JBJ Soul Kitchen

Third experience at the JBJ Soul Kitchen and every time, we are blown away by the quality of the food! Everything was awesome. We even had the chance to share our table with a very nice couple who were there for the first time. This concept of paying forward is amazing... we always pay double the suggested donation and bring home some souvenirs such as mugs but also the amazing spices and seasonings they use in the kitchen! If you've never been there, let me explain the concept. Everybody is welcome (their motto is All are welcome at our table) so whether you can pay or not, you're still welcome to get a good meal. Those of us who can afford to pay can pay the suggested donation but could also give more to pay the meal of somebody who can't pay. People who can't pay also have the option of volunteering at the restaurant (waiters, gardeners, etc.) in exchange for their meals. Fun fact: we first went in 2013 and a wonderful woman volunteering there took a photo of us. Her name was Gina... yeap, you can't make this up! When we went back last April, our waiter John told us Gina was still working there! Went back last September and guess what? We finally got our picture taken with her! We only visited JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, Monmouth, the Tom Rivers location is on our bucket list. It is worth the detour, just make sure you check the schedule as it is not opened all day, every day. This is not your regular restaurant, it is a place of kindness and compassion where you sometimes share your table with strangers and you're happy about it! This place makes you feel good!!!! And I can't understate enough the quality of the food, kuddos to the amazing executive chef Emily!

I can’t say enough about how wonderful this place is!! I have been wanting to go to a JBJ location and it finally worked out when I was in town for work. I showed up alone, they sat me with two wonderful new friends who work at another location. The food was wonderful, Gina was an amazing server and my heart was full! It’s truly good for the Soul. My grandfather used to tell stories of Jon visiting our hometown of Erie, Pa in the summers and hanging with his nephew. I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s a good family story :). He’s a local legend and love to see him and Dorothea doing so much good!

Another great meal had by our group with very friendly servers and staff helping out the shrimp. Kebabs were fantastic. The Mexican corn salad was good. The best part was the dessert. I believe it was some kind of blueberry poundcake with all the blueberries down at the bottom, it was deliciousmuch success, and I will be back hopefully for the chili cook off.

The restaurant is warm and inviting with a very homey feel. The staff was friendly and attentive. I had the soup and my partner had the salad. We both had the pork chop with mashed potatoes and green beans. We also both had the carrot cake for dessert. The salad was perfectly dressed and my soup was rich and thick. The pork chop was very thick and well seasoned. The mashed potatoes were rich and buttery and the gravy was flavorful. Each component was delicious but a bite of the three was sublime. The carrot cake was fragrant and not-too-sweet and the cream-cheese icing was the perfect counter-balance. I have paid a lot more than the suggested donation for meals that weren't this good. My partner and I enjoyed our meal very much and plan to return.

Highly recommend! Food and service were amazing. The mission to welcome and feed everyone- chef's kiss.

A dining experience that leaves your heart as full as your belly! Don’t think twice, just go. You won’t regret it. It lives up to its mission and the people here make sure absolutely everyone who walks through the door feels like a VIP. On top of it, the menu has something for everyone. As a vegan, I was overjoyed to see a coconut milk-based soup and cauliflower steak offered. A relative visiting from Spain read about the restaurant online and requested we go here for her birthday. At dessert time, they presented her cake with a candle and the whole place sang happy birthday. We can’t wait to come back in the summer to experience the gardens and outdoor dining.

What an experience! We literally flew in from Wisconsin to see and experience the Soul Kitchens. We wanted to see and feel first-hand how the JBJ Soul Foundation was helping people through the Soul Kitchen restaurants. We did Tom's River for lunch and Red Bank for dinner. Both meals were exceptional. Farm to table, chef created, healthy and beautifully presented meals. Fabulous food, but the real vibe is love. And hope. And connection. We were a party of 2, so the hostess asked if we were open to dining with others at our 4 top. Of course we were! We were paired with a young man who had come to the Soul Kitchen 2 years prior as an addict. First he ate, then he volunteered (and still does) and then he rebuilt his life piece by piece over the next 2 years. He got clean, found housing...all through resources and connections he made through the Soul Kitchen. We literally dined with the living embodiment of the mission. We were deeply touched, and transformed. Thank you JBJ Foundation for your heart and work in the community. Every community across this country should have a Soul Kitchen. Thank you Dorothea and Jon for the vision and execution to address hunger and housing insecurity. What a legacy! 💞

