Foster’s Restaurant

When I’m craving something deeply delicious and incredibly unhealthy, Foster’s really hits the spot. Since they’re a hike from the office I always order delivery. Their fried chicken is good, the collared greens a awesome, and dang do I like their corn bread. Although the mac n cheese is sinfully delicious, I wish it were more creamy. Their portions are large and when I’ve ordered their dinner portions for lunch, I no joke skipped out on dinner because I was so stuffed. The only downside is they don’t open for delivery until later in the afternoon so if you’re fine waiting until 1 – 1:30 for food, I would recommend giving this place a try.

We drive out to Foster’s pretty often. The boy gets fried chicken with mac and cheese and potato salad and I get the fried catfish with collard greens and yams. I ask for okra side every time I come through the door. I’ve been told that come September it will make it back onto the menu. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. We also get a slice of the coconut pie, I don’t know what they put into it but even though it’s a gigantic slice we still have a fork duel for the last crumbs. Foster’s is what keeps me in dire need of the gym.

Finger lickin’ good…
And plentiful, too. The portions are massive. I’ve visited twice now and both times had to order the Smothered Fried Chicken w/​Mac & Cheese and Collard Greens.
The chicken is battered and fried to perfection. Crispy and flavorful, then covered in a «smooth brown gravy.*» The Mac is fantastic. Greens are groovy. The cornbread they toss in on the side is moist and delicious.
And best of all, I can’t finish this mass of heaven in one sitting, so I get to indulge in round two whenever the craving attacks!
*quoting the ever articulate Peter D.

Hard to believe that I’ve never heard of this place. I went to BTHS for high school and passed this place on my walk to the train EVERY DAY for four years. Regardless, glad that I finally listened to the overwhelmingly positive Unilocal reviews and gave this place a go. Unfortunately, I should have planned my visit later — came in at 10pm on a weekend and by that time all the menu specials were gone! Either way, we ordered: fried chicken, wings, mac & cheese, collard greens, potato salad and french fries. The food was delicious, the service kind and the iced tea was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Can’t wait to come back here for the full menu experience.
P. S. you absolutely must try the coconut pie.

It is kind of a shame that I haven’t visited here sooner. I pass by here quite often but never stepped in until I read Vivian H’s review. Then I saw Peter D’s and Jando’s… I need to dig a hole…
The venue is small, probably can’t fit more than 12 people. But that doesn’t stop them from running out of fried chicken and catfish on a Saturday at 2pm. We had to settle with BBQ chicken lunch special and BBQ breast sandwich, with a side of collard greens.
The servings were huge. My BBQ chicken lunch was leg and thigh. The meat was tender and the sauce were just right. Not too salty, not to sweet. It came with a delicious potato salad and I chose seasoned rice plus some gravy on it. I could barely finish the dish and barely dented into the potato salad, I fell into a sauce coma.
Marco C’s collard greens were great too. The BBQ chicken breast sandwich did not come traditionally assembled. The huge breast smoldered in sauce was sitting on top of two slices of bread. And of course, it was tender and flavorful.
They have 10% discount on lunch for University of LI students and the hospital staff.

Came here for dinner last night and it was good food for great prices. The owner was super friendly and nice and compensated, but not enough, for the horrible waitress service.
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure who was our server. There was only one waitress walking around but every time we asked for something, it was the owner who brought it out.
The food itself is 4 stars and I love how locals came in and out ordering to go and chatting with the staff. We ordered catfish fingers, fried chicken and a bunch of sides. The catfish fingers were standout — lightly fried but still moist and juicy on the inside. I enjoyed the fried chicken and I’ve had better but the quality for the price is unbeatable. I love how the collard greens were not unbelievably salty and I gobbled the whole thing down.
It’s still a great neighborhood joint so I’m sure we’re the exception. Hopefully, the next time they will have more staff around for help.

