I ate at Jon Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen community restaurant, and it was the most wholesome dining experience of my life

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Victoria MontaltiApr 27, 2022, 01:16 IST
I ate at Jon Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen community restaurant, and it was the most wholesome dining experience of my life

I visited Jon Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen in New Jersey.James Barasch/Insider; Charles Sykes/AP Images

  • Jon Bon Jovi is celebrating 10 years of his New Jersey community restaurant, JBJ Soul Kitchen.
  • The menu items don't have prices, with an aim to serve in-need customers through donations.
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Jon Bon Jovi's JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey, is celebrating 10 years of feeding in-need customers free meals.

Jon Bon Jovi's JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey, is celebrating 10 years of feeding in-need customers free meals.
Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley attend the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation benefit gala on October 6, 2016.Andy Kropa/AP Images

The rock legend has been celebrating major milestones this year with his non-profit organization, Soul Foundation. The foundation is celebrating a 15-year anniversary, while his JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey, is going on 10 years, and the second restaurant location in Toms River, New Jersey, has been operating for five years.

Bon Jovi, a New Jersey native, has been serving local communities "to break the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness," according to his foundation's mission.

His wife, Dorothea Hurley, came up with the idea of JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community kitchen that serves farm-to-table meals to paying and in-need customers. As a result, the menu items don't have prices.

Paying customers are asked to make recommended donations of $30 to cover their plates. They're also asked to "pay it forward" with a $20 donation to help cover in-need customers who can't afford their meals. In-need customers are encouraged to join the JBJ community and volunteer their time.

Both restaurant locations have served up over 140,000 meals since opening, with 53% earned by volunteering and 47% paid with donations, according to Soul Kitchen.

The singer has also volunteered at Soul Kitchen, bringing some star-power allure to the restaurant.

The singer has also volunteered at Soul Kitchen, bringing some star-power allure to the restaurant.
Jon Bon Jovi sits in JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey, on October 19, 2011.Wayne Parry/AP Images

Bon Jovi frequents the Red Bank location. During the onset of the pandemic, Bon Jovi posted a photo of himself scrubbing dishes at Soul Kitchen with the caption, "If you can't do what you do… do what you can." The photo went viral and prompted his song "Do What You Can."

While the restaurant did takeout orders during the early stages of the pandemic, they're fully open again, and they serve lunch and dinner five days a week.

So, having grown up in the Garden State for most of my life and loving Red Bank, I knew I had to visit the original location to see what the community kitchen had to offer ... and to see if Bon Jovi made a surprise appearance.

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When I arrived, I found a space that was light and bright and immediately welcoming.

When I arrived, I found a space that was light and bright and immediately welcoming.
One side of the restaurant was lined with shelves and merchandise while the other had see-through garage doors leading to the outdoor seating.Victoria Montalti/Insider

Before visiting, I wasn't sure what to expect beyond the restaurant's beautiful façade and garden, so I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere when I walked in.

In the long room, one side is covered in dark shelving displaying small appliances, colorful merchandise, and restaurant awards. There is also an opening that allows diners to look directly into the kitchen.

The other wall is lined with glass-paned garage doors that let in some extra light and show the outdoor seating area at the front of the restaurant.

Our hostess told us that staff and volunteers aim to offer "community dining with dignity."

Our hostess told us that staff and volunteers aim to offer "community dining with dignity."
The restaurant displayed Soul Kitchen's six mantras.Victoria Montalti/Insider

The focal point was the back wall, which displayed the restaurant's missions and mantras. One that stood out was "All are welcome at our table."

"Hunger doesn't look like what your mind's eye might imagine," Hurley told CBS in 2019. "It's the people at your church. It's the kids that go to school with your kids."

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The servers were very open about the history and mission of the restaurant.

The servers were very open about the history and mission of the restaurant.
Customers can see directly into the kitchen and see their food being prepared.Victoria Montalti/Insider

Dining with my boyfriend, Jimmy, we were immediately given the rundown of the establishment. The staff and volunteers were bubbly and informative, immediately asking us where we lived, exclaiming that the food was fresh and delicious, and sharing the history of Soul Kitchen. We felt like part of the family.

The table setting, drinks, and corn muffin were simple and elegant.

The table setting, drinks, and corn muffin were simple and elegant.
The table was decorated with a classy bouquet of flowers. We drank ice tea and ate corn muffins while looking over the menu.Victoria Montalti/Insider

The tables, filled with a few patrons inside and outside, were simple and classy with white linens and fresh flowers.

