So, yeah. When the out-of-towners come in demanding real, live southern food; I have three answers for them. I drag them to Raleigh and force-feed them Ole Time Barbeque or Big Ed's (depending on the day and time), or I drag them to Chapel Hill and introduce them to Mama Dip. Everyone tells you about the fried chicken. You know why? Because it's pretty amazing. Some people will pretend that they're too cool to admit to this. Some people will tell you that they had better (I can think of two places that I probably would say are better if I had just finished a meal at those two places, but only in the moment...eventually, I'd come to my senses). I'm also a big fan of the cornbread. Maybe it's because my own attempts at cornbread tend to result in dry disaster or pre-packaged mix okay-ness, but I find it to be delightful here, and have been tempted on more than one occasion to just stick to that for my meal-time treat. This isn't cuisine, though. Expecting frills will only end up disappointing you. This is straight up southern cookin'. If you order something other than sweet tea, we'll know you're an outsider. read more

It be good and have good food, coming from foodie here. I go again and the three very wrong. I encourage go.

The service was awful. Do not go here if time is any concern. The food was good though. I would actually come here again, despite the worst service ever. I got there about 10 minutes after opening. No one greeted me for several minutes. I have lived in this town for two years and never been here, and that day I committed to trying it. I finally got a seat after about 20 minutes when one of the cooks helped me out so I could at least sit down. When the waiter finally appeared, he didn't apologize or even acknowledge the wait. He mumbled his questions and even though there was only one other party in the restaurant, he was very hard to find. It looked like he was doing his prep work for the day. I ended up getting up myself to get a coffee refill at the coffee station. I wish someone had pulled him aside and tell him to get his shit together. Everyone has been late at one time or another. I was not mad or anything- I had time to spare and was just sort of fascinated by the events. The other party was also not complaining and I've seen people leave restaurants for waiting a lot less than we had to. If you had to be that guy on that day, it was a good group of people to deal with. If the waiter had smiled, apologized for the wait and even without an explanation for his tardiness, just began the day by speaking so I could hear him it would have been OK. It's like the guy was trying to make me feel guilty, like it was my fault he was incredibly late. The cook who sat me seemed to be used to this guy's tardiness. I don't know if he's a grandson or a nephew or somehow related to someone, but that was the worst service I have ever received. read more

You mostly go here to pay for atmosphere rather than cheap southern eats. However, they do have THE BEST fried green tomatoes I've ever had that are worth every penny. They are so thick and flavorful, you'll want to cry when you're done. Come here just for that and save your leftover cash for Time Out's fried chicken. The rest of the food is very good, but a little too pricey. They could also work on their cornbread because it's too dry...c'mon Mama, that's the easiest thing on the menu! read more

A friend, from Vancouver, B.C., who had never been to the southern US before, and I visited Mama Dips last week for lunch. It was Monday afternoon around 12:30. The place was not very crowded and our server was inattentive at best. At worst, she ignored us, and got very irritated when I corrected her on my drink order. I ordered the fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The chicken breading was soggy - the chicken was dry and tasteless. The mashed potatoes tasted like something out of a school cafeteria. My friend ordered the special, Ribeye, with squash and mashed potatoes. She said she's never had a ribeye that bad - she's been all over the world. My husband and I have had breakfast at Mama Dips in the past, and the breakfast was always decent. The service has never been what you would expect as a flagship down-home southern restaurant. The seats and booths are hard-wood and completely uncomfortable for the length of time you have to stay and wait for your food. I won't be recommending Mama Dips for any out of town/country guests from now on. read more

Friends from Raleigh had heard of Mama Dip's; but, had never been, so we hit them on a busy evening (last Friday). We had quick seating and friendly service. Tried two pork chop dinners, one shrimp & flounder, and one fried chicken...with veggies & tea, plus shared a sweet potato fries as an appetizer. This was terrific! Pork chops were just like Mom made and the fried chicken was about the best you can get anywhere....lightly breaded and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Mama was in the audience (as often in the case), and this place remains one of our favorites. If you haven't been, you don't know what you're missing! read more

Yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, fried chicken, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, fried okra, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, sweet tea, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy, mac and cheese, yummy, fucking yummy! Man, I love southern food. Being a Bostonian, this was a taste of heaven! High marks for Mama Dip's. read more

Always good food. Chicken fried steak today was very good. Pinto beans and mashed potatoes are always winners. Another had the meatloaf and was equally as good. Then we tried the chocolate pecan pie with ice cream. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm read more

How Mama Dips only has three stars, I have no idea. It's been a very long time since I've been here, but I remember amazing comfort food when I have it. Zucchini casserole is amazing. This is coming from someone who for the most part, detests zucchini. Squishy, stringy, weird gooey squash. Yuck! However, I throughly enjoyed Mama Dips zucchini casserole. And the dumplings are delicious. Mama Dip is an absolute dear old soul, she was willing to come out and sit with us, and tell us about her restaurant, and her family. You could tell she really had a passion for making delicious food, and didn't care if some people thought it sucked. Oh, and if you want to bring home some of her cooking, I highly recommend you get her cookbook. That cookbook will be handed down through many generations! read more

We were greeted at the door and shown to our seats. We immediately had menus and drinks. We didn't have to wait for anything even though there were a good amount of people dining. Our server was very nice and efficient. The food was amazing! You must check this place out! read more

I love Mama Dip's. Their fried chicken is the best. Really. Yesterday I got squash casserole and oh my lord it was so good! It is light yet rich. Wow I think I have to go back just to get more. I will say, you pay for it. In the words of my dad: They're proud of that chicken. But they should be. It is a treat to go, a little splurge. But so worth it. I can't wait to go back! read more

Honest Southern cooking right down to the homemade pickles. What's not to love? Usually crowded? Yes. Cramped parking? Possibly. Do either of those things matter? No. Even if you're new to the area and have no idea what "southern cooking" is this is definitely worth a visit. There's a reason why it's been around a long time and grown over the years... it's very good. read more

The best service ever! Like I don't think you even understand... Good food! Super southern. Friendly wait staff. Never have had a bad experience. Other than the Obama picture on the wall it's perfect! read more

Mama Dip's Kitchen - Dining room - Southern Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Food here is as expected good!! I've been a couple times and my family all found something they liked. Although we went during breakfast hours, lunch menu was available. My father has had the chicken livers as well as the chitterlings and he was happy. The rest of my party, had waffles, buttermilk pancakes, or pecan pancakes. All delicious!! The bacon, sausage as expected. The sweet potato biscuits although small are very tasty. The fried chicken very good. The chicken & dumplings also delicious. I'll share a few pictures. read more

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Very disappointed! Food over cooked, my chicken & gravy came to me as a piece of fried chicken no gravy, & when I asked about the gravy the waitress said she could go dip my chicken in gravy, really!!! Food was bland, just not good. Waitress had a attitude, And was charged a gratuity for a party of five. If my friends & I were offered free meals we wouldn't come back. First & last time ever, sorry read more

This is a delayed response. Had heard about this place for quite awhile and we finally decided to drive down on a Sunday afternoon. We got there after the church rush and were seated quickly. I need to do these reviews right after being at the location because being chronologically gifted I now have forgotten what we had to eat. But I do know I ate everything that was put in front of me including dessert. The only specific thing I do remember was that the service was a little spotty and they were slow keeping my iced tea replenished. I know I drink a lot of it, but that equals out to Mary who only drinks about half of hers so never gets refills. This kept my rating from being a 5-star. To sum it up, we know we will be returning and are just looking for a day that we can take a trip in that direction again. I do remember that there many more items on the menu I wanted to try. But since I don't remember what I had though, anything I chose will be a surprise! read more

