#ThankYouThursday Not too sure why I've never reviewed Mama J's but if you like legitimate fried chicken this has got to be it. I'm sorry all other restaurants that try to make a fancy fried chicken or some form of it... admit it... it's never as good as Popeyes Fried Chicken but as far as a non fast good restaurant goes Mama J's is legitimately one of the best. I would say if I had a wish... it would be that they add some spiciness to their chicken :) well, can't have everything. We ordered online and was able to get a pick up time. It was my husband's 40th.. I was on a time crunch for ordering and pick up after work since we had to make sure we rush back and eat so that I could prep a surprise zoom call without family and friends for my husband. Definitely not ideal spending your 40th in quarantine but we are thankful that we are all still healthy, have a job and have places like Mama J's who remain open during this crazy time. We got to the restaurant roughly 5 min early and they literally had our carry out all ready to go... piping hot in the bag so much so we couldn't help ourselves and pop a catfish bite on our ride home. We ordered a few Fried Chicken meals with dark meat (sorry don't eat fried chicken if you are wanting white meat to save in calories). Skin is so crispy and chicken is so juicy. It came with three pieces and it was just glorious. The meal came with corn bread and for sides we had an array of fries, Mac and cheese (da bomb) and greens (tasty ham brined). All was just delicious. To top off our meals we ordered catfish bites... that in itself left us wanting more. I've never been a big catfish fan... but Mama J's is definitely one of the places that turned me on to catfish. The fish was not fishy at all and lightly battered... crisp on the outside and melt in your mouth inside. So delicious my husband and I were saying we may order catfish as our meals next time. We are looking forward to picking up again soon during this time of quarantine! read more

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Great food, great service, really nice soulful environment,! We appreciate you mamma Js!! read more

Ordered 2pcs catfish with Mac & cheese, cabbage, collards, candied yams. Came during lunch and while there was plenty of customers here I was able to quickly sit at the bar. The restaurant has a very chill local vibe with so much diversity of customers. The staff are all cool and attentive. The catfish was great! Cabbage was excellent Water was filtered and delicious. Everything else was ok. I ordered a couple slices of cake... The Rum cake was absolutely amazing. I didn't try the chocolate cake yet but I'm sure it's on point. Overall really good places, food, desserts. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - 2pcs catfish with candied yams, Mac & cheese, collards, and cabbage. - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The food was amazing me and my friends went maybe 30m before closing time and the service was very fast and the ambiance is very nice and relaxing read more

Best soul food in Richmond, hands down. My parents had their 30th wedding anniversary reception catered by them and everyone took 2-3 plates home with them. I'm partial to the catfish, greens, and yams -- and their mac n' cheese is everything *real* (IYKYK) traditional baked mac n' cheese should be. My family usually gets takeout, but everyone we've ever interacted with from the restaurant--including the mgmt and catering staff--was perfectly lovely. Not the fastest service the few times we've eaten in the restaurant, but having grown up cooking with my grandmother, who also catered, I'm well aware you can't ever expect soul food to be quick, nor should you want it to be. You won't ever regret the choice to hit this place up (unless you're supposed to be on a diet, but that's another story!). read more

Food amazing! The restaurant needs some upgrades ie bathrooms. The service/wait staff has changed / downgraded over time. Nice and friendly group just not professional looking. The previous male manager dressed professional and ensured the staff was as well. read more

I think maybe you all have gotten comfortable and the food doesn't taste the same like it used to back in the day now I need to work on some thangs! I love and support my people and whatever they do and I will continue but until y'all fix the salt situation and that gravy situation and that meatloaf situation I just will go somewhere else no disrespect thank you read more

Great historic vibe in Jackson Ward. The spice, layered flavors in the breading of the porch chop... umm yes! hard to get a pork chop perfectly balanced with moisture and they nailed it, even the home made kettle chips were perfect read more

I was told the wait was going to be 15 minutes ( My first time ) I left after 25 minutes. I was called the table was ready 1 hour later.

