Hidden Manna Cafe

A piece of New Orleans. This cold weather has really got me missing one of my favorite destinations which is New Orleans. The Hidden Manna Café has the same hospitality and the food is simply scrumptious. Come in for a delicious cup of coffee and a bowl of homemade dumplings. Law’d Geeus! I guarantee that this place will be one of your favorite spots. It also passed my get three things right test. I will be also trying the shrimp and grits which are their signature item.

Delicious food, great customer service and a quaint cozy feel. My husband and I visited for brunch and everything was wonderful. We will definitely be back.

My husband and I were here a while ago and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It was a weekday morning and there were only 3 tables filled. Our waitress made some great recommendations. I ordered the shrimp and grits and my husband had the chicken and waffle. The portions were plentiful and everything was delicious. If you are looking for a great breakfast spot off the beaten path I would encourage you to give his place a try.

Absolutely love the owners and their hospitable spirit. Catfish is awesome!!! A fan of flavored tea & lemonade. Décor is nice. Enjoyed on multiple occasions.

Words really can’t describe my experience from the moment I walked the through the doors of Hidden Manna Café to the moment I left. Friendly welcoming service (I felt like a member of the family) to the beautiful décor & lovely music to the delicious food. I was most impressed with the meat coming from a local butcher.
I order the stuffed turkey burger (I chose pepper jack, spinach & mushrooms) and it was perfect. Why not 5-​stars? Only because my fries were not perfect (they probably could have stay in the fryer for about 2 minutes longer) but I was to famished to since then back.
Please check out Hidden Manna Café. If I lived in the area this would be a regular. I will stop here whenever I’m back in town.

Absolutely a great place for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner! The Chicken & waffles are great!

My wife and I ate here last night. She had the Shrimp & Grits and I had the Seafood Gumbo. Both dishes were delicious! The service was great and the atmosphere was good. If you are looking for good food, this is needs to be on your list!

After seeing the Hidden Manna Café on Chicago’s Best, I had to try this «hidden» restaurant. It is located on the older side of Matteson, Illinois. Initially, it was difficult to visit, as I planned to go after work a few times. However, the restaurant closes at 3 p.m. Monday– Thursday!!! Not good for the average working adult! Sooooooooooo, I made a special trip on an off day and tried the breakfast. It was a Thursday morning, and there was only 2 other patrons in the restaurant. The restaurant has two dining sides, both small and intimate. The decoration was nice, and the restaurant was clean. The waitress was prompt in attending to us, and made a few recommendations, as we indicated it was our first visit. I had the Cheese Seafood Grits, which were not so good. Can you say needs seasoning??? I was expecting more flavor since this was promoted as a New Orleans/​Cajun Restaurant. In addition to how bland my food was, the meal was a little pricey at $ 13.99 (I guess it was for the cost of the shrimp?). The waitress was really nice and I really liked the ambiance. I was told to try to come back to visit on a Friday night or Saturday night for the live entertainment.

The Hidden Manna Café is definitely a hidden gem in Old Matteson. The ambiance is perfect for a restaurant in a historical building. The owners were able to keep the historical charm while adding modern touches to the décor. The restaurant is comfortable and is larger than it appears on the outside. I have tried take out several times as well as dined in. The food is spectacular! Having lived in New Orleans, I am always on the hunt for a local restaurant that serves New Orleans’ style poboys. I finally found that in Hidden Manna. Their Seafood poboy is amazing. I have also tried pasta dishes and was not disappointed. This is a nice date spot and I am told the live music is a nice touch. I plan to come back to experience the live music very soon!

This is a very cute little restaurant. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with warmth and friendliness. They have several types of coffee drinks. I tried the house coffee which was surprisingly amazing! I also tried the Catfish and Grits which was tasty. My only request would be to make it a little more spicy as I was expecting more Cajun flavor. This place is definitely a hidden gem that proves the suburbs do have flavor!

It was my son’s 26 th birthday the service was pleasant and attentive. The food was comfy and cozy the ambience on point. Set the tone for a very pleasant day. I’m looking forward to going back.

