Soul Food Restaurants near Hillside, NJ

“Way better than other places in Hillside. Great service never rude or nasty at all very pleasant!! Good service goes a long way!!“

“Kawana and Natorie provided outstanding service and was very welcoming when entering the restaurant. Kawana made sure that my food was fresh. I would come here again.“

“?✨ A Dining Experience to Remember! ✨?

Walking into this spot, you’re immediately greeted by vibes for days – a perfect mix of warmth, style, and soul. From the first glance to the last bite, every detail has been crafted to create a true haven of comfort, beauty, and incredible flavors. ?✨

? Ambience & Aesthetic: This place is pure aesthetic heaven. Live plants add a lush, earthy vibe, while the stunning tables and floors tie the whole look together, giving it that cozy, chic feel. Every corner feels intentional, and the art on the walls brings a personality that just makes you want to stay and soak it all in. ??

? Music: The playlist? Perfection. ?? It feels like the heartbeat of the room, setting a chill but lively atmosphere that’s perfect for anything from a family meal to a date night. The tunes just pull you in, making you feel right at home.

? The Food: Let’s talk about that mac ’n cheese! This isn’t just any mac ’n cheese – it’s the kind that makes you feel like you’re back at Auntie’s house on a Sunday afternoon. Each forkful is pure, cheesy goodness, rich and comforting, like that first bite that makes kids run in from outside yelling, “DINNERTIME!” ?️? The chicken, greens, and yams were also top-notch, each one a testament to flavors that feel like home. It’s more than just food; it’s a trip down memory lane with every bite. ?

?‍? Staff: The team here is beyond incredible! From the warm welcome to the attentive service, they make you feel like family. Friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate, they add that extra sparkle to the whole experience. ???

Final Word? Loving god vibes good and a great space….- this place hits all the marks. It’s where flavors meet family, where aesthetics meet artistry, and where every corner invites you to savor, relax, and stay a while. ??

If you’re looking for more than just a meal, but a whole experience, this is it. Trust me – you’ll leave with a full belly, a happy heart, and already planning your next visit. ??️

Parking: Street

Kid-friendliness: Very“

“The food here is amazing. It’s always nice coming in and being greeted by the owner staff. If you need good soul food, this is the place to get it!“

“omg the food is excellent and most of all fresh will be back ♡“

“The food was absolutely delicious, highly recommend“

“I am giving the soul food experience here a 5 out of 5. Or a 12 out of 10. Each platter is Huge- enough to feed 2 people!!!! I ordered the fried Whiting with potato salad and candy Ames. It came with 4 to 5 pieces of fish, 2 pieces of bread, generous sides and cornbread. It was delicious!!. I would not recommend the curry chicken if you are looking for a true, jamaican curry period that curry here was dark and thick, like other caribbean islands, possibly trinidad, make it, and that's not what we like. You definitely want to order in.advance.. as each order is made fresh- IT IS WORTH THE WAIT!!!... there is no seating or indoor dining. Straight take out.“

“I Am Always So Happy To Order Anything On Their Delightful Menu. The Food Is Always Prepared With Love And Care!! .. The Dinners Are Hot And Oh So Delicious! .. I Highly Recommend Jefferson's Cafe! Absolutely And Unequivocally Delicious Homemade Food!!! 10 STARS!!!!“

“I took food to my job and they loved I brought a pan of yellow rice cabbage and a $20 pan of potato salad and took it to my job cause we had a birthday party for a coworker. They loved the food they never had it before I live in South Amboy but I’m from Newark work in Matawan at the nursing home, and they never had the flu before they loved it. Good job, kings.“

“I always try something new when I go and have not been disappointed yet. Customer service is great and the atmosphere is top tier.“

“Came across this restaurant as I was searching for Black owned eateries in this new neighborhood we just moved to. When we arrived, the exterior was a little off putting, LOL! So glad Shaun himself stepped out as well as a gentleman who came to pick up his order. We got to ask his opinion of the food. He told us this was his 7th time back so we thought, Let’s give it a try! $58 later, we got 3 meals and WOW! Delicious!!! Everything was so GOOD! Catfish, Yams, Mac n Cheese (and I am VERY picky about Mac n cheese), Honey Garlic Salmon, BBQ wings, rice and gravy and that cornbread!!!! Definitely coming back! I hope this review helps another skeptic not miss out on a GREAT SPOT!!!!! Worth the try! The portions are hearty! So glad we decided to give it a shot!!!“