I don't even know where to start because every element was perfect. As soon as you walk in you just feel at home. Very nice simple facility, incredibly friendly staff and food that just kept getting better. We decided to start with the catfish nuggets and a house salad. The nuggets were cooked perfectly and just so delicious. The salad was so fresh and enjoyable on this hot day. Then we decided to get a variety of dishes and share, so we got, pork chops, beef brisket, fried chicken, crab cakes and Catfish. As we shared it just kept getting better. Every bite was pure excellence. The food was simple comfort food that just made you feel like you were home with mama. All I can say is, 'Mama J's is absolutely outstanding and just a must try!' read more

The atmosphere was chill. We got seated right away. Service was excellent from start to finish. He got us our drinks and took our order when we were ready. The food came out nice and hot. The food was on point! The drinks were great as well. No complaints read more

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Man that was some good cat fish. I recommend this restaurant if your in the area. Not just good for but great service. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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We came for dinner and there was a wait but I thought it was totally worth the wait. Their catfish was very good. Moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Honestly, I thought this was one of the best fried catfish I've had. Everywhere else is so dry and flavorless. The sides were delicious as well. My husband got their fried chicken which I thought was pretty good but I have had better. We ended our meal with peach cobbler, which was absolutely delicious! read more

Tried to go for black restaurant weekend but was hour and a half wait not much space in there kind of tight.... ended up going to another black owned restaurant maybe next time mama j,s read more

Usually when you go somewhere for dinner, the waiter comes by and asks you if you want dessert after your entrée. Should you decline, they return with the bill. I've never ever had a waitress wait for me to finish my catfish, come up to me with a card reader in hand, say "that'll be 23 dollars", and wait for me to scramble to get my credit card. I guess dessert wasn't an option...maybe she was looking out for my health lol. The catfish was pretty good. The fried chicken was too salty and I'm someone who loves salt. Definitely overhyped. read more

So, I finally made it to Virginia. First place I visited was recommended by my Lyft driver Amanda (she's such a sweetie lol). So for one, it is in an area where some may be a little scared, but if that's the case, just come with a group. I'm sure they would appreciate the business. Don't be skiird. LOL Now... she I could have sworn she was referring to Caribbean food.... but I digress. This is a soul food restaurant. I ordered the fried chicken with the mac and cheese. I had to see what the candied yams were about too. The food was pretty good. Definitely soul food. The country woman in me was in love, but I have to say... the healthy person in me felt that the food was a little heavy on the salt. I liked the candied yams but I felt like they could have been cooked a little longer. Now I did taste a little of my friends mashed potatoes and gravy. I really liked how they set up their plates. His had the brisket laying on top of the mashed potatoes and gravy. Delicious. Only thing was I didn't like the texture of the potatoes. They kinda made me think of the instant potatoes. And of course they were a little on the salty side. Then again...isn't that what we usually consider soul food. I think that soul food is filled with flavor, but it doesn't have to be salty to be considered flavorful. I loved the atmosphere. They were playing oldies which I love it. The I ate at the bar and the lady was really kind. Now, I will say... you have to show yourself friendly or you will just get service... no personality, no smile, nothing. LOL So I'm giving you a heads up. You expect kindness, you gotta give it. Come in there entitled you will get the bare minimum. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Fried chicken (dark) with candied yams and mac and cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Want some good soul food? A home cooked meal? This is definitely a place that will speak to yours. Friendly staff and ambiance. Great Service. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

A great place to eat!!! The atmosphere is like being at home with family and friends. The food tastes like grandmother's. The service was the welcoming touch. read more

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Found this location on Yelp while looking for soul food in Richmond. They do not take reservations and the seating is limited because of COVID. We came on a weekday afternoon and had to wait 20-30 mins for a table for 3 but it was worth it! The menu is very reasonable and there are lots of options! Everything was delicious and I highly recommend. There is street parking and paid parking right behind the property. Can't wait to come back! read more

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I only got takeout so I will give that disclaimer. However, I just have to say this is the worst potato salad I ever had in my life. It had a strong taste of vinegar, was a whitish color as if there hadn't been a little mustard added and the consistency for lack of a better word was almost gummy. Needless to say I took one bite and threw it out. The fried trout was okay and the greens were good. All in all I wouldn't go back read more

The chicken was crispy and season well. Everything else was just ok. I've had better mac/cheese and candy yam. The bread pudding was not good. But I would recommend you try out for yourself. Originally from south where soul food is more common, I might be overly critical, slightly. read more