amazing. i’ve been living just blocks away from foster’s for 2.5 yrs but have only recently learned of its existence. and that pains me. i could’ve been scarfing down incredibly delicious, fall-​off-​the-​bone ribs every thursday and friday for 2.5 yrs and i haven’t?! blast! very thankful to the Unilocal community for shepherding me appropriately. everything is just right. warm cornbread. right fried chicken. right. chix and waffles. right. smothered fried pork chops. right. hot wings. right. bbq ribs. right. bbq sauce. soooooo right. if i had to have a single qualm, it’d be the ice tea, which is too sweet and not enough tart. but the half and half is good. also, i wish they were open on sundays so i could order in for any family dinners we end up hosting in the future, but i understand and respect that they take a day for themselves. keep doing what you’re doing and never stop. please!
lunch specials are under $ 10; ribs (3 piece and 2 sides) ~$ 15; iced tea/​lemondae $ 2. clean tables and seats. great service.

Sometimes you just want some soul food. Namely, smothered chicken. Foster’s serves up a gigantic portion of juicy, succulent dark meat drowning in smooth brown gravy. $ 9 at lunch with salad or fries, this will leave you stuffed until the next morning when you stuff it all into your face because your tastebuds have overruled your stomach, which knew you were full about halfway in.
After seeing (and more importantly, smelling) the cornbread and the mac & cheese, I wish I had sprung for the dinner combo that comes with a couple sides. My man behind the counter claims that the meatloaf is awesome, and apparently the potato salad is amazing as well, so obviously I need to come back and eat everything.
He was quite friendly (as was the server), even to the multiple people that seemed to come in only to borrow money from him. My only complaint is that he didn’t tell me that I could’ve gotten FRIED chicken smothered until after I’d eaten, which is honestly almost unforgivable.
But the fact that Foster’s HAS smothered fried chicken really means that I’ll forgive them for anything.

As I was enjoying my smothered pork chop, mac and cheese and potato salad, I was thinking how I could make myself swing by Brooklyn more so I can go to Foster’s as often as possible. I really loved the food at Foster’s sooooo much. I mean dag… Smokey Robinson was even singing to me «I second that emotion!»…coincidence, I think not.
Be prepared to wait for the magic in the tiny kitchen to happen because everything on the menu takes time and love to make it taste yummy and homemade. Awesomeness take time. I read Jando’s and Vivian’s review and had to try Foster’s. Thanks guys!
It is not as much a dive people think it is on the other reviews… I live in Chinatown! At Foster’s it’s clean. The décor is somewhat minimal I mean there was a couple of prints on the wall and nice ceiling fans. It’s a huge notch up from 90% of restaurants in Chinatown! Be warned there are NO restrooms!
REPEAT: NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS!!!
They have the best music at Foster’s! I was trying to refrain from singing out loud to the old Motown hits. I was singing softly and couldn’t stop doing the seat dance while waiting patiently for my food by myself. Tell you the truth I wanted the people waiting for their takeout to sing out loud with me! A man started to sing old Stevie Wonder and I wanted to start belting it out in the middle of Foster’s. I had to stop myself before I get carted away… I mean my food didn’t come yet!
The staff at Foster’s seem really warm too. I can’t wait to go back to Foster’s for their great Motown mix… OH and their awesome southern comfort food. It was an awesome experience. I gotta bring my boyfriend next time! Not that it’s a date place but he’ll love it anyways.

