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Jacob Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Soul Food Restaurants Buffets Soul Food, Buffets [Edit]
373 Lenox Ave(between 128th St & 129th St)
New York, NY 10027
Neighborhood: Harlem
(212) 866-3663
- Nearest Transit:
-
125 St (2, 3)
135 St (2, 3)
125 St (A, B, C, D)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
47 reviews for Jacob Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Mac & cheese will make you week in the knees."
(in 11 reviews)
"The yams are AMAZING and the corn bread is WOWWWWWW."
(in 7 reviews)
"...throw some fried plantains on top of them collard greens."
(in 5 reviews)
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47 reviews in English
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Review from Kristina L.
San Francisco, CA
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Soul food buffet thats what im talking about !
The Food is amazing!!!! It gets crowded fast, but its worth the wait and the experience. I wanted to try everything, but i didn't wanna seem like a fat A$$. Everything was juicy, delicious and hits the spot! So much to choose from.
The corn bread... its like a warm, soft, honey taste in your mouth. DO NOT forget to pick up one of these! But as Vanessa says "buy it separate" you save a little and it doesn't contribute to your weight of the food. -
Review from Unexpectable D.
Manhattan, NY
1/12/2012
Whenever I'm not in the mood to cook and I want something that tastes like it came out of someone else's home: I go to Jacobs. Everything has good flavor and seasoning but like all other places that serve buffet-style, if it looks like it's been sitting out for a while expect that it will taste like it.
They have live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and the mixed "juices" are pretty good too if not a little too sweet for my liking.
I have not tried the one on 8th Avenue but be certain I will find my way there if it's the same or better quality as this one. -
Review from M P.
New York, NY
1/9/2012
I am a tad confused by a majority of the reviews for Jacob's. Mainly because I am convinced that a vast majority of my new neighborhood friends i.e gentrified persons have not had delicious soul food ever in life.
Secondly, it's a soul food buffet. I don't know what you expected. It's fine for what it is. Otherwise you can open up a cookbook and prepare something close to similar or better given your natural cooking abilities. -
Review from HL H.
Brooklyn, NY
10/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Granted, I'm not Black, I didn't grow up in the South, nor did I have a grandma who cooked on Sundays for me. But damnit, I know good food when I eat it!
I have tried Soul Food before, and I never knew what was the criteria of great soul food and not. But I had to try Harlem soul food, especially when there's such strong mixed reviews.
Jacob's is not a sit down restaurant-ish. Well you basically get a take out box and fill it up with stuff you want which is good you can pick as much little or as much as you want. They have EVERYTHING a growing boy would want! Even Caribbean food!
I tried almost everything: fried chicken, bbq chicken, rib, rice, gizzard, oxtail, mac and cheese, lasagna, baked salmon, some tuna circle thing, and I think there's more. The mac and cheese was ok, it wasn't as great as other people made it seem to be. What I really liked were the baked salmon, oxtail, and gizzard and oh yeah all the rices!
The staff is also really friendly and nice. The only downfall I would say is they only accept cash and also the food was kinda cold then again, I did come at 9:00 pm.
Overall, its pretty good soul food because I definitely wanna come back and try the rest of the food and dessert!!! -
Review from Matthew R.
Manhattan, NY
11/29/2011
I live in the nieghborhood and this is one of the only restaurant I go to on a regular basis-so it's more like 3.5 stars.
The food is pretty darn good, and the $4.95/lb price tag makes it 'cheap' but it adds up quickly-lots of bones.
The staff is gernally friendly and fast but leaves a little something to be desired, and the music is always way too loud. -
Review from Sabrina w.
New Haven, CT
10/25/2011
My mother is by far the best cook I know. Outside of Foster's (Miss Ruth's to those who are familiar) is the only other place on the planet where I will buy soulfood (no I don't go to Sylvia's). For amateurs who did not grow up with traditionally great soulfood, they will think Jacob's is the end all to be all. It is not but does make good food.
