They get a very reluctant two because the food was all very good. Â There were four of us at the table and I don't recall anyone saying anything bad about the food. Â We did share and sample and I enjoyed everything. Â I ate there a few weeks after thanksgiving and I still had the thought of my moms dressing in my head. Â BJ's is on par with hers (sorry mom). Â The food arrived hot and the staff who took care of us were friendly and attentive. Â The downfall came when the kitchen staff got bored and decided to come out into the dinning room and act as if they were in there own backyard, yelling, cursing, throwing things at each other. Â When we first sat down there was a lady walking around with a clipboard greeting guest and making sure that the restaurant was clean. Â She must have left because all hell broke loose about 3/4 of the way through our meal. and we had children with us and I felt like it was very disrespectful of them. I do not expect all restaurants to have the same ambiance but there are limits to what you can do and say in front of customers.
Review Source:BJ Market Nasty food ruin my Thanksgiving. The food made me sick and I threw up. I cannot believe I wasted a $100 on this terrible food. The owners should be ashamed of themselves for serving food like the one I received. How could you charge $49.99 for a cheap turkey that was raw on the inside? I am WARNING you people to avoid BJ Market at ALL cost.
I will start by giving everything I bought a grade from 0-10.
Turkey - 0
Problem-
        -Not a Butterball, Purdue, or even Jennie0 turkey.
- Taste cheap, very cheap.
- Had a nasty, nasty taste.
- Had the worst smell I ever smelled from a turkey.
- Raw on the inside.
- Made me throw up soon after eating it.
Dressing- 1
Problem- Â Very, very soggy and gummy like bubble gum
- Taste like it was from a box.
- Not real soul food.
- It looked like a child made it.
- I once bought boxed dressing that tasted better their dressing.
Gravy- 0
Problem- Very lumpy and awful.
Corn muffin- 2
Problem- Terrible
I love it here. Â I've worked in the neighborhood for 5 years, and this place is a staple for everyone at work. Â I can't believe that I haven't reviewed this place before!
Unlike most reviews, this review is for the actual brick and mortar restaurant, NOT the taste.
Let me start off by saying that the staff here is incredible. Â Everyone is so incredibly friendly and sweet. Â Awesome. Â Always smiling. Â They know great customer service. Â It's very apparent that they all work together as a team, as the general flow of the restaurant is very low-key and super efficient. Â
Everything that I've had here is down right tasty. Â Greens, turkey tips, rib tips, chicken, chicken fingers and my all time favorite, the breaded shrimp. Â It's down right smack-yo-mamma soul food that you can't go without for a whole summer (trust me...on summer break I make a trip here at least once a month!).
I highly recommend coming to BJ's for some tasty soul food!
I finally made it to this place which was on my list of places to try. Â I was there mid afternoon and the place was doing a moderate business.
I had the New Orleans special which consisted of chicken and fish plus two sides. The chicken was tasty but a little dry. The fish, on the otherhand, was excellent. I don't know if was the infamous mustard catfish because it was flaky and didn't have that typical catfish aroma. My sides were the mac and cheese plus brussel sprouts. The mac and cheese seemed like it was just macaroni with some american cheese melted on top. I've had better. The  brussel sprouts were a nice accompaniment - fresh and not overcooked as people tend to do with brussel sprouts.
Negatives: It seemed that they were breaking in new people - service, albeit pleasant, was a little clunky. Not all the sides are listed on the chalkboard so take a look to see whats available.
I see they have a buffet on weekends. I will definitely be back for it.
You lie!!! You lied to me again My fellow Yelpers!!!! I trusted you and I think that you need to get together and buy me a meal ;)  I'm not sure what type of soul food you all are used to but this place is NOT the business..NOPE...There were a couple of pros-The Yams were DELICIOUS and so was the dressing.Oh yea,the fruit punch was great too..That is all.We were a party of 4 and NONe of us liked our food.They use  BOXED MASHED POTATOES!!!! Nooo,Nooo,nooo! That's a NO NO..ANd my macoroni was made with cheez wiz or velvetta of some sort-EEEEW! My food was also half cold and the waitress seemed to be lost.Guess I'll stick to cooking at home..but,if you don't believe me and insist on going..PLEASE don't get those 'Mashed potatoes!" They try to fool you with all of the gravy,but those are rehydrated dried potatoes.
