The black and woman owned restaurant has been “cooking with love” for 15 years.
By Nina Monsanto
Joy Raynor opened up the mouthwatering, ‘Lady J’s Soul Food‘ for the community to enjoy and demand is so highthey enjoyed it so much, she’s looking to expand.
The Black-owned and woman-owned business, which has been around for 15 years, is an alternative to cafeteria food for busy N.C. A&T students., and iIt’s also a convenient five-minute walk from campus.
Lady J’s is at 1939 E. Market St., inside the Eastside Grocery convenience store Eastside Grocery. Seating is limited, so the food is packed to-go.
Popular items include baked spaghetti, fried chicken, fried pork chops and desserts such as banana pudding and peach cobbler.
Raynor said opening the restaurant happened by chance, but says her love for cooking for the community is why she continues to do this every day.
“I love cooking with love,” Raynor said, explaining why she opened her business. “Watching people enjoy my food is what I enjoy the most about my business.”
Students, such as Juliana Hilton, say they sometimes grow tired of eating on campus. So, an affordable and convenient location is just what students need.
“I have no car or any type of transportation because I am (from) out of state,” said Hilton, a freshman political science major from Atlanta. “Therefore, knowing Lady J’s Soul food is only five minutes away on campus, it is easy to walk there.”
Full meals cost $7 to $11, a wing dinner is $5.99, and a hot dog is $1.25. Desserts, such as peach cobbler and banana pudding, are $3. The restaurant is open from 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays.
Sydnei Young, a freshman kinesiology major from Baltimore, Maryland, said she loves the restaurant because the food is both excellent and affordable.
“I am a broke college student, and only having to spend $7 on a two-piece chicken dinner – that includes two sides – is amazing,” she said.
Every day Lady J’s Soul Food has a different special. On Mondays, it’s baked spaghetti. The most frequently bought item on the menu is the signature fried chicken.
“My favorite item is the fried chicken with a side of macaroni and cheese and collard greens,” said Nehemiah Patterson, a first-year kinesiology major from Winston-Salem.
Sydney Byrd, a freshman finance major from Prince George, Maryland, loves the hot honey chicken with fries.
“Hands down the best soul food place in town,” she said of Lady J’s.
Lady J’s Soul food has also catered at A&T events. During a recent sports reporting master class, the students and faculty raved about the restaurant’s food.
“If you haven’t tried Lady J’s. you are truly missing out,” said Gavin Smith, a sophomore business major from Greensboro.
“Future customers will not be disappointed by Lady J’s Soul Food,” Smith said.
Nina Monsanto is a freshman multimedia major at N.C. A&T State University from Whitsett, North Carolina.
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