J & S Cafeteria

I’ve been here and to other locations of this cafeteria since my first review, and I am continually impressed. The food is so great for the price. Living so far away in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where no cafeterias of this sort exist, I am continually craving J&S and it’s affordable, lip-​smacking, Southern homestyle food with so much money left in my wallet. I love getting the panko-​breaded whitefish that is huge, crispy on the outside, and flaky on the inside. I always add a couple of veggies, like corn, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, and the heavenly yam soufflé, which is the best yam dish I have EVER eaten. It’s basically dessert, though they do have actual desserts that all look yummy, too. If you can’t get a home-​cooked comfort-​food meal at home, and you don’t mind a basic cafeteria atmosphere, then just come here. It’s the next best thing… maybe better.

Very disappointed. Sanitation grade 94.5. Some of the food was room temperature. Most of it was bland. All of it was overpriced. On the positive, the staff was courteous. The selection was good if you have a group that has varied tastes. I don’t plan on returning.

Cafeteria food so mushy and bland. Obviously only catering to people who’s tastey buds died before they did.

My favorite «go to» meal: country style steak, mashed potatoes w/​gravy, broccoli salad, chocolate meringue pie, and sweet tea, has risen in price from $ 9 to $ 11.60. That’s unreasonably expensive for buffet food!
I only have three problems with this restaurant:
(a) ala carte ordering means an expensive bill
(b) this location NEVER has veal scaloppini on the entrée menu, which is my all time favorite dish at J&S, and
© this restaurant is always super crowded on the weekend. Go there on Sunday and you will literally enter «200 person, stand in line, Hell.»
* The food is worth about 3.5 stars.
* During weekdays, the line moves fairly quickly. (Fugaboutit on weekends!)
* Employees are courteous.
* Even though THIS IS A SELF SERVICE REFILL PLACE, on a good day one’s wait person will offer refills of drink, ice, coffee, or to go boxes. When that happens I leave a tip, although it is not required.
J&S Cafeteria is an offshoot company from the old K&W franchise, which has been around this area for decades. J&S has better quality food, and more of a selection even though prices are comparable.
This is one of «THE» local places where people congregate after church services. I went here once for lunch on a Sunday, and I’ve never repeated that mistake. They are just stupid busy when the church crowd descends. The line will extend at least 50+ yards, all the way back to and out the front door. One will stand in line for at least a half hour on Sundays. It’s not worth it!
The place is clean.
The patrons are multi-​ethnic, from rich to poor, motorcycle rider to three piece suits, young to elderly. This place is a major lunchtime hangout for NC State Troopers during weekdays. I have seen as many as seven or eight officers here at one time during lunch.
J&S’ daily menu is available online at their website, as it is for each of the J&S Cafeteria locations. Entrees change on a daily basis, even though country style steak, city ham, roast beef, and fried fish remain constant favorites on their menu.
Whole Cakes and Pies are available.
Take out ordering is available to the left of the serving line.
Sadly, their prices have risen to the point where I no longer go there anymore.

The staff is extremely friendly. The food is average to good. It is easy to ring up a big bill at a place like this.
These are not my favorite style of restaurants and it is hard to eat healthy.

Good food, lots of choices, friendly service and fair prices, what more can you ask.
Where else can 2 people have a nice sit down meal and get an entrée, side, dessert and drink for less than $ 20?
I really like the baked spaghetti. Also try the ranch potatoes, quartered red potatoes baked with cheese and onions and they have some really good desserts as well.
Keep in mind the line can get quite long, depending on the day and time you arrive, but it seems to move quickly.
If you are ever in the Hickory, N.C. area, and like good cafeteria food, then give J & S a try.

I went here for a big family reunion breakfast. They only serve until 10am, so get up early! They had a breakfast special of 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 pancakes & grits or hash browns for $ 3.99! It was pretty good, it’s nothing special, but to get 25 people breakfast quickly, it works! When we come back to town for another family reunion, we’ll definitely be back!!!