Review Source:Actually would like to give this spot 2.5 stars just because of the one girl that works there that was super friendly. I just couldn't bring myself to click the extra star though to make 3. Â I. . . just. . . . couldn't. . . . do . . . . it. ( -_-)
Back when I could still eat fried food, I would get the taste portion of BJ's mustard fried catfish at the Taste of Chicago whenever I went. I had always meant to actually go eat a meal at the restaurant, but never got around to it. Well, last Sunday I and a couple of other Yelpers made the trek out to Bj's for their buffet. My experience is what I write next.
OKAY, I saw on their website they had buffet on Sunday starting at 11am. I called two weeks in advance to double-check that info and it was confirmed "solid" by a young lady over the phone. We get there a little past 11am and I don't see anything out on the buffet. I inquire and am told the buffet won't be til 1pm. Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?, was actually my response.
So, we had to just order plates of food. You order an entree (lrg or x-lrg) which comes with two sides. You can add a drink & a dessert for a little extra. I got the pork rib tips w/sides mixed greens and mac & cheese. I chose cornbread for the bread. I got the drink and peach cobbler as a dessert. It all came out to $11.89 which bugged me since buffet, which is what we came for, was only about $4 more.
Our food was brought out to our table shortly after ordering and I'm ready to dig in. Can you say complete and utter disappointment! Â I couldn't. . . . .
*pause* So, let the record show that all soul food is not created equally, as with any other cuisine, before I continue with this review. My own soul food is what I have take from different members of my family that were raised in the backwoods of Alabama and have tweaked to perfection. I rate against a high standard *unpause*
. . . . . understand why so much on my plate was not hot and not at least tasty.
-My rib tips: Were almost cold, the meat was tough, some bones had nothing on them but fat, there wasn't much sauce and what sauce there was wasn't all that flavorful. This is an epic fail!
-My mixed greens: Were dry for the most part. I didn't have to worry about any of the "pot-liquor" running in my other food as I usually do cause there wasn't any. Seriously, I mean. . . c'mon, son!
-My mac &cheese: Velveeta/American cheese-ish. Noooooo! In the words of Martin Lawerence, "Don't nobody put pasteurized cheese
in macaroni and cheese. You got to use cheddar. Cheddar's what you use. My mama taught me that. ..."
-My cornbread muffin: Was absolutely delicious. :-/
-My peach cobbler: Was soupy and I hate soupy peach cobbler. The peach cobbler was flooded while the greens were in a drought. As with too many people who cook soul food, basic cooking principles aren't used when making this dessert. Cooking the peaches briefly before you assemble the cobbler. Simple as that. The peaches weren't tender, still on the crisper side. I was thoroughly not pleased.
-Caramel cake I got to-go: That frosting was just not right. The cake was way too dense to be a layer cake and tasted terribly buttery.
That's just the food. The cushions in the bench seats were coming apart from the frame. There was't much lighting in there, even on a bright sunny day which gave such a dank atmosphere. Only one, I say one, of the people working there was friendly, helpful and welcoming. The rest just seemed unconcerned about anything that wasn't their direct task. C'mon, son!
As the saying goes on Yelp, I wanted to like this place. But I sincerely did not.
Much better!! Â Ate here a few years ago and was not impressed. Haven't been back until yesterday.
So yesterday I had a taste for some good ole' fried pork chops. Â Now normally i don't believe in going to soul food restaurants because I'm a pretty good cook myself. Â But yesterday was the exception! I didn't have time nor energy to cook so i decided to just give in. Â I was very pleasantly surprised. Â The food was very good. I had pork chops with mac n cheese, green beans, dinner roll and peach cobbler. Â Everything was very delectable and the service was quick.
OMG, I can't believe that people are saying this food is great. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! I totally agree with Evan. If you think this food is good, you would love a good soul food place. I ordered the catfish and mac and cheese with greens. The catfish tasted old, like it was sitting out too long. I got more juice in my greens than actual greens and the mac and cheese was thick as hell. (Don't know about you but I like my mac and cheese creamy, smooth and cheesy) I wish I didn't have to give this place a star.
