This New Jersey Soul Food Café Serves Comfort Plates Locals Swear They’ll Never Trade For Anything
Pull up to 64 4th Ave in East Orange, New Jersey, and the aroma starts writing your order before you even see the menu.
I first wandered in on a drizzly Sunday and left plotting my next visit before the wipers cleared the windshield.
The vibe is tiny but warm, the kind of spot where portions feel personal and the owner remembers your face faster than your appetite settles.
Stick around and you will learn why locals defend these comfort plates like guarding a childhood playlist.
Fried Chicken Wings with Sides
Crunch greets you first and then the seasoning says do not put me down, pairing perfectly with a side of creamy mac and another of collards that lean savory over salty.
I watched a tray cross the counter and changed my order mid-sentence, then added cornbread like a responsible adult who understands priorities.
Wait times can stretch during peak hours, so call ahead if patience runs thin, but the wings travel well and reheat like champions.
Price sits friendly in the $10 to $20 lane, which sweetens leftovers the next day.
Whiting Fish Plate
Delicate whiting gets a light, crisp coat that breaks with a whisper, making room for lemon and hot sauce to shout in harmony.
A regular swore this exact plate converted a friend and the bright flakes proved that story right as soon as my fork found the edge.
Pair it with mac and collards to echo a praised review, or pivot to yams for a sweeter lane.
If the fryer is busy, expect a short pause, but the finish tastes like a promise kept at 64 4th Ave in East Orange.
Beef Ribs with BBQ Sauce
These ribs lean rich and meaty with a chew that rewards slow bites, and a drizzle of sauce turns the edges glossy and sticky.
I once asked for extra sauce and nodded seriously as if negotiating a contract, then wiped the final streak with cornbread like a pro.
Some days the bark arrives firmer, so speak up for your preferred finish and they will guide the order.
Portions land generous for the price and leftovers reheat nicely, especially next to a quick skillet of onions.
Mac and Cheese
Mac here slides between creamy and structured, with a browned top that cracks softly and a center that flows like friendly lava.
I have chased versions across Jersey and this one made me pause mid scroll, so I ordered another side to ride home safely.
Texture can vary by batch, sometimes looser, sometimes firmer, but the seasoning stays tuned to comfort.
Pair it with wings or whiting and you get a balanced plate that does not need a speech, only a fork and a nod.
Collard Greens
These collards simmer low until the stems surrender, bringing a savory broth that likes to mingle with cornbread and rib sauce.
I am a picker by nature and still could not stop scooping the pot likker, letting it run into the corner of the tray like a planned accident.
Seasoning leans clean rather than overly salty, so add hot sauce if you want a sharper finish.
As a plate partner, collards balance heavier mains and make leftovers feel lighter on the second round.
Candied Yams
Yams arrive tender with a measured sweetness that respects your taste buds and saves room for cornbread negotiations later.
On one rainy afternoon, I paired them with turkey chops and caught that perfect sauce swipe that makes you plan another visit before leaving.
The glaze stays light, not syrup-heavy, so the flavor reads as dessert adjacent without stealing the show.
If you love contrast, park them next to spicy wings and let the bite swing between heat and mellow comfort.
Catering Pans for Gatherings
Party plans run smoother when pans of wings, mac, greens, yams, and cornbread roll out together with labels and sturdy lids.
I joined a Friendsgiving order once and watched silence fall over the room as plates filled and conversation happily slowed.
Call ahead for big quantities and confirm pickup timing, since the kitchen runs limited hours that shift by day.
The price-to-portion ratio stays kind and leftovers stack neatly in the fridge, which means breakfast turns into a victory lap.
Insider Tips and Hours
Hours concentrate later in the day, with Monday and Thursday running roughly 4 in the afternoon to 8 in the evening, Friday and Saturday from about 3 to 8, Sunday from midafternoon to early evening, and Tuesday and Wednesday fully closed.
Parking can be tight, so snag a nearby spot and place your order early if crowds stack up, especially on Sundays.
Phone orders help cut the wait and staff will walk you through best sellers and daily availability without rushing your decisions.
Bring cashless options, save the address, and expect a small space with big plates that justify the trip to East Orange.