Jacob Restaurant Reviews

Great food, nice atmosphere and great people!! A must stop and eat in and my new favorite spot to eat good food!!

Amazingly clean, buffet style, music sometimes, they even clean their sidewaljs..Outdoor seating, a real heart and soul feel of old Harlem...

This is down to earth comfort food. It is collard greens cooked with just enough pork, it is tender and flavorful black eyed peas, it is meaty, juicy, saucy fork tender pork ribs. This is a great place to sample a wide range of southern comfort food- it you don't get invited to the home of someone who cooks this way. The other great feature is the price- pretty darn reasonable. There are tables to eat in.

Sunday lunchtime is probably the busiest time to visit, due to the live jazz/gospel music, so we expected it to be crowded, and it was. But the food selection was worth waiting for, with a huge variety of hot and cold starters, salads, mains, sides and desserts. It's a self-serve, plastic tray style place, and if you eat in prepare to be squeezed around the large tables with other diners, but the atmosphere is great and the food delicious! Pay by weight (of food, not customer!), and it was very good value. A regular we chatted to pointed out that you don't need to go to Sylvia's for top sould food in Harlem. We had to agree. Recommended.

We were looking for a good soul food restaurant in Harlem and we found one. The food was absolutely delicious. The price was $6.99 per pound allowing you to get as much or as little as you liked. They had a wide variety of food options. It was rather hot in the actual restaurant so we chose to eat outside. There is only 1 unisex bathroom. If I had one criticism it would be that the fried chicken was room temperature at best and needed to be kept at a warmer temperature. The ribs were to die for and I especially liked their cole slaw. It did appear this restaurant had a lot of locals and their take out option is very popular. We would eat here again.

the portions are too small, the presentation was mediocre, everything happened to fast, they ask for your passport to buy soft drinks

great food from open to close gets really busy in there worth the money will leave you full and happy I prefer Jacobs over many other east harlem soul food spots

What else is there to say? Our neighbors kept raving about how great the food is - it's a take out with huge variety. My wife brought home a variety of items for Easter and everything was excellent! Especially the ham! Done to perfection with coating and much more flavor than the usual buffet sliced ham. We will be going back for more.

Jacob's never gets old! I've tried a lot of the entree options and have never been disappointed. There are both healthy and hearty choices. At 125th and Lenox location, there is a full salad & fruit bar.They even have a variety of desserts. There is quite a bit of seating at this location and occasionally a band plays here on the weekend. Service is always prompt and the location is always clean. Yum Yum. Enjoy.

Most delicious food north of Times Square. Ok, you eat out of a plastic tray and the decors a bit tired...but candied yams and collard greens on fried chicken is one of life's great pleasure....and you pay by the pound so can be as greedy as you like!!

This restaurant: 373 Malcolm X Blvd, Corner of 129th and Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10027. In Harlem. Went for lunch in August. Very busy place, Popular. Take out: Yes, several people were doing that. Large selection of food - meat, veggies, salad. Self-serve. Your plate is weighed - food is priced by the pound. It was VERY HOT inside. No AC or it was broken. We ate outside. Went with a friend who lives a few blocks away. Another restaurant with same name is at: 2695 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York City, NY 10030

We visited Jacob’s Soul Food & Salad Bar one Sunday, having first worked up an appetite during Sunday service at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church. Wow! The buffet choice was so huge … chicken of all persuasions (jerk, curried, fried, roast, barbecued), fish, spare ribs, beef, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, rice and peas, oxtail, fried plantains … not to mention a large choice of salads and fruit. There was something for everyone’s taste, but for someone like me of Caribbean descent, this was heaven! Payment was by weight and very reasonable. The fact that locals were also eating there was a good sign. We were lucky to get a table (space is very limited) and could therefore also enjoy the live music played by a very good 3-piece band (live music provided on Sunday afternoons). My plate was packed full and I still couldn't taste everything – I would definitely return during a future trip to New York.

I’m a southerner, so this food was just a notch above okay to me. It is fresh & lots of options. But not as well seasoned as I’m used to…still tasty though.

Was traveling with a party of 50 People, to another popular restaurant about 10 blocks up, but couldn't find seating for three of us, We checked out recommendations for Jacobs Restaurant. Self service place that the locals rate very high. Chicken Gizzards sautéed in a marvelous sauce. Ribs, fish...all the comforts foods of home. Better than the rest; however, you will conceded decor, upscale atmosphere and high cost. Nuff Said

Very big selection of soul food. Its by weight, which ia perfect, because you can try all that amazing food. I paid 20$ for two people. All people inside looked like locals I think it doesnt get better than this

The plan was to visit another restaurant in the area but we were enticed into Jacob’s after looking at the many fresh salads. The original plan was to sample a few salads but everything looked so appealing that that we selected a complete dinner; fried chicken, collard greens, sweet potatoes, salads and fruit. In a different format your bill is based on the weight of your food ($5.99/lb). All the food we selected tasted great and this was one of the cheapest dinners we had in NYC. If you are looking for great quality soul food, Jacob’s is a place to go.

