J's Soul Food Introduce
J's Soul Food stands as a local culinary landmark in the City of Orange, New Jersey, celebrated for bringing the rich, comforting flavors of authentic Southern-style cooking to the Garden State. As a dual-purpose establishment, it excels equally as a dedicated Soul Food Restaurant and a premier Breakfast Restaurant, serving a full spectrum of dining options from early morning to late evening. This is a place where every meal feels like a Sunday dinner, characterized by generous portions and deep, satisfying flavors.
The restaurant has successfully cultivated an atmosphere that is described as "Casual, Cozy, and Quiet," making it an ideal spot for a relaxing meal, whether you're starting your day or settling in for dinner. The establishment is a hub for the local community, attracting both "Locals" and "Groups," and its reputation for quality draws "Tourists" seeking an authentic culinary experience. Patrons consistently rave about the "DELICIOUS" food and the "amazing" service, noting the friendly and attentive staff who contribute to the positive dining experience.
J's Soul Food truly embodies the spirit of comfort food. Beyond its popular breakfast and brunch offerings like pancakes, French Toast, and specialized seafood platters with grits, the extensive menu includes Southern classics such as Fried Chicken, Smothered Pork Chops, Rib Eye Steaks, and a wide array of homemade sides like Baked Macaroni & Cheese and Candied Yams. For the New Jersey user, J's represents an accessible, reliable, and high-quality destination for hearty, traditional Southern meals.
Location and Accessibility
J's Soul Food is strategically positioned in a highly accessible area of the City of Orange, ensuring ease of visit for all New Jersey residents and visitors. The restaurant is located at:
Address: 16 S Center St, City of Orange, NJ 07050
Located on South Center Street, just off the main commercial arteries of the city, the restaurant is easy to navigate to. A key highlight for patrons is the exceptional commitment to accessibility:
- Wheelchair Accessibility: The facility is fully equipped with a Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Wheelchair accessible restroom, and Wheelchair accessible seating, making it genuinely inclusive for all diners.
- Parking Convenience: J's provides multiple, stress-free parking options, including a Free parking lot and Free street parking, which is a significant benefit in the bustling urban environment of City of Orange. A Paid parking lot option is also available nearby.
The 07050 zip code location makes it a central dining spot for surrounding communities in Essex County, including East Orange and West Orange, offering a convenient drive or short transit trip for a memorable Southern meal.
Services Offered
J's Soul Food offers a comprehensive range of services designed to provide maximum convenience and a quality dining experience, regardless of the time of day or the customer's needs:
- Full Dining Options: The restaurant serves Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert, ensuring its availability for any occasion.
- Flexible Service Styles: Customers can choose between Dine-in for a leisurely experience with Table service, Takeout for quick meals, or Delivery for the ultimate convenience at home or work.
- Reservation Acceptance: The restaurant Accepts reservations, a useful feature for groups or for planning a meal during peak hours.
- Late-Night Food: J's provides Late-night food options, catering to those with late schedules or cravings after standard dinner hours.
- Beverage Selection: The establishment features a Bar onsite and offers a full range of adult beverages, including Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Hard liquor, and Wine, with specific Happy hour drinks available. Coffee and other non-alcoholic drinks like Lemonade and Herbal Tea are also served.
- Family-Friendly Amenities: The restaurant is designated as Good for kids and provides High chairs for younger patrons.
- Modern Payments: Accepting Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments streamlines the payment process for all customers.
Features / Highlights
J's Soul Food is distinguished by several key features that set it apart as a premier dining spot in the New Jersey soul food scene:
- Exceptional Customer Service: Patrons consistently highlight the staff, noting the "amazing" service and that servers are "friendly and patient," contributing significantly to the overall positive experience. The practice of an automatic 20% gratuity for larger groups is seen as well-deserved for the "great and attentive service."
- Authentic Southern Specialties: The menu is rich with true soul food and Southern specialties, including the highly-praised Fried Catfish with Cheese Grits, delicious Homemade Biscuits, and the classic Chicken and Waffles (available with wings).
