I use to frequent this place about 15 years ago (early 2000's). Being from the South Side, it was the happening thing back them. I don't know if I was inexperienced with soul food at that time or they have really fallen off. I went one afternoon last week after work, around 3pm...it was slow. I'm assuming it was remodeled because it look better from what I remember. I ordered the catfish, string beans, mac n cheese, and the peach cobbler. I took my order to go. Although I only live 2 miles away, I couldn't resist to pinch off a piece of fish when I got in the car. To my surprise, the food was cold. I know it's cafeteria style butn I've seen places where the food is still hot. That was a major turn off. Nevertheless, I just pooped my plate in the microwave when I got home. My cat fish was blah and so was the Mac n cheese, I barely even touched that. That was the biggest disappointment of my meal. What I wasn't expecting to be tasty was the string beans, they were good. The corn bread was "aight" but I know it would have been better if it were hot. Bread usually doesn't do good in microwaves. The peach cobbler was pretty good, I've had better and worse...mines is better!!! Lol The service was better than I expected but then again, it was slow. I'm sure the more ppl the mode attitude. Hey, sometimes it's hard being in customer service but you gotta roll with the punches (with a smile on your face). Overall this place is doable especially for them days I don't want to slay in the kitchen. I just know the caliber of food I'm getting. read more

What a great experience! Of course, you can't go hear thinking you're in for a fine dining experience, but the flavors are savory and robust, the meat juicy and the cobbler made to perfection. And the women behind the counter are super friendly - it feels like family. For only $6.99 you get a dinner with one entree, 2 sides, and cornbread. Portions are generous! (will last me 2-3 meals). I second everyone's recommendation to try the baked chicken. It's moist and full of flavor. The mac and cheese was very yum despite appearances (yes, there is American cheese melted on top). The only disappointment was the cornbread. As others have mentioned, it is dry and crumbly. Don't leave without dessert! For only $1.25 I got a small peach cobbler. It was out of this world. They do takeout, but you can't call ahead - just have to wing it and stand in line. read more

Let me start by saying. I have been patronizing at Mc Arthur's for 7 + years. I'm picky and from the show me state down South. If you are looking for authentic soul food this is the spot for you. With all do respect and to each it's on. However always remember even people who can't cook themselves are writing some of these reviews based off there own taste and only who knows. With that being stated I'll just leave that there. Oh and don't get me started on there smothered chicken, yams and peach cobbler. It will make you testify. Many blessings to Mc Arthur's and family + many more years to come. read more

What happened?! My family used to own a Chinese restaurant across the street from them and I've been buying from them since they were located across the street from their current location... the food has unfortunately been a steady decline. I used to love the smothered pork chops then that got too salty. Then moved onto the bbq turkey leg (which i had to wait around for cause they don't have it all the time) love the sauce but the meat is so dry now ... same goes for the bbq pork ribs Catfish still good though Worst is i used absolutely love their mac n cheese, it was thick with rich flavors but now creamy but completely diluted of its flavor... obviously changed the cheese in either amount or quality... so sad cause it was what I looked forward to and drove all the way from south loop for. Always went out of my way for their food. Even craved it during my pregnancy. Next their banana pudding... another disappointment. It used to so good and creamy with a good 60/40 portion of banana pudding and vanilla cookies but now its like 80/20... barely get any cookie and compared to how it was packed all the way to the top in a foam container, its not even full now... nowhere near the lid... huge gap. Overall, my last 3 experiences were continuous disappointments... I really hope the owner reads this and does something because they were my favorite soul food restaurant and i was such a fan... I recommended so many of my friends there even though the neighborhood isn't that good to still travel all the way there for their food. Their food for $10 can get a huge portion that surely very little people can finish (two sides, main meat selection and a corn bread (by the way corn way too dry now)) ..... yet i would spend almost every time over or close to $40 for just my husband and I. I even loved the leftovers. Buying 2-3 dinners and extra sides plus always dessert for only 2 people... I hope when i crave it again at some point the restaurant has improved... living in south loop, there are plenty of other places for soul food but i felt loyal to this place but now second thoughts. read more

