Absolutely love Mama J's. Visited here when she was brand new many years ago and got the opportunity to visit again recently. Parking is Crappy but it's downtown so what do you expect. When we walked in and stood by podium it several minutes to be acknowledged. Then it took nearly 10 minutes to be seated, there were several open seats but they were super busy and appeared to be understaffed. We brushed that off though and didn't allow it to damper our experience. Our waitress was good but in the middle of our meal she left work for the day and we got a new waitress. Weird, but new waitress was on point. Food was spot on amazing. I left with a full belly and smile on my face. Will be returning next time in Richmond! read more

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Chicken was really good. Cornbread was kind of like jiffy. Still good tho. Not very friendly staff though. Came in to buy food and felt like I was irritating them. Nice little inside spot but could be better. read more

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

Servers are always really nice and friendly. Food is consistently good Catfish- Greens- Cabbage and Yams are my regular go to and they do not disappoint. read more

Food has great favor. I think the 1700 people in town caused few hiccups. Greens weren't cooked. I've been sitting previous visits to Richmond. I'll be going again. read more

The food was Devine. We ordered a variety of dishes consisting of catfish, meatloaf, and beef brisket. My sides were Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy. The gravy was my favorite. We also tried the desserts fresh out of the oven ( sweet potato pie and rum cake). Chyna was our server for the afternoon; she was extremely attentive and gave great recommendations. The vibe of the restaurant was very relaxed it's very cute. read more

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

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I highly recommend visiting this place if you're in Richmond! The quality of the food is exceptional. My husband and I shared the blackened catfish, and it was delicious! The seasoning was great and the fish was tender. The sides were also great. We got the mac n cheese, green beans, potato salad, and mashed potatoes. They were all delicious! We also ordered the cobbler salad and was impressed with the generous toppings. Our kids enjoyed their chicken tenders, which was the one thing I didn't care for. It was too salty for me. The price was very reasonable for everything, but i also am used to northern VA prices. All in all, highly recommend this place! read more

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Love the interior vibe. Rich with history. Service was stellar. Very friendly and attentive. The food was dynamite! I am a sucker for fried pork chops and Momma J's delivered. They were delicious. I enjoyed the string beans as well. Everyone in our group was satisfied. We ended the meal with the bread pudding. It was just okay for me. I would try something different next time. Overall it was excellent. Check them out if you like the ole time cooking. We'll be back! read more

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Quiant, home feel, like at aunt/uncle's house. Wish I could give 3.7/3.8. Catfish Bites: HITTIN!!! Fresh, light, seasoned perfectly. Needed nothing but our teeth chomping down the deliciousness of the sea! Chicken Wings: very good Regular Fried Chicken: Seasoned well, juicy and we had white but theyre large like steroids birds. Collards: good. No smoked anything. A tad sweet but not overbearing. Cabbage: delish. Tasted similar to the Collards; chicken bouillon based. Mac & Cheese: surprisingly better than expected. Mild cheese flavor like Colby, Mild/Sharp Cheddar vs. Extra and Mozz. Peach Cobbler: decent. Cooked down canned Peaches with a cake-like/bisquick topping vs. the pie crusted version, which is more our preference. It was also a bit gummy in the middle, due to being not fully cooked through. Also, had heavy-handed warm spices, heavy on the nutmeg. Not overly sweet, which can be deceiving because it'll have you eating the entire serving in 1 sitting. Apple Pie is a personal size, enough for 2-3 to enjoy. It was cold so...did taste a smidgen and it had the same heavy handed warm spices but not as sweet. They forgot our paid for potato salad. Our fault for not catching it before we pulled off. The young lady Cashier named Marquee (sp?) was congenial, swift and helpful with honest suggestions. Full bar but limited in more Premium selections. They could stand a SERIOUS DEEP cleaning! The baby booster seats are filthy and bathrooms are usable. Overall, passed through on a road trip, after hearing so much about it but we're 1 and done. Maybe a quick return for those Catfish Bites! read more