It is a good and fresh food restaurant. They have varieties of choices. Vegetarian and non veg people can enjoy its food. I like their dessert which was mixed with bananas. You will get rice, chichek, fish, fresh fruits etc. Price is reasonable as well. They used to operate 10 to 10.

Love this place! Food is amazing, self service so you portion all your fav dishes yourself...wear elastic trousers!! Candied yams, collard greens and short ribs will get you coming back. Note though: the area is a little less safe after dark. Please don’t let that stop you, but be sensible.

Excellent soul food, relaxed dining & cheap! A great selection of home style food, collard greens, biscuits, rice, yams etc A great little stop off place....

Love this place!! I went there twice different selections each time with excellent results. My taste buds were happy each time,would definitely go back again.

Too many choices for one evening. We had to go there twice during our stay in Harlem. Actually wishing we could dine there every night... We do look foreward to our next visit. Hoping Jacobs has not changed a bit. Easy place to be, great buffet with a choice for all tastes, real Afro American images as decoration amongst the tv's!

We visited Jacob’s Soul Food & Salad Bar one Sunday after having seen a couple of services at different Baptiste Churches to live the spirit of the Sunday morning in Harlem . The buffet choice is so huge and you can have different picks of salads and main dishes for cheap. Desserts are also great. You can also have some live jazz music!

We were her with the 'Taste Harlem' tour of Jacqueline Orange. Loved it for what it is. Food was good.

Friendly and locally owned, plenty of choices of meats or vegetables in a buffet style. Many spices and flavors, you pay by the pound. Many locals get take-away, there are some seatings available.

The Mac and cheese was made with some type of powered cheese, and it was the worst! If you are going to cut back or stretch out something, it shouldn’t be Mac and cheese!

The salad bar food is quite tasty!! we went to Jacobs on a late nite just for dessert needless to say we left out of there with lots of food and dessert for the next day! everything looked so tasty we couldn't resist!!

I stumbled upon this restaurant when the initial spot I went to did not work out, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was the weekend, so there was live music, Calypso & Reggae playing much to my delight. It was hard to sit still in my seat because the music was so good. As for the food, they have the best wings I have ever had the pleasure of eating. I enjoyed my other selections as well, except for the baked Marconi. For some reason, it was somewhat sweet. Overall, it was a great way to spend the evening on a weekend.

My mom's parents are from New Orleans, and she is a very good cook as a result of learning from her parents. I was hesitant to go here because I have a sensitive digestive system and generally ALWAYS get sick after eating at a buffet. I did not get sick here and the food was good. I have a limited diet and could not indulge in some of the items on the buffet but the brown stew chicken, vegetable rice, okra, asparagus and avocado salad was really good. I had one small piece of the jerk chicken and I did not like it at all. There was too much jerk seasoning on it, it wasn't spicy just too much seasoning. I cheated and had a small amount of banana pudding, and it was okay but I would not get it again. I would go back and recommend it. Nothing fancy, but it served its purpose well!

Had a quick lunch with the family. All the food was good. Especially the short rib and collard greens. If you are just looking for good food. Look no further.

This week I was given an assignment Uptown in Harlem. Someone in the office suggested that I try Jacob. It was delightful. Nice selection on the menu. Sat outside and observed the community. People shopping and chatting. Very close to the subway. I had lunch (alone) Delicious food and lovely staff. No complaints. Definitely going to make it a stop when I am in Harlem.

Nice place to eat and comfortable setting. Home cooked food and nice variety from corn to cabbage to jamacian ox tails. Was priced by the pound so expect average price of 9.99 to 14.99. Quick seating and locals enjoy it.

My wife, a vegetarian, was kind enough to accompany me to carnivore heaven! While there was a selection of vegetable dishes and mac 'n cheese, the attraction was the oxtail and beef and pork ribs. Did I say that I are meat? 😂 The most enjoyable part of the meal was sitting and chatting with a delightful couple from the neighborhood. To those who plan to visit here, enjoy the food and company!

If you want some good soul food, and meet some great local people. Is the place to be. On Sundays they do often have live jazz music.

The cashiers and other workers are very pleasant. The food is tasty also. If you like 70's music, the live band will have you singing and patting your feet, while you pile your plate with tasty food.