I don't give 5 star ratings unless the experience is life changing .I came close to giving Mama a 5 star rating because Mama Dips had 2 best ofs tonight. The had the best fried chicken I have eaten in years. The skin was perfectly seasoned and oh so crispy. I work in restuarant kitchens and have been making fried chicken for years so I know of what I speak. The other best of was the collard greens. They were so good we didn't even put vinager on them. Also noteworthy were the hushpuppies. They were huge,round, light, and airy. I could have been happy eating just those for dinner The wait staff is mostly Mama Dips grandchildren and family memebers, they truely seem to take pride in her and her food. The restuarant was clean, well kept, and quiet. Prices are a little high than what you might expect, but not outragousely so. The food portions are generous, but not ridicoulous read more

First time going here because of food network My daughter took me here for Mothers Day 2018 we waited 2 hours Carolina graduation going on too. Thought it was worth the wait ordered Chicken and Dumplings they taste like sticky flour and sides greens were from a can my daughter order Roast because she is in school in Durham and miss my Chuck Roast potatoes onions and carrots it was so tough not fit to eat. Her boyfriend order fried chicken he was the only one that ate his meat we ended up giving our food to the dogs wasting 50.00. When Mama Dip died she took her recipes to the grave because her family "CAN NOT COOK SAVE YOUR MONEY DON'T GO TO MAMA DIPS!!!!!!!! read more

While visiting for the holidays, my family treated us to a meal at this fine, down home, country-fried establishment. The service was excellent; our waiter was a prompt, friendly, gentleman who anticipated our needs, and was genuine throughout. The food was tasty, well cooked, and came quickly despite the place being fairly busy. The single detracting factor was a grumpy woman sitting near us, who completely finished her lonely two-course meal, then complained about both empty dishes. The staff attempted to appease her with another full meal, which she plowed through before calling over another server to tell them that this third meal was - though apparently fit for consumption - somehow not up to par. Of course, when the check arrived, it was not well received, and I watched as this hyper-nourished woman surfed her iPad over to yelp and weighed in with a two star review. That prompted me to share my own opinion, because all too often we only get to read the negative opinions of those who were never ready to have an enjoyable experience. read more

I love this place. The smothered pork chops are just like my mom use to make. The pecan coolies are so awesome you have to try them. Parking is easy to get in and out of. Service was great. I recommend this to anyone looking for some good southern style cooking. read more

What a horrible experience! Had dined here about a year ago and the food was superb and service was good. This was definitely not the case this time. Apparently short staffed, we were ignored for several minutes once seated. We ordered and somehow part of the order didn't get placed. We waited 43 minutes for our food, which was room temperature, bland and unseasoned and not all there. We never did receive some sides and bread items. One member of our party went up to the kitchen area and asked our server for refills, and the food Not delivered. It really put him out! We never got refills, did not get all that we'd ordered still. The restaurant was not full so not sure what issue was, though at checkout (we never received our check---had to go to register to make payment). The bill was adjusted slightly but no apologies; just attitude and excuses. Do not waste your time going here as not only are items expensive, but service is poor and food is tasteless---if you manage to get what you ordered! read more

I debated a two or a three star rating for a while and settled on two stars because of the quality of the food and service - the atmosphere was nice though. I had a traditional breakfast - one egg, bacon, hash browns (alternate would have been grits), and biscuit (alternate would have been toast). The biscuits were definitely home made, but they were dry and didn't have a lot of flavor. The bacon was delicious, and the eggs were eggs. The hash browns, however, were the worst hash browns I have ever eaten. And I love breakfast potatoes of all sorts--it's usually my favorite part of breakfast. But these were mushy and lacked any flavor whatsoever. I left the majority on my plate, even after trying to douse them with ketchup. The service was really slow - we waited about 45 minutes for our food from the time of ordering - and all we ordered was eggs, breakfast meats, and pancakes! We sat on the porch and it was a nice early summer morning so the atmosphere was really pleasant. The interior has an old country store selling Mama Dip's cookbooks and products. Glad I tried it, but the general consensus on Yelp seems to be pretty accurate. I definitely would not come back. read more

The legendary Mama Dip's Southern Kitchen. Yes, this is the one that Oprah raves about and every other celebrity in the Triangle area eats at. When we went, Mama Dip was there, signing one of her popular cook books in the back room. What I loved about the place is that people from all walks and types were there, young college kids, older folk, families, tourists, everyone. The food was pretty fantastic too. The famous fried chicken was great. The Black-eyes peas were really wonderful. But what surprised me the most was the NC-style barbecue. Mama Dip's in not famous for the BBQ. But maybe they should be? I really felt that their NC-style BBQ was the best I had in all of North Carolina. It definitely beat Parker's in my opinion. The meat was so moist and the smoky taste agreed perfectly with the vinegar sauce (and the Texas Peet's). Of course, there were a couple drawbacks including really slow and inattentive service. The waitress must have been having a bad day or something because she didn't smile once and wasn't really useful when we asked for recommendations. Oh well. I wouldn't call this place legendary or worth of a world-famous tag, but it was a great southern food experience. read more

Mama Dip is gone and so is the quality of the food and service. Very sad. No refill on drinks, food prefab from Sysco. Came highly recommended by PBS and locals. Disappointed. read more

This is all I can remember about Mama Dip's: *The nice server I had after being treated rudely by the staff that greeted me at the door as if Mama Dip's was a French Laundry-type eatery *The side dishes (I had some sort of chicken dish...it wasn't fried chicken...I can't remember it) *Dip openly conversing with her friends at her table (when I went the restaurant was open, but it wasn't at lunch or dinnertime peak) *The mini-store in the restaurant promoting Mama Dip's books (note: Don't buy Dip's second cookbook unless you want to hear a woman brag about how many times she's been on ABC, Food Network, QVC...) I can't remember anything else except I should've brought my ID and got a beer when I went. When you go to Chapel Hill, do me a favor. Eat at Elaine's. Go to the West End Wine Bar. Hell, stay on Franklin Street and eat at McDonalds. But if you want a memorable meal, ignore the guidebooks and that short troll-like Oompa Loompa Rachael Ray and skip Mama Dip's. read more

The food here was amazing. The staff was super friendly and attentive. The prices were reasonable. I ordered my good and got it maybe 5 minutes later. Get the Mac and cheese, it is to die for. read more

We were looking for authentic southern food during our trip to NC, and we got multiple recommendations to visit Mama Dip's. It was so good we actually went there twice for lunch. The restaurant is easy to find, and there's ample parking in their lot adjacent to the restaurant. The atmosphere is very laid back, and everyone is friendly...would you expect anything less in a true southern joint? Having visited twice and ordered family style, we got to try a bunch of dishes. Here are the highlights: - chicken and dumplings - comfort food, make sure to order it - fried chicken - pretty darn good, not too oily, light and crispy and juicy inside - sweet potato fries - they add this cinnamon/sugar combo that makes this an awesome appetizer - chicken fried steak - another comfort food, it hit the spot - cookies - tonya (the baker who also happened to be our server) bakes some pretty awesome cookies, if you're too full after your meal don't forget to pick some up for the road You get 2 sides with every entree, and I don't know what it is but I just can't get into southern cooked vegetables. The veggies are either cooked in butter and/or bacon fat, or steamed into mushy submission, but either way they lose all of the good flavors by the time it get's to your table. Go with the mac and cheese or friend okra instead. This place is great for 2 or a large group. If I ever find myself in NC I'll definitely be back at Mama Dip's. read more

For those of you from Texas and maybe Colorado this place reminds me of the Black-Eyed Pea restaurants that are so well known for southern home cooking. Though the food was well done it didn't quite deliver on everything. The kitchen is a tad slow I feel but not so annoyingly so that it will ruin your experience (and who knows maybe home cooking should be this slow). The wait staff is very friendly and provides that southern hospitality that is always welcomed. The stewed beef was very tasty and the fried catfish was also well done. My partner could not get enough of the fried okra. We didn't try their famous fried chicken but plan on doing so on the next trip. Disappointing was the bread basket (rolls and bicuits) that was served which tasted like it came from the freezer section of grocery store. Will try the corn bread the next time and hope it is a better choice. All in all I did enjoy the casual dining and will return in the future and would recommend it for those wanting a southern home cooked meal. read more

We went to Mama Dip's Saturday before the Duke game. We wanted to avoid the anticipated traffic on Franklin Street, so we got an early start and had an early dinner-late lunch before parking in the Craige deck and getting to the Smith Center early. This was my second trip to Mama Dip's. The service was excellent this time which accounts for at least one of the Stars. The first time, frankly the staff just wasn't that friendly. This time everyone from the hostess to the cashier and especially our waiter were awesome. The food is good, but not great. I come from a family of cooks. My mother is a phenomenal sothern cook, so I am not easy to impress. My friends just go nuts for any restaurant with home cooking and I'm usually amazed that they are so easily taken in, often by instant mashed potatoes and canned gravy. At any rate, Mama Dip's potatoes and gravy we're good and definitely not instant, but they were a bit lumpy and could have used more gravy. The lima beans were just okay. The fried chicken had a great crust on it, but the legs had a bit of a gamey taste which let me know they did not brine the chicken. Any southern cook worth their salt, pun intended, knows that you've got to brine chicken before you fry it if you want it to be delicious. My sister had chicken and dumplings, macaroni and cheese and okra. She said it was good, but I could tell by her reaction that it wasn't great and not on par with Mama's or even my chicken and dumplings. All that said, the chocolate pecan pie was incredibly good. We will go back, because as I said it is good and it's a good way to get a good meal on game day without having to park in one of the city parking decks since they greedily installed meters last summer. This will be on our list, but Mama doesn't have anything to worry about! read more

Mama Dips is great for breakfast lunch or dinner. This is one of our goto.spots with the kids. The fried chicken is the absolute best.... moist chicken. Crispy tasty breading. Sides of Mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, fries, greens , etc are also delish. The biscuits are great as is the corn bread. The inside is great with booths and a picture of Cooter when you walk in. The staff is pretty good. It depends on the waiter or waitress you get. Automatic gratuity for parties of 5 or more. I am ok with that for most part except when service if not great which is rare. Definitely recommend this place!! Took my northern friends here this weekend and they loved it. Chicken fried steak was great as was chicken and gravy. read more

OMG! NO! NO!! NO!!! I gave this place two chances and there won't be a third. My last visit was the nail in the coffin for me. I had a late lunch on a Wednesday afternoon around 2ish with a friend. The place was very quiet except for a table finishing up near us. It was a beautiful day so we chose to eat out on the deck. We waited for about 10 minutes before our waitress showed up. She pretty much had the worst personality and "I don't give a damn about you" attitude I had encountered in a server ever. I ordered the 3 piece fried chicken dinner, 2 legs and a breast with 2 sides, mashed potatoes and corn, $13.95. A bit steep for fried chicken but hopefully good portions at that price. My companion ordered off the specialty menu, Chitlins with 2 sides, $12.95. You can order the Chitlins plain or fried. Again a bit steep for southern food. We both ordered iced tea. Lunch shows up about 20 minutes later and we are both appalled! My lunch surmised to a chicken breast off of what appeared to be a very sickly or emenike chicken with legs to match. About the size of drummets from chicken wings. Maybe a 1/4 of a cup overcooked corn and about the same portion of mashed potatoes and gravy with a skin on thicker than mine! Now the Chitlins and my companions lunch. I have lived in the south for 51 years and I have had Chitlins from all over. I have never seen Chitlins like this. She requested them fried. These came out "plain". OMG! These were a greyish, dogfood looking mess that smelled like pig shit!! Do they not know how to clean Chitlins? The site and smell was enough to end our appetites. We pointed out that we had ordered the Chitlins fried not plain but the "careless" waitress wanted to argue with us. We would have to pay for another order of Chitlins if we wanted them fried. WHAT??? We tried to muddle through this disaster but it was a no go. My fried chicken was not battered and appeared to have just been tossed in the fryer. Maybe everything is just "plain" here!?! KFC has better chicken then this place! Enough was enough. I ask for the check and here it comes, $48 dollars and change! NO WAY!! I ask to see the manager since we had eaten very little of this culinary fiasco to start with. I now know why our waitress had such a bad attitude, she had learned her customer service skills from the equally nasty manger! I paid my bill instead of punching people and told them I would vent my frustration where it would do the most use. ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! A note to the owner of this establishment, close your business! You are a disgrace to customer service and the restaurant business as a whole! DISGUSTING!! read more

Food: I would love to love this place but really there is better southern food around, biscuits are pathetic, country ham not good at all. I just don't get it.....I went here 15 years ago and wasn't impressed...saw that Rachel Ray went here on her show so we decided to try again.....still not worth it. Service: Fine Atmosphere: Great little space and patio...just a shame the food is not worth coming back to! read more

Horrid!!! Do not go here took 50 minutes to get reheated canned food. Arrived hungry leaving hungry!!!! Dry fried chicken really if a "southern" restaurant can't make fried chicken or Mac and cheese why bother? read more

I was disappointed in the food that I got from there. I gave it two shots. The pies were amazing , though.

Southern cooking at its best. Seriously, can't get a while lot closer to thinking you're grandma is in the kitchen. A little overpriced though, but that's probably Chapel Hill relevant. read more

I'll start off by saying I would give this two stars for "I've experienced better", but I've never had authentic southern food before, so I can't say much I guess. I had the Chopped BBQ pork, because I was told this is truly southern, but coming from California BBQ pork to me meant open fire cooking and bbq sauce, not the tangy vinegary mush that I got. I think my expectations were just different, and that was my least favorite part of the meal, which was the main meal. The two vegetable sides I got were the spinach casserole, and okra and tomatoes. My favorite was definitely the okra and tomatoes. The biscuits that I ordered were real dry and disappointing. Even CA biscuits are softer and fluffier. The portion sizes are relatively smaller than most restaurants, but considering what you get as far as heavy southern food I think it's perfectly suitable. I don't know if I'd give them another chance, but if I did I'd order the vegetable plate. I really like the story behind this place, so I would hate for negative reviews to put a damper on it, cause we were greeted sweetly by the host and our server was nice, I guess I'm just not a big fan of southern food as sad as it is to say. read more

If you want old-fashioned, no-frills Southern cooking, this is the place to go. Everything tastes homemade and prices are reasonable. And the friendly staff makes it that much better. Love Mama Dip's! read more

Mama Dip's Kitchen - Chicken Pot Pie, Turnip Greens, and Yams. - Southern Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Just moved to Carrborro, and not feeling like making dinner, we ordered curbside service at Mama Dip's. Not much positive can be said, except that it was inexpensive(ish). I ordered the quarter chicken with black eyed peas and green beans, soggy and flavorless on the peas and beans, and completely flavorless on the chicken. Green beans seemed canned--cornbread tasted like a sponge. My daughter had ribs, mac and cheese and greens--ribs were awful, mac and cheese was the only edible side (but extremely mediocre)--greens were mushy. The absolute worst was the chicken and dumplings which were neither--an absolute glop of soggy something or other....not edible. We have not eaten food this bad in some time. read more

Southern style restaurant with tasty food. I had the 1/4 fried chicken with cole slaw and mashed potatoes. The restaurant is hidden since its behind Franklin St, but it was worth the visit. read more

Mama Dip's Kitchen - 1/4 Fried Chicken with Cole Slaw and Mashed Potatoes. - Southern Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I'm so sorry that this restaurant is not what Ms. Council created. Portions are small and no seasoning. Cornbread taste like from a box. I loved Ms. Council's cooking for 30 years but a different restaurant now. A real travesty. read more