John's Southern Cookin' — Restaurant in Forest Park

I feel bad for the review that I’m about to give but I hate I didn’t read the reviews before I allow someone to take me I’m a truck driver and I was looking for a great soul food so this guy who was at the yard with me heard me say I wanted some soul food. He recommended this place and he talked up on this place like it was a really good place to eat a older white guy we shouldn’t matter, but I should’ve took that as a sign maybe he don’t know good soul food. The dressing was dry with no flavor just cornbread string beans no flavor like they just opened it out of a can’t heat it up the smother steak I can’t tell what it really is because it has a lot of bread flour the gravy chicken seem like it’s something that just came straight out of a can as well the cornbread please do not. It is so dry bland with no flavor I bought ribs as well and turnip greens. I haven’t tried that food yet because the first plate I am extremely disappointment with no this place is good if you don’t know how to cook and you have no one to cook for you you can give to recipes better than what they’re selling, once again I’m not trying to put the place down but all the hype I’m extremely disappointed. The pecan pie is good the Kool-Aid I had to mix it with the lemon and the fruit punch I’m assuming it was fruit punch it was good extremely sweet so please add ice , my recommendations, go home cook your food. Look at you to get you some great recipes get some season and make yourself a great soul food dinner. Me personally I would not go back and spend any money about two plates spend $35 with one dessert the price was good. If only the food was good I threw away $35. I hate trying new places but this guy hyped up this restaurant, so I went, there was a lady, the cashier short hair burgundy color. She was extremely nice and sweet great customer service skills. The women who asked you what you wanted to eat to make. Your plate was not friendly. I asked if the meat was tender she act like I insulted her anyway I hope this helps , anyone who is thinking about a great soul food place? . The potato salad was OK. They sprinkle pepper on the top and it also seem like it was store-bought...

No kids meals. Really. And what is up with the attitude of the men that's fixing the food. It doesn't take no mad science to deal with food. Lol. Y'all better stop with the nasty attitude and the over priced salads and dinners or plenty will be going to Ray's permanently. Food is high there as well but I'm not only just paying for the food but the great customer service and the high quality in the ingredients of the food because you can taste it. But as for you all, Mr John worked way too hard to create something for generations to come but it looks like y'all don't even have enough respect to realize that. The food ain't all of that to be treated as such. If you treat me like that just for asking a question, makes me think you will do something bad to the food. I sent Soo many people there that you can imagine. But guess what! I will be introducing to Ray's from now on. I want to say that I respect mr.john to the fullest but just watching how the attitude are breaking down what he's created is sickening and I will no longer allow it. Piece. ////No thanks for your reply. as I can see that the attitude trickles down. It's wasn't about you no longer selling kids meals, it was more about the attitude I was given just for asking. I could care less about that. You see we as black owned businesses request for support for black owned businesses, but when you get it you don't know how to act or treat people. Remember it isn't what you say or do but how. Treat people the way you want to be treated. And the way most of these idiots in your place of business acts sometimes gets treated how they treat people. I see why our businesses have lesser support and why we're the most hated race. I see. It doesn't cost you anything to extend grreat customer service, But in the long run with your demeanor towards (was) a long term customer, lack of empathy will cause your business to suffer. And no thank you for your ghetto services. 😁😏I...

08/08/2025 while ordering my food I noticed the cashier was wiping all over her face with a napkin in her hand. I asked the cashier was she hot, she stated no, I have a head cold and this is sweat on my face. I could see by eyes she wasn't feeling well, and I looked like at her like where are your gloves? She said no don't look like that.Then she left and to go to the restroom to wash her hands and she came out and put gloves on I mentioned this to the Manager and her attitude was very nast! That manger act as though (I did something wrong by complaining) about the cashier wiping her sweat and no gloves while sick. I told the manger I didn't want the cashier to handle my food. The short, light skin manger was so nasty, she told me, oh she won't be handling your food, go down there on that end get your food or I will have your food escorted out the door by security and very loud, unprofessional. I stated oh no, I will get by food up front. Her attitude was so rude and nasty toward me. Once I got my food from the Manager she said to me" the cashier went and washed her hands and put on gloves after I said something about the complaint." I stated "that's all I wanted and have a blessed day". Question, why was the manager so rude and nasty towards me having a concerned complaint as a customer would have? Question, why did she get the Officer involved like I was wrong and she was the one loud, nasty and rude which made the officer stand behind near the door. I will never patronize while she's there! She's in the wrong line of business. That was very unnecessary how she handled me. 08/08/2025 at 12:00 lunch time. New Management needed with some professionalism and courtesy on how to handle in a calmly fashion and respectfully with...