Came to Jacob’s for lunch and as usual they did not disappoint. They serve a medley of soul food from fried chicken to Mac and Cheese, Collard Greens to Sweet Potato pie to Banana Pudding. Everything here is great. Food is served a la carte & by the pound, so you can really get your money worth. I suggest the fried chicken, yellow rice & beans, Mac & Cheese & avocado salad. Casual dining experience & definitely worth it when in Harlem.

Really liked the food here! Good variety, and you can easily eat healthily if you want. Only downside was lack of eco-friendly containers - would be willing to pay more for that.

We ate at Jacob twice - helpful staff and great food. Loved everything I tried and it was all fresh and tasty.

Pay by the pound. They weigh the food and charge you accordingly, I had to laugh but that how they did it, and I was dying to try some traditional soul food. Well the variety was great and there really was some delicious stuff, on the buffet. The only drawback was that it was all only warm, could have been a bit hotter, but the foods tasted delicious

Recently used them to cater my entire family reunion and I couldn't be more pleased with the food, it was a hit with my family and everyone wanted more, I had them provide my reunion for two separate days for our meet & greet and then for our banquet and the delivery was on time and the food was nice and hot and the order was correct, would use them again in a heart beat, it was all good.

Great selection of soul food. Lots of choices of meats, fish, starches and veggies. Wish that the ribs were smoked. I would give them a 5 star rating then, But I understand the restrictions of space in the city.Several locations in the area so you must visit. Food sold by the pound at a reasonable price.

This place is a soul food buffet style where you pay by weight. (6.49/pound) We were reccomended to come here by our tour guide from a free walking tour and it was one of the best decisions we made.From collared greens to jerk chicken this place had it all. The food was hot,fresh and had such rich flavours we wanted more. For tourists watch what the locals get as they know how to get the Best Buy for your money (taking bones off things, what the best food is,etc...). I Would also reccomend The sweet ice tea it is amazing after a long walk! (1.75 for a large plastic cup)

Nice historic restaurant in Harlem. Feel at home with caraibic and cuban cousine. Jazz concert included. Price is very cheap

A lot of meats and vegetable dishes to chose from on the two large bars; cold and hot bars. Candied yams were awesome. Short ribs were good and would have been great if cooked about an hour or so more to almost falling off the bone. My son dug the wings. Wife thought Mac and cheese was passable since we're in the northeast; would have been a fail in the south where we're from. Best food we've had in NYC.

They have the best macaroni and cheese!! And I was also impressed with their salad bar spread. But I'd skip the banana pudding.

My co-worker suggested I try Jacob Restaurant while my daughter was at a Columbia University taking a 2 hour class. The restaurant was clean and the food was fresh, so many options. We narrowed our choices down to jerk chicken, fried chicken, collard greens, candid yams, rice and pies, oxtails, fried plantains, and banana pudding. Everything was good but the jerk chicken and the candid yams stood out the most. I can't wait to return to have the jerk chicken again!

Given the queue at the most famous Sylvia's we opted for this self service "soul food" that is paid by weight and costs very little, especially in relation to quality. All great, especially the fried chicken. On Sunday around 13/14 there is also a small band that cheers lunch: highly recommended! (Beware that there are more locations, I refer to the one at 373 Malcolm X Blvd)

OK, many so called foodies would not eat at a place where you serve yourself. Their mistake in this case. You pay by the weight, except for a couple of specialty dishes like coconut cake. Locals eat here all the time. The food is warm and you figure out how much you want of each dish. You can't beat the selection either. I absolutely love their corn bread. It is more of the cake-style corn bread rather than the more grittier variety. I/we have never been disappointed eating here. Southern fried chicken, ribs, Jamaican rice and beans - the list goes on and on. Also, they have fresh fruits and vegetables. You can eat in or take away. Your choice. The staff are friendly and informative. This is really a treasure in Harlem.

We stopped by on a food tour and had a chance to meet the owners. They were friendly people who clearly have a passion for food and the community. Each year they prepare a free Thanksgiving Dinner and that was very impressive to me. I will make it a point to visit Jacob's Restaurant each time I visit NY. Thank you to the Taste of Harlem for introducing us to this wonderful place!

Quick dinner as we were staying nearby and it was very good. Lots of choices, from seafood, chicken and ribs. This place is also very good value. Two of us ate for under $20 and couldn't eat all that we took... Typical buffet lol

They have quite a variety of hot and cold food such as chicken, turkey, mashed potatoes, salad and dessert. Food was good just a tad pricey. I'm not much of a foodie so I didn't put a lot on my plate however for the price I paid, I wish I had gone elsewhere. Staff was nice but the food doesn't make me want to go back there a second time.