OMG..... I eat at this place every time I'm in Chicago Illinois which is quite offen food is totally awesome well i went to this place today around 1:30 pm to order 4 dinner meals and the short cashier was totally disgustingly rude to me and my husband and other customers it was so bad that i actually called the owner and complained, well long story short I received a call from a lady manager from this establishment upon her call i asked her what her position was and she with nothing but attuide Stated I'm the manager you got a complaint Wow not even, Hi my name is blank and I'm the manager at this establishment how can I make your next visit more pleasant and how can I fix this issue for you NOW..... I guess customer service isn't what it use to be ...... read more

This place is an institution, should be a historical landmark. Don't understand the bad reviews. Been coming here as long as I can remember. If you're planning on coming to MacArthur some quick tips: if you go on Sunday you should come before the Church crowd rolls in, you cant go wrong with pork chops, fried chicken, catfish, short ribs, Beef roast, any of the breakfast items... The sides...I never had any issues with service or quality of food. Used to go to Edna's, Gladys, and Queen of The Sea. Macarthur's still top notch and on point. read more

very good cafeteria-style, family-owned soul food restaurant. favorites include greens, cabbage, turkey leg, fried chicken, mac & cheese and fried perch. read more

I went to MacArthur's on Sunday February 2021 and I hadn't been there for about three years. I was surprised that they stop serving dressing, what black Soul food restaurant doesn't serve dressing? Also, the reason I went to this restaurant, their online website, showed they were serving baked catfish. I was going to order this for my 82-year-old mother. They should update their online menu, because it still shows that they are serving dressing and catfish. Customer service experience: One of the girls that was serving, had attitude issues, don't know if she partied the night before etc. If I want to keep adding sides to my order, then I need you to listen and stop acting like its bothering you. She forgot my side gravy and the extra peach cobbler, and I was charged for this. I thought I had counted all my sides. Please check your food items before leaving this place. Once you get home, they are not going to reimburse you. In the white establishments, they will reimburse you. read more

I just attended a fundraising event for a homeless organization in Chicago (Franciscan Outreach) and Macarthur's donated food to the event. The mac n' cheese is what you dream about. Mind you this pan of mac n' cheese must have been cooked at least an hour prior and yet it was still phenomenal. I plan to visit the restaurant after the restaurant 1) supported the community via donating to a homeless organization, 2) provides amazing food, and 3) had great staff service at the event! Thanks, Macarthur's! read more

I must set the record straight about how President Obama refers to this place in his book. He never says it's his favorite place to eat, he never even says that it's his favorite soul food in the city. He refers to it mostly because of the way the owner runs his business and gives people with peppered pasts a chance to work in his establishment. That being said, this is not the best soul food I've ever had. But it is a cornerstone of the Austin Community and if you are a virgin to soul you may want to start here. I once went here with a young friend of mine, who is also white like I am. So, when we walked in the gentlemen in front of us asked, "so, you've come to see how the other half lives, have you?" The people that work here are extremely nice and the establishment is very clean. There is a baked chicken alternative to the more fattening fried and plenty of other healthy choices. In nice weather you can eat your meal outside. read more

WARNING: This food if consumed on a regular basis will result in the following: - Diabetes - High Blood Pressure - High cholesterol - And will lead to a slow, but semi-tasty death Okay, maybe that was a little harsh, but its true. The majority of the food here is HIGHLY salted, and overly saturated in butters, oils, fat, and other greases. That is precisely probably why the food tastes pretty darn good (from time to time, that is). You walk into MacArthurs, stand in a lunch room style line, get shouted at by some rude ghetto mama's (whatchu want?)...oh and don't be indecisive, they start to get SNAPPY. The customer services could be so much better here. They could also cut down on the salt and let the people that want to kill themselves add their own additional salt, which sadly I've seen people do on top of all the pounds of salt sitting on the food. I'm am a glutton for punishment and from time to time I find myself ordering the "veggie" plate. These aren't healthy veggies either, lol. This is a good place to go for a taste of soul food. Its not the best, but its pretty darn good. They could work on their customer service (I think I've said it already) and even start to offer healthier options to a community already plagued by health crisis of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure...etc. Eat at your own risk, and try at least once! read more