- Full-Spectrum Menu Depth: Beyond breakfast, the menu is impressively deep, featuring everything from Southern classics (Mr. J's Famous Fried Chicken, Smothered Pork Chops) to American standards (Rib Eye Steak, various burgers) and tempting desserts (Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake).
- Dessert Excellence: The homemade desserts are a major highlight, with the Carrot Cake being specifically ordered by a customer for later, underscoring its reputation as a standout treat.
- Fast Service: The establishment is officially recognized for its Fast service, which is a huge advantage for takeout customers or those with limited time for a meal.
- Cozy and Inviting Ambiance: The "Casual, Cozy, Quiet, and Trendy" atmosphere provides a comfortable and welcoming backdrop for any meal, whether dining solo or with a group.
- Availability of Healthy Options: While rooted in comfort food, the menu does include items categorized as Healthy options, providing balance for those seeking lighter fare, although customers with strict dietary restrictions should note the focus on traditional, rich recipes.
Contact Information
To enjoy the best Southern-style breakfast, brunch, or dinner in the City of Orange, New Jersey, please use the following contact details:
- Address: 16 S Center St, City of Orange, NJ 07050
- Phone: (973) 672-4401
- Mobile Phone: +1 973-672-4401
What is worth choosing
J's Soul Food is worth choosing for New Jersey residents who crave deeply satisfying, authentic Southern-style meals in a friendly and comfortable setting. Its expansive menu and all-day service model make it a reliable choice for any appetite, and the combination of great food and top-notch service ensures a memorable visit. The fast service and excellent accessibility features further enhance its appeal as a local favorite.
When you visit J's, the following dishes and categories are highly recommended based on the establishment's expertise and customer feedback:
- Signature Breakfast/Brunch Dish: The Fried Catfish with Cheese Grits is a Southern breakfast staple and a clear customer favorite, hailed as "DELICIOUS." Pair this with the homemade Biscuits for the full experience.
- The Crowd-Pleaser: Any of the dishes featuring Mr. J's Famous Fried Chicken—especially the classic Chicken Wings with Waffles—are an essential soul food experience that the restaurant executes expertly.
- Must-Try Sides: The traditional sides are arguably as important as the entree in soul food. You must try the rich Baked Macaroni & Cheese, the sweet Candied Yams, and the savory Collard Greens.
- Dessert: Do not skip the cake selection. The Carrot Cake is a customer favorite that is worth saving room for or ordering to take home.
- For a Hearty Dinner: The Smothered Pork Chops or one of the steak options, such as the Rib Eye Steak, offer robust and deeply satisfying dinner choices, accompanied by the classic sides.
While the menu is rich and hearty, those seeking lighter fare can inquire about the few Healthy options or consider the various salads, but the heart of J's Soul Food is definitely in its indulgent and traditional comfort cuisine.
