Old Jody’s Restaurant

Love the food!!! Such great hamburgers! We’ve been coming here for years, and always will.

As others have said, this place does have the greasy spoon vibe, but also a bit of hometown and country flair. Make sure you go to «old Jody’s», which has the corrugated steel roofing and wooden posts outside. (Both are good, but old is a hair better imho)
This place is purely what Texas is all about. Laid back, good food, and big portions. Everything here is pretty delicious, though if you’ve never had fried pickles with ranch it is a definite. Also the fried twinkie while normally state fair food, is always a solid dessert choice if you still have room. It’s dipped in a similar to funnel cake batter, and served with honey and powdered sugar. If I didn’t worry about calories, I’d eat a dozen easy.

Waitress was very friendly… Bacon cheeseburger was pretty good. Restaurant could use a good cleaning. However all in all it tasted alright.

Growing up, my family and I frequently went to The other Jody’s across the street. I think this was largely due to the image that Old Jody’s had as a smokey bar full of drunks… or at least the image my family had of Old Jody’s.
It’s funny how things have changed. I started going to Old Jody’s because that’s where my friends went, and my family started going to Old Jody’s because they realized the food was better. Also, I think the alcohol won us all over in the end (and there is no smoking, maybe there once was, but due to city ordinances, that wouldn’t even be a possibility at this point).
Now, onto the actual review–
Old Jody’s, like the majority of good places to eat in Temple, doesn’t look like much. Old carpeted floors covered in cracker wrappers, tables squished together with little room in between, and rustic memorabilia on the walls give it a feel all its own. It’s the type of place you clearly go to for the food and not the atmosphere. Fortunately, the food and service is great (as is the patronage, who you may end up sitting with on a particularly crowded night).
One thing I always pay attention to is the number of times waitstaff comes by to check glasses for refills. I tend to drink a lot during a meal, so it’s not hard for me to find myself in need of more water ¹⁄₃ into my meal. This has never been an issue at Jody’s, and the waitresses there work incredibly hard to make sure everyone receives quality service. They are all super friendly, and help elevate the experience from good to great.
Everything I have eaten at Jody’s I had been good (sans one dry burger, but I’ve been there many times, so I’ll let that pass). The appetizers and sides are all good (Yes, fried alligator is on the menu. Get some, it’s great. I’ll pass on the frog legs, but maybe they’re your thing. Get ‘em). I love me some JoJos (giant, seasoned wedge cut fries), though it’s always best to let them cool off, lest you want to lose your sense of taste for a few days.
The burgers are some of my favorites in Temple. They may not be gourmet, but when I simply want a cheeseburger with bacon (why wouldn’t you add bacon?), Jody’s is the first place that comes to mind.
Other items on the menu, such as chicken tenders, chicken fried chicken, and chicken fried steak all meet the expectations set by a dive-​esque location like Jody’s-simple but tasty. The portions are huge. Be willing to concede and grab a to-​go box. No use in getting overstuffed when you can enjoy the food later on.
Old Jody’s is one of the few Temple «institutions» that actually lives up to its reputation. It’s a great place to go when you’re wanting to grab a beer, chill with friends, and enjoy homesstyle food.

We love to go to the Old Jody’s for a great hamburger, chicken fried steak or even the chef salad. Yes, most everything is fried, but every once in a while, you just need some good fried food. I love the atmosphere-​downhome Texas!!!

Been going here for at least 20 yrs and have never been disappointed, always a friendly server to wait on you, chicken fried steaks with white gravy is excellent, burger at great. My favorite, well all is, but fried chicken gizzards and hamburger steak dinners are the best, the steaks are juicy, adding grilled red onions are a hit and again white gravy on the side. Always order a salad and get the homemade house dressing! What’s in it? Who cares it just tastes great. A couple times back I was in there and when I paid I accidentally left a envelope of cash behind, I’m getting in my truck and a server comes out and sakes me if I left anything behind? I went back in and they gave me the cash back. Where do you find honesty like that anywhere these days? RARE!! M hats off the the owner and his crew!! M

About once a month, I have to have an Old Jody’s fix! Their burgers are some of the best I’ve ever had. Greasy, toasted bun, done just right! I mean they are GOOD! Love their tater tots and o rings. I really want to try the fried oysters. The place is not fancy… at all, but that’s not why we go there. Good home cookin’. I really need to branch out, but I love their burgers sooooo much!

