Manna’s Restaurant

Hadn’t been to Manna in years. It’s really simple, location, location, location. You’re not going to take your date to Manna. This is the type of spot that gives you a home cooked meal, avoids a trip to a fast food joint and doesn’t break the bank.
Usually I stay away from buffet type foods that are sitting in that open space but I was craving some soul food on the fly. I had what could have been an attempt at Jerk chicken, mac and cheese, string beans and a couple slices of avocado. The Mac and Cheese was ok. I loved the vinegar mix on the avocado and the beans. The chicken was not well cooked. It had a couple off setting colors somewhere between purple and blue and I didn’t attempt to go any further. I had a lemonade that was great.
Besides That Manna is a whatb you see is what you get kind of spot.

45 minutes later and my stomach hurts. The grease slick on everything (not just the food, but the serving utensils, countertop and floor) should have been a warning. Live and learn.

As a rule, I stay away from buffets. But I was having trouble finding a place to get lunch, and this place had a crowd in it, so I gave it a shot. My goodness. Mac & Cheese, Roast Pork, greens — all on point. Grabbed a very heavy container of food and a Stewarts, and it was still well south of $ 20. That’s a win.

I like this place. You get what you see. It’s a buffet with a lot of healthy options and well prepared dishes. It tastes fresh and you can choose your portions ;-)
I always go for the fish that is always good in Harlem and a medley of salads: avocado, crabmeat, tuna, pasta, greens, etc. The okra is what I always look for. They know how to cook it and specially in this place is super tasty.
Not a bad option for a nice lunch meal in your office break.

I wish I could like this Manna’s location more, as it is close to where I live. But I have gone twice and each time, my food was luke-​warm at best. The BBQ ribs were rough, like they’ve been through stuff. My teeth had a hard time with them and I’m 25 with no known calcium deficiency. Also, the sauce wasn’t really a BBQ sauce; it was orangey. The service at this location was good though, which is why I settled for a ³⁄₅ score.

I’m going to be blunt. I would have never come into this place if I didn’t have to use the restroom so bad. The windows were steamed up and I couldn’t see inside. And I want to say a hearty «thank you» to the staff! Most places don’t let you use the restroom if you’re not already a customer, and they definitely don’t let you go into the back to use the employee one just because you’re doing the pee-​pee dance.
Enough about my tiny bladder…
It’s a Soul Food Buffet. A big, comprehensive, delicious Soul Food Buffet. I got as much as I could fit into my styrofoam container. The Jerk Chicken was on point. Great, authentic seasoning. The BBQ Chicken was good as well but it resembled General Tso so much I was expecting it to be spicy. Damn… now I want General Tso chicken legs. Someone get on that!
The macaroni and cheese was adequate. It was like homemade… just not like my home. The collards weren’t sweet! I have to qualify it like this because I’ve been subjected to some gawdawful collards recently. They were full of stems, but that seems to be standard with most places. At least these were thoroughly cooked and soft. They were just fine, really. Now the green beans were great! I should have gotten more. They were cooked with smoked turkey and that was the key to FlavorTown. Ugh… did I just use a Guy Fieri-​ism??? Okay, kill me now.
They charge by the pound, so all this food totaled up to just over 18 bucks. The counter guys are super friendly. All the guys are super friendly. This is a friendly establishment. There’s lots of seating. I would have stayed if I wasn’t on my limited break from work.
Oh! I almost forgot. The Sweet Yams… pure South. Very sweet and buttery. Maybe too sweet for some, but I’m talking about Southern-​sweet where the lemonade tastes like simple syrup. Don’t get the big pieces, scoop up the butter drenched dregs.

This restaurant ROCKS! I was looking for soulfood because we don’t have them in my neck of the woods and a close friend of mine recommended Manna. It was the best advice my friend ever gave me! I was in heaven until I got to the register and my food was $ 35.00. Granted everything is weighed by the pound, you have to control yourself. Whatever you do, please do not go their on an empty breakfast belly for dinner. If you do, you will break the bank BUT… it will be well worth it!

Manna’s is Soul Food Heaven! Worked close by and had lunch here several times! They offer a variety of soul food items and you just won’t be able to get enough. It’s self service and goes by the pound (I believe it goes around $ 5.99 a pound). If your getting some chicken or turkey, be sure to not get the bones as they weigh a lot and will rack up on the pounds at the register. I love their veggie rice, baked chicken, fried chicken and salads. Manna’s has a lot to offer and will keep you full and satisfied. There’s several locations throughout Harlem as well so stop by and check it out!