The food is actually really good but the service is so terrible that I will never eat from here again. The attitudes of the staff are horrible, especially the manager. I have frequented this place and it has been a staple in the Austin community since I was a child but I cannot continue to support a place that has no regard for good service. read more

So good it's just ridiculous. The fried chicken, wow. Don't think because it's stacked up cafeteria style it's gonna be cold- they serve it good and hot. Greens are really good- a little smoky, chopped up nice too. The mac-n-cheese is as good as it gets, creamy and sweet. Seriously, I debate picking it as a side because it's so filling and I always leave so stuffed, but it's so good I have to get it. They have red beans, and they have rice as sides... You can order one, the other, or have 'em combine them like you should, duh. And save room for dessert- PEACH COBBLER. A cup stuffed with sweet peaches, soft, warm cakey cobbler chunks and just enough cinnamon. Best Peach Cobbler ever. Tip- if you look around the seating area you'll see some self serve water fountains with tumblers- when you pour yourself some water make sure you grab yourself a to-go box while you're up there. You're gonna have trouble finishing everything and don't you dare pitch the extras!!! read more

Growing up in the south, I love cafeteria style food (e.g., Luby's, Wyatt's, Furr's) and I've missed it, so I was really excited to try MacArthur's... MacArthur's missed the mark w/ me and my fiance. If I didn't have diabetes before, I have it now. I had the fried chicken, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cornbread. He had cubed steak w/ gravy, sweet potatoes, mac n' cheese, and cornbread; and we split the peach cobbler. The fried chicken was cold and overly greasy... grease was dripping off the meat, and it wasn't seasoned, just salty. The cornbread stuffing... Jesus Christ, they must have dropped the salt shaker in the batch, it was too salty and just not good. The mashed potatoes were awesome, just delicious. Too bad they don't have cream gravy, just brown gravy. The cornbread was dry and crumbled everywhere. For my fiance, his cubed steak was salty and flavorless, and he said the steak itself was too soft, and there was no chew to it. His sweet potatoes were OVERLY sweet. It was good but there was too much brown sugar. Mac and cheese was good, despite the slices of american cheese on top. As he says "you really can't fuck up mac and cheese." The peach cobbler was too sweet, slimy, there was no crust, no crunch, just soft baby food for people with no teeth. Overall... I've had better southern food, hell, I make way better southern food and I've been told my food is better than people's grandmother's. But MacArthur's was just too salty, too sweet, too dry and a definite pass. read more

I've been to MacArthur's several times, and I've never had anything I disliked. With that being said I will tell you what they do well: Collard Greens Macaroni and Cheese Candied Sweets Fried Chicken Beef Short Ribs Meatloaf Cornbread Peach Cobbler The service is cafeteria style, the ambiance is casual family-dining (think Naugahyde booths), clean, and bright. Since the remodel they have a private room or two, and outdoor seating. The more "special" offerings vary based on the day of the week, but some standards are available daily. There is almost always a long line, but they efficiently move you on through. read more

What happened to MacArthur's? Back in the day, they had the best soul food. They have become so commercialized to the point that they have resorted to using canned food. If it is not canned food, it sure taste like it. It was so tasteless that I would not even give it away. I just couldn't do that to another individual. Me and my friend ordered two dinners. The macaroni & cheese tasted like that yucky stuff I was served in grade school. The dressing had no seasoning, no bell peppers and no onions so basically, no taste. The yams tasted like they were poured straight from a can into the pan they serve from. The smothered chicken was some cheap, frozen, breaded chicken strips as opposed to parts cut from a fresh chicken and them seasoned and cooked. The blackeye peas....well let's just say that I've made my point. Needless to say, me, my friends and family will not dine here again. read more

