Jacob Soul Food Restaurant

Everything was eatable besides some selections I picked.<br>Potato salad … like just just i tossed it out my car window and I usually don’t litter.<br>Ham- wouldn’t ever give it to my cat<br>Salt fish fitters - garbage<br>Mac n cheese - mid at best<br>All this for $29. 👎🏾<br><br>Soul food….. more like day old baby shower food.

Came at 11am - 90% of the food ready to go, a few empty sections. So fresh! As a solo traveller, I loved being able to try soul food but just a little of everything - rather than a huge meal or 5 chicken pieces at once. Loved being able to have fresh fruit food.<br>Delightful service, clean, affordable (about $10/lb) and importantly - everything was yum!

The food is mediocre at best, especiallyfor the price. The seasoning is off or just too spicy. This isnt authentic Soul Food, definitely no big Mama cooking in the back.The tables and chairs were dirty. The bathroom toilet had feces around the seat and homeless people kept coming inside stealing food. I personally will never be returning to dine there and wouldn't recommend it to anyone

Best Buffet In Harlem Very Good Soul Food For On The Go Wouldn’t Recommend Eating Inside<br>Yes It’s Better Than Mannas

The story of Jacob Soul Food Restaurant is a heartwarming tale of community, family dedication, and an immigrant's dream realized in the heart of Harlem.<br>​The restaurant, located at 373 Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Avenue), was founded by Rachid Niang, an entrepreneur from Senegal who was educated in France before making Harlem his home. He named the restaurant after his late father, Jacob, and it quickly became a neighborhood favorite after opening in 2009.<br>​The Great Story: Giving Back on Thanksgiving<br>​The most enduring story of Jacob's is its commitment to giving back to the community, which started just months after its first location opened.<br>​Despite being a brand new business, Niang felt compelled to show gratitude to the community that was supporting his dream. On their first Thanksgiving, he opened the doors of his restaurant and invited anyone in Harlem—regular customers and those who couldn't afford a hearty holiday meal—to dine for free.<br>​This tradition has continued for over a decade. Every Thanksgiving Day, Rachid Niang and his wife, Kim Lum Chan Niang, mobilize dozens of volunteers to serve hundreds of free, traditional holiday and soul food meals. Guests can choose from classic Southern dishes like roast turkey, candied yams, and macaroni and cheese, along with Jacob's everyday Caribbean and soul food favorites.<br>​The restaurant, known for its buffet-style selection of Southern, Caribbean, and Continental fare, is not just a place to eat; it's a true community hub built on family heritage and a deep connection to Harlem.<br>​Note on Location: The restaurant you are referring to is located at 373 Lenox Avenue (which is also known as Malcolm X Boulevard) in Harlem, New York, NY 10027.

Real SOUL food, every dish is made with love and great flavor. The staff was kind and welcoming. Good stuff right there.

We came from California to try this place we heard about. The food was delicious and plentiful. You pay by the weight. From the oxtails to the short ribs beyond, everything was good! The live music with the older gentleman and his guitar and the drummer and bass player, definitely made the place lively and fun! Good food, good music, what more can you ask for! Highly recommended..will be back!😋😋

Went to this recommended restaurant after taking a tour of Harlem. It is a buffet and they charge by the pound. A wide variety of food,beef,pork,chicken,fish, seafood,fruits and salads. Not just your standard soul food staples. Its not a fancy place,more clean cafeteria style seating and you bus your own tables I had several dishes like a whole fish that were very tasty. I tried several types of dishes and nothing was bad. I preferred the fish and jerk chicken dishes (not too spicy tho)and wish i had room for more veggies and dessert dishes. They charge more for meat only plates, $10.99(?)and cards pay an extra fee as most do now. There's not a lot of indoor seating but we went at lunchtime and there was plenty.

I went here for lunch recently and the food was very good they had a decent amount of options and it’s affordable!!

I was genuinely looking forward to trying their food. We host a large luncheon every month at work, and I was hoping they could become a regular vendor for us, especially given their extensive menu. Unfortunately, the experience was very disappointing.<br><br>The chicken lacked any flavor—completely unseasoned. Both the mac and cheese and collard greens were also severely under-seasoned and bland. Surprisingly, the sweet yams were the standout; they didn’t look like much, but they had a nice balance of sweetness and were quite enjoyable. The cornbread was forgettable, and the potato salad had an odd, off-putting flavor.<br><br>Overall, the food left much to be desired. Down right awful.<br><br>I also need to add, the staff was very nice. All smiles and very helpful.

First the prices are inexpensive and you get a lot of food-they weigh everything and my container was heavy and I only spent 23-24 bucks- one thing I didn’t like was I tried to break the fish in half because the fish was really big and the worker YELLED AT ME. Not to break the fish,across a crowded room which was extremely embarrassing and unprofessional of them, The lady actually came over to me with a container, wanted me to take the whole fish. She was very unprofessional.

I love this place.<br>Went once in 2016 and recently in 2024. To this day it's the only place I've had fried chicken. Everything is done by weight so you'll pay less of you eat less. We got two really decent size meal and two soft drinks for 32 dollars. Good options for vegetables as well, which is not a given when traveling the US, I found.

The buffet style food was delicious. The collard greens, mac and cheese, oxtails, fried chicken, fruits, salads, pasta, ribs, and more were laid out very appetizing. However, be aware that they do weigh your plate. That will affect the cost.

Soul food in buffet style with many yummy food.<br>I had salmon they made excellent, collard greens and asparagus also avocado salad, but my family tried almost everything… my daughter a meat fan she had BBQ rib, pepper steak and beef on the bones.<br>My son and hubby pick up fired chicken and soft baked chicken with mac and cheese mashed potato and greens too. I seen they had oxtail, turkey, many different salad, fruits, banana bread pudding for sweets,<br>You can take out or you can seat and eat .<br>I choose outside sitting this place nice and clean, and can’t wait to eat that food .For me best on sunday especially if you don’t wanna cook or if everyone in your family wanna eat different combo.Also recommend people who works in the area the price is great for everybody pocket .<br>This two on the picture was $21 after we took 3 more box and paid all together $50 so each box $10 these days for hot food is a bless. Today we stop by again!! Still the best soul food in NYC! I take again the avocado salad with crab,it was heaven…<br>Ladies adorable at the cashier. The gentleman just bring out right on time my son baked chicken fresh from the oven,perfectly seasoned! It’s a long list from the food and all the good thing about this place! Told you a lot go,eat, enjoy!<br>Thank you for the delicious lunch!!

I had my food catered for Christmas. I wasn't pleased. I ordered 14 different dishes. My time to pick up was noon. I was very, very late in picking it up. Potatoe salad who put peas and 🥕 in potatoes 🥔 salad. Pineapple Glaze Ham gives the customer chunk of ham instead of slice pieces. Stuffing! Who makes stuffing with big chunks of bread 🍞, peas and carrots, and shredded turkey. I will do a take out from now on. Judge for yourself. "Lovely" 😲