And it was actually my Mom who turned me on to this place. So on a Sunday (and since Foster's is closed) I will trek up to Harlem to get my fried chicken, potato salad and collards. I could do without the typical grazers (those heifers really annoy me). The lines are fast and I appreciate that as well.
I load up and never spend more than $20 bucks. So I love that the price is super reasonalble for a buffet in NYC. I have not tried every dish but so far love everything I've had. I won't stay though because of the loud music videos. I mean really?? -
Review from miss a.
Harlem, New York, NY
10/22/2011
Two stars = Meh, Ive experienced better. As a black American I grew up eating authentic soul food so of course Ive had better. Im still gonna dole out 3 stars because its a good effort, they play Gospel and other Soul Music dvds while you eat and the service is friendly (I had my daughter in her stroller and a woman on staff carried my tray for me), thus making Jacob's A-Ok.
Sometimes chinese restaurants make mexican food and while its not horrible food, it is bad mexican food because it lacks authenticity. Americans might eat chinese mexican food but I dont think actual mexicans would. Jacob's, like Manna's is the African version of Black American soul food. The dishes are the same but something is just different about it. Not bad food, but not real soul food.
I notice the yams and collard greens arent cut right (right being the way black american grandmothers, mothers & aunties cut them). This is probably for one of two reasons, either to increase how much you pay by increasing the weight of the serving (its like a whole entire yam!) or because they just dont know how yams and greens are cut because they didnt grow up eating and cooking them. Or maybe they just want us to know that they are fresh and not out of a can. I cant call it.
Just like Mexican Chinese food, Jacob's is most certainly edible and at the end of the day gets the job done but if you know like I know (and I know!!) then you can definitely taste the difference.
They also make some carribean dishes like jerk chicken, etc. Cant give an honest review on those items because Im not really a fan of carribean food and not quite sure what they are supposed to be like or if Jacob's does them justice.
For the record, Im not NOT recommending Jacob's and I'll probably eat there again. Im just sayin.....
One last thing, this is a cash only establishment. No credit or debit. -
Review from Mr F G and Ms M S.
Flushing, NY
8/13/2011 8 photos
Jacob's is probably the only reason why we want to move to Harlem.
Anyone wants to try real authentic soul food, Jacob's is the real deal. Great price. We came in on Saturday night, and they played great live music. We got the fried chicken, mac and cheese, baked ziti, corn, mashed potato, macaroni salad, BBQ chicken wings, salmon and every single one of them was fantastic and all that plus 2 bottle of water for 26 dollars.
No other words to describe Jacobs than great food, great food, great food!!! -
Review from Chandy S.
Manhattan, NY
7/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I know, I know, I live in Harlem, so I'm supposed to swear by Jacob's.
I don't...I can't. I don't hate it. In a pinch, if nothing else was open & I didn't want to cook, I guess I'd stop by this place.
Their food isn't bad, it's just sooo average. What do you expect from a buffet huh? Their fruit is good. That's about it for me. My son and I come for the fruit. My parents however, love this place. Can't get enough.
Maybe that says it all. -
Review from Lex T.
When I'm in Harlem I always end up hitting up a Chicken & Waffle or Soul Food Spot. So on my quest to find the best in each category, I stumbled upon Jacob's.
Buffet Style. Serve YaSelf. Soul Food. Yes, I'm definitely with that.
They have all your Soul Food Staples and some Jamaican dishes as well. The staff probably thought I was a vulture the way I circled the bar before actually swooping in. It's hard to make a decision when everything just look so damn good. At five sumthin a pound (when tax is included), you gota be some what selective... It's difficult being greedy & selective at the same time. I figured since this is my first time here I'll get the staples and if it's good, I'll go in next time around.
Mac & Cheese. Candied Yams. Pork Ribs. Ox Tail. String Beans. I wanted to try the Fried Chicken, but the few pieces left under the heat lamp looked like kind of dried out. Maybe next time around.
