L&J Soul Food

My car was having service performed across the street, and I asked for a suggestion for a place that I could walk to. They suggested a little soul food place across the street called L & J. So I gave it a try. I love soul food and I am not afraid to gamble on anew place, so why not?
L & J is not a Michelin 5 star place. Had i just looked at the signage or peered in the doorway, I probably would not have just wandered in. But once inside and seated, I found the service was attentive, the food was decent and the portion sizes were good too.
The décor is urban spartan. The chairs looked to have come from random kitchen sets, and the walls had more than enough enlightened Jesus pictures. I was the sole white person in the place, but everyone was friendly and I struck up a conversation with some nice folks at the next table. I think they were surprised to see me there.
Although they had ribs and pork chops and other items worth trying, I went with the fried chicken. It came with sides, so I tried the collards (one of my personal favorites) and the Mac-​n-​cheese. Everything was good. The chicken was not greasy, nor was it over cooked and dried out. The collards were a little over salted and could have used some ham from the bone or salt pork. They lacked the smokiness that collards can have. But they were still good. The Mac-​n-​cheese tasted a little too Velveeta for my liking, but we’re still a nice starch to have in a place like this.
Pricing was not cheap, but it was in keeping with similar places and they do take credit cards.
Maybe I will go back and try the ribs…