Jefferson Cafe & Food Market

I wanted to try something different then Burger King or McDonald’s. I wanted a soul food breakfast and after looking at different restaurants on Unilocal,I decided to hit this one up. I went straight to the counter to place my order to go. The first thing you notice before entering the door, is a sign of «cash only». So bring cash. I order the western omelette with biscuits and a side order of pancakes. The breakfast was delicious and it was filling. I’m a big guy and I had leftovers for the next morning. Well worth it. Now I’ll have to try the dinner meal one day.

Jefferson’s is coasting on its former greatness. Loyal patrons continue to patronize this local, family owned business. The food is tasty, simple southern breakfast fare. Unfortunately the food is not impressive enough to overcome their slow, disinterested service and their dining room/​bathroom hallway piled high with dirty dishes. The waitstaff appears to be the young adult children of the chef/​owner/​manager. They appear untrained and burned out. They are slower than molasses running uphill. I had to repeat my order while pointing to it on the menu 3 times. Jefferson’s should spend a little money to modernize/​brighten the public areas and hire a motivated, professional waitstaff. They should join us in this century and accept cards (they are cash only). We walked in at 11:30 and left at 12:17 unfed and with no apology/​explanation. After years of patient patronage, I’m giving up on Jefferson’s. Don’t waste your time here.

Amazing food. Can’t beat down home southern breakfast. When I want to feel like I’m back home and in my grandparents kitchen, this is where I go. Those grits, the coffee, the fish, the omelets, and the crab cakes make you want to fly home.

I order a simple sandwich at 9am and waiting 30 minutes for it. If I hadn’t paid for it already I would have left. They are very slow.

Food is very good but the service is horrible! Not only does the food take a long time but you have to ask multiple times for items such as utensils and water… had to ask several times then waited 20 mins for water! The establishment itself is very dated, def in need of remodeling. Staffs demeanor is very Blah and comes across as not wanting to be bothered… maybe the owner should consider hiring people outside of family. Order take out and call ahead of time.

Best chicken & waffles around. The carrot cake is to die for! I’m going back to buy an entire cake!!!

DB and I decided to visit this soul food café located in Montclair. It’s a small neighborhood spot if you ask me (like 6 tables and 5 booths).The waiters were young (high schoolers) who were very friendly. We sat down in a booth and ordered our drinks. Too bad they ran out of lemonade… we ordered whiting, cabbage, Mac n cheese and DB ordered smothered chic, collards and yellow rice. The food was okay, however the Mac n cheese didn’t come close to my grandmas.
While waiting I did a sweep of the restaurant with my eyes. the owner I guess is satisfied with the décor. Old carpet. Light fixtures mix match. rickety booths and the vents suck… you can smell the food being cooked… But if the owner is happy so am I…
Overall not a bad spot and it wouldn’t be my first choice… Just average.

I’ve been looking for an East Coast equivalent to Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffle for a while now, but what I found at Jefferson Café & Food Market was much more. The chicken and waffle were to die for. Great portions for the price and quick service. My only complaint is that the interior and ambiance of the restaurant could use some work, but otherwise, the food is amazing!

Cute little Mom and Pop place. Service was exceptionally well! We went right when they were closing so there were a few items on the menu unavailable. This just tell me it is made fresh daily and we aren’t given canned items. I ordered whiting fish with string beans and potato salad. The potato salad was my favorite. I should have ordered two sides of potato salad. The string beans were juicy and had a hint of that fresh pepper taste. The fish was fried golden and moist inside. The only item I was not a fan of was the corn bread muffin. I felt it was a bit too dry. I would definitely come back. Hopefully I’ll make it when they still have the Mac n cheese available to order.

Everything is delcious! Soul food prepared with a spirit of excellence. I mostly eat breakfast here, but the times I had lunch and dinner I was not disappointed. Great service for a mom and pop café. Family owned, family ran, family environment. Quiet, yet alive.
Never have had a bad meal there. I’ve had:
Chicken & walffles
Pancake breakfast (scrambled eggs & turkey sausage= amazing)
Chicken cutlet sandwich lunch
Beef bacon cheese burger lunch
Fried shrimp dinner
Salmon cake breakfast
CARROT CAKE best I ever had! Real talk!
I love the quick pick up breakfast biscuits. They’re pretty much gourmet versions of McDonald’s breakfast biscuits.
You have to try this place. Great for take out too.