I feel a hunger, it’s a hunger… take me home to tonight!!! I just found my go to spot for Southern food in the city. Totally worth the trek out to BK when you need some authentic down south soul food.
Ironically, I made the trek out to Foster’s the day before Thanksgiving, 5 hours before I was to hop on a flight back to Louisiana for the holiday weekend. I had extra time to burn and what better way to start my trip back home than with a meal fit for a Dirty Coaster.
Shockingly my favorite item wasn’t a main dish, but a little side dish. The potato salad! I’ve noticed a lot of places screw this little dish up. Not enough vinegar! Strangely enough, despite the lack of a lot of mayonaise, this was some of the best potato salad i’ve had.
On to the main event. I had fried chicken, collard greens, and mac&cheese. Yeah I kept it simple. Everything was incredible. I think I like the chicken at Foster’s more than at Charles Pan Fried in Harlem. The skin was golden brown crispy, and the meat was perfectly moist and tender. No funking around here, it’s done right.
The collard greens are on point too. This is what makes eating vegetables fun. Soaked in its own juices, throw in a little bit of vinegar. Hook a dude up with a lot of Vitamin K and Vitamin A yo! I could seriously eat the collard greens all day!!!
(Took a break from writing, to go eat… I made myself really hungry writing this review)
Crazily, the mac and cheese was an afterthought after the collard greens. Yeah it’s still amazingly good. Slightly light on the cheese, but still gooooood.
Oh, yeah… let’s not forget the cornbread. Good cornbread has a nice harder exterior and soft moist inside. It’s like every piece was the corner piece in the baking pan, where you get an extra corner of the harder exterior.
Who needs to geaux home, when I can geaux to Foster’s!

Delicious!
I am a bit between 4 and 5 stars, but will settle on 5 as long as you take it in its category of dive-​y places. It lacks ambiance (it’s a tiny little place with minimal decoration and a door that customers seem to have trouble closing completely, causing a draft if you sit too near the door), but makes up for that in service and taste.
I’m no connoisseur of Southern cooking, so I can’t speak to the authenticity of it, but based on comments made by other clientele while I was there, it’s fantastic. I had a dinner of smothered fried chicken wing and breast with generous sides of collard greens and mac and cheese for $ 13.88. It comes with cornbread, crumbly and warm. The chef brought over some bonus smothered chicken wings as a bonus for me, which was a pleasant surprise. You will not leave here hungry!
As I was in the area looking for a job, I asked the server for her take on the neighborhood and the place I was interviewing. She was very friendly and helpful, not minding at all my silly questions.
Great experience, would love to come again.

It was a long day of work in Brooklyn, I found myself wandering the hood just looking for a decent bite to eat. After typing in the words «cheap and delicious» into my Unilocal app, Foster’s stood alone at the top of the search results. As a sucker for soul food, I happily walked the 3 blocks in the rain knowing full well I was going to get a hell of a meal.
As others have previously noted, the place is small. There are 4 small tables and a wall counter space, which in total can probably fit no more than 10 people comfortably. It is also clean, nothing like the southern dives in Harlem where I’ve experienced my finest encounters with food like this.
The menu is very simple. One small column lists the daily lunch specials platters which all go for about $ 10 and their hot sandwiches which vary between $ 6 – 8 each. The rest of the menu is dedicated to entrees which come with two sides. They each range from $ 13 – 21, which for some people who aren’t used to paying that much for this kind of food might scoff at, but rest assured the portions are enough to keep even the largest eater at bay.
Staff is just as small as the restaurant, but exhibit the kind of southern hospitality all can appreciate. I enjoyed an «Uptown,» which is half lemonade and half sweet tea, known as an «Arnold Palmer» down south. Complimentary servings of corn bread are included with every meal, which was devoured entirely on the spot by yours truly, it was just so good — so moist, yet with the perfect oven exterior crust, the kind that butter melts on just perfectly.
My meal of choice was a meatloaf with sides of mac and cheese and potato salad. It was all outstanding. The meatloaf was cooked perfectly, a hearty slice that was as savory as it looked, and moist from top to bottom with prompting a long blink with every bite. The mac and cheese was just as good, decent seasoning, and quite gooey but in a good way. Potato salad fans will love the Foster’s version, it was light, but strangely addicting, soft potato cubes with a light dressing, whipped together with bits of dill. I recommend this to everyone. I struggled to finish the meal, but I left beyond satisfied.
It’s been a few visits since then and I’ve had nothing but great meals every time. I’ve brought friends and dined solo often, trying new things on the menu that have yet to disappoint me. The BBQ chicken is legit, as is *anything* «smothered» and the fried chicken is delish. Though I have a soft spot for the meatloaf, I can recommend the salmon cakes and fried catfish fingers with confidence. As for sides, collard greens are very tasty, in addition to the aforementioned mac and potato salad, and the seasoned rice is extremely underrated.
I still have yet to try any of their desserts since I already struggle with their plate full (pun intended) of their delicious (but heavy) food. As far as soul food /​southern restaurants go in NYC, this is as good as they come. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Foster’s rise to the top of the soul food chain, the place is worth the trek and the food is made with love.

