Paw Paw Patch

The dining experience was ok but nothing to write home about. Food was so-​so but not bad. Too many other meat and twos in Birmingham to frequent. Would eat there again if in the area.

This was a really pleasant surprise. Fairly large place with cafeteria style set up. Three of us went for lunch and we all liked what we had. I had the grilled chicken and rice since I was looking for something not too heavy for lunch. The chicken was so tasty. I ate it all! I had sweet potatoes for a side. They were like dessert! So good.
My friend had the roast beef which she said was great and my husband had the chicken fried steak. He loved it.
A waitress gets your drinks and brings your check and even though she didn’t do much, she was really nice and made us feel like regulars.
Try this place for great eats. Much better than your typical meat and three.

Sometimes I have a hankering for a meat and three plate. I endured Greenspring traffic after work to get to this place. The nice thing is that they have a drive-​thru that is fairly quickly to get through. Thursday’s special was turkey and dressing. Yes, it’s a week before Thanksgiving, and come next Friday I’ll be sick of eating Turkey for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I felt it appropriate to start getting in the festive mood. The dressing was nicely seasoned, and the cranberry sauce (completely forgot about that!) was served in a container to the side. Thanks!
I got turnip greens and squash casserole. Sure the veggies were cooked to death, but they tasted good and I felt like i was getting some nutrients from them. I’ll be back!

It’s my second time in Alabama for business and my second time eating here. It’ll forever be my go to restaurant for delicious southern food whenever I’m back in Homewood. This California girl is hooked! Forget about the CA diets because the fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, fried okra, country fried steak, biscuits, jalapeño cornbread, pecan pie, etc., etc., etc., is all worth the guilty indulgence!

I visited Paw Paw Patch for the first time a few weeks ago with my brother and father. We got there right at 11am and there were already people lined up. The line was MUCH worse when we left around noon — so get there early! Interestingly enough, they also have a drive-​thru. There was a constant stream of cars as we ate our meal. I think that’s a nice addition to the place as I’ve not seen another meat and three that has a drive-​thru.
It’s reminiscent of a school cafeteria line. You take your tray and utensils and tell the workers what you want and they fill up your plate. What’s great is that you can get as many or as few items as you want, so it’s very customizable. The selection is large as well. There’s pretty much something for everyone. (Hint — check out their website before you go to see the special and their general menu).
My dad and I chose to get the meatloaf, which was VERY good. The red sauce on it was almost more of a marinara than a straight ketchup sauce (which seems to be the most typical kind of sauce on meatloaf in the south). I could actually see pieces of bay leaf on top of some of it. Very yummy. I also got sides of some squash casserole and mac and cheese. Both of them were very good as well. My brother got the fried catfish and said it was really good. The portion sizes are very generous, so I had enough food left over for dinner too!
After you get your food, you pick a table and have a seat and a waiter/​waitress will come and get your drink order and take care of you. Our waitress was attentive without being overbearing.
Price-​wise it was pretty standard — the three of us ate for about $ 30 tax, tip and all. I think this is probably the best food I’ve had at any meat and three places in the Birmingham area. I don’t work over near it anymore, so I probably won’t eat there as often, but I’m going to have to try to get back for that meatloaf!

Good food. Good price. What more do you want from one of the best meat and three cafeterias in the metro area? You go in, grab your utensils and your tray, dessert if you want it, then proceed to the meat section. There are usually about 5 or 6 choices, with one or 2 being the special of the day. Next are the veggies. The fried green tomatoes are some of the best in town. Always crisp and fried just right. Yummy. Make sure you check the website for their daily specials. What keeps it from getting my 5 stars is the food cools kinda quick. It’s like you eat two warm bites then it’s cold. I think it’s because the inside of the place is usually freezing. Not sure. But it still doesn’t take away from the freshness and overall yumminess of the food. Plus you don’t go broke eating here, which nowadays is always a plus!