I’m so happy to have found this restaurant the fried catfish is crispy and delicious I like to pair it with the collard greens which are seasoned and cooked to perfection. If you want delicious food cooked from the soul then you have to try Jeffersons café. I give their entire menu 5 Stars.

Great place for take-​out! You can dine-​in but we’ve never done so. Food is stupendous. My favorite is the catfish platter. Great comfort food for a reasonable price in the Montclair area. There is not much else to say about this… what more can you ask for?

Yummy, yummy, yummy! I can’t wait to go back. The grits are delicious! :)

The food was very good, the service was not so good. I think our waitress may need more experience. She was slow and very little personality. I generally like to feel welcome in places where I eat. I had a better customer experience at a fast food place. Even though I only did 3 stars, I would eat here again, because I enjoyed the food so much.

No frills? Noooo worries! The food is all the frills you need here! What a great little neighborhood eatery! Why so many exclamation marks? Because as I write this review, I can’t help but relive the tastefully delightful experience I had the pleasure of having this past Saturday!
It’s the kind of place you’ve been to in a past life, where the moment you walk in it’s nostalgic… because it feels like grandma’s kitchen! The dinning room is small with 4 booths, 5 tables and a couple of counter stool seats. Again, no frills-​no worries!
I went for breakfast and have to admit that it far outweighs in taste, many of the expensive fancy brunches I’ve indulged in. I knew I was in the right place when the first thing they set on the table after coffee was hot sauce! Hot sauce? Yes, Hot sauce because how could I eat fried catfish, grits and biscuits without it… Catfish? For breakfast? Ohhhh good God yes! Did I forget to mention this is a soul food place? And ohhh so soulfully delish!
Homemade biscuits, homemade tartar sauce, cornmeal battered catfish, smooth & rich grits and a great cup of black coffee!
I can’t wait to go back for breakfast again and now after writing this review, I will likely grab some take out for dinner!
Do yourself a favor and run to this spot! Oh and CASH only!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the service staff… what a treat to be served by a group of young individuals– likely high school aged and so very courteous and attentive!

This is restaurant is one of best restaurant so far I know. Not too expensive and great food! — Mr. Singleton, Newark, NJ

Great soul food! Seriously, some of the best. I have been a loyal customer for 15 years. Love the owner Jeff, he is hilarious, warm, and welcoming. The service is a little slow but it’s honestly worth the wait. As quoted by a couple next to our table «you don’t go to Jefferson’s for the service, you go for the food.»

If you’re looking for some authentic southern comfort food then this is the place to be. Located right off of downtown Montclair, Jefferson’s Café has been a landmark for years. The décor will prove it, but don’t let that hinder you from the juiciest, golden fried chicken I’ve probably every had. The value is great as well. For $ 10.50 you can get 4 pieces of chicken and a choice of two sides. My favorites are the candied yams (tastes like candy), collared greens, and the string beans. Stay away from the mediocre mac and cheese. Also their sweet tea was way too sweet for my liking.
Be prepared to wait awhile for the food, but that’s because it is made to order. Personally, I don’t mind waiting because this is the way all restaurants should operate for the best quality food. The staff is super friendly and recognizes my group of girl friends that come in every so often.
I have yet to try their breakfast menu items, although I have heard nothing but good things.

Great chicken! Bad service (waitress didn’t visit us once) and kind of dirty. There were even kids running around the dining area.
But again, just about the best chicken I’ve ever had!

4.5 stars! The half star off is for the slow service. Shouldn’t have to wait so long to get a refill on my coffee.
Now, this is some real deal fried chicken!!! Perfectly seasoned with a golden, crisp skin and deliciously juicy tender meat in all parts of the chicken, light and dark! This chicken is pan fried in a cast iron skillet, then finished in a deep fryer. All of the chicken is cooked to order, so it takes a bit of time, about 15 – 20 minutes from order to service. The restaurant was very quiet so it may take longer when it gets jammed, but that’s purely speculation.
The waffle is a work of art. It is served with a nice crispy outer shell, while the inner portion remains soft and delicious. The contrast offers a perfect bite as your teeth get through the crunch into the delicate center. The waffle itself offers a fantastic flavor and its own sweetness which blends perfectly with just a touch of the house syrup.
The contrast between the salty, savory chicken, and the sweetness of the waffle, along with both offering a crisp outer skin into a soft delicious center, this is the real deal chicken and waffle, as if you’ve escaped to the deep south if only for one meal.
Unfortunately they were out of biscuits today – though that only offers more incentive to return!