Johnson’s BBQ

After reading the reviews, I was so excited to try this place out. I completely missed the other one star review. My experience almost makes me question what others consider soul food. You do get a big portion of food so if that’s important and you can care less about what the food actually tastes like, then this is the place for you.
I got the half chicken meal which comes with two sides. I got Mac and cheese as both sides (the greens are only made with pork here). The chicken was BAPTIZED in oil. The funny part is that the chicken doesn’t seem fried. It’s like it’s boiled, then floured/​battered then thrown into a fryer to give the outside a quick browning. It lacks so much flavor. I love a good crisp chicken skin but when you pull off the skin, it just drips oil. It reminded me of that scene in the movie Precious when she has the pigs feet in the oil cooking for her mom (yeah that oily).
The mac and cheese is nothing to rave about. It’s not baked which I usually do not mind but it seems to be lacking in the cheese department. I gave up on this platter after two bites of each item.
Despite my disappointment in the food, Dwayne was such a sweetheart. He is very personable and he makes you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in. You can tell that he really cares about his customers. He definitely has the right personality for a soul food restaurant. I just wish the food was better. Maybe I went on an off night but it was enough to deter me from going back again. I’ll just take the trip to Harlem next time.

Years ago when I lived in New York I SWORE by Dwayne and his family recipe! The location stinks, but the barbecue and the sauces…5 START!

I couldn’t disagree with that Elliot guy more. The owner is doing a fabulous job! And the food is authentic and still amazing. You want a biscuit? Go to Popeyes.

I second what Roger D wrote, the guy with the one star review doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The place is excellent. Portions are huge, and food is amazing.

To address the one star review, here’s the deal. He has only chicken and ribs. Sometimes he runs out of one of them, particularly towards the evenings. The sides are yams, collard greens, mac and cheese, black eyed peas, rice and potato salad. I think he has macaroni salad but not 100% sure. He only has potato salad on the weekend and that runs out pretty quick. In other words, you might not get exactly what you want so be prepared. As others have said, food is tasty and portions are huge.

This is one of the best spots I been to they give u a lot of food the chicken dinner is the best only 10 dollars

The real thing in barque ribs and chicken. Massive side order portions Love the collard greens and black eyed peas

It says fish and ribs but there’s no fish. and how do you make southern food with no biscuits. .on top of that you tell me because you don’t won’t to should of now better when I was the only person in there… O and your soul food has no soul… your father would be happy to see what you did with his business. …

Best BBQ ribs in the Bronx. The owner and operator is almost always on site and is quite pleasant to speak to. My family and I have been going here as long as I can remember. With a rib or chicken dinner, you will get healthy portion of food that will leave you with left-​overs.