Besides those that just don’t know any better, who DOESN’T like Fosters? Formerly known as one of two Ruthie’s locations (that I’m aware of), if you want:
some good ol’ sit you down,
make you feel better when you’re blue,
when you need some comforting and no one that you want to comfort you is around, and food that makes you feel surrounded by the love of family when you’re there alone,
You need to eat here.
I love everything that I tried –smothered, barbequed, fried, chicken, fish, ribs, cabbage, greens, rice & gravy, mac & cheese, yams –oh boy, I’m gaining weight just talking about it.
Yesterday, my SUV caught on fire while I was driving it. By God’s grace, I was spared. I went to the «Fish House» in Jamaica hoping to have that «make me happy feeling» after I ate. I didn’t. I wish my SUV was towed closer to either Foster’s/Ruthie’s. I would have had my comfort food.

Back in my tadpole, pre-​Yelp days, when I needed a soul food fix I would come to 96 Dekalb Ave, which was formerly known as Ruthie’s Restaurant. Unfortunately Ruthie Foster passed away a couple years back, and I had heard that the restaurant was shuttered shortly thereafter, so I quietly mourned the passing of Ruthie and her restaurant, believing the best soul food in the city was lost forever. That is, until recently.
By the looks of the Unilocal reviews Ruthie’s reopened as Foster’s a year ago, and I couldn’t be happier that the best game in town is back and can still stop a clock. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming storefront and the bolted-​down tables: you want to go to here.
The fried chicken (leg and thigh), while tough to pin down as perfect, is pretty darn close. Crisp and not oily on the outside and moist, tender and flavorful on the inside, when I commented that I only wished the batter had been a touch lighter, everyone else in my party shot me dirty looks. Despite that remark, it’s going to be really difficult to order fried chicken anywhere else because I’ll feel like I’ll be betraying the trust of the most incredible person ever for a cheap and dirty thrill that won’t even begin to come close to this experience. If I recall correctly, the fried catfish is every bit as good as the chicken.
You really can’t go wrong with any side you order at Foster’s. Four order of squarely-​put-​away mac & cheese, flecked with pepper and added bits of cheese says they’re doing something right, as do the tender, yet meaty, collard greens. I was really impressed with the sweet potato fries, which were cut to a regular fry width and still managed to be crispy, but the candied yams, oh man, one bite of the candied yams completely blew me away. Roasted until so tender that a four-​year-​old could split them with a feckless plastic fork, these taters must have had only a dusting of sugar and cinnamon — my fav — to enhance their natural flavors and allow them to shine. Next time I come here, they’re definitely on my order. Also, the complimentary fresh-​baked cornbread that we were served while waiting for our meal was fantastic.
The other great thing about Foster’s is the prices. For $ 13 you can get a main plus two sides, all served at very generous portions. I can eat a lot and I don’t think I’ve ever had an easy time finishing a meal here.
Between the great food and portion sizes I almost feel guilty about not giving Foster’s five stars (it really deserves four and a half), but I’m a tough sell and I don’t think enough of the food is hall of fame caliber (the yams, however, are a different story — easily five stars), so I’m falling back on four. I feel okay about that because I’m sure someone will soon come along and give it five stars to balance out my review. I’m really glad Ruthie’s is back — best Christmas present ever. Well, after the bacon cookie platter. Let’s try that again: I’m really glad Ruthie’s is back — second best Christmas present ever.

