Madea’s Down Home Cooking

This was my second time coming and I will say this restaurant is southern hospitality at its best. From the minute I walked through the door and was greeted. They helped me with there menu and are very respectful and polite. This place is a little out of the way from Arlington but its worth it. When you arrive it is Cafeteria style butt they have a full menu so they have some foods pre cooked and some foods cooked to order. I ordered the smotherd porkchops, greens, mac and cheese and black eye peas. Everything was delightful. The greens were not tough and had been cooked just right. The Smothered porkchops are thick and have just the right amount of gravy smothered mmmm oh dont forget they have HOTWater Corn Bread my Favorite

Let’s see… My only complaint is my stomach is not big enough. EVERYTHING was amazing– no pictures jumped in to quick. Fish was perfect no tarter sauce needed, CFS tender, CFC was juicy and tender, beef tip I think were better with mashed potatoes all the sides were great. Next time I will start with banana puddin’

Lord, this food was great. We had a party of 20 for our Mom’s 82^nd birthday. The food and service was great. Don’t know the name of the gentlemen that serviced our table, but we had great service with refills on our drinks, ordering extra’s after we were at our table, and getting take out containers. It was more food than all of us could eat at one setting, so we all needed take out containers for later. I’m sure we will be going there again. setting

I went in for lunch and got the chicken fried chicken. OMG! It was so tender and amazing! I can’t wait to come back and share with friends. Sides were great too. I got mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and broccoli casserole.

We just tried this restaurant for the first time and LOVE it! It is truly a hidden jewel in the DFW area!!!

I had a really bad experience with this place. I’ve only gone twice but that was enough to know that I’ll probably never go again or suggest anybody else to go…
My first time going they were really impatient while I decided what I want, like they expected me to walk in already knowing everything they served.
They didn’t have a few of the items that I did want and it was the middle of the day.
I grew up eating soul food so I expected it to taste like authentic soul food and it didn’t.
The green beans tasted like they were from a can with onions thrown in. The beef tips were okay but they don’t cook them in the gravy they just put the gravy on top so they were dry.
The white rice reminded me of minute rice.
The bread is great!
Even the sweet tea was nasty. It didn’t even taste like tea. It actually didn’t even taste like it should be consumed. I thought my taste buds were off so I had my friend taste it and she gagged. I wanted to love this place because I had been driving all the way to Dallas to get Sweet Georgia Browns and this place was closer to my house… But it definitely didn’t do it for me. I was extremely disappointed.
It really tasted like what I imagine a soul food TV dinner would taste like.
I’m giving 3 stars because it’s affordable and
The wait staff that cleans up and comes and checks on the table were really great.

I’ve only come here once, but that’s all it took to convince me to not return. My friends absolutely love this place, so I figured I give it a shot. The restaurant has definitely seen better days and is in need of some extensive remodeling.
You order your food by going through the serving line and picking out your meat and sides. The only thing they had that Sunday that I could eat without fear was the catfish, which I’m quite particular about.
Unfortunately the catfish was soft and undercooked in my opinion. My sides of Mac and cheese and greens were nothing to call home about either.
When I left out, I noticed boxes of Sarah Lee pies next to the garbage. That was the last straw for me! There are too many «cake ladies» out here hustling their cakes for them to use store bought pie!!!
All in all a very disappointing experience. If I can’t make soul food at home, I’ll just drive to my regular spots in Dallas. Thanks but no thanks Madea!

This is the best hidden gem in Fort Worth. It took me two years to talk my husband into trying it and now we go weekly. Amazing fresh fried items and all sides are what you dream of your grandmother making. Desserts are equally as delicious!

Once again Madea’s has put another smile on my face and I will continue to make this my number one soul food restaurant of all times.