Absolutely incredible experience at JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank! We went today, and I can honestly say every single person we met was friendlier than the last — just when I thought, “There’s no way anyone could be kinder than this person,” the next one proved me wrong! The gentleman behind the counter went above and beyond — he gave our daughter crayons, a huge coloring book, and even a stuffed animal. He was so warm and polite. Then every staff member we interacted with — all volunteers, mind you — were just as kind and genuine. You could feel the love and care in everything they did. Our server, Moe, was the best — such a down-to-earth, cool person who made us all feel so welcome and cared for. And the food? Spectacular. Absolutely delicious. Every bite was full of flavor and made with love. This place isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a beautiful experience filled with heart, kindness, and amazing food. ❤️

good staff good food great price good atmosphere good vibes all around no complaints why can't other restaurants copy this business model more often? helping others is king

We enjoyed a good meal, excellent service from Christina, beautiful gardens and the best concept for a restaurant. We will definitely go back!

This place is truly good for your soul. The food was superb- better than some 5 star restaurants I've eaten at. We had Peruvian chicken and coconut cod- we gobbled it up and forgot to take pictures. Excellent service. And the atmosphere-- heartwarming. The restaurant asks for food donations (suggested $30 per person) for a 3 course meal but if you can't afford to pay you can work for a few minutes for your food as well. So several tables are filled with homeless men and women who were dining with dignity. It was a beautiful thing. This place filled our stomach and our soul! I wish there were more places like it!

Thank you Bon Jovi and thank you Mo for all your hard work at JBJ Soul Kitchen. The food and service were outstanding . Wish we had one of these in Yonkers!

The food was really good! I love the place. They are very welcoming and it is really nice with a great section for outside dining too. The concept for helping others is amazing.

Fantastic concept: food security for folks in the community, suggested donations in lieu of set prices, staff comprised of volunteers. My boss suggested we go here after a work retreat. We work in the helping professions so this was right up our alley. The space is gorgeous - lush food garden outside, industrial garage chic decor, nightmare-free chairs inside. Each dinner comes with 3 courses: -soup/salad -entree -dessert Me and a coworker started with cranberry goat cheese salad, boss got that and soup. For mains (lmao) they got the shrimp and quinoa bowl, and I opted for the Nashville hot chicken sando. I made a critical mistake here: I know that if something doesn't specific breast then it probably isn't. Still I rolled the dice and lost. This was def thigh meat which honestly makes me gag. So I had to like eat the breading and slaw only (delicious btw) and push the meat around the plate. I also wasn't thrilled about the veg pairing. Still, we had a lovely experience and I am more than happy to support someone trying to do right by their neighbors. More of this please. I was with my coworkers so i didn't take pics. In the words of Levar Burton, you'll just have to take my word for it

A truly amazing place!! JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant that provides a 3 course meal to all even if they are unable to pay for their meal. I have been wanting to visit here after I was working at a hospital during the pandemic and they donated meals to us. I went on a Wednesday evening for dinner, arrived shortly after they opened, we were sat right away but all the tables were taken not too long after. It's a small restaurant of about 8 tables and a small outdoor patio area for when it's nice. They also have limited hours so be sure to check it out before going. The wait staff identified themselves as volunteers and were so friendly with quick service. We were offered cornbread to start which was delicious and enjoyed some watermelon mint infused water. The menu changes frequently so be sure to check online before going to make sure you'll find something you'd like as there's only about 4 entree options. The meal starts with an appetizer of soup or salad. We really enjoyed the entree of Creole shrimp scampi pasta which was loaded with flavorful shrimp and a big serving with enough to have leftovers! The dessert offered fresh fruit or chef's choice which was a delicious lemon cake. At the end of the meal they won't bring you a bill, so they can't differentiate between who is able to pay and those that can't. Instead they ask you to go up to pay at a counter and asked how much we would like to pay. The suggested donation was $30 per person and I would happily pay that again for a tasty 3 course meal that benefits an amazing cause!