This was our third visit to Mama J's Kitchen, and once again we had a wonderful meal. We stop in Richmond when we are on roadtrips to the south from Connecticut just so we can stop at Mama J's. The best fried chicken we've ever had along with great BBQ ribs and delicious macaroni and cheese. We again had Dana waiting on us. He along with the rest of the staff makes Mama J's such a special place. If you're in Richmond or anywhere near by, do yourself a favor and have a meal at Mama J's Kitchen. read more

One of the best soul presentations I have ever experienced. Run don't walk to Mama J's. Service, Ambience and Food all her 5 stars from me!! read more

Once again, we've discovered a true gem courtesy of Yelp! My family and I were in town for a night and got takeout from Mama J's Kitchen. We all loved it. The star was the fried catfish filets: super flavorful, perfectly fried, tender as could be, perfect with the tangy and creamy tartar sauce. My two-year old daughter could not get enough -- I had to wrestle it away from her. She knows good food, what can I say? The fried chicken (dark meat obvi) was also tasty, perfectly fried, crispy, and nicely brined. The order comes with three drumsticks. The collard greens were very flavorful, a nice balance of salty and sweet, though perhaps a tad salty if you aren't eating it with a grain, but really perfectly cooked. The coleslaw had just the right vinegary and crunchy bite, perfect for balancing out all the fry. The French fries were fine and clearly made with real potatoes, but next time I'd probably skip this. We opted for corn muffins with both the chicken and catfish and were quite pleased. They're sweet, nicely baked, and a nice tag-along. Pro tip: the bottles of wine can be ordered to go, and white/sparkling requested chilled. All in all, couldn't be happier. Meal was ready for pickup in 20 minutes. Mama J's is popular and beloved for good reason. Can't wait to return. Final icing on the cake: it's a Black-owned business. Happy to support this true gem! read more

Wow, wow, wow! Delicious catfish sandwich! Very good service, reasonable prices, and an old-school jazzy vibe in this historic neighborhood. Did I say that the catfish was delicious? Wow. I'm going to say it was the best catfish I've ever had. Lightly fried thick tender fillet just perfectly cooked and fresh! Wow. If I lived here, I would come in all the time. Wow. Best catfish! Wow. read more

I came in and sat down for dinner. I order the chicken legs with Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. I wanted 20 mins for the chicken to come out leaking blood. Sent it back for a second and it CONTINUED to leak blood. Never again! read more

Everything was good. The Mac & cheese could use some seasoning but was good. We really enjoyed the catfish and baked chicken. The greens were tasty too. We came in just before the rush. We were seated immediately and service was fast. read more

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I wish I could give more than five stars ABSOLUTELY AMAZING FOOD AND STAFF! Our waitress Crystal was WONDERFUL SO HOSPITABLE we can't wait to go back! Our girls will be going to VCU this fall and we will DEFINITELY be regulars. Ambiance is cozy and warm. Music was also a hit. Very nostalgic. A little bit of a wait but it was absolutely worth it. read more

The food was ok. Had the catfish meal, with seafood salad. Catfish was not really seasoned to my taste, but I understand you have to cook for everyone. I might go back. I ordered out snd the food was ready upon arrival. read more

My mama is not a great cook so I do not expect great meals when she cooks but Mama J's is on do many list of restaurants not to miss in Richmond that I had high hopes. Unfortunately, our experience did not live up to the hype. The reviews said the food to get were the catfish nuggets, fried chicken, candied yams, Mac and cheese, and peach cobbler. The nuggets were ok although a little rubbery like they were reheated. The chicken was lukewarm temp and also seemed reheated as the outside had very little crunch. The candied yams had some citrus flavor that did not go well with the really sweet yams. Salt would have gone better. The peach cobbler was hot but that may have just come out of microwave because the top pastry layer was not flaky, and the peaches inside seemed canned. I wanted to really like this place because the service and decor was really nice, but the food was too disappointing. read more

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I saw Mama J's on Trip Adviser but didn't think much of it. Then I took a tour in the capitol building and my tour guide pointed this place out. In fact another tourist from Singapore mentioned this was a must stop for them! Based on Yelp popularity, I ordered the catfish, dark chicken, mac and cheese, and candied yams. The candied yams were too sweet for my liking. Everything was delicious for the first 15 minutes but was too salty when it started to cool down. The fish and chicken are both good, but I personally like the chicken more. You can't go wrong with either and I recommend sharing if you're trying to taste everything. Staff is friendly but be patient since it's a small restaurant and they don't use Yelp waitlist. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Catfish, Fried Chicken, Candied Yams, Macaroni & Cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Mama j's is a soul food staple for me in Richmond. The food is always made fresh to order and the portions are great. My favorite order from here is the fried catfish dinner with mac and cheese, cabbage, and corn bread. In the past few months I haven't visited often because the prices have gone up so much but I will definitely still be stopping by when I need my soul food fix. read more