J's Soul Food Food & drink
Starters
- Soup Of The Day $4.99
- Wings $14.99
- Fried Shrimp $13.99
- Mozzarella Sticks $7.99
- Fried Zucchini $7.25
Sandwiches
- Fried Whiting $10.99
- Fried Catfish $13.99
- Chicken Cutlet W/Lt $9.00
- Salmon Cake $10.25
- Classic Blt $7.00
Seafood
- Fresh Tilapia $17.99
- Fried Shrimp $22.99
- Southern Fried Catfish $21.99
- Salmon Cakes $17.99
- Whiting Fish $19.99
Burgers
- Classic Hamburger $9.75
- Cheese Burger $10.00
- Southern Cheese Burgers $12.99
- Bacon Cheese Burgers $11.75
- Bbq Burger With Onions $12.00
Salads
- Honey Dijon Chicken Salad $16.99
- Caesar Salad $12.00
- House Salad $7.00
Stakes & Chops
- Rib Eye Steak $30.00
- Bbq Grilled Rib Eye $31.00
- Smothered Rib Eye $31.00
- S Famous Chopped Sirloin $20.00
- Auteed Liver & Onions $18.00
- Smothered Pork Chops $25.00
Mr.j's Famous Fried Chicken
- 2pc Dark Meat $15.99
- 2pc White Meat $15.99
- 4pc Chicken $21.00
- Chicken Wings $18.99
- Smothered Chicken Cutlet $20.99
- Baked Bbq Chicken $22.00
- Slow Roasted Chicken $21.00
Side Orders
- French Fries $5.00
- Onion Rings $5.50
- Potato Salad $6.00
- Rice & Gravy $6.00
- Sliced Boiled Potatoes $6.00
- String Beans $6.00
- Candied Yams $6.00
- Collard Greens $7.00
- Baked Macaroni & Cheese $7.00
Desserts
- Chocolate Cake $6.00
- Strawberry Short Cake $6.50
- Black Magic $7.00
- Red Velvet Cake $6.50
- Pineapple Coconut Cake $5.50
- Carrot Cake $6.00
- Cheesecake $6.50
Beverages
- Soda $2.50
- Lemonade $4.00
- Herbal Tea $3.00
- Hot Chocolate $3.00
Others
- Beef Or Turkey Sausage $8.50
- Beef Or Turkey Bacon $9.25
- Eggs Only $7.25
- French Toast $5.75
- French Toast Or Pancakes Only
- Egg Platter
- Ham
- Waffle Only
J's Soul Food Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Quiet
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Locals
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
J's Soul Food Photos










J's Soul Food Location
J's Soul Food
16 S Center St, City of Orange, NJ 07050, USA
J's Soul Food Reviews
breakfastcatfishgritsbiscuitsfrench toastfood and servicehome frieswhiting fishsalmon cakesplatter
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Well I found this menu very unhealthy. Zero fruit options. A lot fried food. I ask for boiled eggs because I didn’t find anything in this menu.The service was amazing. Samantha was very friendly and patient.The most nice table and comfortable sit say : reserve but I was there for 30 min , nobody arrived.I don’t recommend this place for people with dietary restrictions. Somebody who eats everything. Please visit
May 19 · Yannis OrtegonThis is my first time here. The food was DELICIOUS! It had me swaying in my seat. We ordered fried catfish with cheese grits, french toast, home fries, turkey bacon, homemade biscuits and a slice of carrot cake for later. I did notice on the menu automatic gratuity of 20% of groups of 2 or more. After receiving such great and attentive service, I didn't mind. Both servers deserved it. I've added J's Soul Food to my list of favorites. I will definitely be returning.
March 08 · Carrie J0 stars if I could. So disappointed with this establishment.Found hair cooked inside my food. How disgusting is that!!! Took the food back the worker was rude about it.Tried to make up some bs, and then had the nerve to say idk how that happened. I felt like she didn't care at all. Will never eat at this place again. Y'all please always check your food before you leave. And where are the hair nets???? I am the 3rd person writing a review about hair in the food. Smh!!! I did wash my hands after touching that nasty mess!! French Toast & Chicken Platter
July 22 · TayFood was very good. Catfish was perfect- crispy and hot. Candied yams were delicious and not overly sweetened. The collard greens could use a little more flavor in my opinion. Perhaps cook them paired with turkey meat. Lastly the strawberry short cake wasn’t really that- it was more like a white cake with icing and strawberry topping. It was good but not what I expected. the staff was great. The young lady that was cleaning up for the night was glad to answer my questions and take my order. She made great recommendations and had a great attitude.
September 27 · Ejan O'ReaI ordered a beef sausage breakfast platter (8.25 according to the web site) with cheese grits and salmon cakes. Why did they charge me 28.10?Because they gave me the salmon platter with a side of beef bacon and side of eggs to charge me more.The young lady was argumentative about this. So I didn't want to argue and decided to take it up online. And because of the poor attitude I'm ready to escalate this as high as it will go if necessary.
June 22 · Ace Deuce
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