The best place I know to go to in Harlem!!! The food is good not OMG FINGER LICKEN GOOD, but good enough to satisfy you. I told all my friends about it and I will defiantly be back in there!!!

I was very hungry so I decided to stop in and grab a quick bite beforeI hopped on metro north train home. I tried jerk chicken it had a nice flavor, collard greens were decent and rice and peas were a little dry. I guess this location serves as the public restroom for 125^th Street quite a few came in to use facilities and then they walked out no questions asked. Stop at tjus lication if you can’t hold your water.

Too be honest. I don’t know how long they keep the food out in the display. there shouldn’t be a film around the food. Walked out. Left my man there. and went to taco bell.

This place never let’s me down, best food since mobay shut down.

Love this place. Whenever I’m in NYC i get on the subway and head up to Manna’s for my oxtails, greens and candied yams, salad, pudding goodness i’m hungry now :)

One of my favorite to grab a quick lunch or dinner. Not only is the food delicious but the soundtracks are always jamming… luther, mj, bob marley, whitney houston, all kinds of soulful classic hits. I’ve yet to try something I don’t like so 5 stars is a must… GO HERE!

My classmate suggested Soul Food for lunch because she had never tried it before. Initially we had our stomach set to Sister’s Cuisine but ran across Manna’s instead.
Tip:
-@ $ 5.99/lb go for protein and fruits
–avoid the carbs like rice, mashed potatoes and macaroni (even though it was good cold)
–your meal will easily get to $ 10 if you’re not careful
–The hot food was not hot or even warm. We came between 12:30−1p too! That’s prime lunch time!
–My chicken and mac n’ cheese were lukewarm to cold.
–West African Chicken and rice was good (yet oily)
–Their fruits are hit or miss. The mango and kiwi were a miss but watermelon and Asian pears were a hit
–Their sweet plantains were soaked in some honey oil.
–Their caesar salad was drenched in dressing. No thanks.

Well, it takes all types, and I’m going against the grain. I have decided that I will NEVER go to a Manna’s again. No matter how many of my friends try to drag me there for «real» soul food.
I usually end up at the one over by where PanPan used to be, but yesterday wound up at this one. Mind you, I’ve been eating at, or not eating as it is, at Manna’s for years.
Same awful, greasy, tasteless food. I’m never able to get a meat selection when I go because all of the meat is swimming in visible grease, most of it is pork, or some kind of icky stewed chicken something or other. The mac & cheese LOOKS divine, but it’s tasteless. Green beans are ok, but taste canned. The corn is good.
Unilocalers, ya’ll know me. I enjoy food, all kinds, and I LOVE buffets, but this is just disgusting– every time. For the innocent, do NOT let anyone take you here for «soul food». Ever.

I wonder if I have to review all 3, because I’ve been to all 3 so… ?
well i guess i will!
This stuff tastes as good — and some items EVEN BETTER — than my late Grandma’s soul food!!! I don’t care if some of the items might come from a can — whatever they do to it before it gets to the tray is nothing short of sorcery.
There are a few healthy selections but the main events here are the gut busters! This is better and more affordable than Sylvia’s. And more selection than most soul food joints — it’s buffet so you can basically try everything! I think it’s like $ 6/​lb right now or something? (don’t worry food snobs, this is by the pound done with TLC) But remember, soul food is HEAVY so don’t get sticker shock after they weigh your plate (also try not to get pound shock when u realize u are eating 2/​lbs of greasy food! lol)
also, you should have a palette for RICH FOODs but that’s just my random opinion. this is well seasoned, well buttered, well sauced, and expertly cooked!
I even took my black obsessed friend who flew in from Tokyo — she gave it her seal of approval, too! Everyone I’ve brought here enjoys the food and finds something they can’t wait to come back for.
This is the quintessence of Soul Food!

By the pound works well for me, bc although I pretend not to be– I am really just a small chick. Its about $ 5.50 a pound now (more for meat), and I was satisfied for 4.50. Just choose wisely and make sure to get the things they do well. The mac and cheese and bread pudding were exceptionally tasty. The plantains were only a tiny bit too hard, but worth getting. I had a slice of mango that was perfectly ripe. It really is superior to many by the pound table places.

I was having a TERRIBLE day Friday, making fool’s errands right and left.
Ever have one of those?
Manna’s comfort food really hit the spot especially the turkey, ribs, and banana pudding. And since I was busy running so many fool’s errands, the quick buffet setup got me out of there quickly to engage in more fruitless enterprises.
Thank you Manna’s…I think.