BJ’s Market & Bakery

Slept in on New Year’s Day and when I did actually wake up I was extremely hunnnnnnnngrrrrrrryyyyyy, since I’m not from the area I Unilocaled a few soul food places and Bj’s had some pretty good reviews. The only reason I didn’t give the place 5 stars is because they didn’t have smothered pork chops so I settled for fried chicken. The food was fresh, seasoned really good and the mustard catfish was great seeing as though I don’t even care for fish. I’d definitely eat here again if I’m in the area.

I am very disheartened to write this review. Why? Because this is an establishment that when it opened in the late 90’s was such a gem. Great flavorful food, a wonderful buffet on Sunday and you would usually see the owner in the restaurant. I had a great respect for this business because they employed young people there and they were always respectful and super friendly which I attributed to the business training them. My church had an event in 1999 where I was the chairperson and happily ordered from their catering menu. Food was great and it felt good to support our black businesses.
The last couple of times I have gone here whether dine in or carry out, wasn’t too good of an experience. But, on 12÷5÷15, due to the experience that evening, I know I will never return. After a long day of work, I just wanted to get carry out so I could eat and relax at home. When I walked in, I looked at the short ribs and knew that’s what I wanted until I looked at the menu. The price for that was $ 14.49! Do you know what ALL I can get for that price? I can get jumbo fried shrimp dinner with fries and slaw for less than that! Most of the menu prices have gotten too expensive to my disappointment. I knew I couldn’t afford the ribs so I ordered the $ 7.49 veggie plate of cabbage, sweet potatoes and mac & cheese.
Now, the way the set-​up in this establishment is, the food that’s in the glass case is hot and ready to go. I never understand why the wait is so long to get my food if I see it staring right in my face. I waited and waited. I waited so long that the person I was riding with came in the restaurant wanting to know what was taking so long.
When I finally got my food, I left. About 5 minutes later, I checked the bag and was so angry at what I saw. The food is in a sectioned styrofoam container. A roll/​corn bread comes with the meal wrapped in a tissue sheet and put loosely in the bag. Napkins and plasticware are also loosely in the bag. As you can see from the picture, alot of cabbage green juice leaked in the bag, causing my roll to be damp. I had to use the napkins in the bag to soak up this juice. Nasty! This is simple to eliminate! Why isn’t a slotted spoon used so no juice? Why aren’t the cabbage greens put in a separate container OR have a take out container that is sealed completely? I waited all that time and this is what I get? Unacceptable. As you can also see, something is in my greens that are NOT greens! Disgusting.
Looking at other recent reviews, I notice that I’m not the only person that has realized that this establishment has lost it’s sparkle and it’s just sad. By the way, no owner to be found that day like back in the day. Well, no more of me being a customer after this incident.

Gave them 1 star because I couldn’t give them zero! Was in the mood for some soul food so I was in the neighborhood and decided to try them out. I ordered a whole chicken, half fried and half rotisserie. First off there was no seasoning and to top it off, the chicken was RAW not a little pink, but bloody. after waiting over thirty minutes and getting home, I just didn’t feel like going back up there to cause a scene. Never again. food was not good at all!

Slowest service EVER! Waited for 40 minutes for a To-​go order for a piece of fried catfish. Somehow my order was overlooked by the cooks… On a rather moderate business day??? Eventually got a refund and left. BTW, my refund won’t return for 7 – 10 business days. Lol absurdity.

Today I stopped in to grab some food before work. I noticed that they had a new menu item «Turkey Burger» and the burger was very tasty. But I will complain that the meal was offered with fries or onion rings. I opted for the onions and only 4 small onion rings came with the meal. Considering I paid $ 8.99 for the meal it should have came with more.

On Sunday (06÷28÷15) I visited the BJ’s Market location on south Stoney Island. Anyone who knows me know I’m a stickler for excellent customer service and will go out of my way to get it! We here is how my BJ’s Market experience went:
* I ordered the BJ’s Combo. One of the meat options was fried chicken wing, which I order with my meal. The cashier stated «you can’t get that! I don’t know why they even put that on there»! WHAT?! What’s the purpose displaying this option if I can’t order it? So I got the turkey sausage patties instead.
* I order my eggs scrambled hard with cheese. The cashier asked if I wanted «cheddar or American», I said American. (remember this point)
* It was difficult to find a place to sit because so many of the tables were dirty; it was evident that people had been sitting there. The booths seats were broken, dirty or falling apart (torn fabric, etc). Plus the tables were leaning. How do you expect a customer to eat on an uneven table? The front windows are gross and the floors haven’t been mopped! Overall the place looks dirty, worn down and needs updating.
* I do enjoy a good cup of coffee and the coffee was HORRIBLE! Not to mention I had to make my cup of coffee myself and the counter was discussing. The counter was covered with sugar and coffee stains… GROSS! Why do I need to ask for a cloth to wipe «YOUR» counter down… you don’t see this mess?!
* I complained to the manager and he looked at me like I had three heads. Not to mention he wasn’t wearing an apron or a hair net.
* Now I notice a young lady wiping down tables with her head wrap on (the head wrap you sleep in) and no hair net. After about 10 minutes she puts a net on top of her head wrap. I’m so amazed at the unprofessionalism in the African American business, it’s a shame!
* Now it’s time for my food. The young lady delivers our food to another table. Why was our food delivered to another table? Well that’s because the cashier didn’t give us a number to indicate to the server which table to deliver the correct order. So it was a few minutes before the young lady realized the food belonged to us.
* I’m really concerned because my food is being delivered by the same young lady who was wiping down tables. Did she wash her hands before she started handling food?
* Now I received my food. Remember I order scrambled eggs hard with American cheese. I received medium scrambled eggs and NO cheese… I HATE mushy/​slimy eggs! Once again I complained to the manager and all he could say is «she didn’t charge you for cheese». I don’t give a hoot what she did or didn’t charge me for I didn’t get what I ordered!
* My pancakes were heavy. They had a great flavor but they weighed a ton! Whatever happened to light fluffy pancakes?
* We weren’t offered any water, should I ask for this too?
* Oh and now I have some random person going from table to table begging for money… really?
I eat out 2 – 3 times a week and I know good service. It’s sad that African American businesses continue to provide lousy service but expect you to patronize their establishment. I proudly spend my money where I receive exceptional services!
Signed, a very unhappy customer!