I used to come here back in it's hey day when it was across the street before it moved to the bigger location. The quality of food hasn't been the same I think since 07 or 08. The mac and cheese used to be so creamy, greens were cooked from scratch, baked chicken packed with flavor. Went there recently and food was just so so like cooking it over and over just got old. It's not as good as it used to be and those who used to eat there know it. read more

In a casual converrsation with my daughter, I mentioned that I missed the "Soul Food" at Everest & Jones in Oakland. A friend overheard me and suggested we do dinner at MacArthur's. He raved about their fabulous southern cuisine... I'd like to say he was right...and this place was as wonderful as he proclaimed...would hate to say a handsome man was wrong!? But, he wasn't entirely right. While the food was not horrible...it was definitely not memorable... My concerns: Although this is sort of a caferteria, they had a rather limited selection. Smothered Pork Chops. Fried Chicken. Fried Fish. Baked Fish. I think that was it for main entrees. The side dishes were just as limited, with Greens. Mac & Cheese (that looked horrible. Had slices of American Cheese on top! Still in the square shape?!), Sweet Potatoes (swimming in juice of some sort), Mashed Potatoes...that sort of thing. I had the Fried Chicken: The flavor was "ok", but it was incredibly greasy. The green beans and mashed potatoes were sort of bland...Where was the butter and were the potatoes made with milk or cream? The gravy was fairly well seasoned, but she put too much on the potatoes and it consumed my plate! My friend had the Fried Fish: Pronounced it NOT good at all. He agreed, the chicken was greasy. He had the greens and said they were very good. We both agreed, the corn bread was about the best thing on the menu....that said, this is probably not a place I'll frequent too often. Prefer Army & Lou's. read more

It's hard to give soul food restaurants a fair shake when you've grown up with women (and men) who prepare it better, but as far as it goes, this place is good, if a bit inconsistent. If you are too lazy to make your own, good portions and well-seasoned food can be had here. However, like other restaurants, they have off days. Do I recommend it? Yeah. read more

When starving, craving soul food, and too lazy to cook it yourself, head on over to the west side and give MacArthur's a try. Their banana pudding is simply wonderful. The mac and cheese is good. The smothered pork chops are great. The greens taste like canned greens. If you like Glory greens, you'll love these. I prefer the cabbage at MacArthur's. Yum. Peach cobbler is yummy. The fried chicken is really good, but can be too salty. The corn is sweeeeeeeeeeet. If you don't like sweet corn, don't bother trying it. Enough about the food. Parking is easy and free. If you're scary, only go eat there in the day time. If you're scary DEFINITELY park in the lot. Street parking is ample for the rest of you. Oh, and one time I was there near closing and they handed out free banana pudding. read more

Love the plentiful options. Food can use a lil more salt, but quality and price matches.

This place is awesome for some home cooked soul food! I am in love with the BBQ chicken, yams & mac n' cheese! Yes, that is right...I am a girl who loves to eat! This place is in the ghetto but that never stops me from going. The staff are not all that friendly but the food is worth it all! read more

Great hood spot with the best soul food out West / for a cheap price. Be careful to not rush when ordering. Take your time and understand options so you may truly enjoy the food. read more

I've only been here twice. Each time that I've been here, there was a line that extended all the way around the restaurant. The walls have pictures of celebrities, athletes, and political figures that have visited the restaurant. Kind of like Pink's Hotdogs in California. They have daily specials for $6.99-$8.99ish which include 1 meal and 2 sides. They are definitely NOT on the stingy side when it comes to their portions. I ordered the baked chicken with candied yams and macaroni and cheese. The backed chicken is nice and juicy. We ask for a mixture of dark and white meat. The server gives us a breast, leg and wing. The candied yams are perfectly sweetened. The macaroni and cheese has the perfect amount of cheesiness. I will definitely be back to try the rest of their delicious food. read more