First time to eat here. Ordered a double meat with cheese burger and the small onion rings. The burger was just the way burgers used to be — greasy! Wonderful flavor and generous size. Onion rings are homemade and very flavorful. Batter is think and crispy. The small rings were more than enough for one person. $ 10 for all of this. Friendly and prompt table service. Cash only. I’ll be back!

Super good home cooking! Chicken fried steak, loaded baked potato, 2 rolls, salad, extra gravy and some good ice tea… the perfect cure for one heck of a hangover. Old Jody definitely hooked me up. I feel as right as rain. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. My children loved their kids meals. The French fries are real actual potatoes.

Jody’s has a great greasy spoon vibe. I got the triple cheeseburger which was obscenely large. My friend got the beef liver and onions which seemed… liver-​y, if that’s your thing. He seemed to like it.
It’s reasonably priced and a great place to stop on a trip to Dallas, for example.

Unless I came in on an extremely off day, I have to say … The food here is some of the worst I’ve ever paid for. And, I was reluctant to do so, it was just that bad. I can make much better at home myself, and I’m admittedly not the greatest cook.
I ordered the meatloaf … When it was brought to me, I knew it was going to be bad. It was just smothered in ketchup. And … it was. Bad, I mean. The mashed potatoes were not mashed potatoes at all … They use boxed powdered potatoes. I know this as I am very familiar with the taste and texture of boxed mashed potatoes. How difficult is it to make real mashed potatoes, really?
My husband had the chicken fried steak … Yikes. He took one bite and had enough. I didn’t try it myself … it just looked awful.
I ordered the grilled cheese and fries for my boys … you would think french fries are at least a sure thing and I started feeding them to my boys, but after I tried one myself I suddenly felt like a bad mom letting my child put that in their mouth. I know, without a doubt, that the fries were fried in old grease. You could taste it. My poor babies.
I actually feel bad for writing this review, as I have a feeling the owners were there and they seemed like really nice people, but not everyone can open a resraurant! You’re clearly in the wrong business or you’re burned out. Either way, no bueno.
The server we had was very sweet. That was definitely a plus. It was close to nap time and my youngest was a little fussy. She asked to take him to the juke box to calm him down. Sweet girl.
There are better places to spend your money! I walked out paying over $ 30 for 3 meals that none of us took more than 2 bites of.
In good conscience, I can’t possibly recommend this place. Such a shame. Cute building …

My husband and I went here for the first time on a whim. I have to day the people are super friendly and the food really good. The RANCH DRESSING is THE BOMB!!! We had to buy some to take home!

Service is horrible. … the waitress done got on my nerves.. the flour tortillas are not homemade no matter how much they lie and tell me they are. … the salsa is bland… but the food is edible else I would be walking out

I have been to Jody’s about 1000 times. When in high school me and friends went at least weekly and while playing football, our team would stop there after games to feed the team.
I had always had 1 of 2 dishes. CFS with fries OR Fried Gizzards with extra gravy. Can’t go wrong either way. Bottles of ranch dressing and butter on the tables. OMG are you kidding me? So good.
Look, if you are looking for great comfort food, diet killing, greasy goodness, and Southern cuisine, you gotta stop in Jody’s or go across the street to OLD JODY’s. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

The food is a hit or miss. Onion rings were delish & came out in a huge order to feed 3, pork chops were dry, and you can’t screw up a grilled cheese. They provide clarified butter in a bottle at every table — which can be a good or bad thing. I like the atmosphere — that’s why I come back here. It has history, is super casual, and the service has always been good.
I’m sure someone has mentioned it before, but they only take cash. There is an ATM outside though.

Went here for the first time in years a few weeks back. It will probably be years before I go back. Burgers had no flavor and were greasy. Fries were cooked in oil that tasted like it was way past due to change out. The service was friendly, but the food just did not taste very good.