I have a super hard time staying away from meat & threes. I used to work down the road a few years ago, and ate here, oh, probably close to once a week (Thursday is turkey & dressing day!). That job went the way of the dinosaurs, and I haven’t been in this area quite as much, so it’s been a couple of years since I’ve enjoyed the Paw-​Paw Patch. It hasn’t changed much. Here’s the scenario: You go through the line, you tell them what you want (ex: country fried steak, mac & cheese, greens, butter beans), you grab your choice of bread (ex: Mexican cornbread), and maybe some sliced onion and/​or some corn relish, and you try to find a seat. I personally like the booths in the little sun room. There’s not too much being waited on — the waitresses scribble down your food choices & bring you a drink. Maybe you’ll get a refill before you’re done scarfing the food that’s as delicious as it looks and smells. If not, that’s OK, she’ll bring you a tea to go, if you ask. And you’ll probably be back next week for more country fried steak.

Great cafeteria like setup. They give you a lot and the food is absolutely delicious. I wish I wasn’t just passing through otherwise I would come here all the time.
I found the staff very friendly and the cost was fair considering the amount given and the quality.

Eww… The big black lady at the window is soooo freaking rude. Her attitude is horrendous. She always has this mean scwol on her face. And she is very unpleasant. And she has the most long and disgusting looking nails. I hate going through the drive thru because of her nasty rude behind. Now the food. It’s your standard meat and three. A little bland I’m guessing it’s because they have a lot of elderly patrons so some people may be on a sodium restriction or something of that nature. But a few salt and pepper packets and you’re good to go. Fried green tomatoes are good so is the fried chicken. The squash casserole is good too.

My mother use to actually work here when it was the original Dairy Snack. She was a manager there when we were kids. I use to do my homework there in a corner both everyday. I grew up helping out and I guess that is where my love of food and service started. Watching my mom serve up some good food and watching the expressions on the customers faces as they ate. (Most all were very complimentary and completely satisfied when they left). I had many talks with Mr. Pagent (the owner aka Paw-​Paw) when he came in and enjoyed a meal. I am very attached to this place. I learned a lot there and I have cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Funny how our reflections into our childhood will almost certainly involve a meal or the memory of preparing one. Food is not only nourishment for our bodies but when it served with care it also feeds the soul.
Note: The food is still good but most items are canned now and it lacks a little luster now in service.

Also my first one meat three sides experience and it was pretty damn county delicious. This place is pretty cheap.

One of the best «meat & threes» in the Birmingham area. Friendly staff, very efficient, good portions, and great selections. We have never had to wait in line. The only downside is the parking. If you’re not there by 11:15, it’s a hassle. The «one-​way» movement into and out of the front lot is not well marked. And parking in the back and trying to negotiate the drive-​thru is a nightmare during rush hour.

Four words. Fried Green Toe Maters.
Great place for quick eats. Personally my favorite meat and three in town.

This is one of the best places in Birmingham to get great tasting vegetables at a very good price. This has been my family’s favorite place to eat for years.
Very friendly people and large selection of food.

Glad that my first meat and three experience was here. Since it’s cafeteria style I was able to see all the choices and point to what I wanted. I went with the country ham, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes and fried okra. The good is that food was really good… for cafeteria style and steam trays. The bad is that not everything seemed to be optimal for steam tray service. Only the meats smothered in gravy looked appetizing. The fried tomatoes were excellent, but the corn bread was a bit dry and flavorless. Overall, I was happy with the price and quick service. Wait staff is super friendly as well.

Good food. Definitely not the highest quality, but it’s an enjoyable outing with some good Southern coworkers. It’s always busy for lunch during the week. I’d really give it a 3.7 or so, but I’ll round up. Meats and veggies.

Good fast Meat and Two/​Three. Great service and calm atmosphere.

The best turnip greens I’ve ever had in a restaurant and I’ve ordered them too many times to mention. And the only meat and three I’ve found anywhere with a drive through! Fried green tomatoes and okra everyday.

Really good, no-​nonsense country cooking. Their warm banana pudding is awesome!

Good, basic Southern food.
A speedy choice for lunch.