Some of the best meals in Newark come in a takeout container and get eaten in a parked car. That is not a complaint.
It is a badge of honor for one small soul food counter where gospel plays on the radio and the plates come loaded heavy enough to need two hands. There are no tables here and no fancy menus.
What you get instead is home cooking that tastes like a family recipe handed across a counter, with smothered pork chops, yams, and sides that keep people coming back for years. Folks have driven in from as far as Toronto just to eat here.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what to order, when to go, and why a no-frills storefront has earned such a loyal following.
A Storefront on Madison Avenue
Some places hide their best work behind a plain front door, and this one does exactly that.
D & J Country Cooking sits at 363 Madison Ave, Newark, NJ 07108, in New Jersey, United States. It is listed as an American restaurant, but its heart belongs to soul food.
The spot is a counter operation. You walk in, order, pick up, and head out.
There is no dine-in seating, so plan on taking your plate home, back to work, or to your car. Plenty of people happily eat in the driver’s seat because they simply cannot wait.
The building itself is modest. Some first-timers find it a little worn looking, and the online presence is minimal.
Locals say not to let that fool you. Many people have ridden past this storefront for years before finally stopping, and then wondered why they waited so long.
With a 4.4 star average from around 470 people, the counter has built a reputation that its humble exterior does not advertise. Word of mouth does the heavy lifting here, along with a few YouTube food features that have sent curious eaters through the door.
So the address is set. Now it is time to meet the people behind the counter.
Old School Roots and Back Road Spirit
Nothing about this counter tries to be trendy, and that is the whole point.
The place carries a very old school southern feel. Some guests say it reminds them of a back road restaurant in South Carolina, the kind every local knows about.
That comparison comes up for a reason. The cooking sticks to classic recipes without new age twists or extra embellishments.
Families often say the food reminds them of their grandparents’ kitchens. Several people note they did not need to add a single shake of seasoning to their plates.
The menu leans on soul food staples that have fed generations. Think smothered meats, slow cooked sides, cornbread, and hearty breakfasts.
The decor is simple and calm. There is nothing fancy about it at all.
For some, that plain setting takes an open mind. For others, it is part of the charm, a sign that the attention goes into the pots and pans instead of the paint.
The long run of this spot speaks for itself. Comments stretching back nearly a decade describe the same warm welcome and the same comforting plates.
History here is written in leftovers, and the next chapter belongs to the star of the show.
Smothered Pork Chops That Steal the Spotlight
Pork chops are one of the most talked about items at this counter, and they come in more than one style.
You can find them smothered, covered in gravy and ready for a side of rice. Fried pork chops also show up for those who prefer them crispy on the outside.
Smothered dishes are a soul food tradition. Meat is cooked down in gravy until it turns tender, and the gravy then works its way into everything nearby.
That same smothered approach applies to other plates too. Smothered fried chicken with cabbage and rice has earned its share of fans.
One guest from out of town admitted to getting gravy on his forehead. That is the kind of meal it is.
Portions on the platters run big. Plenty of first-timers are surprised by how much food lands in the container.
A pork chop plate here is not a light lunch. It is a full meal that might call for a nap afterward, as one happy diner joked.
Pair the chops with yams and you have the exact combination the headline promises. That pairing deserves a closer look of its own.
Yams Worth the Drive
Ask a regular what side to get, and yams will probably come up within seconds.
The yams here are one of the most mentioned dishes on the menu. People pair them with fish, fried chicken, turkey wings, meatloaf, and of course pork chops.
Many guests describe them simply as perfect. Others save their strongest praise for the yam and mac and cheese combo, which seems to land in almost every order.
Yams are a classic soul food side. They round out a savory plate and give it balance.
A first visit often looks like this. Order a main, add yams, add mac and cheese, and grab cornbread on the side.
That formula has turned plenty of first-timers into repeat customers. Some even plan return trips around which main dish to try next with the same two sides.
The kitchen keeps the recipe straightforward. There are no gimmicks, just a side done the way people remember from home.
When yams are this popular, their partner on the plate needs to keep up. Luckily, the mac and cheese is more than ready for the job.
The Side Dish Lineup
Soul food lives and dies by its sides, and this counter offers a deep bench.
Mac and cheese leads the pack as the most mentioned dish of all. It is made with real cheese and gets called on point by people who know their macaroni.
Cornbread is another favorite. Folks often add it as a side to round out a plate.
The vegetable list runs long. Cabbage, collard greens, green beans, black eyed peas, lima beans, and potato salad all make appearances.
The greens are tender and not sweet. The green beans carry a little sweetness with a tiny kick.
Black eyed peas come out clean and simple. Lima beans and other legumes earn praise for being cooked with real care.
