Best $5 veggie combo anywhere. Not oily and just delicious. Super friendly service too. read more

John Soup & Grill - a plate of food - Food Stands Near Me

Oh my goshness, oh yes - downtown Jersey City now has its own version of the halal cart on 53rd Street and 6th Avenue. Well, the menu is not as extensive as the 53rd Street cart but what it lacks in variety it makes up in good taste and value. I always order the chicken over rice, which is, of course, shredded chicken served over rice, with a side of salad. You can have white sauce put on top of the food, or you can have BBQ sauce too. Hell, you don't even need to put any sauce and the food will still be delicious. And for $6.00 an order, you get a whole lotta food. They also serve different soups, such as chicken with chili, lobster bisque, and others. But with the good weather coming, the amount of soups will most certainly dwindle. But during fall and winter, there are about 5 different types of soups served. I always get there around 12:30 because if you go at 12 noon, the line can be 15 people deep. Yes, this cart is that popular. And these boys are friendly too: one takes the order and puts the rice and salad in the styrofoam container, the next guy puts the chicken and seasoning over the rice, and the last guy takes the cash and any soda orders. Easy peasy, nice and easy. read more

The guys do their best to serve a good hot and delicious meal for a great price. The chicken and salad combo is the go to dish. The lunch line can be 10 people long so be patient as it is worth the wait. Great tasting food especially for the price and fantastic for lunch especially when the weather gets better and warmer. They also have good soups which hits the spot when it is a little cold out. You can't go wrong for the price, service, quality and taste of the food. read more

I agree with the low reviews, yet the lunch line and regulars should really do justice and give these guys the dues deserved. It could also be there hidden place and not introduce more diners to the long line, so go figure. The guys are genuine and they really make terrific food. I usually do the chicken/rice/salad and add in the saag paneer and chick peas on the side. I love the white sauce, and ask for more. You can't beat the home cooked meal, and the price for what you will have can be divided between two persons. Ok, maybe leftovers for sure. Give them a try, you won't regret it especially around this neighborhood. read more

I like this place better than Halal guys. Meat is more tender.

I am shocked that this place has only 18 reviews. Just have a look at the number of people who lineup to get their lunch from here and you will know what I mean. If u are a vegetarian like me and work in and around exchange place, there is no way you have not had food at John's. I eat here almost everyday. The food tastes good and is made with very little oil. The guys who run this cart are very humble and soft spoken. Do give this place a try if you have not. The vegetarian lunch is $5 and comes with Rice and 4 vegetables.. What more can you ask for. read more

John Soup & Grill - a group of people walking down a sidewalk - Food Stands Near Me

John's is a must visit if you are anywhere around Exchange Place. Awesome food at an awesome price!!! These guys are real low key because they let the product do the talking. The line can get long, but it moves quickly. Everyone waiting is genuinely excited to be there. I've never experienced anything quite like it. read more

John Soup & Grill - a man holding a plate of food - Food Stands Near Me

This place is definitely better than 53rd street. I LOVE John's. LOVE IT. I order the same thing at every Halal cart and carefully examine each element of the meal, scrutinizing every aspect of each different component. Ok, so there are 7 different things that make up a combo plate at any of these carts: chicken, lamb, rice, pita, salad, white sauce, hot sauce. Then there is the portion. Ok, 53rd st has huge portions. They win there. However, I'd feel like a slob if i ate the entire plate, but John's gives me as much or more than I need, so portion is irrelevant in this case. Chicken: John's all the way. Its literally not even close. It tastes like REAL chicken. Its definitely quality bird that eats with more integrity than the finely-chopped stuff on 53rd st. Its fuller, tastier bites of chicken. Lamb: 53rd st wins. I think they boil it ahead of time so its just pretty good, but John's uses Gyro meat, so 53rd is an easy pick here. I still like the gyro meat, but if he ever switched it would be the greatest day for all of mankind.....that eat halal in Jersey City anyway. Rice: John's rice is excellent. There are carts with better rice, but John's is definitely better than 53rd and rice is not a critical component of this meal, but its still definitely better. Its got some spice to it and eats very well with the sauces and meats without overpowering them whatsoever. Salad: John's by a landslide. God, that side salad is fantastic a lot of the time. Fresh, crisp lettuce. Cherry Tomatoes, and cucumbers. Sounds better than wilted lettuce to me. Hot Sauce: John's again. First of all, they put it on for you every time. The regular hot sauce is not that hot, but the flavor is phenomenal. Its also edible for normal people, unlike the over-spiced red sauce on 53rd. They also have 'the super hot sauce'. Its the red sauce from 53rd. I get it on the side and ration it out to my liking. White Sauce: Draw. I've compared the two numerous times and its the same stuff. Its great at both places. John's puts it on, then i get some on the side. Pita: 53rd. They give it to you every time. You need to ask at John's. And then you get 1 pita instead of sometimes getting two or one and a half at 53rd. Still, ask and you shall receive two if you want. John's is definitely better. Its so unbelievably good that I definitely go there every time I'm in Jersey City. Oh, and they're nice guys too, unlike the jerks in midtown. They only problem is that they are only there during the week at lunch. read more