I loved the atmosphere. The quaint house converted into a restaurant is my favorite type. Great ambiance. However, I did not enjoy the food. The red velvet pancakes were very dry. I ordered grit cakes as a side, but wasn’t told they didn’t come with the sauce described in the entrée with the catfish. They were very bland, so I paid more and ordered the sauce. It was just okay. I may go back one day and try the lunch items.

After driving pass on a daily basis and seeing them featured on Chicago’s Best had to make a trip! Went there for a late Saturday morning breakfast food was good, hot and tasty. Good service from the waitress. I will definitely be back for dinner. Had the chicken and waffle its the best I’ve had and I’ve had a lot of chicken and waffle.

Finally we get to eat our first meal here. Located in the All-​American town of Matteson, IL Hidden Manna Café is just a short 25 minute ride south of Chicago and a short walking distance from the Metra station.
Experience has taught me to take it easy when trying out a menu for the first time. And since it was early in the day, I decided on the chicken wings.
The price was reasonable and you can tell from the photo, it looked very tasty.
My one issue was the seasoning on the wings was a bit too salty for me. Now I understand the challenge a chef must deal with so many palates. And I have been cutting back on my salt intake for quite some time now, perhaps it was too much for me. I didn’t return my meal or complain to our waitress because I felt I could deal with it. However, I did have opportunity to speak with ‘Gigi’ about it afterward and I feel that the establishment would gladly accommodate whatever your issues were.
My wife ordered catfish; it was the sole purpose of our visit. She ordered a second piece because a single portion just didn’t cut it for her. I have to agree with her about that. If it were me, I would add the second piece on the menu and adjust the price accordingly. Who eats just a single catfish filet when it’s finger-​licking good?
The place has had a major makeover from the previous owners. It’s like a breath of ‘fresh air’ literally as there have been major structural renovations done that are behind the scene from the public. I take my hat off to the new owners who not only had the confidence to open a restaurant business in the area, but to do it with ‘finesse’, to bring a uniqueness to the area that is uplifting and yet modest.
Please check it out for yourself. We met a couple of nice ladies who drove from Maywood, IL and we’re pleased with their meal also and said they would come back again.
FAIR WARNING: Business hours are only until 3 PM Monday thru Thursday. They are open later on Friday and Saturday. Go figure!
Give the a try and tell me what you think of the place. Enjoy!

Came here for dinner last weekend. When we got there the place wasn’t crowded at all. But by the time we finished it got pretty full and a live band was playing.
One bad thing was there were not enough servers. Took a long time to get drinks and the food.
However our waiter apologized and even gave us one of our dinners free which was cool. Which is why I gave this restaurant 4 stars instead of 3.
As for the food. Very good. I’d go back for that reason alone. My fried catfish was awesome. They had flavored lemonade and it was fresh squeezed. My sautéed spinach was pretty fresh as well.

Hidden Manna… How about Hidden Gem!
This place is phenomenal!
The ambiance is very relaxing and inviting, the server was upbeat & accommodating, and the food was ‘deelish’!
I had the pleasure of enjoying the shrimp and grits while my best friend had the catfish and grit patties. One would imagine that both the dishes would taste similar with the exception of the fish. However, they both had their own unique tastes and textures & each surpassed my expectations. (I must add that I’m a food snob)…
In addition to my food, I had a mimosa which excited my taste buds as well.
To finish off a pleasurable meal and great conversation with my «bestie», one of the owners came to greet us and she was delightful! She genuinely engaged us in conversation & shared the story of how Hidden Manna came to be.
I certainly look forward to going back for more great food within a cozy atmosphere! …I hear they have live music on specified days #Nice

Nothing short of outstanding. Came here on a whim, the atmosphere was very inviting and cosy. Service was spot on. Scott was very kind and the owner and his wife welcomed us. The food… I had fried catfish and 2 grit cakes, in a spicy Cajun sauce. $ 11.99. Then my friend had the carnivore omelette with hash browns and substituted pancakes (2). $ 10.50. Overall, an excellent place to eat, talk, sip their many coffees and teas, read a book of poetry… and speaking of poetry, they have open mic night every Friday (as well as dinner option) and live music on Saturdays. Come by and try this place out! Support local unique businesses!