Decor. Ultra Clean. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Friendly Staff. Small eating area with televisions set up in the back. I sat next to some older ladies who were glued to the Luther Vandross Concert coming off the screen. "Girl I love me some Luther", Funny Stuff.
Mac & Cheese was on point. Noodles and Cheese coming together in perfect harmony. Not wet. Not dried out. Good balance of cheese to noodle ratio. Cheese taste not overpowering. Great Flavor.
You have a choice of Beef and Pork Ribs. If you gona eat soul food you can't shy away from the pig. No need to be too choosy when selecting pieces if you're concerned about getting all fat and no meat. Ribs slathered in tasty barbeque sauce and cooked well.
The oxtails were between Aight and Good. Considering it's not a Jamaican spot, I'll round 'em up to a Good. Enjoyed 'em none the less.
Candy Yams. Fresh & Sweet.
String beans get a Head Nod.
I'm thinking this is best Soul Food Spot I've eating at thus far. Good Job Jacob!Listed in: I got SouL ... Food
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Review from Dan B.
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Jacob's restaurant is severely overrated on yelp due to the overwhelming presence of reviewers who have never tried real soul food before. Just look at the reviews. Most of them talk about how it's either their first soul food experience or they're comparing it to the likes of Popeye's or KFC because that's all they have in their repertoire to compare it to. This is a very common problem in Harlem soul food restaurants because naive New Yorkers who have never tried the real thing will flock into these kinds of places and deem the food immediately excellent just because they took time out of their day to go all the way there, so it would be a tragedy if it weren't excellent in their minds. Also, it tastes so noticeably different from the fancy and overpriced yuppie food that they're used to in their home neighborhoods, so anything different is excellent. In reality, if you've been as lucky as me to actually try REAL down home American soul food, then there's no way that you'd consider Jacob's Restaurant anything more than an adequate substitute for soul food considering that the Northeast region of the US is barren in the world of Southern delights.
I kid you not, if you make an effort to take a road trip designed to explore the South and try the plethora of soul food, southern comfort food, and bbq out there, Harlem soul food joints like Jacob's will always disappoint you by comparison. One of the biggest differences between Harlem Southern food or soul food when compared to the actual South is that the prices are way higher. That's just what NYC and the Northeast are about: higher prices. After you've coped with the reality that you're going to spend about 5X more than you would have in Southern states, you have to cope with the reality that most Harlem soul food is served buffet style instead of fresh. What ends up happening is that inevitably, most of the food ends up stale, raped, and messy. Mac and cheese that has been sitting for an hour or two heating under a lamp is never going to taste as good as fresh mac and cheese. That's just the limitations of this physical world that we all must adhere to.
After you've coped with the dip in quality due to buffet heating lamps and laid back buffet attention, then you have to finally cope with the fact that to begin with, the cooks making the food aren't nearly as skilled in preparing these dishes with love and unique flavor. They're adequate in making moderately delicious dishes that could certainly serve as an appropriate lunch, but this restaurant should never break the three star mark as far as the quality of the actual food goes. It's mostly generic southern food attempting to replicate what is REAL and GOOD in the South. That's the problem with most Harlem Soul food establishments I've been to. The vast majority of Harlem soul food is trying to copy an idea, and the few Harlem establishments that are successful in soul food are run by people who actually used to live in the South. (Sylvia's for instance). Jacob's is, overall, a decent-priced, decent-tasting, buffet-style, hole in the wall Harlem restaurant, and that is all. Nothing special, nothing transcendental, and nothing earth-shattering, despite what the overall rating would have you believe. -
Review from Elaine F.
Los Angeles, CA
8/12/2011
My first soul food experience ('cause seriously, can you really count KFC?) and it was great!
I have lived in Morningside Heights (a dressed-up name for "area next to Harlem where Columbia happens to be") for the past two years, and have been meaning to try soul food since day one. It didn't happen 'til my girlfriends and I were about to graduate, and as we couldn't very well leave Harlem without trying some good ole' chicken, it was to Jacob's we went!
