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    Mama J's Kitchen

    4.3 (1.5k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Mama J's Kitchen Photos

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    MAMA J'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Mama J's Kitchen

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    Fried chicken, yams, greens
    Angel E.

    I ordered take out while attending a conference in richmond. The restaurant is intimate and has a bar. The service was great. The food was ready for pick up when I arrived. The fried chicken was cooked to perfection. Seasoned well. The yams were perfect, not too sweet or sugary. The collard greens were tasty. The chicken came with a corn muffin which was a little over baked. Overall, food was delicious and I ate most of it.

    Catfish (2 piece) Candied Yams Macaroni & Cheese Fried Chicken

    Akira was amazing!!!! Give her a raise!!!! So nice love her! She gave great service and was very hospitable.

    Catfish nuggets, mac & cheese and meatless collards
    Ayana O.

    My 1st time in Richmond and ii I can say is Mama J's is EVERYTHING! Chyna was our server and she was so attentive. It felt like Sunday dinner at your favorite Aunt's house The coffee was awesome (im a critic of coffee) I had catfish nuggets, mac & cheese and Collards . Alll gooood!

    Menu
    Joy L.

    Ambience feels quaint as if you're sitting in a family's home. Like you're at grandmas house. Customer service is great! Friendly, prompt and helpful. I'll acknowledge, my concerns regarding violations but I'm taking a chance. I had the crab cakes with corn muffin entree. Do note, the sides are priced separately from the main entrees. I enjoyed the portion of the crab cakes which was very filling. That said, they were chard a bit more than I would prefer but nonetheless still good. Catfish nuggets were good, worth getting them. I had the collards as my side, which were not necessarily my fave because they had a strong presence of vinegar that overpowered the taste. Caesar salad was a nice portion. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give it six. I can't necessarily say if I would recommend it as a first time guest considering the above mentioned. I feel I'd need to visit again to see if I may experience it differently. Overall not a bad e

    Chicken Wingettes
    Grace M.

    We were greeted and seated quickly. Service was pleasant and our waitress gave great recommendations as far as drinks and food. It was a cute and homey atmosphere. We started off with the chicken rings and they were so good, starting off strong! Pork chop and crabcake meals were super satisfying. No complaints about any of the sides. The cornbread was a nice little sweet treat. I would have loved to try dessert but they were out of a few due to the time we were at the restaurant. I will definitely be back to try them out!

    Catfish Nuggets, Corn Muffins (2)
    Thembi S.

    This restaurant came up in a search of things to do/places to visit in Richmond, VA. I'm totally into soul food, so challenge accepted. Mama J's is an unassuming place, but was packed when I arrived. I opted to sit at the bar because I was near starvation and didn't have time to wait for a table. I was super impressed with the bartender. Half the time it didn't seem like she heard me, but she always did, and always handled whatever it was that needed handling. I placed an order for catfish nuggets with fries and requested a cornbread muffin. The food arrived and looked amazing! And it all was very good, though I have had better catfish nuggets before. I crushed everything. No complaints.

    Catfish (1 piece)
    Daniel A.

    Greeted with the friendliest service. The most homecooked meal not cooked at your home that you probably couldn't even cook yourself. The catfish had the flakiest breading to it, I could have even eaten it without any tartar sauce which was also delicious. That paired with the perfect Candied Yams that weren't overly sweet but still golden roasted; Yum. Loved this place. Absolutely loved.

    Best fried catfish!
    Rhonda R.

    I felt very comfortable and welcomed as soon as I walked in the door. My server was as sweet as can be! Their fried catfish is definitely a 10/10! I highly recommend this place if you're ever in the Richmond area.

    Frank Tennyson - a great man gone too soon
    Deneen S.

    Update: Monday 6/16/25 6:45pm ish I Order DoorDash to pick up my food and I'm highly disappointed ! My Chicken was visibly burnt and it tasted burnt. The cornbread taste like rubber. The cabbage had no flavor no salt no nothing and collard greens were OK . I'm actually furious that I spent $30 for this, and that was without the DoorDash fee. I'm not sure how Mama J's ended up with the "Best Fried Chicken in Richmond" title but that's a negative.

    Pork chops chicken catfish with greens Mac & cheese yams and rice and gravy
    Larry M.

    This food was fantastic. My first time here. Looked on yelp for soul food and this was top of the list. It was a nice and cozy place. Very personal and intimate. The staff was pleasant and answered all the questions I had. The cat fish (one fried and one blackened), pork chops with peppers and onions in gravy, and fried chicken. For the sides which are à la carte greens Mac and cheese yams and rice and gravy. I will definitely recommend this place. See you next time

    How good it was fam!
    Jong K.

