Candied yams with cinnamon and nutmeg are the side dish people keep bringing up at this little seafood counter. Not the fish.
The yams.
Then you learn the menu also carries fried catfish, whiting, porgies, oxtails, turkey wings, and homemade mac and cheese. Most dinners come with two sides and a square of cornbread.
That’s a lot of comfort packed into one plate.
I like how this New Jersey spot keeps things simple. It sits along a busy road and looks like a casual neighborhood diner.
Nothing about the outside hints at the soul food happening behind the counter.
I can’t imagine driving past without wondering what’s frying back there. So what makes a modest takeout joint worth a real detour?
The answer starts with a catfish sandwich and keeps going from there.
A Soul Food Counter Hiding in Plain Sight on Route 22
Route 22 is better known for traffic than for collard greens. Two Fish & Five Loaves quietly changes that equation for anyone hungry in Union, New Jersey.
The restaurant calls itself a seafood spot, and it means it. Southern-style catfish, whiting, and porgies anchor the menu, with fried chicken and yams riding shotgun.
It’s a casual neighborhood diner with takeout at its core. Think counter service, packed containers, and a short trip home before you dig in.
That setup suits the food perfectly. Soul food travels well, and plenty of people treat this place as a pickup stop rather than a sit-down event.
The appeal isn’t polished decor or a fancy dining room. It’s the idea of home cooking you didn’t have to make yourself, served by a small operation with a clear focus.
The name itself nods to a familiar story about feeding a crowd with very little. Fitting, right?
Fish and bread show up on nearly every plate here.
For North Jersey drivers, it’s an easy stop to add to a weekday errand run. Just make sure you’re coming on the right day, because the schedule has some quirks.
Mom-and-Pop Energy Instead of Flashy Decor
Small and family-run describes the feel here better than any decor ever could. Two Fish & Five Loaves operates like a classic mom-and-pop kitchen, and it doesn’t pretend otherwise.
The space is modest and a little tight. Some visitors didn’t realize there was any dine-in option at all and simply ordered takeout.
That tells you where the energy goes. The kitchen gets the attention, and the dining area plays a supporting role.
Honestly, that’s part of the charm. Places like this rarely spend money on design trends, and the food carries the whole show.
The restaurant also handles catering, which says a lot about its role in the community. Holiday gatherings and events lean on kitchens like this one when there’s a crowd to feed.
Families planning parties around the Union area might keep that in mind. A big tray of fried fish and mac and cheese tends to disappear fast.
Expect a straightforward, no-frills stop. You come in, you order, and you leave with something warm and heavy in a bag.
For a lot of New Jersey soul food lovers, that simplicity is exactly the point. The plate matters more than the paint.
Catfish Gets Top Billing for a Reason
Fried catfish is the kind of dish that tells you instantly whether a kitchen knows what it’s doing. At Two Fish & Five Loaves, it sits right at the heart of the menu.
You can get catfish as a dinner or tucked into a sandwich. The catfish sandwich in particular has earned the kind of fans who come back the very next week for the same order.
That’s a strong endorsement for something fried. Plenty of people are picky about breading, oil, and seasoning, and this fish clears the bar for many.
The restaurant fries its fish fresh, which matters with a delicate fillet like catfish. Nobody wants a piece that sat under a heat lamp all afternoon.
Catfish has deep roots in Southern cooking. Finding it done this way in North Jersey feels like a small culinary passport stamp.
Pair it with two sides and cornbread for a full dinner. Or keep it simple with the sandwich if you’re eating in the car.
Either way, this is the order that justifies the detour. Start here, then branch out on your second visit.
Whiting, Porgies, and a Shrimp Sidekick
Whiting might not be the flashiest fish around, but soul food fans know its value. Light, flaky, and perfect for frying, it’s a staple on the seafood side of this menu.
A popular combo pairs four pieces of fried whiting with four pieces of fried shrimp. That dinner comes with two sides, so it covers a lot of ground.
The batter gets plenty of praise for its seasoning and crisp finish. Whiting with mac and cheese and yams is a pairing you’ll see ordered again and again.
Porgies also appear on the lineup, which is a nice touch. You don’t always find them at casual spots, and they bring a different, slightly richer bite.
There’s even a fish and shrimp plate for folks who can’t commit. Indecision has rarely been rewarded so well.
Seafood plates make up a big part of why this place calls itself a seafood restaurant first. The fryer works hard here, and it shows.
Hungry for variety? A mixed plate lets you sample more than one fish in a single trip.
Those Candied Yams Might Steal the Show
Plenty of restaurants treat side dishes as filler. At Two Fish & Five Loaves, the candied yams get talked about almost as much as the main plates.
Fans describe them as sweet but not too sweet. A balanced hit of cinnamon and nutmeg seems to be the secret.
Some customers order an extra side of yams on top of their regular two. That’s a serious commitment to a root vegetable.
The best batches let you taste the yam itself, not just sugar. That’s the difference between a dessert pretending to be a side and a true soul food classic.
Opinions aren’t unanimous, of course. Home cooking can vary from day to day, and yams are no exception.
Still, they come up more than most items on the menu. If you’re choosing sides for the first time, they’re the natural place to start.
Picture them next to fried whiting or catfish. The sweet and savory contrast is part of what makes a soul food plate feel complete.
Order yams once, and you’ll understand why they keep landing in the extra column.
