A cornerstone in the revitalization of Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood, Mama J’s Kitchen is a family-owned and -operated restaurant that's famous for its authentic soul food and is beloved by locals, visitors and the city’s glitterati. Here, you’ll find Southern favorites like the award-winning fried chicken, pan-fried catfish and pork chops, plus traditional sides like macaroni and cheese, collard greens and candied yams. Pro tip: Try to save some room for the homemade cakes and cobblers.

2009 | Jackson WardGo to Mama J’s to relish some soul food -- catfish, mac and cheese, pork chops, and more -- but make sure to take the whole of the place in, too. It’s a popular neighborhood spot, and the founder Velma Johnson learned to cook when she had to cook for her 13 brothers and sisters. If you can take care of a family that large, then there’s a more than decent chance you can take care of a restaurant, too.

You’ll want to come hungry to Mama J’s, a family-owned restaurant in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. Think fried chicken, crab cakes, pork chops, brisket sandwiches, and a whole host of delicious sides — macaroni and cheese, candied yams, and seafood salad included.

Located in Historic Jackson Ward, Mama J’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant offering masterfully crafted soul food dishes. The restaurant has earned accolades from several renowned websites and publications, and was included in Thrillist.com’s “50 Restaurants to Try Before You Die,” and Richmond Magazine’s “25 Best Restaurants in Richmond.”. Diners can enjoy sinking their teeth into Mama J’s diverse variety of a la carte traditional dishes, including favorites such as succulent fried catfish, juicy fried chicken, and savory blue crab cakes.

Rating: 4.5/5Location: 415 N 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219-1701Timings: Sun 12:00 pm - 7:00 pmMon- Sat 11:00 AM - 9:00 PMPrice: $$ - $$$Must Try: Fried chicken and candied yamsMama J's Kitchen is the best place to eat soul cuisine in Richmond. Situated in the Historic Jackson Ward, this family-run eatery honors the custom of having Sunday supper at grandma's house. Mama J's offers a wide selection of delectable classics and combines excellent southern Cuisine with friendly service in a laid-back setting.

Mama J’s Kitchen, located in Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood, is the be-all and end-all of southern comfort food in the Region. It’s the perfect place to indulge in the rich flavors of the south after a visit to the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site and Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, both located a few blocks away. The go-to meal at Mama J’s is fried chicken, and I paired it with sides of macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy.

If there's one soul food restaurant that's at the top of everyone's list in RVA, it's Mama J's. Velma Johnson, aka Mama J, opened up shop in 2009 and since then, the quaint spot has received accolades including "50 Essential Restaurants Every American Should Visit." Plus, Richmond's Style Weekly has named it the best soul food restaurant in the city. You can't go wrong with any of the entrees, but the catfish is the real star of the menu.

Price range for entrees: $12 to $16Recommended dish: Catfish. Ask a Richmond native where to go for some amazing soul food and Mama J's will surely be on the list. Like most historically Black neighborhoods, Jackson Ward has seen its fair share of gentrification and fusion-style restaurants, but Mama J's (named for Richmond native Velma Johnson, whose family owns this eatery) has been serving up Southern cuisine since 2009.

Mama J’s is one of the city’s best soul-food destinations: It’s where Alley goes for fried chicken, although the restaurant’s blue-crab cakes and candied yams also claim partisans. For dessert, stroll over to Stoplight Gelato Café, the darling of Jackson Ward since eighty-two-year-old Barbara Given opened its doors last year, scooping seasonal and standing selections such as smoked Cajun peanut and cardamom honey.

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, 415 N 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: FB. Born and raised in RVA, Mama J based her neighborhood restaurant on the tradition of going to Grandma’s house for Sunday dinner, combining a warm and friendly atmosphere with outstanding service and freshly prepared foods like pan-fried catfish, candied yams, and homemade cobblers.

Mama J’s Kitchen is the soul of Richmond’s culinary scene, serving up comforting soul food with a generous side of hospitality. The catfish, whether in nugget form or as a whole filet, is celebrated for its crispy exterior and flaky interior. The home-like ambiance, from the warm welcome to the cozy dining space, makes every meal at Mama J’s feel like a gathering with close friends and family.

Every dish at Mama J’s, the soul food beacon of Jackson Ward, comes with a side of love — the restaurant’s namesake, Velma Johnson, sees to that. And the love goes beyond the plate, too. Mama J’s is known for its philanthropy, partnering with organizations such as Feed More, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond.