    Was driving home after a 4-hour trip and told my wife to find me a quick bite--but it had to be from a spot with 1000+ reviews. She landed on Mama J's, and now I totally get why this place has the rep it does. I got the brisket sandwich with fries and fajitas on the side--absolute bomb. Flavor-packed, cooked perfectly, and super satisfying after a long drive. Already planning a trip back with my wife. Next on my list: the fried catfish, whole wings, and fried chicken. Can't wait!

    Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Muffin
    Gregory F.

    Look man, I may be generous with giving out 5 star reviews, but this one deserves it hands down. You can taste how much heart and intention goes into this wonderful soul food - the catfish was super well cooked, flaky, and delightful. The mac and cheese was incredibly hearty, heavy, and delicious. The corn muffin was a nice finishing touch to an already fantastic dish. My fiance loved the fried chicken too, and the mashed potatoes were a nice generous portion with some of the most flavorful gravy I've ever had. Service was efficient, approachable, and wonderfully polite. Walked away with a smile a mile wide. My friend who we went with hyped it up after saying her team in college (VCU athletics) used to get it all the time as catering - and now I can see why. Will certainly be back here.

    Catfish (2 piece)
    LaWanda M.

    Went to dinner after work and MaMa J's never disappoints. I had the fried catfish, yams and Mac n cheese. Ohhhh and the sweet potato pie- delicious!!!

    Pork Chops

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    2 years ago

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    Yolanda J.

    Thank you for making us one of your go-to spots!

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    Yolanda J.

    Thank you for taking the time to leave a 5star review! Welcome Home!

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

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

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    9 months ago

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

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    9 months ago

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

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    3 years ago

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    7 months ago

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    4 months ago

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

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

    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

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    Page 2 of 39

    Mama J's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mama J's Kitchen

    Are pets allow Ed?

    I don't know the official answer but it is a small place. It didn't seem like there would be enough space for pets.

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    Southern Kitchen

    Southern Kitchen

    4.0
    (579 reviews)
    7.2 mi
    $$

    So while in Virginia, hubby and I decided to drive to Richmond to see the Black History Museum &…read moreCultural Center. Afterwards we went looking for some food!! Someone suggested a place called Mama J's but after reading the summary of reviews I decided to see if there was another place. And I came across Southern Kitchen and boy was I glad that I did!! This black owned restaurant was an excellent experience for hubby and I!!! But let me back up,,.when searching for another spot online...the visual esthetics of the menu caught my attention first!! I saw a crisp clean menu in white, green and black. It was easy to read, had everything laid out and dunno...maybe it appealed to my OCD with how organized it was but I liked it! And then the FOOD on the menu I told hubby..."no debate! We are going to Southern Kitchen"!! When we arrived we pulled up at a mall...at first we thought we were at the wrong place but when we turned the corner and saw the black and white awning...I said THERE IT IS!!! Lol!! We walked in and my heart said aaaaahhhhhhh!!!' it was beautifully decorated in...you guessed it black, white and green!! It matched the online menu....so cool!! The staff was courteous! The food was exceptional! And the music was SUCH a vibe!!! They have a bar area with high top tables, they have a dining area with tables and booths. They can accommodate small and large parties. They have a HUGE kitchen and they are very well staffed so our food didn't take long to get to us. Hubby ordered meatloaf, Mac n cheese, cabbage and sweet potatoes. I ordered salmon patties, collard greens and black eyed peas. Our server Nigela was so sweet! She took very good care of us and even chatted with us and told us that her grandmother was from SC (where we are from) I would definitely recommend this spot! Food was 10 out of 10! The sweet tea was that good "diabetical" tea and we got a cornbread basket...the portions were enough for me to take half of my plate with me because I was FULL!' Whenever I'm in Richmond again ...I will be back!! P.S. they have gluten free options but I was bad today...

    What an experience!! I absolutely love this restaurant. Saturday was my very first time visiting…read moreand I will be back. The food was outstanding. Everything we ordered was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. I ordered the turkey wings with collard greens and candied yams. The turkey wings were so tender and flavorful along with the collard greens. We also ordered fried pickles. They were very light, large, and well seasoned. They did not require any additional sauce really. My friends ordered meatloaf and Cajun pasta. Those items were delicious as well. The service was freaking impeccable. Our waiter was soooo polite, friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable on the menu. He allowed us to take our time ordering and made great suggestions. The hostess was very friendly and accommodating as well. The ambiance was amazing. The establishment was very clean, neat, and decorated very well. The establishment was fairly large however, it felt very cozy, and homey. I enjoyed our experience so much. Next time I am in Richmond this will be the first place I go to eat. I highly recommend if you are in the area. Cheers!

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    Dining room
    Dining room
    Southern Rolls @Southern Kitchen
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    Catfish Bites; Blackened Catfish; Mac N Cheese × 2; Candied Yams; Cornbread Muffins

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    Croaker's Spot

    Croaker's Spot

    3.9
    (954 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    BRING YOUR WALLETS AND STRETCHY PANTS!…read more We went as a corporate outing group of 5. The front door is a little tight cause as a popular spot there's a bunch of foot traffic. The lady at the front door was a bit staticky but she got us sat fairly quickly so we could deal with that. Vibes are all wooden, but not creaky. Could be a cool date spot, it was very casual so we were able to be a bit boisterous. Good place to chat and blend in. Service was great and friendly and attentive. The waitress we had always made sure our cups were full and we had napkins and what we needed. We didn't get any alcohol, I got an Arnold Palmer, the wife got a midtown. They were both pretty good, I don't know what the difference was but they slapped. Free refills on sweet tea was dope too! The food came out pretty fast for the portions and quality. The wings are a must get, get the large and if you don't finish air fry them back home (reheat is good) (I would get sauce on the side, we did buffalo). We got like a desert style cornbread with syrup and powdered sugar, not normally my jams but totally delicious (my coworker ordered, I am not into sweets; still 10/10). I had 2 buffalo shrimp and they were also good, I didn't get a flick but that's a safe pick. The mains are pricey (typical soul food prices) but fire!!! Portions were good but the quality of goods and meat are awesome. I eat at a lot of places, the quality was really high here so I think the price tag was fair. My wife got the catfish, I got the stuffed salmon. For our sides we got the greens, cabbage, and the Mac & cheese. I had a couple of things I personally like that I feel would have enhanced the meal but the overall outlook is that this is the place to go. The greens were salty as heck and didn't have like a turkey neck or smoked anything in it, could be a regional preference but that was missing for me. The cabbage was also cooked really well and didn't require much but had no sparkle. Great texture but the flavor wasn't there, I'm also Caribbean so maybe what I like is different, the crunch with a kick would have gone far and maybe some salt from the greens in there. The Mac and cheese was good, I like a creamier one but this will suffice tbh. Overall I'm going to give them a 8.9/10. I could have gotten the wrong things or went on an off day but they certainly delivered and the service was GREAT. I would deff revisit, it's got a lot of charm and personality. The staff were amicable and the bathrooms were clean. I would recommend this spot if you're visiting Richmond!

    Late to the party but here I BE! This little establishment with its wood floors, high booths and…read moreimpressive black art seems crowded and tight BUT...once you get IN? You absolutely get why. Getting in is the trick. There is no waiting area. The bar is small and fully stocked. It took my family about 45 minutes to be seated. The dining room, wood and walls covered in beautiful paintings of black artwork filled with families celebrating and enjoying huge plates of southern cuisine. Our server, LENA was very helpful and friendly. She made sure we knew what was what. She was Awesome. Okay now this FOOD! So much food and everything hot and fresh. You'll be tempted to order an appetizer. I observed the portions and decided I couldn't eat all that... in a week. Definitely getting the fried oysters next time though. The "Fish Boat" comes with 2, 3 or 4 pieces of whiting. It's fried and the onion and pepper "sauce" is a mustardy, vinegar concoction that compliments the fish perfectly. You have your choice of two sides. Typical southern specialties. Collard greens (no pork added) were delicious, with a little kick; Candied Yams and a BRICK OF CORNBREAD. Light, soft sweet cornbread... my goodness. I don't think I can do this food the proper justice it deserves in this review. The chicken strips; the Alfredo were just as good. Even their version of an Arnold Palmer, (The Uptown) was done right. It's worth the drive and definitely worth the calories. If you love southern food, seafood with an ample serving of back in the day hospitality, (it's on the PLATE) stop by and come hungry. My family said it tasted like Thanksgiving. Family cooking seasoned with love. That's exactly right. Oh! GET THE CAKE... for later

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    Croaker's Spot
    Mashed potatoes
    Mashed potatoes
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    Lunch. Supper!

    Lunch. Supper!