The strong craving hit us at 7-8pm in the evening, and since it was a good walk into Harlem, we changed out of our sundresses we'd worn all day, into jeans and sweats, and I turned my engagement ring around. We wanted to avoid all the unwanted attention we could.
As we walked up Lenox, things got sketchier and sketchier. Right outside Jacobs, we watched as two girls in really tight pants walked past some greasy dude, and he literally stopped, did a 180, and stared for a good 10 seconds. Shameless. So glad we ditched our dresses!
Anywho, this place was AMAZING! The fried chicken, the avocado salad, the plantains, the rice & beans, sweet potato (or yam; I'm not sure as I can't really tell 'em apart), the corn bread... I'm sitting in my room in so Cal salivating whilst writing this review!
The best part? You pay PER POUND. I'm a pretty small person, so it doesn't take much to get me satiated, but when I go to restaurants, I tend to finish my entire (oversized) meal 'cause I'm Chinese and was raised not to waste food. Which makes Jacob's a jackpot for me, 'cause I can just take what I want -- no more, no less. (Theoretically.)
The downside? Everything looks and smells so good that even when I take TINY portions of each selection, by the time it collects on my platter, it's more food than I need.
Story of my life. I'm always overeating. Yelp doesn't help. ;D
In short, Jacob's is good. If you're a girl, be mindful of what you want to wear when going into Harlem. Lotsa nice people, but lotsa sketchy men and crazies, as well. -
Review from Yusuf A.
New York, NY
6/27/2011
yelper beware: my eyes are often bigger than my stomach and my wallet. at $5/lb Jacob's can be a great deal and often is. When I come here with a determination to get in and out with just enough food and am careful to choose lighter items, the damage is limited to about $5-7. But after a workout or with friends who are equally eager, the bill can easily run up to 12-15.
Overall, Jacob's is a quality establishment. The food is healthy and flavorful and the selection is diverse and ranges from afro-carribean to soul with a few west african dishes here and there. love this place because I can bring picky eaters here and they always manage to find something pleasing. although the food is served buffet style, the trays are constantly being cycled through the kitchen as the food quickly disappears. Personal favorite - okra gumbo.
Enjoy, but self-serve with restraint -
Review from Marla F.
Brooklyn, NY
11/14/2011
Everytime I think about this place I start salivating. No exaggeration. This food is sooo good. Even though this place is "soul food", people of any background will be able to endulge. I bring everyone here, I just can't get enough of it! The mac and cheese is the closest that I've found to my Mom's.... and thats saying something! I could honestly go on forever and ever about each dish because I haven't found one thing that I didn't like... so all I can say is GO... GO NOW... why are you still reading my review?? GO!
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Review from William K. S.
New York, NY
11/13/2011
The house is hectic on a Sunday morning, and the gospel revival blasting on the big screens is noisy and distracting, but the food is stick-to-your-ribs pure. They do all the standards from oxtail to okra, and they do them well. There is a huge line outside Sylvia's and Red Rooster down Lenox, so keep walking and come to Jacob instead.
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Review from Jamie C.
New York, NY
1/16/2011
I haven't written a review in months, but I just had to stop through to give some props to Jacob's. This place is ON POINT! We were looking for a place to have a hearty brunch after a long day of wedding dress shopping. One of the girls who looks like she would know the LEAST about soul food (you know the type, reeking of entitlement and hailing from Staten Island of all places) suggested this spot. Out of blind hunger we make the trip up here on her recommendation.
Wow, imma need to reassess my opinion of Staten Island people, cause this is some DELISH soul food. Please do not waste your time on that tourist trap Sylvia's across the street. This place is chill, old-school, delicious and cheap.
The buffet is HUGE! It's about three double-sided rows worth of heaven. There's caribbean food... and it's good. The braised oxtail and rice and pea were delish. Also got some festival we were set! The corn bread slices are huge and moist. The ribs, the fried chicken, the mac and cheese (omg! this was good), the collards were to die for, the sweet potatoes were yums.