I left Unilocal but I’m back and I must reiterate the down home goodness that comes out of this soul food kitchen. On our very first visit to Madea’s we were greeted with smiles and suggestions on what to try. My kids got the chicken fried steak and it was big enough to share. They enjoyed it and asked for more. I tried smothered pork chops, which I’ve never had before, «my my my» as the elders of the church would say. I have never tasted such fatty goodness in my life. I also had the oowe gooey mac and cheese followed by the perfectly seasoned cabbage, just like mama makes ‘em. Dear Lord Jesus if I die please let me come back one time to dine in at this place. #Amen
P. S. The nice guy collecting our money gave us a free slice of strawberry cake since we were first time guests, as I type this I want to cry, why? The flavor packed in that slice of cake lies in the memories of your tastebuds forever. It was so stupid moist and delicious that my son and I almost got into a physical altercation over the last bite.

seriously, stop wasting time reading Unilocal reviews and get your butt over there to stuff your face with the metroplex’s best home cooking!
the food, it’s so freaking gooooood. it’s good ol’ southern comfort food made properly. the dressing made my eyes tear up a little because it tastes just like my mom’s recipe and I miss her & her cooking.
here’s your visual:
–cafeteria style — think miniature lubys
–pick your meat, pick your sides, choose your gravy & your bread.
–the sweet tea is super duper SWEEET tea (I’m not complaining) They have soda (no coke products) & Kool Aide too (literally Kool Aide. That’s not a joke)
–find a seat and dig in!
if you have a weakness for southern home cooking, you absolutely HAVE to go. sadly, I will now be craving Madeas.

So, I went to Madea’ s today. Meatloaf, cabbage, mac and cheese and okra and tomatoes. I LOVE the flavor of the meatloaf. The mac and cheese and cabbage were good, just not my cup of tea. As always the cornbread fritters they make are awesom. Now, the okra and stewed tomatoes, yummy-​licious. Spicy and smells so good. Sock it to me cake is creamy and so sweet. The staff is awesome always smiling willing to assist you I cannot wait to take my mommy and my daddy 2 Madea’s when they come in October.

Mmmm Mmmmm Mmmmm!
This was some good eating. Large portions, large flavors and full stomachs. The atmosphere was so comfortable, felt like i was walking to someone’s home. And was welcomed with a warm greeting.
I enjoyed it so much I took my mom back later the same evening.

Reallllllly good southern comfort food. I had the chicken fried chicken and it was cooked to perfection; tender with light, tasty breading. I had the broccoli rice casserole, mashed, and collards on the side. All of it, spot on.
And the peach cobbler was everything!
They give you SO much food and the best part is they’re AWESOME with their customers. Warm, friendly, and super attentive/​accommodating.
Excellent up and down and sideways!
We’ll be back.

Amazing food! Prices are steap ! Very good food! I got the chicken fried steak and it was fork tender with lots of gravy!
The cornbread was the best I ever had!
The catfish was great also!!! Would give a 5 but the prices are too high.

OMG!!!
I don’t know where to start, we came here right after work rushing to get there before they close at 7pm. We made it like at 615pm the young man welcomed us he took our order and hooked us up it felt like family. You know how you go to some places right before they close you think your going to get all the old stuff and it will be cold and nasty… NOT at Madea’s everything it was hot we got fried pork chops they were drop right then and there. When those pork chops got there, they were so delicious tender and juicy well seasoned. All the sides were amazing the yams were soft and tasted like butter yumyum, and greens just put some hot sauce on them and just go in, I am a big fan of the broccoli cheddar rice it has just enough cheese not to over do it but cheesy! Hot water cornbread hot and fresh out the grease thank you!
You can not go wrong at Madea’s GOOD FOOD, GOOD PEOPLE, GOOD MUSIC!!! You cant beat that.
PS
They Jam Pandora on the Bobby Womack station
I imminently put that on my Pandora lol

Well my goodness everything looked so good I ended up spending $ 27. The portions are great. I purchased a lot of sides and 2 meats because I just could not decide what to get. The cucumber salad is awesome, the potato salad is not mashed potato salad the potatoes are diced small so you can get them in your mouth. Peach cobbler yummie. Baked chicken and meatloaf great chicken is not dry. Greens, Mac & cheese, yams all delicious. This was my first time tasting hot water cornbread and I’m hooked. Enough said, another place for me to eat.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm­mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm­mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm… That could be my entire review and I would be satisfied.
When I walked in around 1130, I found out that I was the first one there and was immediately greeted by the guy behind the line. He was so damn nice and charming and I ended up ordering way too much for one person. I mean, 6 pieces of catfish, 2 big smothered pork chops, a heaping scoop each of collard greens, stewed okra, and broccoli casserole and 2 pieces of hot water cornbread for 20 bucks felt more like an eating challenge. Oh, and don’t forget the cup of water. Because you know, I’m trying to be healthy.
Not only was the food really awesome, but the workers (shout out to Phil the masterchef, who asked why Carrollton didn’t have any good soul food places) were all very friendly and would randomly come to my table to 1.) Make sure I didn’t pass out in a food coma while teasing me about my ridiculously large lunch and 2.) To make sure I had everything I needed. I also personally love the cafeteria-​style service. It makes it feel more comfortable for me. This is a place I would definitely return back to and bring people from out of town for some good honest food that will indeed make your soul happy.

