Mama J's Kitchen

So glad I made it to Mama J's. The staff were welcoming. Greeting me with a smile. Quickly placed a drink order of their sweet iced tea and then started into the food. Catfish nuggets, crab cakes and collard greens. An absolutely perfect lunch. Flavor packed and perfectly cooked. I couldn't recommend a stop here more. Made for a memorable meal.

Believe it or not, this place was recommended by ChatGPT! This was the first time I’ve tried to ask AI for a restaurant recommendation and I was not disappointed at all! This place is kid friendly, has some amazing food and excellent service! My family and I stoped here on our road trip from Philly to Raleigh. We came at 2pm on Saturday and the place was packed! We were seated within 30 minutes just like the hostess promised. Our server Nique was AWESOME! Very friendly and made excellent recommendations. The fried Catfish and Fried Chicken were amazing. Juicy inside, crispy and flavorful outside crust. Seasoned perfectly! The sides on the other hand were not that great. Mashed potatoes tasted like they were mixed in with the powdered fake mashers. Candied yams had a strange after taste, French Fries were frozen, and the Mac and Cheese was ok, just relied on the cheese too much for flavor. Overall, this was an excellent experience, I would certainly come back for the service, food, and ambiance! Also, the sue chef is an Eagles fan, so that’s a bonus right there! Go Birds!

First visit decided to stop in for lunch my daughter and I. The establishment is small but the atmosphere had a home like feel. They were very busy and crowded. The bartender, I wish I knew her name, she was so kind, courteous and professional. In spite of the lunch rush she remain smiling and professional. We order our food, the wait time seem pretty long. I order the catfish, cabbage and Mac n cheese and coconut cake. My daughter had ribs, green beans and Mac n cheese . The food was good just needed a little more seasoning except the cabbage and Mac n cheese. On the other hand my daughter was disappointed with her order, her food came out cold, it was sent back, return back hot. Overall the experience was nice and pleasant. You must try the coconut cake, it was delicious.

Dana was an incredible, very attentive serve and Akyra gave us awesome recommendations! LOVED the crab cakes, yams, Mac & cheese and fried chicken. Best peach cobbler I’ve ever had. Excellent food, wonderful service.

We ordered the fried chicken, chicken tenders, and catfish, with mac and cheese on the side, along with an apple pie for dessert. The fried chicken had a good flavor but was a bit too salty and not as tender as expected—overall, I’d consider it average. However, the catfish and mac and cheese were both excellent and definitely the highlights of the meal. Service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere was simple and welcoming. There's plenty of parking available nearby, with both free and paid options. Overall, I’d rate the experience a solid 7 out of 10.

The vibe was on point! Excellent Playlist and great energy. The staff is super friendly with beautiful smiles. Food was delicious with flavor. We enjoyed the catfish, which were large filets cooked to perfection. The crab cakes were seasoned without too much filler. String beans were salted, the mashed potatoes were extra buttered, the candied yams were bomb. The only thing I didn't like was the mac n cheese. They were overcooked and soggy. Overall we really enjoyed our dinner and will be back. Thank you so much and look forward to having supper with you again.

We left another place in Short Pump because they didn't welcome us and left us with no service in a nearly empty restaurant. Arrived at Mama Js and the smile and greeting at the hostess stand made us forget all about T******s....20 minute wait was worth it. Food was good, fast. Mac and Cheese was made in heaven. They were out of the desserts we wanted🙁, That's okay, we didn't need them anyway. The noise level was way over the top, but that's on the customers, not the restaurant. I kept wanting to say "Use your INSIDE voice!" Maybe next time we'll go at the 'old people's hour' 😄

Very laid back off the beaten path restaurant. I liked the mix of the people who were eating in the middle of the day. The cost is very moderate considering how good the food is. The next time, I will have dessert, which looks irresistible.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cute little restaurant and bar. Limited seating. A group of us were attending a Cheer competition that ended at 6 pm on a Sunday night. A friend that was with us used to work downtown and remembered this place. He used to dine here for lunch, but we walked 2 blocks at night in the dark from the convention center with a 7 yr old. We didn't realize that there was going to be graffiti and the whiff of Marijuana in the air on the way to the restaurant. My chicken seemed overcooked on the outside. My husband said it's because the oil might have been too hot. They were out of brisket. I thought the collard greens tasted okay, but my husband didn't like them.

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.

Great food and portions. A pleasant and not too loud ambiance. Service with a smile! Get here early! People wait patiently for a seat without complaining.

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!

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.

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!

We stopped in almost at close and they were gracious enough to let us dine in after a show at the Dominion Energy Center. It has a small footprint but it has big back energy. We had two entrees which come with cornbread and added two sides. I had the catfish. Husband had the brisket. And he took a peach cobbler to go! The food was fresh and tasted like it was right out of Big Momma's kitchen! Do yourself a favor and go!! And get the catfish and cabbage! You will NOT regret it!

