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The topic of Mrs Whites would frequently come up in the office place by a coworker who used to work near there, at the New Times. This past week though it came up quite often, often enough that on Monday, when we were planning our lunch out together for Thursday, we were so hungry by talking about Mrs Whites that it only took until shortly after 11 for us to pile in her car and head out for some good ol' soul food.
I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful this place is. It's like walking into Grandma's kitchen and getting all those great meals you used to love and enjoy. My mouth was watering and my stomach was singing before I even had a chance to sit down.
I like that all the meals are the same price. It makes it so much easier. I also like the selection of sides and dishes. The red kool-aid was delicious but not in a mason jar like Lolos.
The staff was very friendly. One of my coworkers was craving ox tail and it started a big discussion between us and our waitress. She mentioned that Mr. Larry might know when it was available again (they were apparently out of it that day) and he even came out to the table to talk to us. My friend also then got his ox tail. I tried it. It's really damn good. I'd probably order it if it was available the next time I came around.
I went for the 3 piece smothered chicken (fried chicken and gravy) and red beans and rice. Wow that is a lot of food. I devoured the chicken fairly quickly. It was delicious. Best friend chicken I've had aside from my Grandma's. The red beans and rice I had to package up and bring home. I had them for dinner tonight and they were just as delicious as I imagined.
I also tasted one bite of the peach cobbler a la mode. Peaches are not one of my favorite fruits but damn did they do it right.
If you haven't been here, it's a definite must. I'm not sure why you're still reading this. Pack up and go. Move it.
I'm not sure what is worse; ordering my food to go, eating fried chicken, eating fried chicken in the heat, or all of the above.
Well, rain or shine, I love eating Fried Chicken and nobody can take that away from me. So I saw this little bungalow-like restaurant, which is located a block away from Chase Field and also not far from my hotel, that serve authentic Southern and Soul food. But my dining experience and decision-making has costed me my hopeful solid meal.
I ordered the Fried Chicken dinner-combo for $12.00. The combo includes two sides with a slice of cornbread and I chose Rice and Mixed Collard Greens. I made a big mistake and opted to take my meal to-go to stuff my face with the fried chicken like a barbarian in my hotel room. My side of Collard Greens were very tasty and full of flavor, but a bit too watery, in which caused my side of rice to taste like a soup-like side and my monster-pieces of fried chicken's crispy skin and piece of cornbread were soggy. The fried chicken were very tasty, but it would've tasted a lot better if it wasn't for my misfortune.
This restaurant accepts only cash. I should've ate in the restaurant, because the friendly workers treated me very well and strongly convinced me to eat in. I'll definitely will eat in the restaurant next time.
The restaurant has numerous awards from various sources including having the famous Yelp-sticker posted on the front door. The restaurant is also a favorite of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, and NBA's Phoenix Suns with numerous pictures posted all over the facility.
I think about the fried chicken from this place a lot late at night, sort of like one might think about the lover who broke your heart and is almost within arm's reach but not fully accessible. You wonder what they are doing now, if they are happy or have moved on, but secretly wishing they'd show up on your doorstep. Only in this case, the lover would be deep fried and golden brown, extremely tender, and served with a couple of religion-sparking sides.
After three weeks of travel to Australia and South Africa, my friend took me here for some "good American food" and I swear to God, it cleared up all symptoms of jet lag. I had the best sweet tea ever, which is saying a lot for a girl who lived in Atlanta and Dallas for long stretches. Also had the white meat fried chicken and greens and macaroni and cheese. Tip: break open the chicken as soon as it arrives so that the flesh-melting heat vapors have a chance to dissipate, and work on your sides and cornbread (also heaven). Another tip: do NOT go for annual bloodwork the next day as your bad cholesterol will triple as soon as you park your car in Mrs. White's lot.
I presume dessert is delicious, but I didn't want to die before sundown. Not that day, anyway.
Take cash!
Warning, this place is NOT good for your diet. But for your soul, it's perfect. Great homemade cooking that is flavorful and filling. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had. Seriously. The sides are wonderful, the drinks are what you'd expect to have if sitting on a wraparound porch in the antebellum south.