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Sigh. Today is Saturday, May 16^th.
Place was busy, but not uncomfortable –crowded.
Our server was sooooo slow! Good grief! We ordered 2 bowls of soup and a couple of sandwiches.
It took her 15 minutes to bring the, soups, claiming g they ran out and had to make more?,! Hhhmmm.
We finished our soups over 20 minutes ago, and still no sandwiches. Oy.
My husband and I came here for breakfast a few months ago, and I wanted to check out OPEN MIC NIGHT, and dinner…
Well, hubs was too tired to go out, so I went by myself.
I had the beef brisket special, which was very tasty, but it could use a seasoned a jus. Mashed potatoes lacked salt, but they were real mashed.
Broccoli was done properly, tender — crisp.
Now, my server let it be known that tonight was her first day. I believe her name was De Mera… every table she went to, she said she was new. She definitely needs some direction. She took my drink order, barely left, and came back to ask me, what I wanted. (A glass of red wine). I waitressed for 20 years, and she brought back a lot of memories. .lol.
Great poetry from Danielle, the Open Mic hostess, and others…

A gem of Matteson! Beautifully layed out with unique features only found in this building of rich history. Nice outdoor area.
Excellent coffee, its truly a café with a superb espresso machine! Fresh salad, and well crafted portabella mushroom sandwich. Reasonable prices.
Right near the metra matteson train station and old plank road trail its a great jumping off point as well as night cap. I hear talk of live jazz and poetry on certain days, gotta stop in and see one day!
This place exemplifies the uniquity that makes a community special. We must support or find ourselves in the cultural doldrums of cookie cutter franchise, right this moment strip malls displaying names found nationally are built as unique business are literally demolished — but here we have opportunity to tip the balance back to the little guy, who in this case is easy to support as they are of superb quality!

Very good décor, personable staff, but the cook needs serious help with breakfast dishes. Today was apparently their first rush and it was sadly apparent in the inconsistent quality of food. After such a wonderful experience on Friday, we ventured there on Sunday, Mother’s day. We did not have a reservation and was previously told that we did not need one. It was packed and we were at the head of the crowd, placed in an overflow dining area then served last among the five groups that were accomodated without reservation.
Let’s start with Friday…
On Friday we had vegetable soup (excellent); veggie wrap (a little bland but great with salt and pepper); mushroom ravioli (listed without cheese, phone call confirmation, but it was served oozing with cheese… He loved it, but it was my main reason for going there and I could not eat it); portabello mushroom sandwich (very good — a take home meal); corned beef sandwich (He said it was salty toward the end but would try it again); and chicken bacon ranch sandwhich (He loved it — a take home meal). This pleasant experience, and delicious caramel coffee, prompted a return on Sunday.
Sunday was a sad train wreck; the intentions seemed good but the food was not. The pancakes tasted like cornbread, except the red velvet which 3 in my party spit out. His turkey sausage was pork. My veggie sausage never came. Corned beef hash was regular hashbrowns with slivers of corned beef sprinkled around the edge of the plate. Stuffed French toast was smeared like sandwhich spread with mascarpone, topped with soggy processed strawberries. Menu descriptions did not consistently match what was ordered.
The staff was overall very polite, even when a member of the party was outraged and not so polite from the service and food issues.
The wait staff needs to be trained in certain proper restaurant serving etiquette-​when to serve certain things, checking on patrons, explaining and recommending items, and similar basics.
The cook, comments from the table… He said, «worse pancake EVER!». She said, «I couldn’t believe he had the audacity to put that out». The other He said, «be consistent with the food».
I’m not sure if the veggie or vegan meals are cooked with other meals or on the same contaminated equipment, but, to the cook, it would not be wise if you do…
I state all of this with the best intentions. The owners are very nice and have obviously put a lot of work into making the place work. There were sincere apologies and the meal was compted after the awkward experience.
This area of the south suburbs is in dire need of quality restaurants. This one has great promise and I hope my review works for the good. So, fellow Unilocalers, try it for yourself, give helpful reviews and time for corrections. I give three stars to be encouraging. We’ll be back after awhile…