Della J's — Restaurant in Virginia

Let me start with the pros I did like the atmosphere for the most part we did have a 30 minute wait, which is understandable because it was very very crowded. I literally live across the street so I’m only 10 minute walk. From there this is my second time eating there the very first time I ate there. I got the steak and cheese. I was a bit disappointed it was very mediocre. The fries were pretty good but lacking cheese something like this, that sells soul food and owned a black person. I expect a lot more. My partner ordered the chicken and waffles. I tried some of his no seasoning nothing on the waffle. It was just a plain red velvet waffle very overpriced, but I thought let me try it again. This was probably the biggest restaurant that I can think of that was in walking distance because we had a guest from the south to come visit us and I told him this was a great place just so I could feel good I was excited for him to try it and I was excited to try it for the second time and my boyfriend for the second time. But this was his first time, so our second visit which was yesterday like I stated before we had a 30 minute wait which was understandable I ordered the three wings I’m sorry the four wings with the two sides. I asked her what kind of sauces do you have she mentioned all the sauces and she also mentioned lemon pepper she failed to tell me that it was a dry rub who wants a side of just seasonings for the chicken? When I got my food, it was the wrong order. I got fish so they had to take it back when I finally got the food. The wings were OK. I like the fact that they were big. The potato salad was OK. The greens with bland no seasonings The mac & cheese was awful. I actually didn’t even order the mac & cheese, but they sent it out by mistake. The fried cauliflower was not that good I had better. I ordered fried cauliflower at glory days and there’s was 10 times better. I was expecting this place. Fried cauliflower would be a lot better because it’s a bigger restaurant I was very surprised !!! oh, let’s talk about the prices with my meal and my partner ‘meal come behind it was $60. That’s crazy some of these meals on here or $40-$50. A plate and it tasted the mediocre. I don’t see this please been in business too long. I highly recommend going to milk and honey I was so disappointed to spend that much money on bland food. Although milk and honey is extremely small the food is so good this is the only location they have in Virginia which is about a mile or so from this place and they have one in DC originated from Atlanta Georgia so I would recommend milk, and honey I haven’t tried all of the dishes, but the dishes I’ve tried so far are phenomenal I honestly wish I could get my money back because it wasn’t worth it even my friend that ordered his chicken. He ate about half of it and I believe he was meal was about 25 I hate to say it, but I would not recommend this place. I’m back I forgot to mention the cornbread. The cornbread was really good actually but then there were pieces of dried hard and eatable pieces of corn. Nothing wrong with putting corn and cornbread. I do it all the time but I’ll probably would’ve preferred hand corn if you’re not going to cook them thoroughly, the corn inside was inedible. So we had to spit them out and it was five dollars and some change for a basket of corn bread....

I've been to Della J's more times than I can count, and there’s one thing I’ll say upfront—the staff is always warm, welcoming, and ready with a smile. The place has that unmistakable homie feel, like the kind of spot where your auntie might pop out of the kitchen to ask how your mama's doing. The art on the walls is thoughtful and inspiring, with booths named after African-American icons—it's like eating in a history book curated by people who care deeply about culture and community.

But then there’s the food... and that’s where things get a little complicated.

Listen, I love soul food. I’m the kind of person who believes that properly cooked mac & cheese is a spiritual experience, and fried chicken should be crispy, juicy, and blessed by someone's grandmother. But sadly, the staples at Della J's just don't bring that soul-saving magic.

Take the chicken, for instance. I’ve ordered it multiple times from the appetizer menu, and each time it came out looking like it had done hard time under a heat lamp. Dry, chewy, and entirely uninspired. The mac & cheese? Often dry and under-seasoned. The pork chops? Let’s just say if you threw one across the room, it might bounce back. At this point, I’ve taken to ordering triple sides as my entrée—usually rice, cabbage, and sweet potato soufflé. Safe bets that don’t break your spirit or your teeth.

Desserts? Good luck. They're often sold out, which is frustrating when you're looking to end your meal on a high note. And the service, while friendly, can be painfully slow. I usually visit during the day when the place isn’t exactly poppin’, yet we still find ourselves waiting long stretches just to be seated, greeted, and fed. It's like time slows down as soon as you step inside, but not in a chill, zen way—more like a "why is this water taking 20 minutes?" way.

And let’s talk portion size. If you're doing takeout, brace yourself. I once got a portion of cabbage so small I thought it came from a dollhouse. For the prices they charge, especially for sides, you'd expect a bit more than a thimbleful.

Now, as someone who handles corporate events, I initially had high hopes for their catering. The menu looks promising—until you see the prices. For food that can be inconsistent at best, their catering costs just don’t justify the gamble.

Final verdict: Della J’s is a place with heart, culture, and good people. But when it comes to the soul food they pride themselves on, it often feels like the soul got lost somewhere between the fryer and the front door. I keep coming back for the atmosphere and the people—but not for the entrées. Here's hoping they find their flavor groove soon, because the potential is there. Right now, though? It’s a friendly visit, not a...

This place used to be one of my favorite places and I've been going there since they were in Springfield. I've invited family and friends there for celebrations, girls night out and it is our date night spot on Thursdays when they have a band for my husband and I. I called over a week in advance to book a reservation for 8 for my mother for Mother's Day and my sisters. I wanted the Saturday evening before Mother's Day. I'd originally requested 5:00 p.m. and they told me they could not accommodate me until 6:30 because they would be very busy. When we arrived at the restaurant there was hardly anyone there. That should have told me something because even during the week at previous visits the restaurant would be at least half full. We had no clue that the food quality had gone down tremendously. IThe food was awful! We had A Mother's Day special of short ribs which was tough, my husband had the pork chops which was also tough and had no flavoring. They had lime cilantro rice which was horrible and the gravy couldn't even cover up the lime flavor. My niece had crab cake but there was no mayonnaise sauce or anything on it it was just crab meat and tasteless and dry she said. The only members of our party that enjoyed the food was the 2-year-old who had chicken nuggets and my nephew Who currently lives in a nursing home and hadn't had a home cooked meal for about a month or so . He thought the shrimp and grits were wonderful . Our bill came to $237 for three entrees two appetizers , three drinks and desserts for three people . I'm not sure how much the other five people paid for their meals . The service is the reason why I gave two stars and the parking because I knew the waitress she knew us as we attend quite often and her customer service was good. Parking was good because contrary to what they indicated the night before Mother's Day there was no one there. Evidently other people are starting to realize that it's not good and they're not coming out either. This very much saddens me as I said I've been a long time Patron. I don't know what's going on I understand they have new cooks but even my take out from there has not been good over the last 2 months. You all have got to do better. You wanted that spot you've moved up but quality and service has gone down. I'm very sad and disheartened by this. I had such hope for them when they moved on Route 1. Whatever changes have taken place there are not good ones. Unfortunately they have lost my husband and I as customers. This is unfortunate because we always try to support black businesses but when the food is not good even if the service is good we don't patronize places like that black or otherwise. This is so sad!...