Magnolia Room Cafeteria — Restaurant in Tucker

I sadly had to remove my top tier review from 2 years ago to post my experience from yesterday. They have gone downhill over the last year or so. And I can tell because they don't even reply to the bad responses anymore. They must be under new management and have new cooks. Honestly I never eat everything there anyway but I can barely ever catch what I love, and that's the turkey wings. It's been over a year since I've been able to get then.

So yesterday I was in the neighborhood and decided to invite a friend and stop by. I got what ANY soul food restaurant should be able to make and that's fried chicken, Mac n cheese, sweet potato soufflé, and the bran muffin with cake.

I wasn't seated 3 mins and had to send my chicken back. It tasted like they fried it in plain flour with no seasoning. I really couldn't think of anything else I wanted but I had them to substitute the chicken for smothered pork chop. It was a 3. It wasn't that good with the dark beef, jelly-like gravy. They should have used like a light pork or turkey gravy. It wasn't that hot. None of it was. They tried to charge me more because I was forced to get something different due to the chicken being nasty. However, the manager did fix that. I've never had to add so much salt to the Mac n cheese in my life. It wasn't hot. The soufflé wasn't sweet enough. The cake was dry. I've never been so disappointed in Magnolias. Well besides the time I had them cater for me for Thanksgiving. It was a disaster. I ended up having to cook and had just gotten out of the hospital. I took down that post at the request of the manager because they fully refunded me. He said they use a different company for catering. Wrll they must've hired them on as cooks because now their line items are just as bad. It will be a long time, if ever, that I'll come back to Magnolias. Especially with amazing restaurants around whose food is always delicious like Lickety Splits, Paschal's, Restaurant Ten, and others in the city. Magnolias is honestly just one of those places that's been around a long time and works for older people who are set on one place to go and it doesn't take much to please them. It's no comparison to modern day restaurants in ATL! Do better. My review went from...

Never again will I dine at this establishment. My wife decided we should eat out tonight, so we decide on this restaurant. We made an online order so we can essentially "grab and go". I entered into the restaurant and I am greeted with an attitude. I should have known there would be problems. I collect our food and go back outside , only to find we are missing an order. We ordered 2 Catfish dinners and a chop beef dinner. The attendant at the front, argued me down stating " I only ordered one catfish meal" as if I did not know what I ordered. When I tried to explain what the issue was, which was two pieces of catfish consolidated into one meal container, she still was not hearing me. In fact, she insisted that I needed to pay for the additional side items. When the attendant tried to "verify" my order, she reaches her dirty hands into my bag, opening my food containers, food I paid for and have to eat, very rude. My wife at this point came into the restaurant to further support what our online order recorded.

Never have I been so embarrassed in my life. This attendant insinuated that I was trying to to "hustle" the restaurant out of additional food. For one, I am not a thief. I am an United States Air Force Veteran, wounded I might add. I fought for freedoms that people take for granted, so I do not appreciate being classed as a thief. I guess being an Afro-American male wearing a hat is a crime as well. With the world shaping the way it is and with prices rising, you'd think restaurants would be happy patrons would dare to spend money, but I see that is indeed all we are is money and not people. This won't happen again, not to me at least. It's truly a shame because the food is fairly decent. I will not be returning and I encourage anyone who works hard for theirmoney to SAVE IT OR SPEND...

Imagine The Magnolia Cafe, a local gem nestled in the heart of Atlanta, a place where the aroma of slow-cooked collard greens and freshly baked cornbread perpetually fills the air. It's more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary institution where generations have gathered to share meals and memories. Their fried chicken, much like the one pictured, would be legendary – perfectly seasoned, with a shatteringly crisp skin and juicy meat, a testament to time-honored family recipes. The green beans, simmered to tender perfection with a hint of smoky ham hock, and the fried okra, lightly breaded and fried to a delightful crisp, would be the embodiment of Southern hospitality on a plate. But it's in the sweet, comforting embrace of their side dishes and desserts where The Magnolia Cafe truly shines. Their sweet potato casserole, rich and creamy with just the right amount of spice, topped with melted butter, is likely the kind of dish that evokes nostalgic feelings of grandmother's kitchen. And the pie – whether it's a luscious pecan pie, bursting with nutty sweetness, or a velvety sweet potato pie, creamy and fragrant – would be the perfect conclusion to a meal that nourishes both body and spirit. The Magnolia Cafe isn't just about the food; it's about the feeling. It's the warmth of a welcoming smile, the friendly chatter of neighbors catching up, and the shared appreciation for food that's been cooked with love and tradition. It's a place where every dish tells a story, every bite is a memory, and every meal leaves you feeling not just full, but truly comforted and connected to the rich culinary heritage of the South. That's how a place like The Magnolia Cafe becomes an indispensable part of the community, a beloved sanctuary for soul food and...