We were down in Burleson for a baseball tournament, and because me and my wife grew up with mothers and grandmother cooking some down home Southern style food, we had to try this place.
I had the baked chicken, cabbage, collard greens, and cucumber salad, and a delicious memory of the kind of food mom used to make. You have heard the saying «tastes so good it will make you slap your momma’», well, this tasted so good it made me want to take my dishes to the kitchen myself and clean them, then load the dishwasher. Then take out the trash.
I didn’t want to finish my meal, not because it was so big, and it was, I didn’t want to finish because I didn’t want my meal to end.
I can’t wait to go back tomorrow.
My wife is a great cook, but if we lived near this place, I would probably rather eat here. Sorry babe… it’s that good.
Day 2, as promised. I had the chicken fried chicken with brown gravy on the side. I didn’t even need the gravy, as the CFC stood on its own. Pan fried with a light golden breading. Seriously, every bit as good as Babe’s or Ozona.
Same outstanding sides as well.
I did break down and have some hot water cornbread. If you don’t know what that is, it is cornbread that has been fried in a skillet instead of baked in an oven. The texture is like a hush puppy. Top notch.
One thing I should also point out… I seriously felt like I was eating at someone’s house with their grandmother cooking. Everyone working there is so gracious, courteous, and nice.
I am going to make sure to bring my son with me next time so he can know what it was like to eat what his grandmother would have cooked.

Good golly Miss Molly this place was awesome. Ever since I seen Nikki’s ROTD, I had to try it. Oooh wee is right! I went a few months back to try this place out and they were closed for remodeling. Now they are open again! It’s off the beaten path and it doesn’t look like much on the outside. On the inside, it’s clean and simple looking. A big picture of a lady in the dining area that I assume is Madea.
It’s buffet/​cafeteria type style. You get your trays and they tell you what’s all on the line for the day. My kids kept going on and on about they want this and they want that and spotted the Strawberry cake before I did. I couldn’t concentrate and was distracted. I only heard half of what he said. The smothered pork chops looked amazing. They also had beef tips and rice, fried chicken, baked chicken, and catfish. Other things as well, but like I said I had three people in my ear.
Even though everything look delicious I went with the baked chicken. I never had smothered pork chops and would love to try them. He asked if I wanted dark or white chicken and I went with white. I got two BIG breasts and then it comes with 3 sides. Maybe 2? I don’t remember because my kids was excited about this damn strawberry cake. I think it was 2 though because we ended up with 6 sides. 2 breasts and 2 sides for $ 10 is a pretty good deal. My kids got the catfish and the catfish was awesome. The chicken was flavorful and juicy. It was so good and even better with some hot sauce! The sides the kids got mashed potatoes, green beans, and black eyed peas. They just wanted the potatoes so mama ended up with green beans, black eyed peas, cabbage, and collards. Oh Em Gee. The black eye peas were great. The green beans were some of the best I had in awhile, and I loved the cabbage and collards. All way to much for me to eat so half of it went in a to go box. I had a little sample of the beef tips and rice. Yummy.
Oh and this strawberry cake. Nikki said that her and her son almost got into an altercation over the strawberry cake. Well, my son damn near stabbed me with a fork trying to get a taste. Lol. He hogged the whole thing which I have never seen him do with any food. Hey, at least he shared with his sister. The few bites I did have it was lovely. I don’t like strawberry cake, but this cake was AWESOME.
It’s pretty laughable that I used to take my Grandparents to Cotton Patch and Black Eyed Pea for some home cooking. *Hangs head in shame*
Grandpa is no longer with us, but no more of that. Grandma and I will go to Madea’s for now on. Plus, it’s right around the corner for me!
As my Grandpa would say «I’m full as a tick»