Delicious! Definitely coming back! I had the chicken, mac and cheese, and yams! Ashley was amazing and the food came out piping hot. I got a peach cobbler to go and it was on point! Don't sleep on this place! The service was awesome, and I came early in the morning. The vibe is great so stop by!

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.

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!

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!

Wow! This amazing southern gem is just a stroll from the Richmond Convention Center... There is seating... but it's never enough because it's so popular... there are always people waiting for tables to turn over... but it's worth waiting 5-10min... The fried chicken is amazing! Make sure you get the 3 pieces for the $2 extra. I loved the sweet potato mash for my side! The catfish sandwich is well fried and delicious! My friend got the catfish nuggets... but I definitely prefer the sandwich... I think I would definitely ask for the bread to be toasted more so you get a nice crispy outer crust... If you are at a convention or just in the area... come grab a bite!

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.

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.

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!

25$ for a meal i expected more. Chicken sandwich was bland just ehhh ,the chips that come with it were so stale and the mac was bland and full of oil. Not worth the price in my opinion

This is mama's place make no mistake about it. The friend chicken is the talk of the town but truly you can't go wrong here. The sides are straight up southern style. It's really nice inside and has that southern homely feel. The servers are very nice as well. This place is straight up SOUL.

The wait was exhausting. 1 hour and 20 minutes. Other people were seated before us and arrived after us. We were celebrating my mother's birthday. The food was good once we finally ate.

My wife and I had the day off and decided to grab lunch at Mama J's in Richmond, Virginia. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but I'm so glad we went. The food was incredible. I had the fried catfish with candied yams, and my wife went for the smothered meatloaf Every bite was perfection seasoned just right and cooked like it was made with love. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff made us feel at home. If you're ever in Richmond, do yourself a favor and stop by Mama J's It's soul food at its best.

It's ALWAYS refreshing to get some good Ole soulfood. Let me tell you, baybeee...this food was bomb! Good for my palate and my soul. I had fried wingettes that tasted just like mine, sweet potatoes made me wanna lick the bowl, OKAY! I also had the collard greens and Mac and cheese. And dessert....rum cake! I'm tryna see when I can bring my kids back next time. Was here on business.

The chicken was crispy and season well. Everything else was just ok. I've had better mac/cheese and candy yam. The bread pudding was not good. But I would recommend you try out for yourself. Originally from south where soul food is more common, I might be overly critical, slightly.

Get the catfish sandwhich & mashed potato's w/gravy!!! LOVED the little cornbread muffin it came with.

Had the opportunity to experience this great restaurant while on a work trip to Richmond. It's small and quaint but has charm. Service was quick, knowledgeable and intentional. The menu had great choices however it was missing a few other soul food delicacies I would have liked the option to have (ie: Oxtails, Turkey Wings, roast/ beef option) I ordered the fried pork chops w/ gravy Macaroni and cheese, collard greens, candied yams. The workshop was fried perfectly, and the gravy was flavorful with sautéed onions and peppers. Macaroni and cheese was just good, not the best but I've also had worse...they used real cheese and the consistency was perfect but a bit bland to the taste. The collards were edible... I despise collards with sugar and it was blatantly evidently used in the recipe. I also Like mines cooked just a little bit longer without a crunch. The candied yams were perfection!!! Not too sweet and not too sweet potato pulled straight from the ground tasting. I really enjoyed them! Over all I highly recommend this restaurant and definitely will be back To try other dishes next visit .

Went to Mama J's for lunch yesterday. Simply amazing!!! I ordered the wings as an appetizer- nice and crispy. I had the Catfish, Mac and cheese, green beans and yams. The catfish is always a hit. The sides were also equally amazing. Make sure you give them a visit.

Mama J's was busy today, this was my first time going to Mama J's Kitchen so I am unsure if it's always that busy. I went in, it took about 15 mins to get a table. The restaurant is kinda small so they could only sit so many people. I ordered the chicken sandwich with ice tea and mac n cheese. The chicken sandwich was kinda dry surprisingly it doesn't come with any sauce just a toasted bun,chicken, lettuce and tomato. I was pouring a lot of hot sauce on it just to help. The place was so busy that our service was slow. I was not only struggling with the dry chicken but I needed more ice tea and the waiter took forever to refill my drink. Other than that the Mac n cheese was ok and the potato chips were unique never had anything like that before. I'm definitely going to give this place a try again and will order the fried chicken and I definitely want to raise my score for this place because I know they work very hard! Chicken sandwich 3/5 Mac n cheese 3/5 Ice tea 4/5 Potato chips 3/5

Comfort food. Great Southern cooking in Richmond VA. Fried catfish, fried chicken, yams, collard greens, and muffins are all great. Solid service and fair prices, as well.