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I love mama J's restaurant. The food is always on point and the service is always great. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - The catfish the collard greens and the cornbread was very delicious and I I drank a Arnold Palmer - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Friday 3/22/2024 I had this spot on my list for nearly year as I was highly anticipating it but did it meet my expectations? I made an online order for takeout and got: the bbq ribs $14, side mac n cheese $5, side candied yams $5, fried chicken (white) $14, and the 2 pc catfish $15. All of the meals come with a side of their cornbread muffins. It wasn't available online but I also got the bread pudding $6 when I went to pick up the food. - bread pudding * it comes with a lemon sauce that isn't really needed but overall the bread pudding was decent. - bbq ribs * these were tender, came off the bone easily, and pretty good. This was probably my favorite item I had. * also the cornbread muffin was decent as well. - side mac n cheese * this was AWFUL and definitely something that you should avoid. The mac n cheese had zero seasoning and zero flavor, just ended up tasting extremely bland. - side candied yams * these were decent - fried chicken (white) * it comes with 1 breast & 1 whole wing for the price tag of $14 which is bogus and ridiculous. * I can understand a 14$ price tag for 2 breasts but for 1 and a whole wing is overpriced to say the least. - 2pc catfish * I'm not a huge catfish type of guy but I saw that it was one of their popular items so I had to try it and it was alright, nothing special or impressive. Overall, my high expectations for mama js did not deliver in the slightest. They definitely got some improving to do ESPECIALLY on that terrible Mac n cheese. read more

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We stopped by Mama J's during our vacation in Virginia. As soon as we stepped into the restaurant, we were greeted and seated right away. It was a cute little restaurant with nice decor. It took a while to receive out, but it was delicious. I got catfish with greens and mashed potatoes. Mash potatoes were not my favorite but not bad. We also ordered yams and Mac n cheese which were both yummy also. I would definitely recommend stopping my Mama J's for some good food. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Sweet potato and Mac n Macaroni & Cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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There's something magical about walking into a place where history seeps through the walls, where the food feels like a love letter to the soul, and where you're greeted like family. That's exactly what you get at Mama J's, a cozy spot tucked into the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond. The staff here redefine hospitality. It's not just service; it's the kind of genuine warmth that makes you feel like you've been coming here for years, even if it's your first visit (like it was mine). I started with the catfish nuggets which were perfectly fried, tender, and seasoned with just enough punch to keep you reaching for another bite. For my main, I went classic: fried chicken, with sides of mac and cheese and collard greens. Now fried chicken is a sacred thing, and Mama J's delivers it with the kind of reverence it deserves. The chicken arrived piping hot, the golden crust crisp yet impossibly light, encasing meat so juicy and flavorful it almost feels criminal to eat it. I don't know much about divine intervention, but if God is ordering fried chicken, you can bet it's coming from Mama J's. For sides, I went classic: the mac and cheese was gooey, rich, and indulgent, and the collard greens hit that perfect balance of sweet and savory. But let's not kid ourselves--the fried chicken was the star of this show. It's the kind of chicken that makes you rethink every other version you've ever had. Special shout out to Ashley for her infectious smile and impeccable service, with honorable mention to the kitchen crew who seem to turn out delicious dish after delicious dish with the greatest of ease. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Fried Chicken (White), Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Their service was good! The food was good!! We are 3adults and 1baby, but got seated right away. It was before Christmas, and the decor was nice, stuff were also dressed for the holidays. I ordered beef brisket, and it was so good, so soft!! Other ordered cat fish which I have never tried before, so I asked for a bite. OMG!! It was so good!! Crispy outside, juicy and fluffy inside. All the side were also good. It took a while to get our food since they're so busy (dine in and take out, delivery), but our waiter gave us updates on good timing, so that was huge help and plus for me. Good customer service!! I'll definitely go back there to try different menus. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Beef brisket, Mac&cheese, corn bread - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Service was pleasant. Menu easy to read. Atmosphere was relaxed. The food was hot when I got it (that's a plus for me)! read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Fried chicken, collard greens, and candied yams - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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First time trying this restaurant and I am happy that we stumbled upon this place. I love the culture you observe on your way into the restaurant beautiful black art, beautiful and personable workers, and amazing food. read more

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

The food was outstanding the cat fish was made to perfection. And our waitress mosa was extremely sweet and delightful. The decor was perfect. read more