Healthy meals, but host staff lacks interpersonal skills. NOT Everyone is welcome at their table, nor is everyone treated with respect and dignity. The Soul Foundation is unreceptive to feedback and has no interest in improving. They don't even have a grievance policy. ​

JBJ Soul Kitchen's name is not just an allusion to a kind of music or food, it is also about helping souls. The restaurant is set up to feed those who need a meal. The hungry can show up and get a meal at no cost. Even better, an all volunteer staff will wait on them and treat them with respect as regular customers. For those of us who can afford to pay, a flat fee covers the entire meal and contributes to the maintenance and costs of the restaurant. Customers are asked to provide a suggested donation (it was $40 when I went) and that covers an appetizer, entree and dessert with a drink! Want to contribute more? You can do so with the host (I gave an extra $20). Keep in mind, the menu varies often, so what I had won't necessarily be available when you go, so what I can say is that the quality of the food was fantastic. Don't let the charity aspect of this restaurant fool you. My dish was one I would have been happy to order in any restaurant. It was beautifully plated and everything was cooked very well. So what did I have? My appetizer was a rice ball with some shrimp inside. It reminded me a lot of rice balls I used to get in pizza shops in Brooklyn back in the day (that's a good thing). My entree featured roasted vegetables with chicken thighs in a balsamic sauce. They were cooked perfectly and the flavors were on point. Dessert was a pound cake with strawberries and cream. It was simple but tasty. The pound cake was moist and the cream was tasty. I love this concept and the food and service were fantastic. I'd happily return any time.

Ate at the Red Bank location. This place is amazing. The staff is all volunteers, except for the chefs. The staff is crazy friendly and welcoming whether you are paying or not. The food is really , really delicious and beyond expectation. Please stop in for a meal and support their mission.

Energy. Good food. Good people. Great work Nicole, Hilary and the gang. Your warmth and commitment is palpable. The love exudes from the front door to the plate. The food was delicious; lasagne soup, mouthwatering meatloaf and red velvet cake. Thank you for what you do.

Food was very good; good service and great price for a full meal. Rotating menus weekly, vegetarian options on the menu. Small, would be nice in the summer with the big doors open and being able to eat outside.

I have attended lunch/cooking presentations there and it's wonderful. Food is great, I learn a lot about recipes and cooking hints all while supporting a great cause.

there was an event here the other day so had to stop by. Loved donating and helping out the community. it's a pretty nice place and very friendly people

This was an excellent experience, a pleasant surprise down the street in Red Bank. The meal was excellent, the service warm, quick and nimble, and the overall ambience was just a huge warm fuzzy. I was happy to donate the $30 for a meal that would cost much more in any other restaurant, and happy to pay it forward to support this cause to alleviate food insecurity. There's so much wrong and meanspirited in our world; it's a joy to recommend this experience to everyone.

The concept is that anyone can eat but you only pay by choice. Amazing concept for the less fortunate, but you have to be okay with eating in this environment. Nicely set- up interior. Waitstaff was super nice. Ordered chicken orzo soup. Nice soup but no Orzo. Salad looked nice. Entrees came. Meatloaf was slightly under-cooked in the center. Potatoes were dried out and the string beans were perfect, but both sides were stone cold. Dessert was fruit. Some was fresh, some wasn't. I would not go back mostly because the food was not dealt with professionally. I saw a waitress put her hand on my fruit before it was served. Not cool. Overall, they can't do a better job because everyone is a volunteer. I'm on board with the concept but the execution is lacking.

Great concept.. great atmosphere..great food.. I live I red bank and awsome bonjovi gives back the way he does

Love love love this place. Extremely hospitable workers. We got there at 11:15 for 11:30 opening. No wait. Food was so good. I had the Chili appetizer that had the right amount of kick. Not too hot. Frittata was amazing !!! On top of potatoes and was so tasty Offered us a variety of drinks that were cold and hot Dessert. We were so full!! But I had to try the cake Can't wait to come back !! Thank you for a wonderful experience

Let's Start Off By Saying I've Gone Here to Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen Great Idea... Volunteering and paying is How This Works. So you Actually Have to Hire People Who Have Compassion Not Nicole and Emily The Chef They Discriminate People For Hearsay With No Proof. I Went to Try the Food Out and Paid for My Meal,Tuscan Pork Was Tasty but The Food So-So Nothing Spectacular, But Nicole Refused Entry to a Homeless Woman in The Rain Told The Woman Now Crying to Wait in The Rain For a To-Go Meal Because She's Not Allowed in The Restaurant. Now That's Criminal What This Manager Did Was Totally inhumane to this Harmless Tiny Woman Who I Spoke to Gave Her $ 20.00 and Told Her to go Sit and Eat Her Meal Like a Human Being....