Macarthur's Restaurant - Mac and cheese, candied yams and baked chicken - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I waited 20 minutes for one item just for one of the servers to look me in the eyes as they bagged up the last of it and took it to the back for someone else. Most servers are beyond rude and the Okay Food isn't worth the disrespect I won't be supporting any longer. Prayers out to the nice Cashier who's keeping that place afloat. read more

I totally agree with Lisa D. President Obama didn't say this was his favorite place to eat...and it is definitely not mine...LOL. It is not a bad restaurant but the long lines and awful parking are not worth it for average soul food. The prices are reasonable however and the service is always pretty good....that is why this placed earned 3 stars from me instead of 2. Spoiler Alert here: if your going to try the dessert and you think it tastes like you mother's or grandmother's recipe...think again. Eat, Drink, and be Merry my friends. read more

This place is a staple of Austin. And they've got pics of celebrities who have come in all over the wall. It's a no-frills kind of place, with a setup akin to a school lunch line. It's very simple soul food, at dirt-cheap prices. So don't expect fine dining, just good old fashioned artery clogging buttery fried foods. read more

Macarthur's Restaurant - Ribs, corn and mash potatoes - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Good soul food is surprisingly hard to find. You definitely have to travel for it. I've been going to EVERYWHERE anyone mentions, so that I can find the best mac & cheese, smothered chicken and peach cobbler. Here, you can find 2 out of three. I don't hate their peach cobbler, but I love their banana pudding better. The mac & cheese is great. It's super cheesy, always moist and very buttery. The smothered chicken is worth trying. It runs out, so if you are dying to try it, I would call ahead to make sure it's available. Better yet, it's best to call ahead and pick up. The lines get sooo long that it can take a while to go through it. Also, it's especially long on Sundays after church. Take a drive, try it, you won't regret it. read more

Mouth watering. That is what happened on the 15 minute car ride back to my bf's house from MacArthur's. I have to say, when my supervisor at work kept going on and on about this "amazing" soul food restaurant on the West Side, I just thought she was over-exaggerating. NOPE. Not the case at all. It took me a bit to find the place (even though there was a big, bright lit up sign on the front)... probably harder because MacArthur's isn't exactly in the most appealing of neighborhoods and I was rushing. Before I even entered the doors I noticed the sticker that read "People on Yelp love us!". Expectations went up at this point, however were shot back down a little after seeing a "Cash Only" sign by the register. Sucked paying $4 to get out $40. Once I got to the counter, a nice older woman asked what I wanted. I ordered the baked chicken, meatloaf, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and sweete potato. Oh, and I can't forget the awesome corn bread. (OMG, my mouth is watering again just thinking about it!) She pleasantly surprised me when I asked her to pick out whatever chicken pieces looked best. She did not disappoint me, and my tummy was satisfied. HUGE fan now, I even went back 2 days later for the BBQ turkey legs. Definitely check the website to see what they offer for the day, and you're going with a friend, don't bring more than $20. All that food I listed above cost me $17!!! read more

SIMPLY THE BEST SOULFOOD IN CHICAGO ......MAYBE EVER!! Man I found myself lickin my fingers literally after eating the heavenly baked chicken collard greens and mash potatoes !!!! If your in Chicago and haven't eaten here or had a meal to go you are missing out! read more

The food was okay not spectacular. I had the perch fish with macaroni and cheese and green beans. The macaroni and cheese was rich in flavor and creamy. However, on top of each portion was a slice of yellow (goverment)cheese that ruined the feeling of getting a southern cooked meal. The perch was horrible it was too salty and undercooked. I wish I had ordered the catfish. My biggest complaint was that they ran out of candied yams. However the highlight of my meal was the peach cobbler which I would suggest to anybody have for dessert. I think that I had a lot of hype for this place. In addition I'm also comparing this restaurant to the southern food that I had when living in Memphis. That's a hard sander to live up to. So I will give this restaurant another try and hopefully have a better review. read more