Mac and Cheese, Greens, and the Rest of the Side Squad
Mac and cheese is the most talked-about side on the menu, and it’s homemade. That alone earns it a spot on most plates.
The rest of the lineup reads like a Sunday dinner checklist. Collard greens, potato salad, string beans, yellow rice, and rice and gravy all make appearances.
Potato salad gets the grandmother comparison from some fans. In soul food circles, that’s about the highest compliment a side can receive.
Collard greens are a bigger gamble. Seasoning can vary, so greens lovers may want to judge for themselves.
Since most dinners include two sides, picking them becomes a small strategy game. Rich mac and cheese pairs well with something lighter like string beans.
Want the full experience? Mix one creamy side with one green side, then let the yams sneak in as a bonus.
Sides are sold separately too, in different container sizes. That’s handy if you’re feeding a family or building your own spread at home.
A soul food plate lives or dies by its sides, so this lineup matters. Here, it’s half the reason people keep coming back.
Fried Chicken, Oxtails, and Turkey Wings for Non-Fish Folks
Not everyone in the car wants fish. Good news: the land-based menu holds its own.
Fried chicken is a big draw, especially the leg and thigh combo with two sides. Fans like that it isn’t overly heavy on the fry and stays moist inside.
Chicken wings are on offer too. Some customers point out that you get a good amount of wings for the money.
Oxtails bring the slow-cooked side of soul food into the mix. They’re the kind of dish that takes patience in the kitchen, which makes them a treat to order out.
Turkey wings round things out. When they’re on point, they come out tender and falling off the bone, often paired with rice and gravy.
That variety makes Two Fish & Five Loaves easy for mixed groups. One person grabs catfish while another digs into oxtails.
It’s a smart way to please a household with different cravings. Nobody has to compromise on dinner night.
Fish may be in the name, but the chicken and oxtails deserve their own spotlight.
Cornbread That Behaves More Like Dessert
Cornbread usually plays a quiet supporting role. Here, it’s one of the most discussed items on the plate.
Most dinners at Two Fish & Five Loaves come with a piece of cornbread. It’s thick, and some describe it as closer to a dessert than a classic Southern side.
That sweetness surprises people expecting the crumbly, savory style. Others love it for exactly that reason.
So which camp are you in? Sweet cornbread fans will feel right at home, while traditionalists should simply know what’s coming.
One practical tip from the takeout crowd is worth sharing. Greens packed near cornbread can make things soggy, so keep your containers upright on the drive.
Cornbread also makes a handy dessert stand-in if you skip sweets. Save it for last and call it a finale.
It pairs nicely with saucy items like oxtails or rice and gravy. A little sweetness cuts through all that savory richness.
Love it or debate it, this cornbread starts conversations. That’s more than most side breads can claim.
Portions That Make Sharing Tempting
Value matters when you’re driving out of your way for dinner. At Two Fish & Five Loaves, many people feel they get a fair amount of food for what they pay.
Some dinners are hearty enough to split between two people. That turns one order into a cheap date night at home.
The structure is simple. Most dinners come with a main, two sides, and cornbread, so you aren’t nickel-and-dimed for basics.
It’s not a bargain-basement spot, though. Prices sit in a middle range that feels fair for fresh-fried seafood and homemade sides.
Portion opinions do vary a bit. Rice lovers sometimes suggest asking for a little extra.
Quality and quantity together seem to be the selling point. Food is fried to order, and orders are often ready in about twenty minutes.
For families in Union and beyond, that math adds up. One trip can cover dinner and maybe lunch the next day.
Leftover fried fish isn’t quite the same reheated. But leftover mac and cheese?
That’s a gift to your future self.
Plan Around the Wednesday Through Sunday Schedule
Timing is everything with this kitchen. Two Fish & Five Loaves sits at 2264 US-22, Union, NJ 07083, and it keeps a schedule worth memorizing.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday through Saturday, it’s open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday hours run shorter, from noon to 6 p.m. That makes it a natural stop for an after-church meal.
Notice the early closing time. This isn’t a late-night spot, so plan on lunch or an early dinner.
Ordering ahead is smart, especially at busy times. Food is cooked fresh, and the kitchen can get swamped.
Delivery apps are an option too. Still, picking up yourself means hotter fish and a chance to double-check your order.
Speaking of which, a quick look in the bag before driving off never hurts. Popular items occasionally run out, and substitutions can happen.
The Route 22 location makes it easy to reach from much of North Jersey. Just watch for the right exit and the right turn, because highway stops can sneak up on you.
Worth the Detour for Anyone Craving Home Cooking
Some drivers make an hour-long trip just to pick up an order here. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident.
Two Fish & Five Loaves won’t win any design awards. What it offers is soul food cooked like someone’s family recipe, served fast and packed to go.
Like any small kitchen, it has good days and off days. Seasoning on greens can vary, and service isn’t always polished.
Go in with that in mind. Stick with the standouts, like fried fish, yams, mac and cheese, and fried chicken, and you’re in good hands.
For New Jersey residents, it’s a reminder that great comfort food often hides in plain buildings. The best finds rarely come with neon signs.
It also suits day-trippers passing through Union with a craving. One stop can deliver a meal that tastes like Sunday dinner.
Bring an appetite and a little patience. Order ahead if you can, and check your bag before pulling away.
Then crack that container open at the first red light. Nobody would blame you.
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