Jacob Restaurant

Soul food restaurant · Central Harlem

2

@infatuation

"There’s something magical about a good buffet. Maybe it’s the fact that you can serve yourself with a spoon the size of a children’s tennis racket. Or maybe it’s that feeling of endless possibility you get when you see all those dishes just sitting there like musical notes waiting for you to arrange them into food jazz on your plate. If you want to know what we’re talking about, check out Jacob Restaurant. This is a buffet in Harlem where you serve yourself and pay by the pound, and it’s a very useful spot to know about if you’re nearby. It’s quick, convenient, and great for the price - and we appreciate the fact that you can stop by and fill up a container of good food with precise portions of exactly what you want, in whatever combination you deem necessary. photo credit: Noah Devereaux The buffet setup here consists of two large islands with roughly 20 trays each, and you’ll find everything from macaroni salad and quartered avocados to a mound of oxtails and some baked salmon covered in a sauce the color of the Grand Canyon. It’s a big selection with lots of potential for self-expression in terms of what you do you with your plate, and it leans heavily toward soul food - which happens to be the best stuff here. The fried chicken is crispy and well-seasoned, the mac and cheese comes topped with a thick layer of melted cheese, and the yams are rich, creamy, and sweeter than an acoustic version of “All You Need Is Love” at a beach wedding in which both participants seem genuinely interested in one another. We also like the smoky collard greens with just the right amount of acidity. Once you’ve made all your selections, bring your styrofoam box to the register where a cashier will weigh your food (it’s $6.49 a pound) and ask if you’re staying or going. Choose to stick around, and you can hang out in a dining room with a bunch of plain wooden tables and a flatscreen TV playing the news, or, if it’s nice out, you can eat at a table on the sidewalk out front. Unless it’s a weekend when there’s live music, it’s pretty easy to find a seat - because a lot of people here just take their food to go. It doesn’t matter if you stay or go - what’s important is that you experience the lawlessness and infinite possibility of Jacob’s quality buffet. We also think it’s important that you throw a rib on top of whatever you get - but, seeing as how Jacob’s is all about free will, self-determination, and big styrofoam containers of food that you choose for yourself, we’ll let you decide whether or not you want to do that. Food Rundown photo credit: Noah Devereaux Fried Chicken When you arrive at the fried chicken, you’re going to feel a tingling sensation at the base of your skull. That’s your brain telling you that you want this - and you should listen. The chicken stays surprisingly crisp in its big metal tray, and it’s a great way to improve any weeknight (or brunch). photo credit: Noah Devereaux Pork Ribs These ribs come covered in what tastes like your average store-bought barbecue sauce, but you’ll forgive this fact once you notice how the meat falls right off the bone. Throw one on top of whatever else you’re getting. photo credit: Noah Devereaux Beef Short Ribs If you want something less sweet (but equally as tender) as the pork ribs, go for the beef short ribs. Some pieces can be a little fatty, but we don’t dislike that. photo credit: Noah Devereaux Oxtails The oxtails are good, but a little tough for our liking. So unless you’ve been thinking about oxtails for several days (and there’s only one way to remedy the situation), you can go ahead and skip these. photo credit: Noah Devereaux Mac And Cheese Is this the best mac and cheese in the world? No. But it’s a perfectly good version of mac and cheese with an aggressive amount of cheese on top, which means that you should get a big scoop. photo credit: Noah Devereaux Collard Greens These collard greens are juicy and well-seasoned, with the perfect amount of vinegar, and, given the opportunity, we’d eat an entire bowl as if it were cereal. photo credit: Noah Devereaux Candied Yams We knew these yams would be sweet, but we weren’t expecting them to taste like molten sugar. That said, we very much enjoy them (in moderation, as molten sugar should be enjoyed). Potato Salad The potato salad is also pretty sweet, but all the sucrose doesn’t really work here. Skip it. Sweet Buttered Corn “Sweet Buttered Corn” is a very good and accurate name for this dish, and we don’t have much to expand upon. Get some if that sounds good. Banana Pudding There are a lot of things we like at Jacob Restaurant, but the banana pudding isn’t one of them. It’s too gelatinous with lots of artificial banana flavor, and the vanilla wafers are pretty dry. So maybe just get a big scoop of yams and call it dessert." - Bryan Kim

Jacob Restaurant Review - Harlem - New York - The Infatuation
Noah Devereaux

2695 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10030 Get directions

jacobrestaurant.com

2 Postcards

See full details

More Places For You

Cloud Catering and Events

Caterer · Long Island City

Cloud Catering crafts unforgettable events with Michelin-trained chefs, delivering exquisite food and exceptional service that consistently wows guests.

1 Postcard

dhom

Southeast Asian restaurant · East Village

"dhom is a unique dining experience that accentuates the brightness and vibrancy of Southeast Asian food & drinks. Our menu is composed of mostly small plates (similar to tapas style dining) while also featuring some banh-mi options during the daytime. dhom was created by Chef/Owner Soulayphet Schwader. dhom is Chef Phet's childhood nickname. It translates from Laotian to English to mean; dark or night. dhom is an expression of what Chef Phet likes to eat and cook. His local, seasonal menu is responsibly sourced, of the highest quality, and best when shared with friends in our East Village gem that is all at once intimate, inviting, and fresh."

8 Postcards

Rice & Gold

Asian restaurant · Chinatown

Dive into Rice & Gold at Hotel 50 Bowery, where spacious, hip vibes meet a creative pan-Asian menu and unforgettable dim sum and pho experiences.

3 Postcards

Wildair

New American restaurant · Lower East Side

Wildair, the laid-back sibling of Contra, serves creative small plates and natural wines in a bustling Lower East Side space that’s always a scene.

55 Postcards

INTERSECT BY LEXUS

Eclectic restaurant · West Village

Intersect by Lexus is a stylish, multi-level cafe in the Meatpacking District, showcasing rotating chefs and cocktails in a vibrant atmosphere.

4 Postcards

Death & Co East Village

Cocktail bar · East Village

Tucked away in the East Village, Death & Company is a sleek cocktail haven that masterfully blends speakeasy charm with inventive drinks that keep connoisseurs coming back.

22 Postcards

Cousin Larry's

Restaurant · Sunnyside

Cousin Larry's is a cozy Irish tavern in Sunnyside, serving tasty brunch classics and hearty dishes in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

3 Postcards

Bunna Cafe

Ethiopian restaurant · Bushwick

Bunna Cafe is a lively Ethiopian gem in Bushwick, serving vibrant vegan feasts packed with flavor and an inviting ambiance perfect for gatherings.

17 Postcards

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art museum · Central Park

The Met, an iconic cultural haven on NYC's Upper East Side, boasts an awe-inspiring collection spanning thousands of years and styles, from ancient masterpieces to modern works, all housed in its stunning Gothic-revival building.

37 Postcards

Le Chalet du Terroir

Coffee shop · Greenpoint

In the heart of Greenpoint, Le Chalet du Terroir is a cozy Haitian café serving up freshly brewed coffee, homemade pastries, and healthful delights like freedom soup and ginger turmeric tea, all in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

2 Postcards