It's December and winter, and it's freezing cold out! But, we drove 60 miles for our date night out (kids at grandparents!) and arrived here -- it's warm and inviting inside this cozy space! As soon as we walked inside, we were greeted by so many friendly and smiling staff, who made us feel right at home and happily explained the philosophy and mission of the restaurant when we said it was our First Visit! There's so much heart in this place you can feel it and then, taste it, too in the carefully planned and prepared meal. We couldn't have been more delighted to come for dinner and take part in this amazing community and dining experience to enjoy a delicious meal, while having the opportunity to contribute by paying it forward with our donation for the meal. 3-courses for a suggested donation of $20 (half for the meal and the other half saved for someone in-need). Will have to come back in the spring or summer to see the beautiful garden outside in the boxes out front! Thanks to the entire staff -- especially Dori, Denice, and Jeff. Kudos to JBJ, Dorothea and everyone involved in this great restaurant.

What an awesome restaurant! The only thing better than the concept and food are the volunteer workers. I would highly recommend to visit.

Does it get better than this place? I am pretty sure it doesn't get better than this place. Great food, great project. Couldn't be better. https://jbjsoulkitchen.org/ The restaurant is set up to feed those who need a meal. The hungry can show up and get a meal at no cost. Even better, an all volunteer staff will wait on them and treat them with respect as regular customers.

So glad we took an afternoon ride and ended up here. Always wanted to try it. The menu is small but for what they do it's perfect. Sandra enjoyed her meatless burger and my fish and chips were terrific. The PB&J pie for dessert was outstanding. We enjoyed our whole experience here and will definitely be back. We purchased a few shirts and some of their seasoning also. We also paid it forward for someone else to eat there on us and not have to worry about the bill. Fantastic concept and great atmosphere. Try it. Enjoy

This was amazing! I was vacationing and drove out of my way to come here and support this awesome business!

I came here for the first time yesterday and I don't know why I waited so long. The outside of the restaurant is adorable. The inside is lovely. The food was OUT OF THIS WORLD good. I got the 'Pumpkin Curry' soup for an appetizer and 'Spinach and Ricotta Pasta' for my entree both of which were amazing. They served 'Pineapple cake' for dessert. This is coming from someone who HATES pineapple... it was one of the best cakes I ever ate. I also bought a $10 mug from the restaurant. Everyone there was so friendly and so helpful. Where else can you get a 3 course meal plus a beverage for $20 AND help out families? This is such a great concept with such great food. I will definitely be back!

Awesome meal, wonderful service. Our server Moe was great. Love supporting this community action. Definitely worth the visit. Please pay it forward if you can!

I took my wife and kids there to celebrate her birthday....I was pleasantly surprised of the atmosphere and the food. The portions were great, and I didn't mind giving what I would have paid at another restaurant. The mission of the establishment makes me want to go again.....the chef prepared meal was amazing. Not only did we eat well, we felt good about supporting the cause.

The Ambiance was very calm, welcoming and friendly. The service was fast and efficient with barely any wait time. Now let's get to the food. This is the best meal I've had in such a long time at a restaurant! I am definitely coming back. A great restaurant for a great cause. I can't say enough great things about this place.

I've been wanting to visit the Soul Kitchen since it opened 10 years ago. So glad I finally did. Excellent food, better people, great mission and cause.

The food was delicious. Our waitress Amy Ross was friendly, polite & had a beautiful smile !!

We ran into Chef Emily prior to opening. She could not have been more personable and friendly. When we entered the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by one of the most efficient and accommodating servers ever! She was wonderful! We learned a lot more about the mission of JBJ's Soul Kitchen and could not be more impressed by their work and sincerity. The food was AMAZING and beautifully presented! April 2, 2022 was a great visit for lunch and I was ready to return for dinner! Loved the vegetarian options!

