We stumbled onto Mama J's about 4 years ago in search of some "real" fried chicken seeing as we were out of our native New England. It was most excellent! Enough so that we made a point of stopping in Richmond on our way to Colonial Williamsburg from Charlottesville. Again, it was most excellent (I know I'm being repetitive, but it's true!). The fried chicken was crisp, definitely not greasy, moist, with just the perfect blend of herbs and spices. We had Mac n Cheese (very cheesy and tasty, Candied yams which were wonderful, and green beans that Mama J's son told me were not cooked traditionally with pork but with chicken instead. I was skeptical of not having the pork flavor but was most pleasantly surprised. They were awesome. Let us not forget the corn muffin that comes with all entrees- golden brown, moist, and delicious. i couldn't imagine them making it any better. Colonel Sanders better pray they don't decide to go national.
Keith K.
Just had the peach cobbler and ice cream as a night cap. The peach filling was exceptional.
Kathleen L.
The friend pork chop is always salty -- but the green beans are bussin! I don't want to say it but it's hit or miss for me.
Raheem H.
Catfish is on point the Mac n cheese collard greens n the peach cobbler are banging my go to fav
Tamika B.
Every time I come to Richmond this place is a must. The wait is worth it!!! It has been about 2 years since I last been here and the food is still as bomb as it was when I first had it. This is a black owned and operated establishment. The menu is so simple but yet so fulfilling. The restaurant is quite small having only about 7 tables top. They use to have bar seating but no anymore. So please be patient as wait time can vary from 45 min to maybe even 2 hours but as I stated previously it is worth it!! Please don't come to Richmond and not visit Mama J's because if you don't you missing out on food that slap and will slap you right to sleep lol.
Kyle P.
Best catfish. this side of the Mississippi! Service was amazing! Will definitely come back when I come back to Richmond!
Latoya J.
Mama J's reminds you of a great Sunday dinner any day of the week. Just delicious home cooked food. Yum . A lil whole in the wall-but brings back happy childhood memories eating good food around the table. Cake is awesome too. Give it a try!
Pastor Tony L.
Food was very good and very well season. Enjoyed the services and Hostess (friendly) thanks
Pearl M.
Found this location on Yelp while looking for soul food in Richmond. They do not take reservations and the seating is limited because of COVID. We came on a weekday afternoon and had to wait 20-30 mins for a table for 3 but it was worth it! The menu is very reasonable and there are lots of options! Everything was delicious and I highly recommend. There is street parking and paid parking right behind the property. Can't wait to come back!
Charles U.
I've been a patron here for years, my brother lives outta town (Atl) and brags about this place all the time to potential visitors, his motto is "They don't miss" meaning it's been great Everytime we've been! However today had to be my top 3 worst experiences dining out. First after ordering and being told my food was ready I came in retrieved it and proceeded home my brother and I. About 5 mins into our 12 min drive to my place, my brother received a call from the restaurant stating that they forgot to give me my wings. So we turnaround and head back to the store to get them. We get them and head back to my place. We get home with eager minds and rumbling stomachs only for me to open my plate of baked chicken and all I can smell is FISH! It was so confusing that I thought I was losing my mind for a sec. As I tried to proceed to eat the overwhelming smell hit me again. I asked my gf to smell it and she confirmed it simultaneously complaining that the collards were made with sugar seemingly to be the main ingredient used, my brother also confirmed that my food smelled of fish and that I wasn't going crazy. It grossed him out soo bad he didn't eat his food either, and The Mac and cheese was literally the opposite it was boiled macaroni with chunks of half melted cheese. We were so excited to get this meal and was absolutely,equivocally, without any doubt not only disappointed but disgusted. There needs to be some serious training done on communication, cross contamination, recipe execution. I've been in the food industry 20+ years cooking and this was totally unacceptable!
Best soul food ever! Was willing to almost miss my flight to try this place again. It's been 5 years. Living in Ca we don't have many soul food places so when in Richmond this is my stop. I'm not a huge fried chicken guy but this place will make you want seconds. The Mac n cheese is also the best I've had. Perfect blend of cheese to Mac ratio. This place not only has amazing chicken but catfish and trout are big sellers as well. Can't go wrong with any of their deserts.
Matthew H.
Mama J's Kitchen is a great place for lunch. I had a pork chop sandwich and a side of Mac and cheese.
Car G.
Man every time I go to mama On the food is on point. The collard greens are a beck and beck for first place. Shoney's in Hopewell collards are the only one that can touch. Thanks for good food
John B.
We were in the Richmond area and decided we wanted to try some Soulfood. We came across Mama J'J I can see this without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best money we ever spent. Absolutely excellent. The prices are reasonable the quality of the food was excellent and the customer service was perfect. If you're ever in the Richmond area or you're just looking for a nice little getaway I would highly recommend this restaurant
Kennedy O.