The service is slow, but go expecting that, and go with cash, because they are old school and don't accept plastic. It may take awhile, but they're cooking this from scratch, so enjoy looking at all of the famous autographs scrawled on the walls, joke around with your host, and be ready for a week's worth of calories in one sitting. You'll surely be glad you did, shug.
This is definitely a hole in the wall. Don't expect fancy furnishings. The air conditioner was not functioning or they just didn't want to turn it on because there wasn't that many people at the time. They did bring an electric fan out.
I had the oxtail special. The waitress said it was cook in its own sauce. I suspect that it was slow cook or braised with very little liquid. It was tender but with just a right tad of chewiness left in it. So, the texture was perfect. You had to work it just a little bit in your mouth and that's when the flavor releases into your senses. The ligaments near the bones were just out of this world. Yes, you have to gnaw at the bones to get to it. The portion is generous. I have two sides, green beans and yams. The yam was good but the beans tasted like canned beans. The corn bread was gritty and nice. I also had a lemonade which was cool and sweet.
My friends had fried chicken, catfish, smother pork chops. We all finished our plates cleaned.
I recently recommended Mrs Whites to a couple of co-workers from the south, and I made a PROPHECY! I said, "don't eat this shit at work! You will go into a food coma and take the best nap of your life afterward!"
They didn't listen. And the food coma got them fired. Well it didn't, but they were so useless the rest of the day that they should have gone home anyways.
Chicken that could drowned a baby with it's juiciness! OH SO GOOD! Red beans, rice and gravy that made my heart beg for mercy after my blood pressure shot up to like, a million over eight hundred thousand...in a good way though. If you've ever gotten the meat sweats, it's a similar feeling. You finish eating, completely satisfied and relaxed, and then THE FUCKING FEVER COMES!! I don't think your body can handle what just got absorbed through your intestines, so it flips out. I went into fight or flight mode, hard, and I didn't come down until I slept it off like a food drunk little baby.
Like J.C.M. said, it hurt so good.
Food coma? Ohhh yes! My sister and I went here for lunch today. I thought she would be afraid of the Sharpie menu on the wall and low key tables/booths, but she was up for an adventure in delicious southern cooking. The walls are covered by autographs of athletes, musicians, and others.
The menu consists of Fried Chicken, Chicken Fried Steak, Catfish, Pork Chops, Meatloaf, Neck Bones, and Ox tails. Sides include black eyed peas, cabbage, green beans and potatoes, yams (they were out by 12:30 today!), collard greens and rice smothered in gravy. You usually have to ask for cornbread. The sweet tea is just like mom used to make when we were kids. You basically get a meat and two sides. We have never had room for dessert, so I have no idea what is offered.
My sister had the Chicken Fried Steak which was humongous and the perfect saltiness. She had rice and cabbage. The cabbage was spiced up with hot pepper. I had the catfish which was a generous portion perfectly breaded and fried. The green beans and potatoes were peppery and yummy. The cornbread is spread with butter and very dense and delicious.
They only accept cash, so come prepared about $13 bucks a person. They won't give you a check, so when you are done, just walk up to the counter and pay.
There is a small parking lot in the back of the restaurant. They have always been friendly to us when we visit, and we will always go back for delicious southern food!
This place has the best fried chicken in town. The chicken fried steak, smothered pork chops, and fried catfish are also favorites. The sides are great also, my favorites are the black eyed peas and greens. The cornbread is sooo good here, it just melts in your mouth. Try the home made lemonaid, it is very good.
Service can be slow at times but it is worth the wait!
This place fills up so you have to get there early or you might have to wait for a table.
Remember it is cash only.
Oh my god.
Seriously.
The fried chicken is so light and crisp, I thought this dead bird was going to fly right off my plate.
The collard greens--you'll want to slap someone for serving you greens that didn't taste like this. They are a gift from on high, and the black eyed peas are insanely good. Redolent with pork and seasoning, they trump any black eyed pea you have ever had.
Cornbread is grilled and isn't the dry, crumbly, cakey crap some places have the gall to give you, and the macaroni and cheese is soupy, cheesy and perfectly cooked, just like you wanted.
I saw plates literally overflowing with smothered pork chops and chicken, and if I hadn't been full to the point of a coma after eating all the chicken and greens and mac and cheese I could hold, I would have ordered some. Or catfish. Or neck bones.
