Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe — Restaurant in Phoenix

This was my second time today. Came in to introduce my nephews and friend to the historic and Phoenix staple - Mrs. Whites southern food. 🥘 I talked this spot up so much from my first experience about 10years ago.

We ordered the liver and onions, side of Mac and cheese, chicken sandwich, and 2 friend chick plates. Our food and service came thereafter others we were in before. The female waitress seemed not to want to grab us menus or bring any service, as we left waiting a bit to even be offered a drink, more than one menu, and even put our orders in. We did and waiting and watches as many other patrons received orders and even left after our food order was placed. We received Jamal, our waiter and he was so kind and helpful. Came over and brought over 2/4 dishes and told us that liver was no longer available. Said he’s put in another chicken order for the missing plate. Brought over one piece of chicken to the missing plate.

We asked for a side order of Mac and cheese and was told they were out. When we saw other patrons getting it after we were told they were out. Then what they gave us was cold Mac noodles and something awful as a taste- not cheese.

When I asked the female waitress if we could receive some corn bread, since she said upon arrival she would bring us some, since it was complementary with all orders. We didn’t get one crumb of cornbread like others in the restaurant. When I asked after we all got our meals if we could received some corn bread, the female waitress said very rudely and authoritative- “ the cornbread is complementary and we put a pan in- so will be 15 minutes, we were already there for an hour and nothing.

As I went to pay, I heard another woman complaint how she was treated to the same female waitress to us. She apologized to that woman only because Mrs White was sitting at the other end of that table.

My first and todays last experiences was complete opposite in service and food chicken was over salted, can’t tell you about any cornbread, collard greens missing that kick, and the sweet potato’s was amazing. The Mac and cheese given to us was not the Mac and cheese all others received, and what we got was disgustingly bad.

Last time I will go and be treated secondary and be directed in such a rude tone like a present when we ask for the same things as others in the resultant. I tipped and didn’t say a thing. I’m so done trying to support others in this economy, we...

I really wanted to like this place. I really did. So let's break it down.

I ordered the smothered pork chops with my sides being Mac n cheese and sweet potatoes. I had koolaid to drink. The koolaid was amazing. The smothered pork chops were good but hard to cut and had a bone. The Mac n cheese was by far the worst thing I put in my mouth there. It was so bland and had ZERO flavor. It just tasted like pasta and milk. No flavor. No cheese taste. So disappointing considering the type of restaurant it is. Now I can't say anything about the sweet potatoes because they burned it and had to choose something else. I chose the rice n gravy. The gravy as well was not well flavored and was bland. Needed salt. Reminded me of plain grits without and sugar or salt or anything. They also gave us cornbread to eat with it as well. The cornbread was weird. It wasn't sweet at all like how cornbread usually is. They claim it's hand made with cornmeal but that just doesn't add up considering corn is naturally sweet and adding butter which brings out the sweetness did nothing to help the cornbread. I wanted to order cobbler but they ran out the day before and I was super bummed about that. A person I was with had banana pudding and that was delicious and excellent. I also wanted to order the oxtails but it wasn't ready at the time we ordered. I thought I'd take it home and order that to go but after 2-2.5 hours of being there it just wasn't going to happen so we left after paying.

My dining companions had different things. One had the same order as me but chose the cabbage as her different side and apparently that was delicious. Another companion of mine ordered the fried chicken and catfish with sides of Mac n cheese, collard greens, Mac salad, and something else I can't remember. The fried chicken is AMAZING though. I had a piece and it was very good. And he said the catfish was very good too. The restaurant is cutely decorated and looks very 50s. Our server was nice too. His name is Jamal. I really wanted to like this place since I love soul food. But there were just a lot of things wrong on this food adventure unfortunately and I cannot justify the price for the kind of food we got. The entrees are 23 dollars per except oxtail which is 30. The music though was great. Great...

A lot of people will soon be visiting Mrs. Whites because it was featured on Gordon Ramseys show, so here is my honest review coming back but having been here before years ago.

The Vibe: 60's vibe. Like a hometown Southern restaurant, old music playing but not too loud, pleasant, reassuring, smells good. Family history all over the walls. Much much improved from the old days.

The Waiting Staff: Friendly, quick, accommodating people. Big improvement from slower service of the old days.

The Food: Mrs. Whites food was always great, and it hasn't changed, its still great soul food. My fried chicken was soft and moist, my collard greens had a good flavor and needing some more salt didn't bother me, I just sprinkled some more on. My mac and cheese was kind of bland, I think they could serve to revamp the recipe on them and make them a bit more cheesy and savoury but they were fine, but i wouldn't pick them again. The peach cobbler is really darn good. My wife had the catfish and it tasted great and the black eyed peas had a nice meaty hint of spice flavor to them. She's from Georgia and approved, comparing the food to a local spot back in her hometown.

Overall: It's a fantastic choice for soul food in downtown Phoenix, you'll come, enjoy yourself and the company of others, and enjoy the hearty food. You'll feel satisfied but also not feel like you clogged your arteries and are going to die, like KFC or something. If I had to criticize one thing, I think they need to serve smaller portions of the chicken and lower the prices. You will most likely not finish your whole meal and end up spending more than you wanted to, though you can take it home and eat it. Mrs. Whites is here to stay, and I'm glad for it, but I get the impression that they really just needed a renovation and new cooking equipment, and a lot of the show was...