This place is one of a kind and highly recommend! The food is amazing and the people who run it and volunteer there should be up for sainthood! Wish I lived closer so I could go back often. Payment is a donation for a three course meal. If you can't afford it then you still get to eat! The world needs more of these people!

Such a delicious meal in a great atmosphere! I had a bean burger with onion rings on top that was so yummy. The waitress Amy was so friendly and funny. Wish she could have joined us for our meal!!

We had an incredible experience, Emily was so friendly and fun, we will definitely be back. We'd love to bring all of our friends and family here so we can share our love for this great cause! Besides the experience being wonderful, the food was delicious and service was on point!! can't wait to go back and help in any way we can!

A menu to die for! Bring friends, great place for lunch, excellent food and great atmosphere. A nice place to stop by with a friend while shopping or running errands.

This place deserves 5 stars for the work they do to feed everyone. I went with a bunch of ladies to watch one of the chefs give a demo on fondue and cinnamon cake, 2 of the menu items tone served this afternoon. And both were tasty. The main course was a delicious pasta with locally grown kale, grape tomatoes with a pumpkin sauce. Yummy! The afternoon was put together by Brookdale Community College giving this "give back" community treasure another window to showcase its work. We had a wonderful afternoon.

Service by the volunteers is ALWAYS AWESOME & on point. They are all so devoted with time and attention to the guests. I did not enjoy the plant-based (veggie) options the last few times here tho sad to say... Bland flavor and not cooked enough... However the salads and desserts are usually excellent!!! The variety of breads offered in a basket definitely needs to be more fresh (usually dried - not served warm) I will return to support the foundation but maybe not recommend this place to everyone.

Excellent! We had dinner at the JBJ soul kitchen in May. The food was delicious and everyone was just so friendly. Plus, it's for a good cause so you can't go wrong!

When you come here, take into consideration that they only have seating for around 35 inside the restaurant and the dinner is a limited time. We were here on a Saturday so we parked at 4:30 and I went and stood in line. At that time there were already 8 people waiting. All of us were first timers, so it was an adventure we seemed to all want to be on. Please read the restaurants website about the gratuity for dinner. All of the people working in the restaurant are volunteers so no tipping allowed. Everyone is there to give back to the community of people who need help. We were seated with a couple from Virginia who came up just for the weekend. It was great fun speaking with them and trading stories. There was a lot of laughter at the table and a lot of great food service. There was a bread basket with butter on the table when we were seated. The waitresses were amazing and were so happy to be waiting on us. We were really disappointed that we could not give them a tip, but its not allowed. First you had a choice of pasta fagioli soup or the house salad. The salad was a mix of local greens, onions, olives, pear tomatoes, croutons and the house dressing. The salad was light and fresh and it was the perfect amount before the main course. The catch of the day was crusted salmon with oven baked vegetables, which consisted of potatoes, Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes and onions. This salmon was the absolute best salmon I have ever been served. The portion was also incredibly huge. Everyone at the table commented on the portion size being so large. Others at the table had spaghetti and meatballs and those meatballs were impressive. You think spaghetti and meatballs is kind of not so exciting, but those that ordered it said it was just so good and the spaghetti was cooked perfectly. No one left a bite on their plate. Dessert was cake kabobs drizzled with strawberry sauce and a scoop of strawberry ice cream on the side. Everyone at the table jumped into the dessert like we had not eaten the other two courses. I am usually not a fan of ordering strawberry anything, but this cake kabob dessert was yumminess times ALOT! We enjoyed the food and the sharing of the table with our new friends from Virginia. We also enjoyed knowing that our donation would go to help others who were less fortunate enjoy a nice meal also. If you get to Red Bank, NJ, definitely make this spot your come to place for dinner. There might be places more fancy in town, but no other places which will make your heart feel more filled than your stomach.

Awesome menu, even better cause. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful with other staff and customers, especially our server Hilary!

I have always wanted to show my support to the Soul Kitchen as it is an amazing cause. We came to see Sting in Atlantic City and made the trip up the coast and it was well worth the drive! Emily and the entire crew was awesome. The food was delicious as well. we will be back!