Mama J's Kitchen is where you go for the tastiest, yummiest, fillingest, and souliest of soul food. You'll experience one of those Ratatouille moments where you take a first bite and suddenly you're a little kid again in a kitchen and Mama J is cooking for you while an old 15 inch TV is on playing cartoons. The food is amazing and you will 100% not regret stopping in for a fix of fried chicken, fried catfish, and mac and cheese. Yes, those are definitely my recommendations! Service is great and the interior design is simple. The restaurant is clean, parking is easy, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Maybe bring your stretchy pants because you won't want to stop eating! This is a must-stop place when you're in Richmond, VA. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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The food and quality of size was amazing. I had the catfish nuggets. My daughter had the fried chicken (dark), I could not or we could not resist stealing pieces off of it. Yes I would definitely recommend Mama J's. The sides were great had Mac and cheese and cabbage. Enjoy our road-trip visit can't wait to come back again. read more

We found this restaurant on the way back to North Carolina for our vacation. Oh my gosh some of the best food I've ever had!! I'm so sad we live so far away. Everything was cooked to perfection from the juicy crab-cakes to the jumbo shrimp and sauce to the fantastic blackened catfish! (my fork stays on his plate lol) Even the cornbread it was good lol. Oh and black-owned with a nice chill elegant vibe. 11/10 for me across-the-board!! read more

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Great soul food that's consistently great! The catfish is my go to and I pretty much do all the sides! Its like they have combined all the great flavors of your Mama, Big Ma and Aunties specialities and created the perfect recipe for each dish. Mama J's is a MUST stop whether destinational or driving thru Richmond, you just gotta go! read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Catfish, Sweet Potatoes, Collard Greens, Potato Salad, Macaroni & Cheese & Cornbread Muffin - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Great food! With even better service! Our server was wonderful and checked up on us at the best times! Every time we needed something -- whether we were ready to order, wanted to ask for the check -- she was there as if she was reading our minds haha! She had great attention. The atmosphere is very homey and special, and so is the food. I had the crab soup for the first time and it was amazing. Catfish was so delicate and perfectly seasoned and lightly fried. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Catfish, Macaroni & Cheese, cheese grits - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Easily one of the best soul food establishments in Richmond. The fried catfish is heaven! The collards are a little salty, but still good. Do not get the dinner roll because the homemade corn muffin is everything. I've been here 2x and both visits have been delicious. The only thing is that the texture of their mac & cheese is on the chunkier side rather than creamy which I personally don't prefer as much. Everything that I've gotten from here so far is flavorful though! read more

Mama J's Kitchen - 2pc fried catfish w corn muffin - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Was in the mood for great soul food and we found a great place . I wasn't aware there were reservations so we sat at the bar . The restaurant is absolutely beautiful . Amazing decor and so fresh with the plants and neutral colors. Drinks are very good as well. I ordered the grilled pork chop with side of candied yams and cabbage and oh my goodness everything was amazing . They brought out this mouth watering cornbread covered in butter that just melts in your mouth. Cheaper than the soul food place around the corner that was a la carte. I will be back! I devoured my food otherwise there would be a picture . read more

Mama J's Kitchen - cornbread - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

My friends and I were visiting Richmond for a wedding and were excited to try out some of the local soul food. Although we were promised a short wait, it was at least half an hour before we were able to be seated, though we didn't mind enjoying the evening on the chairs outside while we waited. They were out of the trout, so we sampled three other entrees on the menu, the white meat fried chicken, catfish, and shortrib. The catfish and chicken were deliciously breaded and fried, and the shortrib barbecue sauce was quite nice as well. Collared greens, cabbage, and corn muffin sides were also enjoyable. The only big disappointment for us was portions - for what we paid we were hoping to leave full rather than sated. Overall a good experience, especially for folks visiting Richmond. read more