MacArthur’s Restaurant

went there today, ladies fixing the food was snappy and rushy ! and most of all They served NO DRESSING ! (Are you SERIOUS ! ?) A soul food restaurant that serve no “Dressing” ? ‘Unbelievable’ , Willie Wilson and his ‘entourage’ was there and got red carpet treatment there own private table, while the rest of us had to stand in a LONG line….

I came in today at 7-2-2020 to order some food I thought I would give them a try again since the last time the food was so salty I had to double my blood pressure medication but lines were extremely long rude counter ladies taken people orders in rude ghetto fashion and on top of that every time you call and ask or check on line they say they have a certain dish you get in there they don’t have it at all or your waiting for them to cook it I also notice one of the workers eyelashes was so long they look like they was going to fall off I was kind of concern about it getting in the food just a all round messed up establishment I would be cooking my soul food from home or going somewhere else where customer service and hygiene is important !!

I need to add an addendum here several years later after I stumbled upon/re-read this review and absolutely cringed at how I described the neighborhood and spoke of its people, and for that I apologize. Very tone deaf and shallow of me. You live, you learn. Meanwhile, Macarthur’s is delicious (I stand by everything I said in that regard) and I can’t wait to come back!

Food Quality and professionalism have declined. Crust on Peach cobbler was more like a tasteless biscuit rather than the traditional flaky pie crust.

I know people like this place but….I’m sorry, I just don’t know what….I just can’t. I was born and raised in Georgia and my husband, Arkansas. In the south Soul Food is just food and we ate it every day. I’m not a food expert but this place just got a whole several centuries of grandma’s & bigmomma’s & Madea’s just flopping about in their graves. We didn’t survive the Middle Passage for this. This place is an insult to every woman who slaved on a plantation by day and over a pot of chittlin’s by night. My husband has been here about 3 times over the years. This was my 1st time. It was a rare April snow day for Chicago and this place was still packed. I’m still concerned, however, because I have an issue with businesses who have been doing well for years but don’t re-invest. The decor is from 30 years ago. It was clean but so old it didn’t look clean, if you know what I mean. Even though the line was long, I quickly made it from the door to my turn in line. Now, I will say they stayed true to Black culinary form in that they were not BS’ing on portion sizes. Every plate was overflowing, just like at Bigmomma’s house. The servers were friendly as well as efficient, bantering with each other and the customers. Nice vibe going on. They had on gloves and hair nets and were constantly cleaning and bringing out fresh food. I decide to order the catfish. Someone in front of me got the last so I was excited that my order was going to come from the fresh pan they were bringing out. I got a side of Yams. Hubby got the Beef Short Ribs. All looked AND smelled good. As soon as I take the 1st bite of fish I realize something is terribly wrong. Fish is flaky. This fish was soft and mushy. Bish whaaat? No ma’am. So I try eating from the middle of the fish. Mush. So I ate the yams. Hubby said the short ribs were greasy, fatty, & weird tasting but only after he had been eating them for a while(?). In the beginning he said they were fine so idk and he dk. I politely covered my food with a napkin then hubby eventually did too and we stood up to leave. The church auntie who had just sat behind us was like “wait, why y’all leaving all that food on them plates”. Dang she nosy. It was her 1st time there so we told her that people really like it so she probably will too but it’s just not what we were used to. Then we went home, hubby put some pork chops in the broiler and pulled out a bag of greens he picked and froze last month, fried up some hot water cornbread, and did what we do.

My family has loved this place for so long so I decided to give it it a try. We let them know ahead of time that a big group of us would be coming in after a funeral service and they started to run out of food at 3:30.. okay, the line was long but didn’t feel like eternity. My issue comes in with the customer service again it’s not what you say but how you say it many of the older women were rude especially to the children in the group as they were trying to figure out what they wanted it was annoying because they don’t have me handout menu’s so I can’t figure out what I want until I get closer to the front the way they talk can easily start an argument. Onto the food I didn’t get much the Mac & Cheese was amazing I’m craving more of that, the meatloaf was ok, the baked chicken was good the mashed potatoes I wasn’t a fan, the banana pudding was good but I’ve had better. The bathrooms smell like strong cleaning chemicals. I definitely wouldn’t come again to wait in line especially if the customer service is so poor. I’ll find another spot!

A close friend from Chicago said I should try this place so we went. They need to update their online menu. I spent an extra $7 because their prices at the restaurant are higher than what is being advertised online. I haven’t checked the law, but it seems to me that they should honor the publicly advertised prices so that people aren’t sideswiped when they get to the cash register. The food was excellent so I give it 5 stars for that. The long lines and wait time take away 1 star and the bogus pricing removes a second star. The beef short rib dinner was supposed to be $11.99 according to the menu, but there was an upcharge at the register of $1.00 as well as an added 50 cents each for the 2 sides of mac and cheese and yams. (the most ordered sides) so the price is really $13.99 for the beef rib dinner. The dessert is advertised at $3.00, but i was charged $3.50 each, so again, sideswipe. so what was supposed to be a $33.00 meal ended up being $40.88 – That is a big difference. But as far as taste, I would definitely go back.

“No Soul Food For You” Ok so just a disclaimer this place isn’t for the pretty little diners. Come to this place to get heavy, rich and savory helpings of everything mama used to make. 4 stars is deserved here because you come to expect a certain charismatic urban family flair. This flair adds to the character of the place. You know as well as I do family tells it like it is and so will I. Instead of my usual review I’ll give you the rundown in a few tips. TIP #1 – Get Here Early (Before 6) If you come near close they may be out of the delicious dang near 44 cheese baked macaroni (-1 star). You can’t be upset you showed up late and fam will tell you it just like that too. “None of mama’s mac for you!” (Dead horse?) TIP #2 – Look At The Wall Staring at the wall and watching paint dry while you wait to be seated is no fun task. Thankfully, MacArthur’s thought of everything. To encourage you to feel welcome and loved, a wall of political activist and civil rights leaders who have graced the down-home spot line the entrance walls. Take a look and understand you are about to partake of the same food, in the same kitchen, from the same chef who fueled the soul of equality warriors like Harold Washington and Jesse Jackson. Mmmmm the consciousness is almost as delicious as these collard greens. TIP #3 – Come Hungry for Brunch They have this crazy amazing Noah’s ark breakfast deal where you get like two of everything and enough grits to drown in. Best part it’s a soul food spot, so you know the breakfast is seasoned oh so well. TIP #4 – Get Enough To Share Not in the mood for breakfast? I come here for lunch a few times a month and every time I do I always buy an extra side of candied yams or baked mac to share. The scent is going to fill the office or, if you work in the sales industry, communal trough. I’m telling you people get curious about the miracle healing powers of soul food when they smell MacArthur’s. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. SWEET BONUS TIP This place is known for their banana pudding and it runs out quickly, no matter how much they make; no really(-1 star). That being said all that “sharing is caring” stuff goes out the window. If you get your hands on this delicious puddin’ keep it for yourself and stash what you don’t finish in the veggie bin. Enjoy! Thanks again Chef MacArthur Alexander, you and your kitchen know how to throw down.

Pretty good mac could of used more cheese overall The peach cobbler always FYE I recommend this place.

MacArthur’s stands above all over soul food spots, and is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. I usually get the cat fish or bake chicken, which are both exceptional. Every side I’ve ever had from here is just delicious. Their potato salad is perfection and could be eaten with any dish. They give you so much food for so cheap, you’ll think they gave you a discount. I remember I got a regular dinner plate with like 2 extra sides and it was still under $15 dollars. I can’t stress enough that this is a place you should try.