Review Source:For days I was passing B.J. Market and seeing their advertisement for turkey rib tips. Â Today I decided to try them out. Â They taste fine but the meat was too tough to swallow (literally). Â The take out service was also poor but I decide to let it pass because I was just happy to have my turkey rib tips. Â When I got them home I was so disappointed. Â I called them and told them about the TOUGH turkey rib tips and all they could say was "thanks for letting us know". Â It's a shame too because I didn't write them off until the manager showed me she didn't care.
Review Source:If you go here....please have the Catfish for me! I love catfish & this is some of the best I've had. The peach cobbler is good too !
Basically if the food shows up in my dreams .....in color...... that means it's good & I will go and have some if I dream about it , just following the rules here
c'mon people, there are way better places for southern/soul food then BJ's
I lived in South Shore for 2 years, and if you want really good food on the South Side, its true there is a dearth of modern, well run establishments, but if you look ye shall find and this is not one of them.
Their Mac and cheese is junky, and the catfish and chicken I've had there mediocre, and veggies done so well they might as well be liquified. The staff at BJ is extremely friendly and nice, if thats all you want in a restaurant.
As Barack Obama stated on Check Please several years ago, please please, we need more solid restaurateurs on the South Side. You will be supported.
BJ's has had better days. Â The food was phenomenal when it first opened but now the quality has faded a bit. Â For whatever reason the food was better at the 95th street location before they closed. Â Stopped going to the one on 87th as of late. Â Food? Â Greens, mac & cheese are good, peach cobbler is a bit sloppy. Â The place is clean and maintained well, except the restooms. Â Parking is a challenge. Â In short, this is comfort food for the soul.
Review Source:It would get 5 stars if it was more convinently located. Â
I was working with my manager one fine day when we got hungry for some lunch. Â We couldn't find anywhere we recgonized for lunch, so we deicded to stop in at BJ's. Â The place blew me away... it blew us both away.
It's very casual. Â I mean, seriously, wear anything. Everyone was friendly and helpful.
You just walk up to the counter and place your order, and then you take your number and place it on the table you pick...
They bring your food around to you. Â And then you indulge. Â The helpings are huge. Â The food is FANTASTIC! Â I never ever would have thought to go into this place. Â It was absolutely wonderful. Â I was totally surprised! Â
Mac and cheese... oh dear Lord. Â It made my eyes light up.
I also had jumbo fried shrimp and cornbread. Â These people know how to make a meal. Â They really do. Â Some of the best cornbread I've had.
The prices are totally low. Â I mean, low low low. Â Which is a good thing for those of us trying to pinch a penny or two.
Unfortunately after that completly satisfying meal I instantly went into a food coma and working was tough.
Went here on a Sunday in the early afternoon, and luckily just beat the post-church crowd. Â At the time we went, all that was available was the buffet, but there was a great spread to choose from: different kinds of catfish, chicken, mac and cheese, greens, pork chops, loads of desserts, and more. Â I was a huge fan of the mustard catfish, pork chops, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler (great!) but wasn't blown away by the other offerings. Â The only major gripe I had was the price - $17+ for a lunch buffet seems to be a bit high.
I think a big part of the issue was that we came in right before they refreshed the buffet, so the food we ate was cold and had sat out a bit. Â Judging by the stellar reviews everyone else has given BJs, I'm pretty certain I missed out, and intend to head back on a non-buffet occasion when I can eat something cooked-to-order. Â I have a feeling my rating will go up after that!
Aside from the food, the location was huge and very nice; loads of parking as well. Â For those of you thinking of heading here on a Sunday, try to hit up around 11:30-12 to make sure you beat the rush (it was slammed by the time we left ~1).
This is the total soul food experience. I have been here a couple times now, and every time I eat their mustard fried catfish, I just want more and more. This is such a great South side treasure, and I wish they would put one on the north side, but I"m sure it would lose its validity if that were to happen. I think the great part about this restaurant is that it serves all the standard soul food dishes (cat fish, chicken, macaroni, greens, sweet potatoes etc.) but does it so much better than everyone else (to date...).
Do yourself a favor and eat here. Get out of your overpriced north side neighborhood and go have some amazing soul food down on 87th and Stony.. you won't regret it.
It has free parking, a very friendly staff (the servers are really nice and accommodating), the cooks are cool, and the atmosphere is very clean and comfortable. They are very welcoming to people of all races, as I have seen quite the diverse mixture of people in this restaurant.
This is a clear indicator of an excellent restaurant, and no matter where it is located, people will come to eat their food.