Desserts offered by one of the ladies who cooks walking through the dining room going "Who's gonna have peach cobbler?". Who??? ME! That's who! Peach cobbler...are you kidding? Do people say no??
Meals are ONE PRICE, period, ($10.18 with two sides and cornbread)and you better bring cash. The lemonade was excellent ($2.37).
Oh my god, what wouldn't I have given to be a cow, with four stomachs. It's worth going back to Phoenix for. Stop here before you drop off your rental car. You'll thank me. So will your cardiologist.
Whenever I feel the urge for a gravy fix, I head straight over to Mrs. White's. I almost always order the pork chops - smothered. OMG gravy goodness running all over the plate! As for the sides, just pick one - they are ALL good!
There isn't much that I can add to the other reviews, except that I have actually called Mrs. White's before holiday potlucks and had them whip up some extra cornbread for me to take. They always seem a little tickled at the request, but have never refused and it allows me to focus on the festivities (not to mention everyone expects it now).
If you are looking for really good food in a unique and relaxed setting Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe should not be missed.
4.5 Stars, minus .5 for atmosphere.
This is a low key spot (albeit crowded at times) with not much in the way of decor... But the staff is friendly, and food is delicious!. Rarely do I compliment others on their fried chicken (momma gets the top spot in my book) -- but I must admit, this place give my mother and grandma a run for their money. And to top it off, the sweet potatoes are simply divine.
After you throw in some good old fashion sweet tea and moderate pricing, you know you've got a winner.
If you are looking for a trendy spot to dress up and people watch, this is not the place. But if you are desperately in need of some down home southern treats, visit Mrs. White's.
The best fried chicken I have ever had
pork cutlet is not to be missed either
the collard greens flavor is unbelievable and purely vegetarian broth if you can belive that - absolutely no sourness
I regular have to make pilgrimages for my pregnant wife here.
Negative - cash only
Went on the 4th of July with only 5 others in the shop. Beware on the one way road in front of the cafe, my GPS had me driving down the wrong way!
The staff was friendly and amazing that all entree dishes were $11. Ordered the pork ribs and links with sweet potatoes, came with corn bread and ordered sweet tea. The meat fell of the bone and the links were spicy. The sweet potatoes were sweet and yummy and the greens, not too salty.
The staff was friendly and attentive and the owner's son owns LoLo's Chicken and Waffles. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Yummy fried goodness! You just have to be patient. =(
I ate at Mrs. White's today with my husband and several of his co-workers. It was generally agreed that the fried catfish was one of the best items, but needed some seasoning. Perhaps they have reduced the salt in an attempt to keep (alive) their best customers. The chicken fried steak was really bland and tough, but the crust was nice and crispy. The gravy was a bland chicken gravy, not the typical white gravy with pepper. My chicken was pretty good, but when I told my server at LoLo's a few months ago that I liked their chicken better than Mrs. White's, I thought she might fall over with incredulity- and sheer joy. Hubby's ground beef steak was pretty good- definitely more tender than his co-worker's CFS. Everyone really liked their vegetables (which are all made without meat products) and the cornbread may have been the biggest hit of all.
A full meal with meat and 2 sides plus cornbread is now $10.18 with tax ($11.02 total) and a drink is an additional $2.17 with free refills. What they list as a "sandwich" on the menu is actually just a meat item (no veggie sides) and some bread.
Hubby needed some banana pudding, which turned out to be really delicious- homemade, full of bananas and 'nilla wafers, and warm.
Over $30 for a lunch for 2 is more than I would normally care to pay, especially when it was not all that stellar. Before the angry mob shows up on my doorstep, however, let me say that the longevity and history of Mrs. White's is worth it, and that it is a true Phoenix institution I will continue to patronize. The grandkids at LoLo's have surpassed their elders in virtually every way, however, and that is how it should be, really.
Mrs. White's is the biggety bomb!
I don't know how else to say it. I can't believe there was only one review so far. This place deserves better!
If you like southern aka food, this is the spot. It is 100% authentic.
My favorites - anything on the menu.
The collard greens are perfect.
The okra gumbo is perfect.
The fried chicken, plain or smothered (in gravy) are perfect.