Have been working in the area for over 9 years.. These guys are the best chicken and rice cart in the area. I live in manhattan mind you but these guys are better than 53rd and 6th and most other places.. The soup is good but how can you not eat chicken and rice.. if you do get the soup, the chicken and corn spicy soup is amazing amazing.. read more

There might be several Halel food carts in Jersey City but John's is the one you must hit up! His set up isn't fancy. He's out in the elements in his feet with his partner and I for one appreciate his efforts! Let's start with what makes John unique, his spinach and chick peas. The first time ordered he asked me if I wanted some with my lamb and rice. I didn't really know what to expect but he said there's not a charge so I tried it! OMG! I don't know what he puts in those chick peas but they are amazing! I almost want an order of just those. These guys also make fantastic taziki sauce and they aren't stingy with it. They load up your food and offer more in to go cups if you want more. You can a huge portion of delicious food for only $6! Hidden away a John also keeps sliced mangos chilled for only $2. You may find that John's line is a little longer then most but I promise he's worth the wait. Try to hit him up before 11:30 to avoid the crowd! read more

Amazing food. Best sides with the platters Jon is very friendly and always provides great food

Chicken and Rice is everywhere these days. There are a lot of imitators and lots of subpar chicken and rice. Halal Guys over on 53rd and 6th definitely has the mind share of everyone. But John's Soup Kitchen has definitely made my stomach and taste buds make not even care about Halal Guys. Their chicken and rice is in everyway superior in taste to Halal Guy's. John's uses dark meat instead of white meat. That's a win right there! Wide range of hot sauces. Which is already better than the one really hot at Halal Guys. This is in my opinion the best in the tri city area! read more

I love love loooove this chicken and rice cart! The guys are super friendly and fast, and the menu is simple and delicious. I also like that they use mostly white meat versus both white and dark meat. Also, if you're craving soup, their lobster bisque is pretty good considering it came out of a cart! My only complaint is that I wish they would open a location/cart in LA! read more

Good Street cart. Usually eat their chicken over rice with salad. They are friendly and quick service. Lines can be long though. read more

PSA: their new location is on sussex and hudson street (near the ferry, diagonal from cafe benne) The food is great and the service is always warm and friendly. Cant ask for more. They've been in the same location for 20 years but due to circumstances out of their control they had to move the beloved lunch cart down a few blocks. Soups, chicken and rice, gyro, and many vegetarian friendly options. read more

Best street meat in the area. Heads up - they just moved to Sussex St. near the ferry terminal.

John makes amazing food, which is light tasty and the best deal you can get for your money. As a vegetarian I get a lot of options with him. I would highly recommend him if you want a good meal at a great price. read more

John's is the best Halal Cart in Exchange Place - No questions asked.

John's is my go-to for lunch. I go to him weekly, if not more. His food is delicious and his portions are generous. Also he is so friendly and nice. My entire office goes to him for lunch. I can't emphasize this enough, simply the best. read more

Best halal food in town and at a bargain price!! Line can get long but they're very efficient and great guys.

My favorite lunch spot. The soups are amazing! The chicken and rice is good as well. He has a lot of sides, but the best has to be the chickpeas. The line can quickly build up, recommend getting there early. read more

They are to Jersey City as 53st and 6th Halal is to NYC! Their selections and portions are great. Their taste is always fresh and spices are just right and consistent. I usually get lobster bisque and halal chicken over brown rice. By far, the best lunch joint around Exchange Place! read more

I just moved into one of the offices in Jersey City and this is one of the few food trucks within a five minute walk from my office. I had high expectations for this place due to the high reviews but boy was I disappointed. I ordered the lamb and chicken over rice. I was wary when I saw that there was no steam coming from the chicken that was on the grill. They do not add vegetables in there and the lamb was straight from a pot of water which they kept the lamb in. The only good thing I can say about this place is that the white sauce was pretty decent and the service was friendly. The lamb here is pretty nasty so I would stay far far away from it. The chicken was edible but was below average. I am pretty sure I am never going to come back here again. This place just cannot compare to the food carts in NYC. read more

Eww - I think the only reason people line up for this stuff is because there is almost nothing good to eat around this area. Their chicken and rice is soggy and flavorless. I asked for extra hot sauce and they laughed and said give her the real hot stuff. When I got back to my desk at work I almost laughed out loud because it was a joke - plllease. read more

This place is BETTER than the cart on 53rd and 6th- which is supposed to be the best in NY. If you are looking for chicken, rice with salad comparison Johns wins hands down. Instead of lamb, they have veg options (dal) and some incredibley good soups. What really makes the difference is that they are not churning out food for 18 hours/day like the guys on 53rd. When they run out - you are out of luck so get there early. It is definitely worth the line! read more

Very fast and quick service, always with smile on their face, you get food with love they maintain good hygine and cleanness try chicken over rice with yummy white sauce i think white sauce is their speciality read more

Big fan of this place. I worked at 53rd and 5th for seven years with my pick of trucks for similar food and this by far blows them out of the water. The line can be long if you go at lunch time but it goes very quickly. And it's a steal for all the food they give you. The guys are also so pleasant and nice. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for some good food. read more