Stopped by for carry out on our way through town, food was wonderful. Highlights were the fried catfish, mashed potatoes, and collard greens. Staff was incredibly kind and welcoming, would highly recommend!
We stumbled onto Mama J's about 4 years ago in search of some "real" fried chicken seeing as we were out of our native New England. It was most excellent! Enough so that we made a point of stopping in Richmond on our way to Colonial Williamsburg from Charlottesville. Again, it was most excellent (I know I'm being repetitive, but it's true!). The fried chicken was crisp, definitely not greasy, moist, with just the perfect blend of herbs and spices. We had Mac n Cheese (very cheesy and tasty, Candied yams which were wonderful, and green beans that Mama J's son told me were not cooked traditionally with pork but with chicken instead. I was skeptical of not having the pork flavor but was most pleasantly surprised. They were awesome. Let us not forget the corn muffin that comes with all entrees- golden brown, moist, and delicious. i couldn't imagine them making it any better. Colonel Sanders better pray they don't decide to go national.
Just had the peach cobbler and ice cream as a night cap. The peach filling was exceptional.
The friend pork chop is always salty -- but the green beans are bussin! I don't want to say it but it's hit or miss for me.
Catfish is on point the Mac n cheese collard greens n the peach cobbler are banging my go to fav
Every time I come to Richmond this place is a must. The wait is worth it!!! It has been about 2 years since I last been here and the food is still as bomb as it was when I first had it. This is a black owned and operated establishment. The menu is so simple but yet so fulfilling. The restaurant is quite small having only about 7 tables top. They use to have bar seating but no anymore. So please be patient as wait time can vary from 45 min to maybe even 2 hours but as I stated previously it is worth it!! Please don't come to Richmond and not visit Mama J's because if you don't you missing out on food that slap and will slap you right to sleep lol.
Best catfish. this side of the Mississippi! Service was amazing! Will definitely come back when I come back to Richmond!
Mama J's reminds you of a great Sunday dinner any day of the week. Just delicious home cooked food. Yum . A lil whole in the wall-but brings back happy childhood memories eating good food around the table. Cake is awesome too. Give it a try!
Food was very good and very well season. Enjoyed the services and Hostess (friendly) thanks
Found this location on Yelp while looking for soul food in Richmond. They do not take reservations and the seating is limited because of COVID. We came on a weekday afternoon and had to wait 20-30 mins for a table for 3 but it was worth it! The menu is very reasonable and there are lots of options! Everything was delicious and I highly recommend. There is street parking and paid parking right behind the property. Can't wait to come back!
I've been a patron here for years, my brother lives outta town (Atl) and brags about this place all the time to potential visitors, his motto is "They don't miss" meaning it's been great Everytime we've been! However today had to be my top 3 worst experiences dining out. First after ordering and being told my food was ready I came in retrieved it and proceeded home my brother and I. About 5 mins into our 12 min drive to my place, my brother received a call from the restaurant stating that they forgot to give me my wings. So we turnaround and head back to the store to get them. We get them and head back to my place. We get home with eager minds and rumbling stomachs only for me to open my plate of baked chicken and all I can smell is FISH! It was so confusing that I thought I was losing my mind for a sec. As I tried to proceed to eat the overwhelming smell hit me again. I asked my gf to smell it and she confirmed it simultaneously complaining that the collards were made with sugar seemingly to be the main ingredient used, my brother also confirmed that my food smelled of fish and that I wasn't going crazy. It grossed him out soo bad he didn't eat his food either, and The Mac and cheese was literally the opposite it was boiled macaroni with chunks of half melted cheese. We were so excited to get this meal and was absolutely,equivocally, without any doubt not only disappointed but disgusted. There needs to be some serious training done on communication, cross contamination, recipe execution. I've been in the food industry 20+ years cooking and this was totally unacceptable!
Restaurantji Recommends
Best soul food ever! Was willing to almost miss my flight to try this place again. It's been 5 years. Living in Ca we don't have many soul food places so when in Richmond this is my stop. I'm not a huge fried chicken guy but this place will make you want seconds. The Mac n cheese is also the best I've had. Perfect blend of cheese to Mac ratio. This place not only has amazing chicken but catfish and trout are big sellers as well. Can't go wrong with any of their deserts.
Mama J's Kitchen is a great place for lunch. I had a pork chop sandwich and a side of Mac and cheese.
Man every time I go to mama On the food is on point. The collard greens are a beck and beck for first place. Shoney's in Hopewell collards are the only one that can touch. Thanks for good food
We were in the Richmond area and decided we wanted to try some Soulfood. We came across Mama J'J I can see this without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best money we ever spent. Absolutely excellent. The prices are reasonable the quality of the food was excellent and the customer service was perfect. If you're ever in the Richmond area or you're just looking for a nice little getaway I would highly recommend this restaurant
Stopped by for carry out on our way through town, food was wonderful. Highlights were the fried catfish, mashed potatoes, and collard greens. Staff was incredibly kind and welcoming, would highly recommend!