From Scratch and From the Heart: BelleJohns' Serves Up Soul Food in Plainfield

When customers visit BelleJohns' Soul Food, a food truck on West Fourth Street in Plainfield, they encounter more than the aroma of homemade soul food. They meet an owner with a clear vision: serving meals prepared with care, quality ingredients, and purpose. Owner Jewel Domino is building a loyal following by combining traditional soul food favorites with healthier cooking options, proving comfort food can support a healthy lifestyle.

Union County Life covers Plainfield businesses, local entrepreneurs, and community economic development across all 21 Union County municipalities.

From Scratch, With Purpose

"We cook everything from scratch," Domino said. "We don't only cook soul food. We're best known for our wild-caught, never-frozen whiting and catfish."

While fried fish remains a signature dish, the menu also includes baked entrées and meals tailored to customers with specific dietary needs, including desserts such as pound cake. Domino's approach goes deeper than menu options. "I cook for individuals with dietary restrictions, including those managing cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. We also provide catering for events and focus on using fresh, free-range, wild-caught, organic, halal, and farm-to-table ingredients whenever possible."

Domino believes everyone deserves flavorful food, regardless of dietary restrictions. Her commitment extends to sourcing: she prioritizes quality ingredients and ethical sourcing practices, supporting family-owned and Black-owned suppliers when possible.

From Challenge to Vision

The business began in 2016 and carries a deeply personal name. BelleJohns was named after Domino's children, Belle and John. After six years operating with tents and an outdoor fryer setup, the business grew. Domino purchased her food trailer in 2022 using retirement savings. In February 2025, she began operating full-time from the Plainfield location.

Domino credits her cooking passion to her aunt Marion and her parents, whose influence shaped both her love of food and entrepreneurial spirit. "I consider cooking my superpower," she said.

In 2018, Domino was struck by a drunk driver in Orange, resulting in the amputation of her left leg below the knee. She spent months recovering, including rehabilitation at Kessler Institute. The experience reshaped her perspective.

"Once I came out of Kessler, I was like, you only live one time," Domino said, recalling seeing people at University Hospital and Kessler Institute who were facing greater challenges. "God gave me another chance."

Building for Community

Today, BelleJohns' operates Wednesday through Sunday: noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday; and noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Current operations are just the beginning of Domino's vision.

"My future goal is to expand by opening a full-sized food truck, two additional mobile food trailers, a catering kitchen, a registered cooking school for inner-city talent, and eventually a supermarket featuring fresh products sourced from family-owned farms and Black-owned businesses," she said.

This expansion plan reflects Domino's broader vision: creating economic opportunity, supporting community entrepreneurs, and building food infrastructure that serves underserved communities. The cooking school addresses workforce development; the supermarket tackles food access and business equity.

As BelleJohns' continues to grow, Domino remains committed to values that have defined the business from the beginning: serving homemade food prepared with care, using quality ingredients, and creating meals that bring people together. She continues an annual Thanksgiving food giveaway, an effort she plans to expand this year.

Explore more Plainfield businesses and local economic development on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: Where can I find BelleJohns' Soul Food in Plainfield?
A: BelleJohns' Soul Food is located on West Fourth Street between Park Avenue and Arlington Avenue in Plainfield. It operates as a food truck Wednesday through Sunday.

Q: What are BelleJohns' hours?
A: BelleJohns' is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from noon to 7:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday from noon to 9:00 PM.

Q: What food does BelleJohns' serve?
A: BelleJohns' serves homemade soul food, including wild-caught whiting and catfish, baked entrées, and meals tailored to specific dietary needs. They use fresh, organic, and farm-to-table ingredients.

Q: What is BelleJohns' signature dish?
A: The signature dish is wild-caught, never-frozen whiting and catfish, available fried as well as baked options for those seeking healthier preparation.

Q: Can BelleJohns' accommodate dietary restrictions?
A: Yes. Owner Jewel Domino cooks for individuals with dietary restrictions including those managing cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. All meals are made from scratch with quality ingredients.

Q: Does BelleJohns' do catering?
A: Yes. BelleJohns' provides catering for events, using the same fresh, quality ingredients as their regular menu.

Q: Who is the owner of BelleJohns'?
A: Owner Jewel Domino founded BelleJohns' in 2016. She named the business after her children, Belle and John.

Q: Does BelleJohns' do any community events?
A: Yes. BelleJohns' hosts an annual Thanksgiving food giveaway for the community. Owner Domino plans to continue and expand this effort.