My first time trying real southern soul food and this place did not disappoint! I'm back on the west coast but still dreaming about the marinated brisket and what magic they must have worked to make such a tasty plate. Plus the Mac and cheese was amazing too. Cannot recommend this place enough. You can hold your place in line and they alert you by text when table is ready, which is super convenient. And honestly worth it for me! Service is great and there's a simple, cozy diner vibe to the restaurant that isn't too flashy or trying too hard. Just a great local spot and a must try in Richmond!

Disappointing experience. I ordered a fish dinner, as upon arrival was told there was only fish left for meals and only three sides were available. Ordered carry out. 30 minutes after order was placed, still no food. I asked for a refund, as they didn't know how long the food would be; upon arrival the location was not 40% filled. When I asked for a refund, waitstaff responded with anger/ frustration that I was not content with the wait. No beverage nor any other accommodation.

This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend. She raved about the mac & cheese. I ordered smothered pork chops, mac & cheese, and yams. Everything was delicious. The pork chops were seasoned well, the yams were sweet and the mac was cheesy. I liked the yams better than the mac & cheese. My only complaint is that I thought the dinner should've come with sides. It only came with a corn muffin which was good too. The restaurant is quaint and small. I ordered my food to go so I can't speak on the service. I didn't have to wait too long for my food. I will return soon.

Mama J was closed during the pandemic and then open only for takeout before reopening some time back. In all the rush of life -- births, deaths, work, whatever -- we just haven't been back. Yesterday, I joined six friends from work for a lunch. As soon as they heard I had been there before, of course I was asked "what's good?" The more I recommended, the more low-level nervousness crept in. What if the pork chops weren't as good? What if the catfish isn't done the same way? I was sitting there talking everything up so it was on me if things were blah. No worries! The catfish is still the best in Richmond. The collards and yams and cornbread are excellent (I ordered the same meal I reviewed here six years ago, completely by chance.) I was told the porkchops and brisket and fried chicken were very good, that the cabbage (who orders cabbage??? okay, I do. But still....) were all great. Even the unadventurous one in the crowd who ordered the chicken salad sandwich was impressed that there was in his estimation a pound of chicken salad on that bread. I took slices of lemon cake and pineapple coconut cake home -- tender cake, great frostings. So glad that everything turned out as well as I had remembered. The4re are now six new loyal customers!

Mama Js did not live up to the hype, unfortunately. Came in as a party of two and sat at the bar. It started with the employees talking about another customer in front of us. They continued to laugh and carry on as we watched. We then ordered our food and got drinks while we waited. My boyfriend ordered an old fashion, which took a long time. When he finally received it, the waitress handed it to him saying "Here's your nasty drink" because we discovered later the bartender we ordered from did not know how to make it. The waitress also made it incorrectly and tried to laugh it off when my boyfriend responded negatively to the comment. Never has anyone said something like this to me in an establishment, totally unprofessional. Our food took extremely long to come out. When it finally did, we asked for condiments which we didn't get. We had to ask two times for everything. We also ordered greens in which we were told was out, but the couple next to us had greens on their plate. You could not make this up at this point. The food was average. The catfish was delicious and cooked to perfection. The yams and mac n cheese was not good. Each bite was different- flavor to no flavor. None of it was seasoned throughout. Overall, we did not enjoy our experience and it wasn't worth the hassle. We will not be returning until either management steps in or they hire new staff.

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.

Food was good for the most part. Greens needed more seasonings, corn muffin dry , Mac & cheese was amazing Staff was great & friendly

Just so happened to be in the area a few people recommended. The inside was small but cute & cozy, with white table clothes & glass tops. I ordered the catfish, cabbage,candied yams, & corn bread. The catfish was tasty, although the cabbage tasted a little bland, the cabbage did have a good texture. I did not like the candied yams as the texture was more of a mashed consistency. The waiter was friendly and very helpful. I would go again if I'm in the area and try something different, as my co workers side dishes looked tasty.

Okay start with service and server, server very short with us, did not remember our order and did apologize for long wait. Service, there were approximately 8 people in the restaurant including the three of us and we waited 45 min for our food. When we we received it with each of us ordering the crab cakes, two ordered fish one catfish and another trout (neither fish was catfish nor trout) and I ordered fried chicken. The food came out the Mac and cheese that did come out was cold and so were the yams. My chicken order never came out and she came to the table and asked if o wanted dark meat or white meat, I asked was it done and she said oh no it would be a wait I canceled it. Now to the crab cakes, they were over seasoned, almost burnt and on the dry side no type of sauced offered, the greens not good! The only thing that was very good was the mac n cheese when they brought it back out hot. But, I would never go back!

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.

