Jackie's Place - SoFA

Hidden Gem Alert! 🌟 I stumbled upon this spot while searching for restaurants nearby, and wow—what a find! From the moment I walked in, the vibe was warm and welcoming. Staff greeted me with a smile and acknowledged me right away, which set the tone for a great experience. Ordering was super flexible: kiosk, in-person, or right from your table if you’re paying by card. I came prepared, having already scoped out the menu, and ordered a feast—brisket, ribs, a hot link, and a cup of seafood gumbo. My food arrived quickly, beautifully presented on red and white checkered paper, and smelled absolutely divine. The seafood gumbo was the star of the show—rich, flavorful, and packed with crab, shrimp, chicken, and sausage. The ribs were massive and meaty, the hot link had just the right kick, and the brisket was melt-in-your-mouth tender with a perfect char. Portions were generous, so I ended up taking more than half to go. They offer a tempting dessert menu, but I was too full to indulge—next time for sure! My only regret? They’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so I couldn’t squeeze in a second visit before heading back home.. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Walked in and given menu without prices. Ordered at the counter and gave our name to be called when food was ready. Appreciated basketball on tv. Many families eating here. Mac and cheese had a thick creaminess. Yams were very sweet. Corn bread decent. Brisket was juicier than it appears. Fish pieces were tilapia and good.

This food was off the charts. Everything was served hot, fresh and fast. The smoke on the ribs and brisket was perfect and the bbq sauce was the an amazing balance of sweet and tangy. They might as well get rid of the forks in this place.The collard greens were tender and savory and the cornbread brought it all together. I absolutely recommend the 2 meat combo so you can try more than one.

I ordered the fried fish with fries and greens. I dined in & loved that my food was served hot! The fish was pretty good but very thinnly sliced and was basa which isn’t always my favorite. The fries were great but I personally didn’t like the greens, they seemed like they need to cook longer to really get the flavor and the corn bread tasted like jiffy which gave the meal an overall manufactured flavor versus a homemade one. Overall, the food was good however I’ve been living in the south for the last 7 years so I am a little spoiled when it comes to flavor. I will say that the service was wonderful and the restaurant ambience was delightful.

Some of the best bbq in the South Bay. Perfectly grilled brisket with charred edges, juicy seasoned chicken, sweet and homey candied yams, and everything just perfect. Staff were welcoming and checked in often asking for opinions on food for improvement and they genuinely try to connect with customers giving that home cooking feel here. The atmosphere is busy with all kinds of people coming by and every person smiling and getting a fulfilling meal. Only downside is the place was designed like a generic southern eatery chain with bland wood paneling and random vibe words on the wall, but the food and service beats the design. It’s hard to find good soul food in the bay but this spot hits it right.

As a frequent visitor of the original location, I was intrigued and apprehensive when I heard they opened up another in downtown. Jackie’s is our go-to soul food spot even though we’re not local to the area. My fiancé and I ordered a brisket plate and pulled pork sandwich. On the side, we had a hot link, chili, rice and gravy, and coleslaw. All that aforementioned apprehension went out the window after my first bite of the brisket. Flavorful, juicy, and melt in your mouth tender and paired perfectly with their in-house barbecue sauce. My fiancé also enjoyed her sandwich which was packed full of spices and flavor. The chili was also very good with generously sized pieces of brisket and the right amount of spice. The gravy and rice is my favorite side since it incorporates the same gravy from their oxtail stew (another personal favorite) and always hits the spot. If you’re a fan of sausage and/or sweet and spicy, I highly recommend ordering their hot link and pairing it with their butter pecan syrup sauce. This combo really packs a punch of flavor!! All in all, this new location does not disappoint and is right up there with the original with the added bonus of being conveniently located in the heart of downtown SJ.

This place is absolutely amazing. Every bite of food brought intense comforting flavors. We split the smothered chicken, chili beans, corn bread and Mac and cheese, pulled pork, rice and gravy. Every thing so so good. The BBQ sauce on the table is also amazing. The brown gravy is literally the best gravy I’ve ever had in my life. Definitely pop in here for a fun atmosphere and amazing comfort food.

Plenty of seats at lunchtime, and tables and chairs are clean and well stocked. The food is outstanding, especially the plates, which have good portion sizes for the sides and the protein/meats. Staff are very friendly and greet everyone who comes in. Hidden gem just south of more well-traveled areas, so I really hope the foot traffic is there to sustain this place. The food alone will keep folks coming back for sure. This place is a must visit when visiting downtown San Jose, you will be glad you did!