Josephine’s Cooking

I hate giving poor reviews but I must warn people about this soul food restaurant that has apparently fallen into «hard times!» Pun intended…
I was so excited when my cousin invited me back home to the south side to eat at a restaurant that held wonderful memories in both my family traditions and formally fantastic soul food. Unfortunately, the food was a major disappointment and just barely edible. I admit soul food is not my favorite genre of cuisine, but having been raised in a traditional Black family I know good soul food when I taste it. This FOOD WAS UNACCEPTABLE, it’s a good thing thIs diner isn’t located in Los Angeles or New York because the rating would have been a resounding «F» with a mandated closure. Captain Hard Times Diner has not been remodeled or updated in anyway since my last visit around 2003. The heated serving dishes were probably some of the same ones used 12 years ago and most of the food was still cold. More specifically, the food was tasteless, the salad was nondescript and wilted, the stuffing was mushy, catfish was so hard and overlooked that it was unrecognizable as fish and most unforgivable the peach cobbler runny. I am truly surprised the health department has not yet closed their doors, so if by chance a health inspector is reading this PLEASE schedule a visit before someone gets hurt. And yes, there were loved ones in our dining party who did get sick!

Soul food, with the usual options. I thought the food was pretty good, and it seemed like the employees genuinely cared if you enjoyed your food. I would stop here for soul food.

First off it was empty at dinner time. This should have been my clue not to proceed. However I love soul food, comfort food, etc. So anyways I ordered the meatloaf with mashed potatoes & gravy and the other side Mac n cheese. The waitress was an elderly woman and due to her age I believe that’s why she moved sooooo slow! While I waited for my food, the waitress & a man resembling a Sunday Preacher began a conversation about racism? ANywho my food came I left and went to the CAR to inspect. Behold Grayish looking meat (as if reheated from a freezer)! The Mac n cheese was Kraft cheese mix (I’m almost positive)! The mashed potatoes were stiff with gel like gravy? Yuk! I chopped my $ 12 as a loss and lost that food in an alley dumpster where it belonged! Never EVER AGAIN! SMH Shame on you Captain Hard Times!

Went there with deacons and pastor from our church today for dinner. Ate at the buffet. Good food for the soul. Wait staff was excellent. Owner came out and spoke to us. Really nice.

I would often go here on Sundays for the brunch which I always thought was satisfactory. Because I recently moved I had not been to this restaurant in a little over a year. Well let me tell you that they do not have to worry about me patronizing this restaurant again. Last week my mother and I went to this restaurant for dinner, (but it was not for the Sunday brunch,)after ordering from the menu we were served corn muffins and rolls. The corn muffins were very dry and crumbly as id they had been under a heat lamp for an extraordinary amount of time. Both my son and I ordered teh baked chicken with dressing. I also ordered a side of macaroni and cheese. It took approximately twenty minutes for the entrees to arrive (I didn’t mind waiting at all). When the meals arrived The baked chicken was not very fresh and the gravy was cold, it was so cold that it was beginning to gel. The mac and cheese was watery and had a sour taste. The dressing was dry as was the chicken. My complaint to the server brought no response. I was not trying to get my meal compensated however the server offered no adjustment or any apology. The only person that was sympathetic was the busboy. He stated that he would speak to the cook. Indeed this restaurant has fallen upon Hard Times (pun intended). I will not go back and anyone contemplating on goiong should seriously think twice.

Since my BFF lives in the area she knows all the places to get the best food and when she said Captain Hard Times for breakfast I thought she was joking because of the name. The place definitely takes you back in terms of décor. The food was OK but for some reason I would like to go back again. The service was cool nothing to write home about but I definitely will give them another go again!

This place feels like it has been here forever and that usually means something about it is really good.
I had breakfast and it was standard fare but there was something about it that makes you say, ‘oh, yeah. I’ll be back.’ If you’re into inspecting your utensils when you arrive, you might get a little upset and start wondering about the place. On the other hand, if you’re hungry, you will feel like you’re part of something. The food is good, the people are cool even if you look like you don’t belong there. It’s as though you immediately become part of the club and you get it and you’re glad. It’s a weird intangible feel you get in a place like this and it’s all good.

I was truly impressed with this place. The fried chicken wings were divine. The beef short ribs were tender and the turkey and dressing reminds me of Thansgiving. The waitresses are personable people that were very attentive to the needs of their customers. It was a laid-​back setting and with the exception of some noisy patrons, reminded me of a family dinner. I will definitely go back and sample other great picks on the menu. The shrimp bisque soup was very good and filling. Nothing beats warm biscuits and rolls coming to your table while you wait.

This is the spot for Sunday brunch if you are looking to seriously do some things, eat large amounts of varied (we’re talking multiple meats, pastas, sides, desserts, and sweet tea!) and tasty food, and spot some important folks.
It’s not cheap (around 30 bucks), so save it for a special occasion and be sure to take your blood pressure medication. You’ll need it.

I love their food. I usually get baked turkey with dressing, candied yams, and mac and cheese and it’s delicious. It is also well priced and they are fast with take out. It’s a great place to have a dinner party. My grandma loved the great service here when she would hold dinner parties here. I wish I could cook as well as they can. Maybe they’ll give me lessons.