Now, the real star of the show was the dessert/fruit isle. I have never had such fresh fruit before that I didn't cut myself. From avocados to mangos, to salads, it was amazingly FRESH and juicy. And then to end the day on the perfect note, THEIR BANANA PUDDING IS LIFE CHANGING!!!
I dream of the day of going back for more of that. I mean you don't think of banana pudding as the type of thing to really get your attention. I mean it's vanilla wafers, it's bound to be delicious. But seriously, I need to re-evaluate every banana pudding I've ever had after this one. D.A.M.N!
Note: Cash Only!
2nd Note: This is cheap at 4.99 per pound, BUT it is per pound. And as you can see from my list above, it is very easy to pile your plate high with every kind of food plus dessert. It is completely worth it, but I would be strategic about heavy foods versus lighter foods to fill your plate. My plate was teeming and had plenty extra for $15 bucks. Yup, 3 pounds... I warn you, you will want to try EVERYTHING. Oh and they have Jamaican Cola Champagne. DONE and DONE!!Listed in: Cheap is what I do
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Review from Monique M.
Bronx, NY
9/5/2011
Nice spot for lunch or dinner. It is buffet style, so you have a large variety. You decide whether you want to eat healthy or not. They do not serve alcoholic beverages, so if that's what you are looking for, you may have to go somewhere else before or after Jacob's. You wait on yourself. It's almost like a cafeteria with lots of class.
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Review from Vanessa T.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 7/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Just found out that if you just buy cornbread, it's only $0.25 - $0.50 a piece. You should definitely buy that separate because corn bread is heavy if you know what I mean. (How very Chinese of me, I know.)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/7/2011
Forget Amy Ruth's and Sylvia's. If you want authentic Soul Food with some Caribbean options, Jacob's… Read more »
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Review from Aaron J.
Carson, CA
2/13/2011
Fantastic food conveniently located near campus for me. They have a great selection of delectable delights, including a few Caribbean staples.
It's a relatively small place, so don't expect to find a seat if you come on a Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, you'll be fine.
Also, cash only. This is important. The closest Chase bank is a few blocks away further down 125th Street. You don't want to get to the counter with a plate of steaming-hot ribs with your mouth watering and realize this.
This place is full of temptation. Don't let the low $4.99/lb price fool you. It adds up. Fast. -
Review from Annie H.
Manhattan, NY
12/29/2010
I don't know where to start because pretty much every aspect of this restaurant is spot on.
First of all, it is buffet style but they manage to keep the HUGE trays of a HUGE variety of food full, fresh and amazingly delicious.
That is really quite impressive.
I can't imagine how they are constantly creating large batches of everything from curried salmon or perfect pork ribs to sesame oil asparagus or immaculate banana pudding and have everything taste as though it were their main focus. Even the avocado salad, with large slices of avocado mind you, is an image of perfection each and every time we go there. Do you know how hard it is to prepare that much perfect-looking avocado every day?!? I swear, that kitchen is as magical to me as Santa's Toy Shop. I don't know how they do it.
On top of the fresh, varied and mouth watering food, there is also the staff. Always smiling, friendly, helpful and fast. What more could you want?
The place in general is always pristine. Also, it always feels warm and inviting. Decorations, live music (or two big screen TVs playing live music at the times when there aren't in-house performances), aromas and smiles. Although, recently they have added more tables and it can feel a little squashed if you try to eat there instead of carrying out. That is really the only reason it doesn't have 5 stars from me.
In fact, on Sunday we were walking by in the blizzard and my husband looked over and said, wistfully, "Look how warm and cozy Jacob's looks!" because it was the only store front on the block with steamy windows, Christmas garland and tons of people inside. If we hadn't had three tons of leftover Christmas food to consume at our house, we would have put off our plans to go to Central Park with our sons and headed straight into Jacob's...it is so darn enticing!
Plus, it will always have a special place in my heart because when I went into labor with my second son this past Spring we walked over to Jacob to get my last meal before heading to the hospital. (When I say 'walk,' I mean it took us like 15 minutes to walk the one block to get there because I was stopping with contractions every few minutes.) It is THAT good!