Didn’t get the cornbread til the end of my meal. BJ’s Market: You suck! I need cornbread WITH my soul food. More like faux soul food, smh.
Mustard catfish: Crust waaay too thick and lacking flavor.
Blackeye peas: Needed salt. Meh.
Greens: Needed hot sauce. Mediocre.
Cornbread: It was soft and warm. Lacking flavor, though.
I definitely won’t be back.

We got here and they were trying to lock the door. So ny wife asks are you closed they responded no. So ny wife asked arr you still serving food they responded with yes. There was an attitude in the air from employees at the counter. I’ve been here years ago and the food was delicious. We wanted to eat here but after the way we were treated we got it to go.

I was pleasantly surprised with this place for food (definitely not service. they are SLOW in here!) and most everything is prepared that we ordered. Maybe it was an off night. Didn’t taint my view of the food though. one word YUMMY!
I had the half chicken, cabbage, and greens. and these veggies (and the chicken), but those veggies truly didn’t disappoint. I feel like that was the most heavenly plate of cabbage I’ve had in a sec.
I’d go back in a heartbeat. What was oddly fascinating was I guess they do karaōke in there from time to time. Quite strange, but entertaining nonetheless.
I definitely appreciate BJs adding a non-​fast food element in the area.

great food. the salmon fillet was freshly prepared and well seasoned. pricing is very reasonable and the customer service is good. i highly recommend this restaurant

Good soul food. Nice atmosphere. Recommend if in the area. Get the smothered chicken.

I love me some BJ’s!!! I’ve been eating there since I was 12!!! Recently I frequent the place at least once a week. I love their mustard cat fish, turkey meat loaf, Mac and cheese, dressing, green beans, peach cobbler, candied yams, bread pudding, and caramel cake!!! I always smash there!!!

This Restaurant is FANTASTIC. My husband wanted to try authentic Soul Food and we searched for a place to try online. We were not disappointed. He had the Mustard Catfish and one side, sweet potatoes, It was amazing. He let me share a bit, and the fish was crisp, seasoned and perfectly cooked. The sweet potatoes were without question, the best I have ever had and I grew up eating soul food. I had the weekly special of chicken wings and fries and again, it was terrific, seasoned and fried to perfection. The service, which I’m pretty picky about was excellent. We had our meal within minutes and the waitress checked back with us to see that we had every thing we need. Note… You order and pay for your meal at a counter, then find a seat. They bring your meal to you using the table number you place on your table after paying for your meal a the counter… We did leave a tip as the waitress was both helpful and friendly. As we left, we complimented the staff on the food and service and noted all the wonderful items we still want to try. We totally enjoyed our meal and will return again when we visit the Chicago area.

Sure the food LOOKS good, but looking good and tasting good are two different things. The food looks like Heaven, but tastes like cleaning supplies.
I was persuaded by my boyfriend to give this place a try, but based on the Unilocal reviews my gut instinct told me otherwise. I listened to him anyways, and got the ½ dark chicken smothered style. My sides were mac and cheese and stuffing. I also couldn’t resist getting a slice of peach cobbler.
My boyfriend got the rib tips and the same sides as me.
My portions were huge, but the mac and cheese was flavorless, the chicken tasted like gravy and pine sol, and the stuffing was entirely too salty making it inedible. The peach cobbler was OK but it was pretty dry. His rib tips were okay to him, but the portion was small considering you could get twice as much for the same price elsewhere.
I spent $ 25 on food which was disgusting. I threw it out and went to Wendys across the street.

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– 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. I’ve worked in the neighborhood for 5 years, and this place is a staple for everyone at work. 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. Everyone is so incredibly friendly and sweet. Awesome. Always smiling. They know great customer service. 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.
Everything that I’ve had here is down right tasty. Greens, turkey tips, rib tips, chicken, chicken fingers and my all time favorite, the breaded shrimp. 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!

We tried the mustard-​fried catfish at the Taste. SO TASTY. and the sauces!!! Big fans. Will have to try the actual restaurant sometime :)

I finally made it to this place which was on my list of places to try. 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.

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. 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 Unilocalers 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 entrée (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! 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 Unilocal,I wanted to like this place. But I sincerely did not.

Much better! 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 olé’ fried pork chops. Now normally i don’t believe in going to soul food restaurants because I’m a pretty good cook myself. But yesterday was the exception! I didn’t have time nor energy to cook so i decided to just give in. I was very pleasantly surprised. The food was very good. I had pork chops with mac n cheese, green beans, dinner roll and peach cobbler. Everything was very delectable and the service was quick.