Jon Bon Jovi Runs Restaurants With No Prices — You Can Volunteer Instead

When rock legend Jon Bon Jovi isn't touring the world, he's fighting food insecurity in his home state of New Jersey. His nonprofit community restaurant, JBJ Soul Kitchen, serves gourmet meals with a twist: there are no prices on the menu.

Instead of traditional pricing, the restaurant operates on a "pay it forward" model. Guests who can afford it are encouraged to make a suggested donation of $20–30 for their meal. Those who can't pay simply volunteer their time — working in the kitchen, serving tables, or helping with other tasks around the restaurant.

Dignity Over Charity

What sets JBJ Soul Kitchen apart from a soup kitchen is its emphasis on empowerment rather than charity. Everyone sits in the same dining room. Everyone gets the same chef-prepared, nutritious meals. There's no way to tell who paid and who volunteered, which preserves the dignity of every guest.

The volunteer model typically requires one hour of service in exchange for a meal. Tasks might include:

• Washing dishes and prepping vegetables
• Setting tables and greeting guests
• Clearing tables and light cleaning
• Helping with events or community outreach

A Model That Works

Since opening its first location in Red Bank, New Jersey in 2011, JBJ Soul Kitchen has served hundreds of thousands of meals. A second permanent location opened in Toms River, and in 2023, TripAdvisor named it one of the "Best of the Best" restaurants — placing it in the top 1% of reviewed businesses nationwide.

The restaurant is run by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, with day-to-day operations overseen by Dorothea Bongiovi, Jon's wife. The foundation's mission extends beyond just feeding people; it aims to break the cycle of poverty and hunger through job training, culinary education, and community support.

More Than Just a Meal

For many guests, JBJ Soul Kitchen becomes a pathway to stability. Some volunteers have gone on to careers in the culinary industry. Others have simply found a community and a sense of purpose during difficult times. The restaurant serves as a reminder that addressing hunger isn't just about providing food — it's about treating people with respect and offering opportunities for contribution.

As Jon Bon Jovi himself has said, the goal isn't to give handouts, but to give people a hand up. More than a decade later, that philosophy is still feeding both bodies and souls across New Jersey.