Annnnnd now I am going to have to go get lunch there - I hold them responsible for my inability to lose the pregnancy weight this time around! ;) -
Review from Sarah A.
10/24/2010 6 Check-ins Here
Read my review of Sylvia's - which is right across Lenox, one block down. Jacob's is the opposite of everything I said about "Harlem's best soul food".
Jacob's needs to be renamed as "Harlem's best soul food". Not just because of the food, but also the atmosphere, the prices, the staff, the live entertainment - everything.
But here comes the zinger - it's not JUST soul food! They have Caribbean food too!
Feel like having a little jerk chicken with your down-home mac 'n cheese? Done! Wanna throw some fried plantains on top of them collard greens? Gah-head!
And yet another great part! Buffet-style, so pick whatever you got-damn-well please. Go for it, take that extra scoop of mashed potaters. Pick up anudder one of dem short ribs. For $4.99/lb., you can stuff yourself for under $10. Try doing THAT at Sylvia's. You can't even get a got-damn APPETIZER at Sylvia's for $10!
I've been in there when they've had a woman who peruses the tables and belts out notes you would never expect from a 5'4'' woman. She sounds incredible. Her perfectly-pitched notes flow out onto the sidewalk - they sound so amazing you would never guess it wasn't just a CD.
The atmosphere is super laid back, so feel free to come and sit while you're in your Sunday's best after church, or if you're in your sweatpants still nursing a hangover. Whatever goes. But the place, as super casual as it is, is always incredibly clean. Food is piping hot, fresh, and you pack it all into styrofoam containers. So even if you decide to stay in and eat but you can't finish it all, just close the lid and take it home! Can't get much better than that.
I've been missing those Sunday dinner's I had a my ex's when his mom - who's from South Carolina - would cook up a storm and make all the southern goodness. Now, I can finally relive those savory moments that made my mouth smile - without all the gotdamn drama of being in that crazy ass relationship.
So thank you, Jacob, in way more ways than one. But curse you for the extra gym time I'm now going to have to put in after discovering your place that is oh-so-close and convenient to my Harlem abode.Listed in: Harlem World
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Review from Dimitrios D.
New York, NY
11/18/2010
Inexpensive, good food.
Buffet style. Televisions blaring soul concerts. Portraits of Obama, Jesse Jackson, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, MLK.
Friendly cashier.
I got a fish with vinegar-soaked onions and peppers, mac and cheese and okra. All were quite good! -
Review from Robyn X.
New York, NY
11/13/2011
I just wrote my review for Jacob Restaurant on Frederick Douglas and I mentioned my visit to this Jacob's on Lenox as a cautionary. I recently took a very harsh judge and lover of soul food to the Lenox Jacob's because it was closer to where we were that day. 'How different could it be?' was my reasoning. Well as it turns out very different. The taste of the food was bland and we dropped over $25 in here hoping to be satiated for the next few days on my strong recommendation of the restaurant from my experiences at their Frederick Douglas/8th Ave location. But all that glitters is not gold my friends, on line at the buffet, clamoring for the best chicken piece, other guests were friendly through their hunger and how seriously they took their food. I wonder if it was an off-day, I wonder what those other diners thought, because my friend and I had to abandon our take-out containers after tasting a bit of everything on each other's place and deciding, (gasp!) that this soul food was not worth the calories accumulating in our hips from the 1st bite on. Luckily this visit was not a reckoning of any kind for upon my next trip to the 8th Ave Jacob's with my same friend, the soul food mecca in my mind was redeemed- the uptown version is 5 stars to this Jacob's 1 star food. It's unfortunate. Except when I take into account how much more convenient the uptown Jacob's is for me and I breathe a sigh of relief
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Review from Cindy E.
Los Angeles, CA
8/13/2011
Love this place!
I checked out this place while on vacation, visiting from Los Angeles.
The food buffet was awesome! What a great selection of food items, all freshly prepared and cooked.
