Matthews Cafeteria
| Address: | 2299 Main St, Tucker, GA 30084, USA |
| Phone: | +1 770-939-2357 |
| Site: | matthewscafeteria.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 5AM–8PM 5AM–8PM 5AM–8PM 5AM–8PM 5AM–8PM Closed 10:30AM–3PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
LA
Latrice Nichole
Since I moved to the area back in 2006 this place has been my saving grace in terms of good home cooking when your tired of eating out. My family members and I were CRAZY about this place. Unfortunately, the love is not reciprocated. :-( When I courted others to the restaurant they are quick to remind me that "this place looks like a southern kitchen from the 1950s" where people from African American descent were not allowed to eat inside. Ive always defended this by telling them that the folks are always friendly, the food is always hot and awesome, there is diversity in the kitchen and we are NOT in the 1950/60s. I continued to boost about the business with those four defenses in my pocket. Little did I know I would experience a "back in time" episode on two separate occasions. On my most recent trip I was met with the most blatant disregard for my patronage. My fiance and I were standing in the to-go line. There was one young lady in front of us and a lady had just walked over to pick up her order sheet to prepare the food. Thirty minutes later my fiance and I are still waiting. I walk over to the owner/manager and politely ask if there were two people assisting with the to-go line (as there usually is) and she states, very quick and dry, yes. Unfortunately I never saw that second person during my thirty minute wait nor did I desire to because minutes after I asked her about the second assistant on the to-go line I saw her preparing a lady of Caucasian descents food to go....right in front of me and, again, no more than a few minutes later. I was frozen in shock, disbelief and complete sadness. I LOVED this place and to see this happening to ME made me completely hurt, ashamed, and angry. My fiance turned around and said "LETS GO....NOW." I hung my head and slowly followed suit because I knew that this was my last time stepping foot in this establishment. I also knew that I had to report the news to my family and friends who I introduced to this place to. Once we arrived to the car my fiance was quick to remind me of the incident before this one that was eerily similar. The only difference in that incident was that I brushed it off and continued to take a blind eye as if to be some sort of loyalist to a brand, a restaurant, a place that I loved that just didnt love me (or mine) back. So long Matthews! Never again.
MI
Michael Kay
Great Southern food at a great price. Cafeteria-style dining is great because you can SEE what youre ordering and theres almost no waiting. This is a great option when we dont feel like cooking but dont want the full-production of eating out- wait to be seated, take your drink order, bring the drinks and take your meal order, hopefully you dont want or need anything while you eat, wait for the server to come back to ask for the check and then go through the payment process (leave cash or take credit card, run it, bring it back so you can pay) then leave. Mathews is so much better than other cafeteria experiences (Picadilly). Its also not a buffet. They pride themselves on their food and, because they do so much business, the food is always hot and fresh. Their fried chicken is delicious and moist. Catfish Friday is one of our favorites. A great option for a good meal without all the fuss. Dont forget to leave a tip when you done-in. The staff works hard, buss the tables and refill your water or iced tea.
AM
Amber Rhodes
Im a customer service fanatic and anytime a place serves the public, there also should be customer service. Unfortunately the two times I came to Matthews the food line workers were anything but! The first time, although the workers were impersonable and uninterested, I received my food which was indeed delicious! The second time, I guess I arrived after breakfast time ended- but didnt know. I was not geeeted by anyone, all the workers were busy cleaning the line and stocking I guess for lunch. I was not acknowledged or welcomed as I stood there unaware. I had to ask to a worker "Are u breaking down for breakfast?" And she nodded not even looking up. So of course I had no. Youve but to leave. The breakfast food is indeed fantastic (hence the two star) but customer service is really struggling. I hope they begin to hire people who are more happy about where they work.
JO
Joyce M
I got there at 11:10 am. They open at 11. When I left 30 minutes later the line was pretty long. I had a breaded or battered fried pork chop, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, gravy, tea, and strawberry short cake. All that was about $13. I think the mashed potatoes were from dehydrated flakes;they tasted fine. The gravy was ok. The turnip greens were delicious. I liked the pork chop but the knife was so dull I couldnt cut it. It had a bone so I picked it up and ate it with my fingers. The strawberry short cake was the best part of the meal. It had two layers of cake with whipped cream and fresh strawberries in the middle and then more fresh strawberries on top. Theres no service or ambience but who cares? Not me. I was there to eat!!!!
RE
Ready Now
Matthews is about as good as a meat and three gets, and I write that as a fan of such cuisine. In my view, Matthews has been success for 70something years simply because they season food well in its preparation. Over the years, Ive adjusted to 21st century pricing that rarely gets me out for less than $10/head. My only suggestion is that maybe now that it looks like yall may make it, you might want to go ahead and drop a few $s into replacing some of the WWI surplus metal chairs. Breakfast is a treat as well. Nothing fancy, but a pretty good 5am nosh. FYI---written several of these now of establishments haunted for nearly 2 decades. No 5 stars yet. The logic being that once 5 stars is give, then what? so Matthews = 4+ STARS
MI
Michael Williams
First I would like to thank God for allowing me to find this sensational eatery. I came in and already made my mind up that I was going to spend at least $10. The owner/manager saw a look of indecisiveness in my face and knew I was a first timer which was amazing to me. Long story short because I know most people hate reading long reviews..he Comp. my entire meal which was delicious and invited me back for dinner. Sure enough I will be coming again to try dinner this time and every week knowing I can get sensational home cooking, resembling my mothers cooking, 5min way from home thats made with love. Thanks Matthews Cafeteria staff
WI
William Ranes
A true legend of the old South, everyone must go to Matthews once before you die. It is a true throwback to an earlier, simpler time. They truly do not make them like this any more. The building is old and dated. But if they fixed it it would ruin the place. The fixtures, including the glass display cases are classic old school. The food appears to be home made, and if it isnt, they get it from someone who can fake it really well. The food is very good. My fried chicken was a little dry. My cherry pie was excellent. Overall a great experience. And fun. Not many places can offer that these days.