The pork chops are perfect. Just don't tell my Rabbi I said that. ;)
The catfish is perfect. DOn't tell my Rabbi about that one, either, mmkay?
The cornbread is perfect.
The red beans and rice... perfect.
Starting to see a pattern here?
A few tips:
Get there early. They start to run out of stuff if you show up too late.
You can order a meal and then things by the piece. Like, order the catfish and a chicken thigh or something.
They don't have soda. They do have tea. Sweet tea (already sweetened - too sweet for me but very authentic southern) or unsweetened.
Order extra cornbread. It comes with the meal but you'll thank me.
If you don't have room for dessert, get it to go. The peach or whatever cobbler they have is kick ass, as is the bread pudding.
You will get seated and then order. They don't bring a bill to your table, you go up to the counter when you're done, tell them what you ordered, and pay there. That's why it's called the 'Mrs Whites Golden Rule.' Make sure to leave a good tip. They deserve it.
Being a regular will get you better service, but you aren't going there for the service. You're going there to eat.
There's a good chance you'll spot some Phoenix sports stars. I don't know who they are because I don't follow sports, but you can pretty much pick em out.
They are only open for lunch.
That's pretty much all you need to know. Bring your friends or coworkers, enjoy, and plan to endure a 3 hour food-induced coma when you're done.
We have been going to Mrs Whites for years now. We would go there as a treat every so often because there food was fantastic. Unfortunately it has really gotten pretty bad in the last year or so. Its really sad to, we loved Mrs Whites but not anymore.
The last couple times we went the food was pretty sub par. The portions were much smaller and the quality and taste was rather poor. A couple of times ago we went with myself, my mother and my brother. I dont want this to sound racist but I feel it needs to said. I felt like we were definitely the wrong color to be eating there.
The service was ok but i noticed it was much better for the "locals" who were there at the same time. We ordered and sat and waited for our meal. I watched as some of the people around me were brought the same thing I had ordered and it looked fantastic. Nice big pieces of chicken with large portions of sides.
Well finally our food came and what a disappointment. Our portions were MUCH smaller then everyone elses and the sides were about half the size. My mother ordered catfish, (her favorite thing there) and it looked like it was half a filet. My smothered chicken was 2 very small wings and one small breast, (I had ordered all white meat) and there was very little gravy and cabbage.
I went ahead and tried Mrs Whites one last time a couple weeks ago and it was more of the same thing. I ordered the smothered chicken again and when it arrived I received 2 small wings and a back bone with no meat. The table right behind me had the same thing and received 2 large breasts and a nice sized wing. After attempting to eat the skin off the back bone I gave up and ate what little else there was on the plate. My mother did get a nice sized catfish filet but both our sides were very small.
I no longer recommend Mrs Whites. It looks like the kids have taken over running the place and I think thats the problem. The gentleman who was always in the kitchen did a wonderful job of making the place a great choice for fantastic food but i dont see him there much anymore.
Stay away from Mrs Whites unless you happen to be the right color. Very sad.
OH YEAH...I chose to eat here because I read about it in some magazine and it sounded unique. My husband and I took our real estate broker with us, a guy a little younger than us who loves to eat as much as we do. I ate the catfish, black eyed peas, collard greens and yams...I ate it ALL! We all shared the peach cobbler. I think I scared our RE Broker who was with us...he said he had never seen a regular sized woman eat so much at one seating...yeah, I can eat!
I don't remember what my husband or our friend had but we were all happy and it was all amazingly good...I love soul food and this was the best I think I've ever had.
Everything here tasted like fried chicken, which is a good thing if you like fried chicken. The catfish I had also tasted vaguely of chicken...also Mrs White used the same batter for both...very light and crisp...though I must admit to preferring the touch of cornmeal like the way that they do it at Lolo's. Mrs. White's also got some mean chicken fried steak here.
All the meal platter work out to be $11 (after taxes) and you get choices of 2 sides.
Good solid rendition of soul food: 3 stars place with extra points for longevity.
The fried chicken is perfectly fried at Mrs. White's. It's probably the best soul/southern food I've ever had!