Mama J's Kitchen is a family-owned and operated restaurant located in Historic Jackson Ward, Richmond, Virginia. They offer a soul food dining experience, celebrating the tradition of going to grandma's house for Sunday dinner. With a wide variety of mouth-watering favorites, Mama J's combines great southern food with outstanding service in a relaxing atmosphere.

If you’re looking for authentic soul food, visit Velma Johnson’s family-run restaurant in Jackson Ward. Nicknamed Mama J by her daughters-in-law, Velma has been sharing the dishes of her Richmond childhood with eager patrons for more than a decade. The fried chicken is a local favorite, but save room for side dishes like candied yams and macaroni and cheese.

Historic Jackson Ward is home to another staple of Southern black soul food restaurants, Mama J’s. One of 14 children, Velma Johnson is no stranger to cooking for a crowd. A former Richmond City deputy sheriff, Johnson had been catering on the side for some time before she retired from the department in 1999 to run the catering business full time.

Sub Rosa Bakery, Mekong, Mama J’s Kitchen, L’Opossum, Peter Chang, Metzger Bar and Butchery, The Roosevelt, and Brenner Pass – they’re all James Beard Award nominated restaurants serving up one-of-a-kind experiences. In this flavored-packed region, the choices range from awesome food truck fare to white tablecloth chop houses.

Family-owned and operated, Mama J’s Kitchen is the manifestation of decades of family recipes and love. It’s named after Mama J herself, Ms. Velma Johnson, who grew up learning how to cook from her mother in Richmond. Years later, Mama J’s son opened the restaurant to share his mother’s cooking with the community they lived in.

Mama J’s Kitchen is a relatively well-known Richmond restaurant that has even been visited by a few celebrities, and the best part about it is that it’s owned by a woman!. Mama J’s Kitchen is the best place to go if you’re in Richmond and want some good ole down south home-cooking. The restaurant is located at 415 N.

Mama J’s has long been a fixture in the Richmond culinary scene. This city staple serves up some of the best soul food the city has to offer, and the friendly atmosphere makes Mama J’s a fun place to grab a bite. The menu offers all the fried food you could possibly want, from fried chicken to catfish nuggets.

Why Visit: If you ask a Richmond native where to go for soul food, Mama J’s will be his top suggestion. Mama J’s is one of the best restaurantsin Richmond, named after Velma Johnson, a Richmond Native whose family owns Mama J’s Kitchen. The restaurant has been serving Southern cuisine since the year 2009.

If you have a soft spot for good hearty southern cooking, you will absolutely love Mama J’s. Located in Jackson Ward, this bustling restaurant will leave you begging for more. Mama J’s puts a personal touch on every meal and makes you feel like you are sitting in your grandma’s kitchen.

We got several recommendations for Mama J’s, so we had to try it out. Sadly, the restaurant only offered take-out but don’t take it off your places to eat in Richmond list. This Black family-owned restaurant offers southern staples such as fried chicken, crab cakes, and fried catfish.

This charming and cozy soul food restaurant serves all the essentials, from catfish nuggets to BBQ spare ribs. Over the years, it has been featured in prestigious publications like Thrillist and Southern Living. So you can expect a great experience the minute you step inside.

Lester Johnson and his mother, Velma, have been turning out fried catfish and chicken at their Jackson Ward restaurant, Mama J’s, since 2009. The establishment is a favorite among Richmond locals and is also a hit with celebrities like Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan and D.L.

Located in Jackson Ward, Mama J’s Kitchen combines soul food and Grandma’s home cooking. Choose from fried chicken, pork chops, or crab cakes for the perfect Sunday dinner. Sides include cheese grits, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or rice.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (882 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 415 N 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219-1701- Read more on Tripadvisor

One of the best places to eat in Richmond is Mama J’s Kitchen. It is rated one of the best restaurants in the city. Since it’s quite a famous place, you might need to wait a little to get a table but it will be worth it.

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (882 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)– Type of cuisine: American– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 415 N 1st Street, Richmond, VA 23219-1701

415 N 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219Phone: 804-825-7449 Visit Website. A post shared by Mama Js (@mamajsrva). Mama J’s Kitchen is located in Jackson Ward, near the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

And don’t sleep on the city’s food scene: Mama J’s soul food in the historically Black quarter of Jackson Ward, and India K' Raja, with its large selection of Indian beers, are worth the hype.

Mama J’s – Located in the historic Jackson Ward district, this Black-owned restaurant serves up Soul food inspired by recipes from Mama J’s own upbringing.

Try Rappahannock for seafood or Mama J’s for soul food. Either way, you’ll want to save plenty of room for dessert.