Stewed cabbage has a loyal following as well. Some find it excellent, while others call it solid.
To wash it all down, many people order an uptown, a sweet drink that shows up often alongside these plates.
With this many options, choosing only two sides can feel like a tough decision. Thankfully, the staff are happy to help guide that choice, as the next section explains.
Oxtails, Turkey Wings and Beyond
Pork chops may get the headline, but the main dish menu stretches much further.
Oxtails are a big draw and come up again and again. Turkey wings and turkey legs are also popular, praised for being tender.
Fried chicken arrives crispy and well seasoned. Wings are cooked fresh to order, so expect a short wait when you order them.
Fish is another common pick, often paired with yams and mac and cheese. Meatloaf has earned top tier status from people who tried it.
Pig feet appear on the menu too. Fans describe them as tender and full of flavor.
Neckbones are worth noting for planners. Some guests mention them as a Wednesday or Thursday option, so timing matters if they are on your list.
Beef dishes also win praise, and late arrivals should know the selection can thin out near closing. Coming about an hour before close may leave fewer choices.
A fair heads up for balance: not every experience is perfect. A small number of people have reported dishes that did not meet their expectations.
Still, most plates leave people planning their next order. And that next order might happen first thing in the morning.
Breakfast and a Bowl of Grits
Early birds get more than the worm at this counter. They get grits.
The kitchen opens at 8 am Wednesday through Saturday, and at 9 am on Sunday. That makes it a real option for a hearty breakfast before work or errands.
Grits are among the popular topics people bring up. They are a Southern morning classic and a natural fit here.
Many first-timers who come for lunch leave talking about returning for breakfast. The morning menu has become something of a must-try for repeat guests.
Beef bacon is part of the breakfast lineup as well. It is served fried, though not everyone loves that preparation.
Tuesday works differently. The doors do not open until noon that day, so breakfast fans should skip it.
Since the spot is takeout only, a breakfast plate can travel to the office or back home. It is a simple way to start the day with something filling.
Morning or afternoon, one thing stays consistent. The welcome at the counter tends to be the part people remember right after the food.
Gospel, Kindness and Counter Service
Gospel on the radio sets the mood the moment the door opens.
The counter staff get as much praise as the cooking. An older woman often greets guests with eye contact, a kind attitude, and helpful suggestions.
A friendly man works the counter and kitchen as well. People describe him as sweet and quick with orders.
First-timers who are unsure what to order often get gentle guidance. Several people say the staff helped them choose and everything turned out great.
That warmth has turned strangers into friends. A family visiting from Toronto said they felt like family right away, all smiles and comfort.
Service moves fast for most orders. Phone orders can be ready quickly, and fresh items like wings take a little longer.
The vibe is calm and simple. It is a place that feels very much like home.
This mix suits a wide range of people. Workers on lunch break, families picking up dinner, curious travelers, and longtime locals all fit right in.
Kindness keeps people coming back, but so does knowing when to show up. Timing is the next piece of the puzzle.
Hours, Costs and Smart Timing
A little planning goes a long way at a counter that closes before dinner rush in many towns.
Here is the weekly schedule:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12 pm to 6:30 pm
Wednesday to Saturday: 8 am to 6:30 pm
Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
Most people spend around $20 to $30 per person. A turkey wing plate with two sides runs about $25.
Given the huge portions, many find that a fair deal. One platter can easily stretch into a second meal.
Arriving earlier in the day is a smart move. Selection can shrink close to closing time.
Calling ahead is another option. Phone orders can be ready by the time you arrive.
Remember there is no seating. Bring a plan for where you will eat, whether that is home, work, or the front seat.
Catering is something people suggest too. A tray from this kitchen could feed a crowd at a family gathering.
With the logistics sorted, all that is left is the big question of whether it is worth the trip.
The Verdict on a Newark Original
Fancy it is not, and nobody here is asking it to be.
This counter wins people over with straightforward soul food, big portions, and a welcome that feels personal. Many call it the standard for down home cooking in Newark.
The trade-offs are clear. There is no dine-in, the building looks plain, and the online presence is thin.
Experiences are not flawless for everyone, and a few people have left unhappy. Most, though, walk out planning their next order.
For first-timers, the move is simple. Get the smothered pork chops, add yams and mac and cheese, and grab some cornbread.
Return trips can explore oxtails, turkey wings, pig feet, and breakfast grits. There is plenty to work through.
The spot suits anyone who values flavor over frills. It also suits anyone who misses a grandparent’s Sunday cooking.
Bring an appetite, bring some patience for fresh orders, and maybe clear your schedule for a nap.
Some restaurants sell a setting. This one sells a plate that sticks with you long after the container is empty.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.