Jacob Soul Food Restaurant — Restaurant in New York

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!!!! WOULDN’T GO TO THIS RESTAURANT IF I WERE YOU!

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!!!! IF YOU GO “DO NOT!” USE YOUR DEBIT CARD THERE!

I “WAS” a returning customer for years buying from the buffet as well as catered food. I went into Jacobs on 09/28/2021 I ordered 2 pans of food from the catering menu. I was overcharged by “$757.86”! This was clearly an error and brought to my attention by the staff immediately. The reason behind my outrage and anger it that they took the money out of my account in 2 seconds and made me wait three business days to get it back. As a result of being overcharged, my mortgage payment was declined (bounced). I am now jumping through hoops with the bank who holds my mortgage. I explained to them that I needed my money back in my account to avoid my mortgage payment from being declined and accruing charges. They didn’t care. They took my money and I was lied to over and over and over again by staff and managers. I was told that my account would be credited within 15 minutes, (my account was not credited)! I called back that evening, spoke with the same female employee and was told that the manager would call me back within 15 minutes, they didn’t call me back. I tried to email Mr. Jacob, a manager named Kim called me back and pretty much gave me a sucks to be you attitude. I went into the restaurant to cancel my order and speak with Mr. Jacob, he was not there, Kim who told me she would be there wasn’t there and all I got was a bunch of empty apologies and out right lies to go with my bounced mortgage and insufficient funds fees. All they had to do was reverse the charges or give me the cash so I could put it back into my account. 🤬BAD BUSINESS...

I am furious 😡 I came from way uptown Bronx (literally a couple blocks away from mount Vernon) I wanted food from "Sweet MaMa". It's been years but I was hoping they were still Guud. They were closed down (plumbing issue). Then the closest soul food place was johnny Kaks (They were closed, didn't update that on Google maps, banner was old grey and worn out and there was scaffolding covering the location 🤦🏾‍♀️) 3rd times a charm right? Not in this case. I look on Google for another soul food restaurant and find Jacob. There was a line inside this tight space and it seemed as if the customers were raving fans so I called up my family and asked if they want a plate. The employees were VERY NICE I had 5 large trays, 3 small, and 2 dessert (small trays as well) one guy told me I can sit trays on the side. When I was in line to pay another guy made multiple trips to put my stuff behind the counter for me. I was there getting food for a while so after I paid i asked if I could use the bathroom and leave my food behind the counter. The problem is THE FOOD IS SPOILED. BASURA. The turkey wings and the corn bread taste and even smelled spoiled. The chicken is undercooked and was still bleeding. 😫 I was so tempted to go back to Harlem and ask for my money back. I also FOUND A HAIR IN THE PAN OF FRIED CHICKEN, I picked it up with the tongs and gave it to the guy just giving them the benefit of the doubt ( maybe it was from a customer). SO DISAPPOINTED AND UPSET. SUCH A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. MY STOMACH IS LITERALLY GOING THROUGH IT. THERE ARE SO MANY OF US WHO CAN DO 1,000X BETTER OURSELVES. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND OR GO BACK. $100+ for spoiled food...

Went around 5pm to Jacob’s and it wasn’t busy when I waked in but had steady customers. Folks at the register were nice. The place had some seats inside but I chose to sit outside (it’s seat yourself). Buffet looked clean and someone was constantly tending to it , which was good to see. Based on the reviews I got the oxtail, BBQ pork spare ribs, and jerk chicken. Looks like the rotate the menu so no Lima beans or southern style cabbage unfortunately, so got green beans, collards and some of the cabbage from the corn beef.

Hits: The ribs were good. The BBQ sauce was just the right amount of sweet and the ribs were saucy. The green beans were also very good.

Mid: The jerk chicken had some heat on it but wasn’t that great, but this isn’t a West Indian spot so I give it a pass. The cabbage was alright once I added some salt.

Miss: I don’t know what y’all were talking about but it was the worst oxtail I’ve ever had. Maybe it’s a different chef but man they were not cooked long enough. Not super tender as it should be. It was actually really chewy. The sauce had like no flavor. The greens also left a lot to be desired. They were really bitter and lacked seasoning.

Overall I’d give them a 3.5 if I could, I liked the concept and their variety of options but execution on the food was missing. But I support black owned businesses so I might give them another chance next time I’m in Harlem. Could have just...