We were asked for our drink orders — they offer a small selection of regular water, infused water, or iced tea with free refills.

In place of bread, they offered a corn muffin, which I happily accepted and scarfed down while looking over the menu.

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The menu changes every two weeks in keeping with their goal of serving farm-to-table freshness.

The menu changes every two weeks in keeping with their goal of serving farm-to-table freshness.
The front of the restaurant was decorated with planters filled with micro-greens.Victoria Montalti/Insider

The restaurant offers American cuisine in a three-course meal, including a soup or salad, a choice of an entrée, and fruit plate or dessert.

It has separate menus that change every two weeks to offer new options for returning customers. They're also different from the menus at the Toms River location.

Soul Kitchen uses locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, especially produce from its farmland in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and microgreens from the planters and garden that decorate the front of the restaurant.

We started with the Caesar salad and white-bean soup, which was packed with flavor.

We started with the Caesar salad and white-bean soup, which was packed with flavor.
The appetizers consisted of a Caesar salad and white-bean soup.James Barasch/Insider; Victoria Montalti/Insider

We wanted to try a little bit of everything, so we first ordered the Caesar salad and the soup of the day: white-bean soup.

I was astounded by how quickly everything came out of the kitchen – delivered through the opening in the wall – and by how piping hot the soup was.

I've never had white-bean soup before, so I was a little skeptical, but it was so flavorful with a nice puréed consistency. Jimmy's dish was a typical Caesar salad that could've used a tad more dressing, in our opinions, but it was still good.

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We were impressed by the presentation and sizes of the entrées.

We were impressed by the presentation and sizes of the entrées.
The chicken piccata and Soul-seasoned shrimp scampi.Victoria Montalti/Insider

We carefully debated our entrées. There was a choice of shrimp scampi, mushroom fajitas, chicken piccata, pork Milanese, or kids' chicken sliders on the day we visited.

I knew I had to try the shrimp because it was cooked in "Hope is Delicious Soul Seasoning," the restaurant's blend of caramelized sugar, spices, paprika, and garlic powder. The seasoning is also available for purchase.

After we opted for shrimp and chicken, our orders came out piping hot as soon as we finished the appetizers. They smelled scrumptious. Jimmy pointed out the generous portions, which were perfect for those looking for a truly filling meal.

The shrimp scampi was flavorful and aromatic, but the chicken piccata was even better.

The shrimp scampi was flavorful and aromatic, but the chicken piccata was even better.
The Soul Seasoned shrimp scampi was very aromatic and the chicken piccata was juicy.Victoria Montalti/Insider; James Barasch/Insider.

My shrimp scampi was paired with penne pasta in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, and the shrimp's Soul Seasoning had a subtle Cajun flavor.

The chicken piccata was even better. With nearly a whole bunch of asparagus on the plate, roasted potatoes, and garnished with capers and lemons, each element worked perfectly together. The chicken was moist and the potatoes were extra crispy.

We both felt really full when finishing our entrées, which was a win.

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The Reese's Pieces cupcake was worthy of sitting in a professional bakeshop display case.

The Reese's Pieces cupcake was worthy of sitting in a professional bakeshop display case.
Dessert consisted of a Reese's Pieces chocolate cupcake, a fresh fruit plate, and a cup of coffee.Victoria Montalti/Insider

Then it was time for the final course: dessert! The chef's choice of the day was a Reese's Pieces cupcake. We ordered one of those and one fruit plate, which had a fresh assortment. We were also offered coffee or hot tea.

I was impressed by the cupcake presentation and taste. Although I remembered reading that the desserts were made in-house by professional chefs, I still had to confirm it had been made on the premises because it had the quality of being sold at a specialty bakery, rather than a restaurant. It was super moist, chocolatey, and not too sweet.

Soul Kitchen delivered on all of its mantras and created a wholesome experience.

Soul Kitchen delivered on all of its mantras and created a wholesome experience.
We truly felt welcomed at JBJ Soul Kitchen.Victoria Montalti/Insider

Overall, we were pleased with the atmosphere, quality of food, the people (who really were the heart of the restaurant), and the value for money, which was a recommended donation price that I found really fair. We wound up paying $30 per person and donating $20 to help cover someone else's meal.

We truly felt welcomed here. Beyond the delicious food and attentive service, it was a wholesome experience: In addition to getting a great meal, you're also giving back to the community.

And although I didn't see the "Livin' on a Prayer" singer in person, I was really happy to see Bon Jovi's efforts at Soul Kitchen, and I'm excited to go back soon.

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