“The catfish was fried & seasoned to my liking. The collard weren't. But they were tasty 😋. And the potato salad was succulent. There was a nice vibe. I was a resident of the area until I moved 4 years ago. I rarely get a chance to visit. I was with my cousin who brought me there. I'll definitely be back.“

“My first time customer experience: I only had the fried chicken wings (ordered for a Super Bowl party) and they were delicious! Everyone loved them. I would have liked them fried just a little harder so you'll have to make that request, if you're like me. My only issue was I called a few days in advance to understand the procedure when ordering a large quantity of wings. On the day to order, they completely switched up on me and made me come in to pick them up immediately and when I got there, they didn't have my order ready at the time they insisted I be there. Although, I dropped everything (cooking for the party) to get there at the time they told me. Upon arriving, I received attitude because I didn't leave a name, even though they never asked me. I ended up waiting another 30 mins for my order. It cost me 1.5 hours total and I was really late for my party. I will try not to hold this against them because it was really busy for them. I would try to eat here again. I just wanted to inform anyone ordering large quantities of food to beware of that.“

“100 percent recommendation“

“FOOD IS THE REAL SOUTHERN STYLE FOOD. FAMILY IS VERY FRIENDLY AND WILL COME OUT FRONT AND TALK TO ALL THE CUSTOMERS. 💋💋💋💋💋💋💋🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋🥰“

“Best restaurant. Staff is great, food is great and prices are good. I'm from Montreal, Canada and everytime I go to New Jersey its a must that I eat at Top Knotch restaurant.“

“Everything was great I just did not like seeing to many peoplle walking in from the outside into the kitchen. I feel that we do not know what germs they are bringing from the outside.“

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Stars N Elites Restaurant Lounge New Jersey, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was vibrant yet inviting, setting the tone for an incredible evening out with my family.

The menu offered a fantastic variety, and each dish we tried was nothing short of amazing! The flavors were spot-on, and you could tell a lot of thought and passion went into each recipe. Not only was the food superb, but the bar was also impressive?!

What really made the experience exceptional was the staff. Everyone we interacted with was warm, attentive, and seemed genuinely happy to make our visit memorable. The owner even came by our table to check on us and make sure we were enjoying everything – a wonderful personal touch that made us feel valued.

The location added to the overall vibe, making it a perfect spot. I can confidently say I can’t wait to return when we are visiting family again.“

“Phenomenal brisket sandwich. Highly recommend. Best brisket sandwich I’ve ever had.“

“The food was absolutely delicious and the owner and staff were great..“

“Great food and great service. Going back next week!!!!“

“Chef Monique & her team provide a culinary experience for your soul! The food we catered (Mac & cheese, greens & cabbage mix, along with jerk salmon) were all delicious with the perfect amount of heat. The dishes were beautifully presented for us upon pick-up to warm easily for our gathering with specific warming instructions to prevent drying out. Our family appreciated the hands that prepared our feast. Chef Mo goes out of her way to make sure details are met with a smile! I would highly recommend everything on the menu.
Thanks Chef Mo & your Team! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽“

“Big Al’s is one of the few authentic soul food spots on the Island. I ordered through Uber Eats, and the pickup process was smooth for the courier. The food was packed well and showed up still very hot.

The ribs were super tender and fell right off the bone. They had this good mix of barbecue and peppery flavor. The wings had a nice little crisp to them too, not super crunchy, but not greasy either. Some hot sauce would have made them perfect, but they were still solid on their own.

The yams were soft and not overly sweet, with a strong but not overpowering taste of cinnamon. The mac and cheese had a slightly dry top layer, but once mixed together, it was rich, creamy, and velvety.

Portions were good and the prices were fair for what you get. Definitely worth checking out if you’re craving soul food in Staten Island.“

“Friendly staff, good food! The fried whiting and grits are delicious!!!“

“Great home cooked food; friendly staff; Fair prices; Highly recommended“

“Very delicious fresh food!“

“ITS EVERYTHING PEOPLE NEED FOR THEIR SOUL AND IT BRINGS BACK THE FEELING OF LOVE AND FAMILY“