I took an hour and fifteen minute drive to try Mama Js. The restaurant was extremely small so we ordered to go. All food is ordered a la carte. So we spent a good amount of money ordering entrees and sides. After waiting quite some time during lunch time, the food finally arrived. When we got back to the car we were immediately disappointed. The chicken didn't look or taste fresh. The catfish was very bland. The corn muffins that they serve with everything was hard. The Mac and cheese was not appetizing. The candied yams was the best part of the meal and even those were overly sweet. read more

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Apparently i haven't had real soul food until now, because this meal just blew my mind. Outstanding flavors, everything was seasoned and cooked to perfection. My friend and I had the catfish (so crispy!) and brisket (juicy and tender)-- I can't decide which I liked more. Mashed potatoes were also excellent. Service was fast and friendly, And the vibe/ambiance just felt cozy. Next time I'm in Richmond, I'm coming back here for sure. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Catfish (1 piece) with Mashed Potatoes & gravy - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Best food I've had in a long time! Certainly the best pork chops, cabbage and collard greens. Second time eating here in two days (photo from yesterday and today) deserves a review. And the service is amazing! Special thanks to Ashley for exceptional service and making my daughter and I feel welcome!. This place truly makes you feel like you're home! read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Catfish Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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We met friends here for a late lunch. The restaurant was busy with customers eating in and a lot of take out as well. The restaurant is very quaint with glass over a white table cloth. I liked that the menus were under the glass so you could read them but didn't have to touch them. It felt like very clean alternative and I preferred it to a QR code. Our server was very attentive and helpful. We had the catfish nuggets to start and catfish entree with two sides for our meal. I chose green beans and mashed potatoes. My husband chose collards and mac and cheese. Everyone at the table was raving on the mac and cheese. Very good! We enjoyed the entire meal. They were out of all of the cakes and only had bread pudding and peach cobbler. We lucked out and found easy parking out front. A wonderful lunch! read more

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Stopped here on a roadtrip to North Carolina! Great for a stop off I-95. What a great experience! Food was true soul food! Crystal was our waitress and made our experience amazing! Everyone and everything in the restaurant made me feel at home! The ambiance was chill! There were people dressed casual and some people dressed up. Definitely a place to go in Richmond Virginia! read more

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Thank you Markey! You were great! Wonderful customer service every time we visit Richmond we come by

The food was ok and the ambiance was ok. Glad I stopped by. I had the wings and Mac and Cheese and cocktail.

Great food. If you love soul food this is the place for you. Just like your momma made it.

I found this gem on the outskirts of downtown. You are greeted by a "Welcome Home" sign. There is street parking available in front of the restaurant and within a reasonable walking distance. They have a small dining room and a full bar with seating. There is a television above the bar that was playing sports while I was there and you will hear soul music being played throughout the dining room. You will see chairs without any tables on the front sidewalk. I was solo so I just decided to sit at the bar. It took a while for the staff to warm up, but they ended up being very friendly. The patrons were also very friendly there too. A couple of people drummed up a nice conversation with me. They serve some delectable soul food including friend chicken, catfish, crab cakes, trout, pork chops, and cobbler. I ordered the two piece catfish platter with a side of collard greens. I got one fried fillet and one blackened fillet. It took about 10 minutes for me to get my food and it was fresh, hot and delicious. The catfish was some of the best that I have had. Cooked and seasoned perfectly. The collards were huge and very flavorful too. The meal came with a corn bread muffin that was absolutely scrumptious. MMMMMM.....this meal was good. I really enjoyed my meal here. They have some good home cooked soul food. I highly recommend checking this restaurant out. read more

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Markey is an awesome server!! I love Mama J's. The food here is awesome. My favorite is the catfish. I visit twice a year when I'm in the area and it never disappoints. I'm always made to feel welcome and I always leave stuffed and wishing I could eat more. read more

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

I always enjoy the food that I order from Mama J's . I regret that my dessert was left off of the order.

