious, Loved the ham and the corn bread. Simple delicious unpretentios and reasonably priced food. So glad we decided not to wait. read more