Food & service was amazing. Never had such a great experience in a restaurant. Thank you so much Nicole. This is definitely a must do if you're in the area or visiting. It's not a soup kitchen. It's a place that treats everyone like family and the food is home made and the food is truly delicious! You also have the opportunity to pay it forward for someone that is less fortunate. What a concept! Dorothea and Jon's brainchild. I wish everyone could experience this. - Kim in Boston

As i approached the building, I thought - what a fabulous idea! The dining room, though somewhat small (seats about 30), feels spacious because of the large windows, warm smiles and beautiful tulips on each table. For $10 or a donation of service if you have no cash, you are offered a 3 course meal (appetizer, entree, dessert AND bread, REAL butter, and a beverage)! Today, there were 2 appetizer choices (soup or salad) and 4 entree choices and a dessert. The volunteer wait staff were all so pleasant and seemed to enjoy their duties. Each table was beautifully appointed with silver, glasses, fresh tulips, candles, and white, disposable paper tablecloths. The food was very tasty and the service was beyond reproach. The pay for those working was knowledge that they had been of service to others: a truly great reward. I shared a table with two delightful FEMA workers - still cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy. If you can, you're asked to pay $10 for your meal; if you can't pay, you still eat and are asked to donate an hour working in the restaurant or the food pantry that day or within the coming week. No one knows who is paying for their meal with cash or work. I love the idea. I love this idea so much that when I return home, I shall be checking the site: oneworldeverybodyeats.org to find out what it will take to replicate this in my community. Thanks to JBJ and his wife for seeing this need and taking it on.

I've eaten at the JBJ Soul Kitchen numerous times and the food has always been top notch and I would have normally given it five stars. However on this day in April 2021 the food wasn't just average, it was below average, non edible in my opinion. The soup was so watered down and tasteless. The kale was mush it nearly disintegrated on the spoon, the quarter size sausage pieces was hot dog consistency and there was no trace of potatoes. The main entrée was unsalted and unseasoned chicken Marsala. I added salt and that did the trick. Dessert was absolutely perfect. It was the last day of the menu week so I an understand that they had to stretch the food to last the rest of the day. I had a conversation with the chef before the restaurant opened, she seemed very knowledgeable and very excited working there, but my opinion of her changed after dinner. There have had awesome, very professional chefs at the Soul Kitchen in the past, I haven't been back since. I paid extra for my meal because I believe in giving back and helping people in need, but my meal definitely wasn't worth it. **1st pic is of tasteless chicken marsala **2nd pic of water down soup I was served **3rd pic of soup JBJ Kitchen advertised

JBJ was an excellent experience from start to finish. We were warmly welcomed at the door, and had the system explained to us. The recommended donation is $30 and you get a three course meal. The completely volunteer staff had a great positivity about them, you can tell that they love being here and are doing something great for their community. The staff is so welcoming, and there isn't any judgement if you aren't able to pay for the meal. They have a system of dining with dignity, where if you can't pay in cash you can do a quick chore to clean up the restaurant. Moe was our server. What a friendly woman! She gave us some very interesting details about the history of the place. The food itself was delicious. I had the chicken etouffee which comes with mashed potatoes and green beans. I started with a garden salad that was very fresh. There is zero pressure in this restaurant. Everyone wants to be here. I definitely plan on coming back!

Went first time for Sunday lunch - what a charming restaurant with a wonderful purpose. Small but inviting inside - the help could not have been nicer explaining how and why the restaurant works. Offered a 3 course meal (soup or salad, entree, desert and drinks - all were perfectly prepared by a permanent kitchen staff and volunteer help. Suggested $20 pp to cover costs and helping those who could not afford a meal. What a terrific experience and I applaud Bon Jovi and his family for offering this to those in need. Heard they do special events one Saturday a month in summer so look for them on their website. A very special place that is needed in more towns & cities across our country. Thank you!

Great place. Constantly changing menu with a charitable mission to serve the community. Each meal you purchase goes towards paying it forward to help someone in need. On the right day you might see JBJ working in the kitchen!

I stumbled across this GEM because of its reviews and once you experience this truly UNIQUE experience, you too will give it 5 stars! This place is so much more than a great meal. I won't ruin the surprise for you. Just check it out and guarantee you won't be disappointed. Oh, and Moe is the best :)

What an amazing place, led by amazing souls. Special mention to Maureen. Keep up the great work. The food is exquisite. Délicieux. Nous reviendrons!