Food was amazing!! The fish was tender and seasoned. Our food was ready for takeout at the available time. We didn't have a chance to eat in but seemed like the place was well kept and inviting. Will definitely plan to be back! read more

The perfect soul food plate. I see why everybody kept recommending this spot. I just finished the fried catfish with greens and mac and cheese. Every bite of everything was spot on. And those are some of the best collard greens I've had anywhere. A little wait for the food, but not excessive and totally worth it. Wow. read more

Delicious! Everything tastes sooo good and is freshly cooked. Definitely will be coming back :) read more

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

All I can say is wow. The food is off the charts. Our server Daniel was great. He gave us recommendations that were spot on!! Highly highly recommend to anyone in or visiting Richmond! Looked and smelled so good we started to dig in before the pics, oops!! And loved the music that was playing, throwback smooth hits. Fives across the board!! read more

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Food was delicious and liked the atmosphere. Will be re-visiting soon. Parking wasn't bad either parked in free public parking very short walk. read more

We were seated right away. Server was pleasant, offered helpful suggestions and prompt with delivery of drinks and food. The food was excellent! Mac n cheese was creamy and delicious. Our table requested seconds of corn bread. The chicken was well seasoned. We were disappointed that they were out of desserts. You might need to get there early for those. read more

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Was seated fairly quickly due to us wanting to sit at the bar. Our waiter Ashley greeted us and was helpful in us picking an option. The menu is straight forward but there are great options. I had the catfish with green beans and mac and cheese and fried chicken (dark meat) with yams and mac and cheese. Everything was cooked perfectly and withflabor. I probably would of liked a little bit more syrup to the yams but that is minor. Each came with cornbread and that was good as well. The place was clean and good music was being played so I can't complain. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Catfish (1 piece) - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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As far as soul food goes this is the best of the best for a reason! I never skipped an opportunity to eat here. I love it so much

Just left there a few hours ago and I am in a food coma. First of all I don't eat a lot of sugar so my taste buds may be sensitive to sweets. The location - great, cozy restaurant/bae with maybe 20 tables. That place went from empty to busy in no time at all. Our waitress was Vek..... I think that's how she said it but lovely lady and very attentive. The prices are reasonable and the portions are large IMO. You could almost share the sides between 2 people. My friend and I shared our dishes and here is my breakdown. Green beans - yummy Sweet potatoes - yum but very sweet to me Cornbread -meh nuttin special slightly dry Brisket- yummy with or without sauce Pork chops- good Mac and cheese - good Bread pudding - good and served hot/sweet Peach cobbler - not like my mommas but good Butter cream- sickeningly sweet and dry They didn't have ice cream although it was on the menu . My friend loves the sweet tea but I only had water. I can't wait to go back and try some of the other items on the menu. Enjoy the pics. read more

Mama J's Kitchen - Brisket, sweet potatoes, green beans, Mac and cheese, muffin - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Great food. Great community atmosphere. If you're in a rush, this is not the place for you. But if you love tasty, home cooked food this is a gem. No fancy small plates or craft cocktails but great catfish and collard greens. Friendly people. Cheerful staff. Take your time, relax and enjoy the food. read more

Funny. I wrote that original review six years ago, pre-pandemic, pre-the-world-has-changed. One thing hasn't: Mama J's still rocks. I don't even order catfish anywhere else. Anywhere else is kinda like kissing your sister. ‍ And the cabbage. Mmm-mmm-mmm. That's a pretty simple dish, and yet Mama J's will spoil you for the rest of the world. read more

We got to Richmond and had to rush back to the 757, so we popped in and ordered our food to go. The vibe of the spot was weird- we felt like we were a burden on the two servers that were working behind the bar, and we felt like maybe they didn't do to go food. They do, and we did get our order to go. My friend was trying to talk to the one taking our to go order, and she was clearly not having it (which was weird AF). I got the chicken sandwich (well done), which comes with homemade chips (DELICIOUS). My chicken sandwich was so good. It was seasoned to perfection, and even though I asked for some mayo on the side, I didn't get it. The sandwich needed nothing else. The food made up for the lack of acknowledgement or kindness shown by the servers. I would DEFINITELY go here again for food if I was in the area. I don't know about the service, but the food spoke for itself. Save room for dessert! read more

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The service provided by Jamira was superb. She was thorough, was familiar with the menu, and provided great recommendations. The restaurant was very clean and we were able to park in front of the restaurant. The entire dining experience was extremely pleasant. I would definitely return. read more