JBJ Soul Kitchen — Restaurant in Red Bank

The Food: Absolutely wonderful. I got the Mushroom and Barley soup, Shrimp and Grits, and the fresh fruit. I have absolutely paid more for less and lower quality food. It was delicious, and the size of the plates was perfect. My dining companion got the Soul Seasoned Braised Chicken, which was a massive helping. He ended up taking half of it to go and had it for a second meal.

The People: Everyone we met there was wonderful. From the Chef to the staff to the volunteers, everyone had a very welcoming and friendly demeanor.

The Restaurant: The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, not pretentiously done up at all. There were quite a few tables inside, with a covered and enclosed patio outside. Large roll up doors separate the indoors from the outdoors, and I'm sure that it would be wonderful to sit out on the patio in warmer weather.

The Concept: Of everything, THIS is the absolute best part. This is how you take care of your community. There should be versions of JBJ Soul Kitchen all across the country. I went out of my way to come here once I found out about it, and would do the same anywhere in the country. Finding out about the existence of the JBJ Soul Kitchen, as well as being able to take part in such a wonderful program, has been the highlight of my year so far. If I didn't live outside of New Jersey, I would make it a point to come here at least once a month to eat, donate, and get to know everyone better. I can't say enough how much the existence of places like this give me hope.

Finally, The Name: This isn't a soul-food kitchen (regardless of the fact that I did indeed have shrimp and grits,) this is a kitchen for your soul. I've never felt better about eating at any restaurant, and I've never paid double what my meal cost and felt I didn't pay enough.

Thank you for doing what you do, JBJ Soul Kitchen. The world needs more...

Very disappointed. Not by the food, but by the way my family and I were treated.

After my brother mentioned to the waiter that he didn't speak English, the waiter turned to me and said, "Well, I don't speak Spanish, I hope you speak English." I told him I spoke English, so he didn't have to worry. He explained to me how much the suggested donation was ($30 per person) and that I wouldn't have to pay anything for my 3-year-old. Then a waitress came to the table already with an attitude. I mentioned to her that I was going to be paying the full suggested donation for two meals ($60) and if it was possible to get a grilled sandwich for my toddler (it was on the menu). She said I would have to order a full meal if I wanted the sandwich. I explained to her that I didn't want the rest of the food to go to waste since I knew my kid wasn't going to eat everything. She declined. So I'm confused; the first person said my kid could eat at no cost, but then the second person refused to give my toddler just one of the items in one meal?!

When it was time to pay, the guy asked me how much I wanted to pay. I gave him $60 and he said, "Oh, are you sure?" I asked him, "Didn't you say $30 per person?" Then I asked him if they had anyone that couldn't pay for their meal that afternoon. He said yes. I gave him extra money and said it was to help cover the cost of their food. He definitely looked surprised.

I've been in this country for almost 30 years. This is the first time I have felt discriminated against the way I felt last week when I visited this place.

Nowadays, telling someone that you can't help them because you don't speak their language is just an excuse. With all the available technology, if you want to help...

We went there on May 28, 2022, over the Memorial Day weekend. The staff was incredibly warm and welcoming, we chatted with other patrons, wait staff volunteers, managers, and the sous chef who came out to tell us about their recipes and local farms that supply the restaurant. The whole atmosphere felt as if we were dining with friends and family. When we met Jon, we were struck by how warm, kind, modest, and authentic the man is. He was there helping the staff fill water glasses, but put it aside to chat with us and thank us for being there. Jon greeted all patrons with a warm and genuine smile, kinds words and jokes, regardless of their ability to pay. It was a pleasure to have met and connected with a good person. The experience also felt reassuring. Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen, those who gave us America The Beautiful, Unbroken, and Born in the USA, artists who exemplify the Americana culture just as much as an apple pie, muscle cars, and Route 66, embody the message that being an American can mean being compassionate, caring, humble, and tolerant, and extending a helping and respectful hand to those of us who are in need. In the era of negative news that eagerly highlight our differences, a visit to JBJ Soul Kitchen is a reminder of what we have in common, and that we are all parts of the same family. Special thanks to Dorothea, Jon's wife, for being his partner in...