Everyone raves about the place so I had to give it a try. The service was top notch, I’ll give them that. But the food? It was just «meh». I ordered the meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy. It was good… but not great like OH MY GOD WHAT JUST HAPPENED great. For dessert I got the Snickers pie. Okay that was amazing, but the portion size was small. Maybe that’s a good thing.
The jukebox was charming and I loved it that they kept the volume down. I must be getting cranky in my old age, but I really cannot abide loud music when I’m trying to enjoy my meal.
Everything else SUCKED! I couldn’t find a place to park. What is up with all those columns taking up every other parking space? There might have been 8 cars total parked there and I had to drive around the building two or three times to figure out the parking situation. Then I couldn’t figure out which door to go in. The entrance isn’t clearly marked. Also they don’t take credit cards and I don’t carry cash, so it was a pain to have to go to the bank first. They have an ATM by the front door but I don’t want to use that and have my account dinged with a fee.
The place was FILTHY. Wow. The floor was covered with cracker crumbs and the table was sticky. The front counter was piled high with the leavings from other tables that had been cleaned off. The décor was awful but, for me, I don’t care so much if the décor is bad if the food is good. But in this case, I think the place could use a bit of sprucing up.
I get the feeling that this is the kind of place that you love because you grew up with it and you have an emotional connection to the memory. For someone who has never been here before… well don’t take my word for it. Go and see for yourself, but as for me I don’t think I’ll go back. The hassle of having to get cash and then look for parking isn’t worth it.

Oh all of the childhood memories that come to mind when I think of this place. My family and I have been patrons of Jody’s since I was nine years old. Back then, I loved to put quarters in the jukebox, hoping I could find some pop songs instead of the country that is always playing.
This is a family business and the staff is extra friendly. Don’t go in there on a diet, though. The best food is deep fried. We always start out with a basket of onion rings and fried tomatoes that come with a special creamy horseradish sauce.
Jody’s serves up a mean burger, fresh-​cut french fries, and perfect chicken fried steak. The salad dressings are all homemade and come in squeeze bottles. One thing to avoid is the bottles of squeeze butter — they don’t serve regular butter or margarine with baked potatoes or rolls. Don’t tell the health department, but my family has been known to sneak in our own butter for the baked potatoes. How embarrassing is it that I just admitted that in a review?
We will definitely be back — -probably the next time I visit my parents in T Town.

I didn’t think much of this place when I first went, from the atmosphere and the menu, I just knew there wasn’t much to offer. Boy, I was wrong. The wait staff is super friendly, and I had my burger cooked by Wes himself.
The only thing that even took my food a little while is the fact that a couple of diners who were from out of town wanted to take a pic with Wes because they were so enamored with this establishment. I had the cheese burger with bacon on it, and as I was walking out Wes came up to me and handed me more bacon (whenever is that a BAD thing?)
I’ve been back 4 times since.

This place rocks! It’s been around for a while, it’s popular with the locals, everyone has been to Jody’s — a hometown favorite. It’s got great burgers, all types of fries, lots of sides, everything deep fried you could imagine, and let’s not forget Sassy Samantha’s top notch customer service.
It was busy, the parking lot was packed. When I walked in the ambiance sort of reminded me of the movie «Roadhouse» with the neon lights, small town feel, and a jukebox (you never see one of those anymore) that actually works! Big Bad Tom (Mr. RFID) was poppin’ quarters in like there was no tomorrow. «This is way better than mp3’s!!» he shouted out to the crowd — who caught on very quickly that he wasn’t from this part of town…
The menu has a mix of diner and comfort food at very reasonable prices, took me back to the 90’s. I got the cheeseburger ($ 2.95) w/​grilled onions — it was really good. The onion rings were tasty, had a light and flaky batter and they were large. And fried tomatoes? No way, but my friend Ash got them so I had to try ‘em and they were really good! Thick cut potato fries (called Jo-​Jos) were seasoned and they fill you up. They have a fried twinkie ($ 1.95) which was okay, I think I’ll pass on it the next time — — but the fried ice cream looked really good. My peppy friend Sandy loved it — — we could tell because she didn’t want to share.
But the highlight of Jody’s was that sassy-hometown-diner-feel-energetic-southern-hospitality-don’t-mess-with-Texas-customer service provided by Sassy Samantha. She took care of all 20 of us, and did an awesome job making sure everyone got what they ordered. There were a few minor mishaps as some of us were high maintenance and changed our orders, but she was quick to fix. She kept up on our water and tea refills and was all down to business — I commend her on a great job well done.
So if you have some time, and you’re looking for diner food, something deep fried, or some really sassy service, stop in at Jody’s — and just try giving Sassy Samantha a hard time. You’ll be hard pressed becasue she doesn’t take any crap and she’ll stop you dead in your tracks.