I came to this restaurant with my bf since he picked it out. When we got here, I wasn’t impressed by the ambiance, because there is none. And the place is super tiny. BUT the food was phenomenal, what?! I’ve not had better soul food in nyc, really. Even some of the well-​known places in Harlem aren’t THIS good (and I won’t say them and call them out, that’d be rude –_​-​).
I didn’t even get to have the mac and cheese & collard greens because they ran out,
but the food I got was STILL good!
Big portions, down south prices. AND the iced tea? Definitely not iced tea, it was sweet tea. Best sweet tea I’ve had in the northeast cause you know how they throw down with sweet tea in the south…
I’m SO coming back here. Yep, even with my complaints of no ambiance and room, still 5 stars. It was that amazing. Winner.

I found Foster’s on Vivian H’s page.
I gave my husband a «Honey Do» list for Brooklyn. (not feeling well) So in Brooklyn he asked what do you want me to bring home? I searched Unilocal Brooklyn and some how saw Vivian’s page and her review for Foster’s.
My husband went with his brother and brought home for me a platter of fried chicken. It is great home cooking like I haven’t had in years.
I wish I had stories of good home cooking from home but I don’t. My poor mom she did try, but cooking wasn’t her strong point. I did grow up near an African American family where I first tried Collard Greens as a child which I hated. I liked everything else just not the Greens.
These were pretty good. They tasted cleaner less messy than some I have had. Not sure if messy is the right word for it but Collard Greens have tasted messy to me. These were clean tasting.
I am not an expert on this kind of food. But I liked it better than Sylvia’s or Amy Ruth’s which I have been to but don’t plan to review. I have a friend who is related to Sylvia and I managed to insult them by saying it was over rated and not my thing. So I will just review this.
I also had the Coconut Custard Pie. I have had this kind of pie before but it always seems oily and greasy. This was not. Again clean tasting!
The food here is home cooking Soul food. We don’t have enough good Soul Food in NYC. My criteria for 5 stars is best of it’s kind. This is the best I have had and the best my husband has had.
My husband said they were super friendly and when I called (his brother answered) I could hear my husband talking really loud (he is hard of hearing) so he talks loud. But I could hear him talking a lot. Every time I called his brother he was talking to the owner. My husband said they went to the same school in Brooklyn or something.
So service seems to be really friendly. And it is hard to find good Soul Food in NY.
I am not a Soul Food expert and you all from the South don’t need to correct me and say I am wrong. It was just good. Maybe there is better in the South I wouldn’t know. But I have not had better in NYC!

So I am officially gonna to have to slap my momma because that’s how good the potato salad is. Black eyed peas made to perfection. I am a true BEP connoisseur. I can’t seem to get out of my wing fetish though. One thing I love about their portions. They make for at least two meals… if you are watching your calories.
If not just pig out dammit! There is nothing like a mac & cheese induced coma… I mean nap to make you appreciate real food.