No go here!!! and get the catfish!!
Yet another Southeast Side treasure!
Like a lot of kids in my generation I am not a huge fan of "soul food" and I still don't eat it a lot.
But BJ's Market prepares everything as it should be -- without a lot of the excessive salt, fat, sugar and general overcooking the plagued a lot of the soul food I grew up eating.
The catfish, of course, should not be missed. The greens are outstanding, as are the sweet potatoes and macaroni and cheese. And it's not a trip to BJ's if I don't leave with some peach cobbler.
I don't get there often enough, but when I do I always enjoy it.
Some of the best soul food in Chicago. Â The mustard-fried catfish is an outstanding highlight. Â Almost all of the sides are awesome, but some are just okay. Â The cornbread is to die for. Â The rice and beans are great. Â The creamed corn is really, really, good.
There is, however, something inconsistent and weird I will note about the customer service at BJ's:
When you enter, the entire staff will greet you in a really friendly way-- like, they've ALL been trained to stop what they're doing and say "Hi, welcome to BJ's" in a really bright, cheerful way the moment they see you. Â BUT THEN, when the server brings your food, she will have the empty stare of a soul-sucked zombie, and not even look at you. Â She will announce that she is your server quickly, in forced intonations that make it sound like a cold, empty mantra.
I guess I'm saying it's weird and inconsistent.
Top-notch food, though.
I've been here a number of times... I really like their mustard catfish and bbq chicken strips.  they have a buffet some nights (not all though?) that's got everything on it... if  you don't want the buffet you can order everything a la carte at their counter and take it to go or eat there...
Originally I think BJ's was trying to do healthier than regular soul food... Not sure that anything I ever order is all that healthy..
It's clean... one of the more sanitary feeling places in the area. Â The prices are decent, not that great, not bad. Â (I'm told Soul Queen just two blocks away is cheaper and has food that's just as good... though not as clean. Â the parking lot is always packed, though)
Employees here are very nice.
BJ"s is great. I've been here numerous times and the food is always great and the staff is extremely competent and friendly. Whoever manages knows how to train their employees for customer service.
Love love love the stuffing (dressing, whatever you want to call it), love the chicken wings, turkey wings, beef ribs (yum yum yum!), mac and cheese, potato salad, and pretty much everything I've had on the menu (never tried any pork stuff or greens).
I just wish they'd put more vanilla wafers in the banana pudding, but other thank Scrumdillyumptious!
"I have heard enough!" declared Shatangi. "Did you just say buffet?" "Oh Heeeeeallllllzzzz naw!!". Â They made me go anyway.
I was less than impressed with the nearly empty parking lot and entered to find the decor reminiscent of the cafeteria in the mall when I was a little kid, End of story? Hardly!
My group made its way to the front of the line and was seated in an area normally closed for the night (thank you). The staff was extraordinarily friendly and accommodating which I took as another sign that I would regret the meal. WRONG!!
The buffet was by far the best meal I had experienced in the windy city. Both the roasted and the fried chicken were perfectly spiced. The candied yams were better than any Thanksgiving I can remember. The greens!! I had to stop myself after my second full plate.
I will not return to Chicago without a revisit to my new favorite Soul Food joint.
Shatangi told you...
I love BJ's Market. You know usually I am really leary of going to buffets but a number of years back my mom wanted to try this place out and it was amazing. It's kind of funny...it's like they have a swat team manning the buffet. Their staff walks around with headsets watching the buffet and when something runs low they are radioing back for more. I forget what they were out of at the beverage station...maybe straws and my husband asked one of the team members for them and it was like a major emergency. LOL It was cute tho. They also keep the buffet area very tidy which I really appreciate. Okay, on to the food....excellent! The fried catfish, mac and cheese all yum and omg the banana pudding with the vanilla wafer on top.....so good!! Basically everything on the buffet was tasty but I was downing the catfish and mac and cheese mostly. If you like yummy southern cooking give this place a try...even if you don't live in the area...do it!
Review Source:We checked this out after seeing the review on Check Please. Holy God is their food delicious! Some friends & I went a few Easter's ago. Â It was nice to get out of the northside bubble. The buffet is full of so many delicious options. Since I've never really had soul food before, I tried mostly everything. Â I can still taste the creamy, buttery sweet potatoes. My friend ate so much he yacked later that day. Â It's just that good....
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