I will return! -
Review from nick l.
New York, NY
10/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
First and foremost I am going to be honest in saying that I do not have extensive tasting experience(s) in soul food cooking. But I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this place probably resonates true soul food at it's very core. Simple restaurant, clean, buffet style with soul/ gospel music playing on the flat screens.
To some, buffet style food may indicate that the food may not up to par in quality or taste. But on the contrary! Every single item I picked and placed on my plate was delicious, fresh and hot. Some that t were exceptional/stood out were: the braised short ribs, candied yam, collared greens, mac and cheese, brisket, the fried chicken and CORNBREAD. I had a little piece of pineapple glazed honey ham which was also delicious, tender and juicy....wait, that was ALL of the food on my plate. I had 1.8 lbs of food for 9 dollars. My soul was smiling, satisfied and probably a little bit chunkier in size. -
Review from Kai-Lee P.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 10/3/2010
went after church today and lord this place never disappoints. I love the avacado salad, the yams and mac n cheese are sooo good, the oxtails, the jerk...PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
Only thing is I am sooo heavy handed my food cost waaay too much but I got leftovers :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/8/2010
GOOD LORD WHERE DO I BEGIN!!!!
I went here with a friend after church...I absolutely love this place.… Read more »
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Review from Baby G.
New York, NY
10/9/2011
Had their peach cobbler. Tried to get some on the previous day but they were all out. Good serving size, but it was just ok. Won't go out of my way to get it again in the future though. Served in a plastic container for about $5. Friendly people at the register. Good variety of other food (especially for those that eat meat, unlike myself).
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Review from Kadeem C.
Manhattan, NY
5/10/2011
fresh, delectable, inexpensive mouth-watering dishes served in buffet style with a variety of choices to choose from, friendly and respectful staff and owner and a simple and comfortable place to dine, all of these could be experienced in jacob's restaurant!
their buffets are filled with different dishes, from tasty meats to fishes, fresh and pleasing fruits to healthy palatable vegetables, and many more, all presented simple and nicely in neatly cleaned silver trays!
they also let customers book for a party online.
interested? visit them at lenox in Manhattan! -
Review from Elsie W.
1/8/2011
Whenever I see "hot buffet," I instantly drool. Inside my head, the base rating is already 4 stars. Everything was just on point. Oxtail, fried chicken, corn bread, mac 'n cheese. My whole plate was meat. All meats. And banana bread pudding, fo sho. At $4.99/lb, you really get your moneys worth. So go get your cash and spend it here.
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Review from John H.
Morristown, NJ
6/20/2011
Hit this place for lunch today, after craving meat and fried chicken, I found this place via Yelp. Not fancy but man the food is GOOD! These were excellent: Fried Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Collard Greens, Marinated fresh avocado, Yellow Curry Chicken (among the best I've ever had), baby back ribs, cole slaw. The corn bread was also very good but more like corn pound cake, have it for desert. They had a bunch of good looking salads (seafood, macaroni, etc.) but I was there for protein! I loved everything except the black eyed peas were sort of bland, but hey, I'm not complaining! Also its $5.49 a lb if you mix meat and non-meat stuff. Ended up with 2.5 lbs of food and I barely finished it. I will definitely visit Jacobs again if I'm in the area.
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Review from Matt P.
Redding, CT
5/24/2011
I just took a bunch of Connecticut people on full day walking and driving tour of Manhattan from Inwood to the Battery. At lunch time we stopped at Jacobs. First off, the staff was extraordinarily nice setting aside a large table for a party, while the group perused the fantastic selections of food. The food was all fresh and delicious. The jerk chicken is extraordinary, as was the avocado salad and so many other dishes. This restaurant gives loving detail in creating all their dishes. One woman in our group got her first subscription to Bon Appetite when she was 12, and could not stop raving about how well prepared and delicious the food was. After eating we had some very nice desserts...and then headed off well fueled for a long walk and all of us had big smiles on our faces. This place should not be missed, and I will stop there often in the future.
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Review from Kwame L.