This place has been on the radar for months. But each time I make a venture, they are closed. So finally, I wised up. I called first before going.
Man: Hello. Foster’s. How can I help you?
Me: Are you open now?
Man: Hello. Foster’s. How can I help you?
Me: Yes, are you open?
Man: (giggles into the phone): Yes we are open, that’s why I am asking how can I help you.
Me: Oh. When are you open til?
Man: 10pm. But if you want to sit down and eat, come by 9:30pm.
Me: OK. Be there in a few…
I found myself chuckling after hanging up the phone and immediately left home and started walking to the restaurant. I didn’t want to miss my window of opportunity.
The restaurant is a small space and can hold 10 people max. This is not a place you take a date. This is the place you go to with the ball and chain.
I don’t really eat fried chicken too often, but this place is definitely worth a trip. The guys that run the store are super friendly and chatty. I really like the community feel of this place. We also giggled about my phone call.
But here’s the deal: 2 pieced of fried chicken, a side of mac and cheese, and collard greens, with 2 pieces of cornbread. All for $ 13. Pretty good deal. I couldn’t eat everything and had leftovers for lunch the next day. The mac and cheese was excellent, gooey and greasy. The collard green cooked to perfection. The fried chicken was ok. A nice batter and tender. I just don’t think I like fried chicken all that much…
I also had a slice of pineapple coconut cake (made by one of the guy’s wife). Moist and on-​point.
I really enjoyed my excursion to Foster’s. They were also playing some soul in the background. And I can remember my mom holding me and dancing with me to some good 70s soul… I will be definitely be back to have some other their meatloaf. And to chat up the guys who were friendly and neighborly.

While I appreciate the diversity it surprises me that in Brooklyn, which has a large African American population, there is a dearth of good soul food spots. I mean I love jerk chicken as much as the next guy but what’s a brotha gotta do to get some smothered pork chops ?
In the past it meant crashing predominately black churches luncheons.
Reverend: Brother James have you finally found the Lord ?
Me: Is he here? I just found the turkey wings and greens. I’ll keep an eye out.
Strangely my humor wasn’t appreciated.
Thankfully Fosters makes excellent, reasonably priced soul food.
The smothered pork chops I raved about when it was called Ruthie’s is still fantastic. Other standouts are the fried whiting (nicely seasoned and not overly breaded), the smothered turkey wings (not available everyday) and the sides. The mac & cheese deserves mention because it one of the best I’ve had outside of my family or black churches. I prefer a solid, cheesy baked mac & cheese as opposed to the more liquid-​y kind and Fosters delivers. The sweet tea was also perfect, probably the best I’ve had outside of NOLA.
I had the fried chicken once a while ago and thought it was just okay. It may have been an off day since it seems to be the most popular order the times I’ve eaten here.
The portion sizes are huge considering dinners range from low to mid-​teens. Lunch is always a good price to portion ratio and is less crowded.
The dining space is clean and nicely decorated but small. I’d guess they can maybe seat 12 – 14 people max. Come solo or as a couple, a group would be hard at dinner (easier at lunch time).
In addition to bringing southern food they bring southern hospitality too. From inquiring about regular customer’s families to welcoming newcomers, to politely handling rude diners, the ladies here are wonderful.
It’s not perfect but the price, quality and friendliness makes Fosters one of my favorite places to eat.
** Currently no credit cards and closed Sunday & Monday **
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To clear any confusion, Fosters is the same restaurant as Ruthie’s (
). The matriarch passed away and they changed the name. The family still runs it and the food is still the same.

This review is only for the cake I had.
The cake was good but not excellent BUT I felt love in each bite. It was a huge for my size. I shared it with my husband. He gobbled up in a minute and said «That ‘s a gooood… German Chocolate cake!»
While ago, I passed by this new place and got their menu. There were things that I wanted to try. It’s their smothered chicken and fried pork chop and as sides, sweet yam, collar greens, mac & cheese and stewed okra! For veggies plate, you get 4 sides for only $ 9.95! When i was there fist time (to get their menu), nice looking lady told me that their sweet potato pie is excellent. Unfortunately, Sweet potato pie was sold out that night because they were just about to close but yummy looking Coconut Pineapple cake and German Chocolate cake were in side the well light case.
When I walked in tonight, I was greeted with smile. He was behind the counter. He told me his name is Carlton. Then other person came from the back and joined us. He introduce himself. His name is Tyrone. Third person came and he rang the bill. He is Howard. Their warm reception and smiley faces showed me the meaning of «soul food». This place was full of it! I can not wait to go back to try their foods.