Food came out fresh and hot. Service was not served with a smile but food delivered quickly. Ambiance was okay and dining area was small and parking was slim. Overall 5 on food quality 3 on customer service.

the chicken was uncooked and wet and sticky the macaroni was watered down and look tike throw up and made me wanna throw up

The food was ok. Had the catfish meal, with seafood salad. Catfish was not really seasoned to my taste, but I understand you have to cook for everyone. I might go back. I ordered out snd the food was ready upon arrival.

Sit back, and unbutton that top button on them britches! Simple, it gives old town bar vibes that leads you to the hospitality and great, friendly service. I don't really know if, I've ever felt more welcome, by a stranger, my first visit. Tonight, a southern classic: fried chicken, greens, mac n' cheese, and candied yams. They gave what they needed to give after a long day. I'm not a desserts kinda guy and I didn't have any room to attempt. By far, my favorite southern/soul food in the region!

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!

Road tripping.... And I gotta eat So to YELP I go.... Had a few choices but I had to try Mama J's It's raining so everybody wants comfort food and from what I see I've made the right choice We were greeted by the hostess (smiling/friendly) ...she advises me the wait could be up to an hour... Don't be discouraged (wait was 35 minutes) We're seated and our server greeted us and offered to take our drink order Didn't take long to decide.. so let's get to the order Catfish with potato salad & string beans Catfish nuggets w/Mac n cheese & cabbage Fried chicken w/candied yams All came with a cornbread muffin I was really impressed with the meal I had read a few reviews and the portions were pretty decent I definitely plan to return and would recommend them

Years ago.. went to Mama Js and as far as I remember, it was a good experience. Recently, they won the bracket for Best Fried chicken in Richmond. So I'm like ok... let me try it out. Plus my boyfriend loves soul food so he can get some fried fish. Mannnnnn I have never been so disappointed at wasting $50. first off - 3 pieces of fried chicken and 2 sides is $25. The thighs are tiny! Chicken was dry and honestly, not that great of a flavor. I would rather eat Publix. My boyfriends fish was over fried and dry. Greens were ok. Cabbage was fine. Mac n cheese ... super greasy. Yams had too much Nutmeg. With that said, I won't be visiting again. With the prices, I can't take a change of a below average meal.

Nestled in the historic enclave of Jackson Ward, Mama J's is a neighborhood staple that offers brilliant insight on the culinary art and journey of soul food. We met up with one of our longtime friends here at his recommendation and was thoroughly satisfied with our experience. Located off North 1st Street, the establishment rests and blends beautifully along the brick-and-mortar backdrop of the surrounding buildings and elaborate murals of the thoroughfare. While street parking may appear a bit tight, there is ample pay-by-meter spaces in the public lot right behind the building. As you enter the restaurant, you will find yourself immersed in a southern dining experience that is rich in color and flavor. The elegant bookshelf-style bar is a great centerpiece that adds to the ambiance of the establishment. The wooden chairs and clothed table-tops presents a simple, but thoughtful theme to the dining experience (as you might imagine, these seats get filled quickly). The menu does not require much effort to decipher - it gets right to the point which is a great change to other restaurants that tries to do too much with their menu (as if they want to give you a play-by-play production). All together, we ordered the crab cakes, pork chops, and wingettes, along with servings of mac-and-cheese and corn muffins. I am not exaggerating when I say that EVERYTHING was amazing. The crab cakes were fresh and flavorful - there is a perfect amount of Old Bay seasoning, along with a collaboration of other flavors that works great with the morsels of crab meat found in each patty. The wingettes were cooked to perfection and juicy. And the pork chops SLAP! Never in my life have I eaten a juicier fried pork chop. The meal was pure ascension. Coupled with great service, our dining experience was spectacular. I would recommend, 10/10, for anyone that is coming through and/or staying in Richmond to give Mama J's some love and experience this culinary delight.

Went here with a couple of my friends since it's a block away from our new location for our tea room location, on East Clay Street. When we stepped in we were immediately met with the smells that make you think of your Grammys house when she had been cooking on the day of thanksgiving. This is when I knew we had made the right decision for dinner!! The Service: we were seated within a minute upon arrival and the hosting and serving staff were hospitable and guided us through their best options (however, we could've ordered blind and left beyond happy). The Food: words can only come but so close to explain the level of excellence this food displays. The textures were on point! My catfish was fried so crisp and was still steaming when broken, their sandwiches are served with HOUSE MADE kettle chips which are amazing. Everything is seasoned to perfection and is clearly prepared by generations of culinary expertise. My friend ordered the beef brisket and as the waitress was in the middle of apologizing for them selling out, Mama J's sister walked through the front door and corrected her saying, "oh no we ain't out, I brought the brisket right now!" This was an awesome moment which goes to show this business is built around family and love. I used to always refer people who had a hankering for some sole food to Croaker Spot, however, Mama J's took the spot for my number one soul food recommendation in Richmond, VA! ***I would've posted pictures with my review, but the food was so good that posting was the last thing on my mind.