This place is so cool! The menus are on the walls in sharpie along with signatures from a lot of local athletes. They will not present a bill to you, but rather trust you to tell them what you ordered and pay the correct amount. The food is great, artery clogging, and comes in huge portions. I like the smothered chicken with yams and green beans, and order it every time. I always want to sleep off the rest of the day too. Saturday they do a great rib plate. Good spot for those working or living in the city.
Soul food is not abundant in Phoenix, with a handful of restaurants, many of them short-lived, offering the cuisine at any given time. One restaurant that has been in business for decades is Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe, on the eastern edge of Downtown Phoenix. Mrs. White's occupies a plain yellow building on Jefferson Street. Inside the unpretentious building, customers seat themselves at either a counter or a small number of tables. The menu is hand written on the wall in several prominent locations, although printed menus are available on request.
The menu at Mrs. White's is simple and straightforward. Meals always begin with complimentary cornbread, which is just right in terms of texture and sweetness. There are always six entrees available: chicken fried steak, fried chicken, smothered chicken, pork chops, catfish, and a vegetable plate. All are the same price (approximately $10), and the five meat entrees include two sides chosen from the likes of yams, collard greens, green beans, rice, black-eyed peas, and other Southern specialties. The vegetable plate includes portions of all side dishes on one plate. The seasonings used are simple but satisfying and include onions, bay leaves, and, of course, salt. The vegetables are generally not overcooked, but instead retain their natural flavors and firmness. The chicken fried steak may not be not quite as fork-tender as at some establishments, but is tasty and well seasoned. There are also daily specials that delve into slightly less familiar fare, including oxtails; Okra gumbo is offered on Fridays.
No alcohol is served, but beverage selections include lemonade and iced tea. Dessert offerings include cake, cobblers, and pies, although given Mrs. White's large portions, it's best to count on sharing a dessert. At the end of the meal, no check is brought to the table. Instead, guests make their way to the cashier, who announces the total owed based on what customers say they ordered. This practice is reportedly the origin of the "Golden Rule" in the restaurant's name. Mrs. White's hours are limited, with lunch offered from 11 AM until 5 PM on weekdays and a Saturday barbecue. Mrs. White's does not accept credit cards or checks, so visitors should bring cash.
Excellent, authentic soul food. This restaurant is an old Phoenix institution and a hallmark of our city's relatively small African-American community. If you can't guess it already, you'll figure out why it's called the "Golden Rule" cafe when it comes time to pay the bill. My cholesterol level can't afford frequent trips to this place otherwise I'd be here far more often. The gravy is yummy.
Awesome food, the best place in Phoenix to go for soul food. If you have good manners, you'll get good service( yes mam, please, thank you...etc)
This is one of my favorite little places to indulge some guilty pleasures and it's a nice change of pace from the typical tacos. The first thing you notice is the atmosphere is very simple and welcoming. The menu is on the wall along with dozens of signatures of athletes and entertainers from all over the country. Although I do not profess to be from the south I have heard from enough people who are to know that this is the real deal. Authenticity aside Mrs. White's is just great comfort food at a reasonable price. They have your basics like fried chicken, collard greens, red beans and rice to name a few. I love the homemade lemonade that comes in huge glass and I am told the sweet tea is very good too. If you get a chance to break free for a weekday lunch downtown then I suggest trying it out. Just make sure you workout a little harder the next time.
I read the reviews here before leaving for Phoenix. This place was on ny must do list for the trip. Many places don't live up to the hype, but Mrs. White's exceeded my expectations. I forgot how good real fried chicken is rather than the broasted, pressure cooked stuff you get now. Sure, it takes a little longer, but the wait is worth it. My wife and went on a Wednesday evening for an early dinner. The establishment is not that inviting from the outside and the inside isn't much better. Appearances can be deceiving. I had the fried chicken with sweet potatoes and red beans. My wife had the catfish with collards and black eyed peas. Everything was delicious wth the sweet potatoes to kill for. We were the only sit down customers, but there was a regular to go crowd with catfish seeming to be the favorite. We also had the corn bread (yum!) and banana cream cake for desert. It was interesting to see the autographs on the wall while waiting for heaven to be delivered. It looks like the sports teams have found out about Mrs. Whites. If only they would deliver to Walla Walla, Washington, my life would be complete.
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Southern
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Soul Food
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Soul Food
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Barbeque
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
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