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Haven't been here in quite some time; but glad that my husband and one of our friends Mom asked me…read moreto get out today. One of the best spots in downtown Richmond (Scott's addition area) for a small group to enjoy a great meal in a cozy setting! I finished off the salmon cake sandwich with french fries; as it was very delicious and filling. The hostess and wait staff were helpful and friendly during the whole experience.

    Was passing through Richmond, and a lot of my friends recommended LUNCH.SUPPER! for brunch. My…read morepartner and I were seated promptly. Only street parking is available, but it wasn't too difficult to find a spot. The atmosphere: Very rustic vibe with some farmhouse-style decor. They have table, high-top, bar, and patio seating available. The food: I opted for the Chicken and Waffles with a side of cheese grits. I chose to make it hot for more spice. It's served with one whole waffle, two large pieces of fried chicken, and syrup on the side. The chicken was not seasoned as much as I hoped and wasn't as spicy as I expected, which was a bummer. The cheese grits were alright as well, but not as flavorful as I hoped. My partner ordered the Double Barrel Bowl, and he really enjoyed it. It was packed with pulled pork and was plentiful and filling. The service: Great and kind service from Mave (I believe that is her name but I'm not entirely sure). She informed us about the daily specials and was attentive throughout our visit.

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    Sugar's Crab Shack

    Sugar's Crab Shack

    4.3
    (226 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Always the place for great fried fish. They have other options but for me the fish is it…read more My wife loves the onion rings and hush puppies. Good customer service Style as a take away but outside seating is available

    I saw this place on tik tok and told myself I would stop by and visit the next time I was in…read moreRichmond. My son had a basketball tournament, and this was the perfect time to stop by. I pulled into the parking lot and this place has a unique setup. All the tables are outside similar to checkers. The place looks like it belongs in a dessert or South of the Boarder based on the color which is odd as well. They take your orders at the walk-up window. When I originally arrived, I didn't see much business but while I waited for my food the cars were pouring in left and right. My hopes for the food increased. There is a menu on the outside that is somewhat difficult to read and navigate. A ton of options with some whopping prices. I ended up ordering the 1 Snack and Fries. I wanted something good but also light as I had another place in Richmond I wanted to try. $14.99 seemed good until I saw this bogus, Local meals tax on top of the state sales tax. This caught me off guard. I ended up waiting in my car for about 20 minutes and later heard my name called over the microphone. The gentleman showed me the food, and it was 3 large pieces of fish. The fish was delicious. The fish was Cooked well, and I could taste the flavor. Way more than I expected. Tartar sauce elevated the flavor. The fires were piping hot and good as well. I wish I had some ketchup, but they were still good. I loved that they were salted but if I had high blood pressure I should have stayed away. You can see the salt on the fries. They were good to me. Overall if I were in Richmond again, I'd definitely stop. The food was good. I would definitely try more options. The customer service was good. The cashier and food distributor were on their A game. Outside could use some love and care but it is what it is.

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    Ordering window
    KD's Kitchen

    KD's Kitchen

    4.3
    (7 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    The food was good. Service was amazing. Their was light music playing although no body else was…read morethere it was very cozy. All of the food was fresh and made to order. The waffles were very soft butter, and sweet. I did not have to use syrup which is a good thing. The chicken wings were fried well. I'll be coming back here soon to try more items

    First time coming here with my husband as I had discovered it earlier in the day when running an…read moreerrand. It is located in Southside of Richmond, not too far from Chippenham Hospital, in shopping center on Jankhe road. At this time there isn't a sign that can be seen from the street; but once you walk up there is one in the window. I had spoke briefly to one of the owner operators as it is a BOB run by a family. They have been in business for 4 months and are continuing to build up a customer base. Very nice people! The interior is very casual, with blue walls and plenty dining tables w/ chairs. There is a large TV on one of the walls that wasn't playing anything during our visit; but they did play some RnB from a big speaker that was nestled into the counter area. The food is prepared fresh once ordered. I had the Salmon bites that are served atop toasted bread (good flavor, but the salmon soaked up to much oil from being fried), a side of cabbage (Very Good!), and a side of sweet potato mash (the flavor was good). The owner was glad that we dined in and asked if we would like dessert; we were too full and declined. The owner then gave my husband a to go cup of blue raspberry Kool-aid on the house! Yes they serve Kool-aid, which is nostalgic to most people who lived off it as a kid. I'm thinking about going back to try the Fish & Fries and the Pasta Salad with Shrimp! All in all, we were glad to go to a new spot to eat and also support a local Black owned Business!

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    Can eat in, take out, or use food delivery apps to enjoy!
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    Mama J's Kitchen - soulfood - Updated June 2026

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