Growing up in the south, I learned a lot about southern food. this place does it right for a place in chicago. i went on the way to work one day and got so much food for less than $10. i got the ribs and cornbread corn and fries. read more

You know ! When you want the BEST soul food, YOU GO TO THE HOOD! If you come here , drive. It's near the L but most people would be scared to walk through here, especially at night like we did ! If your not comfortable in an urban, sketchy at times area , then this place ain't for you. You will see : - Crackheads asking you for 1$ to "catch this train" - People "chilling" on the corner or on the stoop. - Groups of teenage kids wandering the streets aimlessly looking to " start something". - The local "hood rats" on the ave For the rest of you , some of Chicago's tastiest soul food. ! It seemed to be the " Who's who " of the neighborhood in there , so were laughing at people's shenanigans the whole time... There are some characters in there boy !! The smothered pork chops were tender, moist and everything a good ol' southern pork chop should be . Mac & Cheese melted in your mouth. Collard greens were just ok.... nothing special. They aren't going to be nice to you here. But your here for the food after-all. The ham hocks seemed popular too. This place is known to many for good soul food . And it's absolutely because the food is GOOD !! This food has crazy amounts of fat and sodium . Their portions are HUGE ! I would say come here to support the owner- lady , who is a hardcore Bulls fan ! read more

I have tried this place once before about 5 years ago and didn't like it then. I tried it again recently and it's still disgusting. The good: Great portions Awesome price The cornbread muffins with yam juice on top. YUMMY! The bad: I ordered the smothered porkchops, mashed potatoes, and mac n cheese (not my idea too much starch on one plate) The porkchops YUCK undercooked, too much breading and not seasoned. The mashed potatoes now how could you mess up the most easy staple of so many meals. They were chunks of boiled potatoe mixed with boxed potato. It's simple get a potato, milk, butter, salt and pepper and mash until your heart is content. The Mac N Cheese again YUCK I would have to describe it as macaroni mixed with egg, milk, and no cheese crammed into a pan with sliced cheese on top. read more

Just Painful :( MacArthur's has fallen off! Today I had their greens which were salty their Mac N cheese was more like Mac N butter :( I hate to see an icon go down hill. Its like finding out Whitney can't sing anymore :( Very sad! As for the peach cobbler all crust no fruit. I think they have crossed over to canned items. So if you have a taste for greens and blackeye peas go to the store buy Glory greens and pop it in a pan. Cause that is all MacAurthurs really is these days. read more

I am so happy that we decided to drive over this weekend and try MacArthur's out for lunch. We had been going to a place in the suburbs for our southern fix, but the prices seemed a bit steep. This place is the complete opposite. We each got a meat and two sides ,dessert and a soda for $25. I had the bbq baked chicken and thought it was yummy - not dried-out at all. The husband got the smothered pork chops - fresh batch came out just as he stepped up. I tried a bite and they were peppery-oniony goodness. The mac and cheese was also great and I loved that the desserts were pre-wrapped because we definitely had to take them home. I want to come back for the beef and noodles and try the fried chicken too! read more

Throughly enjoyed my meal here. Yes, the area may be a tad rough, but of course the hidden gems usually are the hardest to find. The price was very affordable for what I got. I ordered a breast, two legs, macaroni & cheese, collard greens (comes with a piece of cornbread) and a bottle juice and only spent $9. What a deal!! The food was so delicious and definitely filling. Cured my hangover right up. The mac & cheese was a bit drippy, but good nonetheless. I definitely WILL be coming back! read more

Macarthur's Restaurant - Breast, Legs, Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens, Cornbread = Happy Me! - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent, no nonsense, Southern style soul food! Ribs are my favorite! Everything tastes homemade, even cornbread biscuits!

It was like having a truly home cooked meal. Wow the fried chicken was amazing and the yams? To die for. Stop in for some home cooking when you have time to sit a spell- you'll be glad you did. read more

I just can't believe how this Chicago staple went down the way has! Smothered pork chops are dry they didn't have any greens and the staff was rude! It breaks my heart! read more

Macarthur's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois