best southern cooking I've had in years. Seriously damn good food. And a great value too... this is my new favorite restaurant!

I always drive past Paw Paw Patch on my way home from work, and I have finally gotten around to giving it a try. I am part of Best Buddies at UAB, and my group was recommended this spot by our buddy, so we all got to try it together. Once inside, you get a tray and slide it down the line while picking what you wanted. I ended up ordering the grilled chicken plate, which came with two sides and choice of bread. The most standout items to me were the grilled chicken and jalapeño cornbread. I was surprised at how juicy and flavorful their grilled chicken tenders were, and the cornbread had a good amount of spice. The other standout aspect was their incredible service. Although you get your own food, our server was extremely attentive, asking if there was anything we needed and refilling our drinks every ten minutes. Everyone was also extremely kind and welcoming, and you could tell how much they care about getting to know their customers. There is also a drive thru if you are looking for a quick homestyle meal. This place is amazing if your are looking for southern cooking, a homestyle meal, or even just an affordable meal with quick and kind service! read more

If you can find a parking spot, you timed your arrival perfectly. At lunchtime the lot is almost always full. For those lucky or patient enough one of the top meat & three in Birmingham awaits. Once inside you slide your tray down the line and let them know your selections just like the meat & 3 experiences of old. I was fortunate enough to not only find a parking spot but also for my visit to coincide with the Meatloaf Daily Special (Wednesday). I was further blessed with a thick slice of a perfectly seasoned meatloaf with the perfect consistency that held together but remained fork tender. The only thing that wasn't perfect about it was just a touch too much of the ketchup based sauce. The sides I chose of green beans and macaroni & cheese were good as well but not at the same level as the meatloaf. Same with the cornbread. I got the regular version this visit but if you like a little heat the jalapeño cornbread version is better. Service is attentive and Laurie made sure I had everything I needed. I will be back (gotta remember Wednesday)! read more

Paw Paw Patch - Meatloaf, Green Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Cornbread - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Some of the food was good but it all was dry there aren't many selections the tea was extremely sweet

A colleague and I went through the drive thru for some lunch. It was right at noon and the parking lot was packed. Even so, we ordered our meals and had them in hand within a couple minutes. The staff at the window were very pleasant. The food was delicious! I had one of their Wednesday specials: meatloaf. I got the squash casserole (yum!), fried green tomatoes (yum yum!) and the jalapeño cornbread (triple yum!). The portion sizes are generous. I paid $11.37 with tax. This was my first meal from this spot but I'd definitely go back. read more

Paw Paw Patch - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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25 dollars for lunch by only adding a small extra vegetable Is outrageous. The country fried steak is small and very thin. The flavor is good but not worth 25.00 and change before tipping. read more

Good food, not great, but good. The price is unbelievable especially for the area. Very nice staff, and plan on coming back.

I consider Paw Paw patch my "old faithful" spot. Whenever I'm craving vegetables over french fries, I know that they've got me covered. The restaurant is located in Homewood, near the Aldi and Smoothie King. I typically go through the drive through but have also dined inside a few times. The staff is always so kind and friendly, I really enjoy speaking with them each visit. My fav thing on the menu is the turkey and dressing, which is served on Thursdays. The squash casserole and butter beans are my fav side. I've also tried their cobbler for dessert and enjoyed it. It's a pretty traditional meat and three with a down home feel and recipes. read more

Paw Paw Patch - Turkey and dressing plate - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

No matter what you choose to eat here, you will not be disappointed The service is quick, friendly, and you are made to feel as if you are having a meal at a friend's home. If you are in the mood for a taste of Southern cooking like your Grandma made look no further. read more

If you want a home cooked meal quick with good service. This is a spot for you. Food is decent for the price

Honestly, the food at Pawpaw's Patch was disgusting. It tasted like hospital food and had zero seasoning. The gravy tasted like it came straight from a packet, and the mac and cheese was dry and crusty like it was the last corner left in the pan. The only thing I liked was the roll. The rice might've been okay, but they ruined it with that same gravy.I went through the drive-through and tried to add a side at the window. I was the only person in line, but they still told me I had to drive all the way back around to the speaker just to order one side. That was annoying and made no sense.The price was decent, but I wish the food matched. Definitely won't be going back. read more

Paw Paw Patch - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Visiting from Texas and was looking for some good home cookin'. This place hit the spot! Great food. Super friendly staff. Think we're coming back tomorrow night! read more

Great food & service. You can eat inside or get it go.ive never been Unhappy with anything I order .. read more

We aren't from this area, but passing by and stopped in for lunch. It's cafeteria style food. The line looked long, but it goes by pretty quick. The place is definitely packed! You pretty much go in the line and let them know what foods you want, take your tray and get seated. After you eat, then you go to the register and pay. Their fried chicken wasn't bad at all. My favorite thing here was their Mac n cheese. I also liked their cornbread. I tried both styles and both were good. I also tried their berry cobbler. I'm more of a peach cobbler kind of gal because I like my cobbler sweet. The berries gave this cobbler a tart taste. In all, I didn't have a bad experience. read more

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vfbjfrsnfrjiffruhfhrfoifrfijrnfirevhrfrueh Love the food and service its the best food I've ever had before. @7:#"jhfhnuaenfejhnrhjhfrhewhfwujjres)sjv read more

Paw Paw Patch was recommended by a friend that frequents the Birmingham area. He said it was restaurant you have to visit while in town. Cute little restaurant reminded me if school with the cafeteria vibes. The menu is on the wall as soon as you enter. You go through the line and get a tray to place your food on. The employees were friendly as we ordered. We picked a table. One of the waitresses took our drink orders once we were seated. Sweet tea was pretty good. The food looked good and pretty good selection. We all got the fried chicken. The chicken was fried pretty good but could have used a bit more seasoning. The green beans were slightly overcooked. The Mac n cheese was just okay. I am not big on cheddar and I think there was a lot of cheddar used. Dinner roll was good. My son said the mashed potatoes were decent. We were looking for more of a home cooked meal feel, which Paw Paw Patch does give that. The food could have used a bit more seasoning. The staff was great. Plenty of free parking out front. read more

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Really nice Meat and 2. Had the chopped steak and mash potatoes with gravy. Mmm mmmm! Fast service, drinks refilled everyone happy! Down home atmosphere. read more

We did a call in order for work and I've never had so was happy to try someplace new for veggies besides Cracker Barrel. I can say I am glad we ordered! It was so yummy! I got a 4 veggie plate with Mac and cheese, squash casserole, black eye peas and okra. I must say, it was all seasoned like us in the south like, and had very good flavor and texture! I loved it. The Mexican cornbread was also very good! I will def order again, and at a price of less than 10.00 a plate it is well worth it! read more

I visit Paw Paw Patch restaurant whenever I am in the area for lunch. The Grilled chicken plate is one of my favorite. The sweet tea drink is always on point. The drive thru customer service has not disappointed me yet. The parking lot can be crowded at certain times of the day. Make sure to arrive early to park between 11am and noon time. I forgot to take a picture because I was hungry... read more

Average meat and three restaurant. Good selection of foods--nice variety. Taste is on par with other local restaurants of the same type.

I eat here often, dining inside as well as using the drive through. I went through the drive through this time for dinner. So disappointed. I ordered the special, liver and onions ( usually good) , steamed cabbage, candied yams and cornbread. It was @6:30 pm and the meal was dried out, perhaps being on the steam table all day . It looked like the liver was scraped off the pan, unsavory looking, kinda floppy, dark murky thick gravy. I ate a portion hoping the next bite would be better. It wasn't. In a southern restaurant one would think you couldn't go wrong with candied yams. They missed out on this one . The bland potatoes looked like canned mashed potatoes, no candied. The corn muffin was cold and hard as a rock . I ate the cabbage and a portion of the liver before throwing it in the garbage. I was sick all night, tasting old liver. They must have changed cooks. Its never been this disappointing . I called the restaurant the following morning to share my experience with the manager . He wasn't available but I was told he would get the message and would return my call. No callback yet. read more

Relatively new to the Birm area, a neighbor suggested we go for lunch. I'm all about trying 'new' places and this did not disappoint in any way. We don't have the 'meat and 3' up north. Arrived at 11:30, parking lot was full but found a spot and headed in. Menu is printed on a large board as you enter and the line was short. Picked up a tray and utensils and "had" to make a dessert choice first. My friend chose lemon pie (which we split later and it was delish!) I skipped that and concentrated on the meat. I chose the roast beef which was very thinly sliced, portion was fine and the seasoning was very good. The new potatoes were a bit over-cooked and had broken down, were not overly seasoned, which I liked. The Italian flat beans were great! I chose a yeast roll (which was warm) and she picked up a jalapeño cornbread (which was delicious!) Butter and beverages are brought to the table once seated. My friend chose the meatloaf and Brussels sprouts and said they were quite tasty. My bill came to $14, paid in cash (3% added for a ccard), and left the tip on the table. You pay at the register. Sherry was our server and she was kind, funny and attentive. Met the owner when checking out and learned most of her folks have been there at least 15 yrs...which I think speaks to the culture of the company and to her as mgmt. I'm very much looking forward to going again and trying something else! read more

Service was very personable. I used the drive thru; which had to be the greatest part of my visit! I wasn't sure what I wanted. I ended up getting three veggies. Butterbeans , turnip greens and fried okra. This meal was very filling and seasoned nicely. Most importantly , it wasn't too heavy. Oh I can't forget about the delicious jalapeño cornbread! I really enjoyed my meal. It's been years since I've had paw paw patch and it did not disappoint!!! read more

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A nice little meat and three place. I ordered the country fried steak, green beans, turnip greens, black eyed peas, and cornbread. Everything was comforting - just as I would expect from a place with the name "Paw Paw Patch." The country fried steak wasn't a big piece, but it tasted good and wasn't too chewy. The gravy was also good. It could have been slightly thicker, but it was still good. Cornbread was unexpectedly good - moist, had real corn in it, and had taste - unlike your bland cafeteria cornbread. All things considered, to get all this quickly at a drive through, have it taste good, and spend $9.11 - that is a win in my book. I'm always looking for a place with good veggies alongside meat, so I'm glad this place is here. read more

Paw Paw Patch - Country fried steak, turnip greens, green beans, corn bread - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

They have good meat and three choices always get their cobbler and Mexican cornbread:

Great home cooked buffet! Love the waitress and the staff working on the serving line. The servers were very helpful. They recognized it was our first time and made us feel special. Very cozy and quiet. Great for family and friends definitely have to return next time we are in town read more

My first time at Paw Paw Patch and most likely my last. I was very disappointed given the reputation of this place. It's a nice, typical cafeteria style restaurant. Prices vary from plate to plate. A meat and two is their go to. You can get extra vegetables, meat, or dessert at an extra cost. Covid precautions were being taken. It was clean and the staff was very friendly. They were the only reason I gave three stars instead of two. I took my mother, who had been to Paw Paw Patch years before and really enjoyed it. We got their Thursday special of Turkey and dressing, expecting way better than we got. To put it simply, I've had better from a frozen dinner. It actually looked like frozen dinner turkey and dressing. Nothing had seasoning. Everything was bland. Their fried green tomatoes were flour battered, tough, and bland. My mother's cabbage was unseasoned, too, but she said the turnip greens were very good. My black eyed peas and mac and cheese were good after a little salt and pepper. The banana pudding was fair and the pecan pie was typically good. Nothing was good enough, however, to soften the $30 charge for lunch. I wouldn't mind if everything was good but for TV dinner quality food I felt ripped off. They need a good southern cook who isn't afraid of spices and a new recipe (or more likely vendor) for turkey and dressing. I really do hope this was just an off day for them. I'm not willing to payanother $30 to find out for sure. read more

Paw Paw Patch - Buffet - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

This is my favorite meat and vegetable place! Everything is perfectly seasoned and cooked. Everyone is super friendly and the restaurant is bright and clean. With 3 breads, 8 veggies, 4 meats, and numerous homemade desserts you should come hungry and ready to choose! read more

Great food and great service. Your drink will not run low. I highly recommend this place.

Love this Bham staple! A family favorite. I always get the mashed potatoes, country fried steak and mac n cheese. Amazing every time. Great customer service. read more

I had heard about this restaurant for years but never tried it until recently. Wow!! They have AMAZING southern food. Their squash casserole was the best I've ever had.... and I've had a lot! Everything we had was fresh and tasted so good. We can't wait to go back! read more

I had a turkey dinner from there ONCE, and I will not go back. The turkey was simply thinly-sliced deli meat. And the serving size left a lot to be desired. read more

Good meat & three. Wide variety. Wanting comfort food? this is the spot. Juicy hamburger steak. Great service! read more

Fried Fish, Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Okra, Black Eye Peas, Steamed Broccoli, Chopped Hamburger Steak with Brown Gravy, Cornbread Muffins and Rolls. All items were delicious. Please try them out. Staff were polite and service line was quick. read more

Paw Paw Patch - the home page of the website - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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This is an upscale meat and 3. Good choices for main course and veggies. Service was excellent. We came as a group of 26. The restaurant knew we were coming and had plenty of space reserved for us. read more

THE only place in Birmingham that is open in the evening to get a real meal! We love this place. Been eating it for years. read more

Paw Paw Patch - Roast Beef, Black-Eyed Peas and Mac & Cheese! - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I usually get a meat and two vegetables. But this visit was late, a little after 7 pm. So, I opted for something lighter like a vegetable plate. I the took the drive through on this occasion as I had just got out of class and was exhausted. The drive through was long but moved very fast. I opted for okra and tomatoes, fried tomatoes, turnip greens and jalapeno cornbread. The staff was friendly as always and courteous. The meal was Super delicious and healthy! Food for the soul! read more

Paw Paw Patch - Paw paw patch drive through menu! - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Amazing service! Very clean and everyone was so polite! We have never been here and it was by far the best food we have had in a very long time! read more

Paw Paw Patch - Absolutely great food!!!! And great service!!!! Have never been here and they were so nice recommending items.! - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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This is our favorite meat & veggies place...has been for years! This review is long overdue. The value is better than any other meat and two place in town IMO. In general, the food here is tasty! My favorite plate here is country fried steak with white gravy, cream corn, and brussel sprouts. After trying most of their dishes over the years, these are what I get 4 out of 5 times now. If you like your food hot like I do, then lunch rush hour would be your best bet. The line moves quickly so the wait is never too long, but the food is constantly being turned over, so they are hot! Be mindful that the fried okra and fried green tomatoes are super yummy fresh out of the fryer...but if they have been sitting for a bit, they taste pretty greasy. That's why even though they used to be my go-to, I don't get them much anymore. read more

Paw Paw Patch - Country fried steak with white gravy, cream corn, and brussel sprouts. - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

We took my step mother to lunch at Paw Paw patch. And it was a very pleasant lunch. It was Friday and the fish was right out of the broiler. My favorite sides are mashed potatoes(really potatoes with lumps and all) and turnip greens. But my husband had the squash casserole and I slipped bites until I had almost half his serving. All of us enjoyed our lunch and promised to make more frequent visits read more