Mama J’s beat out 15 other competitors to win the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s first fried chicken bracket, in honor of March madness.
In the final round, Mama J’s fried chicken earned 10,046 votes, easily trouncing Ukrop’s Market Hall‘s total of 4,056. It was a stunning upset, after Ukrop’s won by strong margins in previous matchups.
However, fans of Mama J’s soul food rallied behind the Jackson Ward gem over the weekend and pushed the mother-son spot to No. 1.
The fried chicken at Mama J’s
Velma Johnson, the “Mama J” in Mama J’s, learned how to fry chicken as a little girl in the family kitchen. Growing up in a family of 14 siblings in Richmond, she helped her grandmother cook the family meal every Sunday.
“Fried chicken, mac ‘n’ cheese, candied sweet potatoes, collard greens,” Velma said. This is where she learned the recipes that are now served at Mama J’s.
Velma operated a successful catering business for years specializing in soul food and Southern home cooking.
In 2009, her eldest son Lester Johnson convinced her to open a restaurant in Jackson Ward.
Almost immediately, the restaurant took off and was a success.
“We’re blessed in the community,” Lester said. “Even during COVID, the community wrapped its arms around us. We pivoted to-go. They never walked away from us.”
Celebrities like Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, D.L. Hughley and more flock to Mama J’s when visiting Richmond. Mama J’s has been nominated for a prestigious James Beard award, and it’s a neighborhood favorite. The reason: Southern home cooking made with love.
At Mama J’s, the chicken is marinated overnight to lock in the flavor, dry breaded in the morning in a homemade batter, seasoned and spiced before being fried fresh. But that’s all we could find out from the tight-lipped pair.
“I’m dying to tell you my secrets, but I’m sworn to secrecy by my son,” Velma said.
“It’s my most favorite meal,” Lester said. “I try to take a break from it every now and then. But when I sit down and eat the fried chicken, mac ‘n’ cheese and collard greens, I see why customers like it so much. It’s really good.”
The fried chicken, dark meat or white, can be ordered for lunch or dinner at Mama J’s and is served with a corn muffin for $13-$14. The fried chicken and most Mama J’s items can also be ordered to serve 10 to 50 people through its website.
This October, Mama J’s is celebrating its 15th anniversary, a feat neither could have imagined when the doors were opened for the first time.
The restaurant is planning a block party in the fall to celebrate.
“Mama J’s is a collection of so many people coming together. It’s my family, our employees and our customers who keep coming back,” Lester said.
And that’s not all.
Mama J’s is working on getting a few products into stores by the end of the year.
“We’re hoping to have an announcement, about how people can make their own Mama J’s fried chicken,” Lester said.
But for now, cue the confetti and the Gatorade shower for Mama J’s, the best fried chicken in Richmond.
Richmond Restaurant Week returns for spring next week, April 22-28. And Southbound is now open for lunch, see what's on the menu.
Seen are fried chicken with mac ‘n’ cheese, candied sweet potatoes and a cornbread muffin from Mama J’s. Johnson operated a successful catering business for years specializing in soul food and Southern home cooking.
“As a local business owner, you navigate a roller coaster of highs and lows, often within the span of a single day. It can really overwhelm you,” said Mama J’s co-owner Lester Johnson, seen here with co-owner Velma Johnson, his mother.
The chicken at Mama J's is marinated overnight before being fried. Owner Velma Johnson ("Mama J") learned how to fry chicken as a little girl in the family kitchen.