New York, NY
5/10/2011
The food is generally comparable to that of Manna's, which has many outlets in Harlem. That is to say good to very good soul and comfort food. In my Opinion, Mannas is better because it always has fish on the steam table, often two or even three offerings (baked and fried, inc. salmon). Jacob's had none when I was there, and their dessert selection was very limited. Worse, a Rick James video was BLASTING on the sound system as his outrageous act unfolded on the screen. Not my idea of dinner entertainment. My dinner companion even asked the manager to turn it down a bit. In contrast, Manna's plays more soothing soul and reasonable volume. Jacob's seating is is also cramped compared to two of the three Manna's I frequent. But if none of that matters, or if you do take out, you will be happy with this spot.
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Review from Evangelia L.
Long Island City, NY
1/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh wow...... amazing food!!!!!!! Be prepared to call a crane to lift you out because you are going to EAT. The yams are AMAZING and the corn bread is WOWWWWWW
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Review from AngeleAlAahnaAn A.
Navarre, FL
5/15/2010
My Sister and I went here for Mother Day Dinner ..
I'm very cautions where I eat at and the place itself.
Well I call my Brother on the phone and told him this is the place(he travel thru new york and grabs alot of take out from places).
This place is well organize and wouldn't be surprise if they move to a bigger location the food is awesome and they have live music ,2 on the wall tv..
tables may be a little crowded but its really worth it in the fresh food ,the services is great You can dress anyway and yes they have eat in or take out you serve yourself -
Review from Roger B.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
10/17/2010
OMG this is a soul food orgy all for $5.99/lb. That's right, you load up your dish with anything and everything you want. They weigh it and you pay. Want more? get another plate fill it up, they weigh it you pay. Short ribs are sensual, fried chicken is crispy and delicious. Mac & cheese will make you week in the knees. Desserts are equally stunning, particularly the banana cream pudding and peach cobbler. I may buy one of the condos across the street just to be close to this place.
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Review from Jamal J.
New York, NY
3/23/2010
This place is awesome. Some of the best grub you can get in the area. Also staff is super freindly. I def must if you're in the are.
5 STARS! -
Review from Michael M.
Manhattan, NY
2/11/2011
What I liked about this place the most was its character; when I went, they were playing 80s Soul Train-style pop videos on the televisions, and the music fit the place incredibly well. The black-and-white portraits of several important African-Americans was interesting as well.
The food was very good too, and exactly what you'd expect from a soul food restaurant. I got some beef ribs, jerk chicken, Jamaican rice, turkey, olives, and collard greens for a little over $6 bucks and left very full and happy. I highly recommend it! -
Review from Dee B.
New York, NY
Updated - 6/27/2010
Only a year ago, Jacob's opened their first location on 129th Street and Lenox Avenue. I was instantly a fan. Fast forward and move uptown about a mile or so and you have an instant replay! The food is fresh. The food is tasty. The staff is friendly. This could be a problem. A good problem! Good luck in the new location and continued success!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/25/2010
I'm really surprised that I have yet to yelp about Jacob's. Perhaps I was trying to keep this… Read more »
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Review from Derek P.
New York, NY
The food was great ! Try the jerk chicken. If you like spicy food ,you will love this . There is also a variety of other food which is good . Take my word , you will not be disappointed . The baked turkey was delicious ; seasoned right and the macaroni and cheese was right on the money. I also had some mixed vegetables and rice and beans. Everything was delicious. For desert I had Bean Pie. If you haven't tried Bean Pie, it is an absolute must you buy some from Jacobs Restaurant. Just a note, the food is charged by the pound but definitely worth it. I will be back , definitely recommended!
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Review from Kern C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/16/2010
Ok This restaurant made great memories the first time and the second time it created nightmares. Stuff to get are the mashed potatoes,fried chicken,baked mac and cheese,yams. The sesame chicken was horrible and wasn't too fond of the jerk chicken. very chewy. try to get there around lunch time. The food in the evening tends to be less tasty.
