Gather

If I could give this place ten stars, I would. You will have a wait when you get there, and you…read morewill wait no matter how long it takes. You cannot find a better place for a meal, or more kind folks running the place from top to bottom. And if your plate is too big to finish, feel free to take it home, because you'll want to save room for dessert. Magnolia 23 is a staple in our household. So long as we've lived within a 30 minute drive, it has been a great place for a Sunday lunch, or any other meal within the hours they are open. They treat you like family from the very start with the way that they take names for the line. It's natural to start a conversation with the people around you, because everyone has the same end game - a great meal. Once you're seated, it's never long before a waitress comes and takes your drink order. The menu for the day is posted on Facebook and written on the board on the wall, along with the sides and dessert options. There's no menus because it's a meat and two sides, plus a bread of either roll or cornbread. The seating is tables and chairs, although some areas have couches for seating, which is a nice change of pace. Today I got stewed beef with sides of mac and cheese, yams, and bread choice was cornbread. My other half got the country style steak, with sides of cabbage and rice with gravy, and bread of cornbread. The littles shared a fried chicken plate with side of mashed potatoes with gravy. They divided and conquered their food so fast I forgot to snag a picture of it. The stewed beef was perfection. So tender, and the juices went well with the cornbread. The yams were expertly spiced, and prepared with so much love. The mac and cheese was delicious, so I offered some to my youngest who promptly stole the rest of it. I did sample the country style steak, and it was so delicious that none was spared. I cannot wait to eat my leftover stewed beef later this week, as I knew I wanted to save room for dessert. We ordered two fried apple pies, and a slice of Hershey bar cake. Be careful with the fried pies - the filling turns into molten lava when heated, so despite the fact that you'll want to take the largest first bite, please be patient and spare your taste buds from their imminent demise by letting it cool a minute. The spices on the apple filling on the fried pies were perfect, and I savored every bite that I stole from my husband. My dessert was the Hershey bar cake, which I split with one of my littles. It didn't have a thick layer of icing, which was great. The cake had a nice crumb, and was sweet without being overly sweet. If you haven't been here yet, make sure to take note of their hours and then take a trip to Asheboro. Once you've finished your meal, feel free to take a stroll around downtown and know that you've just had the best meal around. Magnolia 23 is worth the price and worth the wait, because you will be blessed by the whole experience.

While visiting Asheboro to see the zoo we found Magnolia 23 and its stellar ratings as our family…read moredinner spot. I can say with confidence this restaurant deserves every accolade given here! We found parking easily behind the building and were given a warm and friendly welcome while walking up the stairs to the cozy porch before we even stepped inside. We arrived early since we knew this place was popular so luckily we had no wait on a Friday evening! We decided to try the catfish, fried chicken, and chicken & dumplings as our meats and a various assortment of the sides including collards, slaw, Lima beans, green beans, potatoes, corn bread and rolls. Absolutely every bite was inhaled, sadly I even missed a chance to take any pictures and my kids (7&9) couldn't stop remarking about how delicious everything was! The chicken & dumplings sold out right after we ordered so we felt lucky to try it too. The service was stellar and quick. HThe owner greeted many of the guests by name and took the time to chat with us and discovered our Wilmington connection- it was so refreshing to see this type of family run farm to table establishment and exchange local foodie recommendations. Next time we will definitely be leaving room for dessert!

Seating

Kansas City ribs

See all

White meat chicken

Sue Sue’s Soul Food

5.0(4 reviews)

66.7 mi

Food is excellent!! I've loved everything I've eaten there except the potato salad wasn't a fav…read more But overall, I'll go again and again. Everyone there is so nice and accommodating. The cleanliness could improve but nothing that would deter me from dining there. I think I'd have to say the pork chops and collars are my favs!

Beautiful insides and great customer service, everyone greeted me and made sure my plate was…read morestuffed with food that was hot to the touch.

Country Ham Breakfast Club

Sausage Breakfast Club

See all

Sue Sue's Soul Food

Becky's & Mary's Restaurant

4.5(122 reviews)

20.7 mi

Best food hands down a thousand times over every day without a doubt. Service is always so good…read more And the atmosphere/ambiance was nothing fancy but has that summer dinner.

Stopped in for lunch one day in search of FRIED CHICKEN. Not just any old fried chicken but GOOD…read morefried chicken. They are located in a nice little spot with ample parking and it's easy accessible. The interior is simple but clean. Plenty of seating. The ladies who work here are very friendly and helpful, came around a few times to check on me, offered fried side to go with the greens , offered a refill on my sweet tea. Great service! About the food. Probably the BEST FRIED CHICKEN in the area. I really can't judge on that because I haven't sampled other fried chicken in the vicinity but based on my own research of sampling fried chicken all over North Carolina, I feel confident in my assumption. It was fried just right. It was SEASONED. It had a very nice batter that was crunchy and the chicken in the inside was tender and juicy. Every bite was tender and juicy. These ladies should teach a cooking class on how to make fried chicken-to other restaurants. The SWEET POTATOES were perfectly cooked and flavored in butter and cinnamon. You could eat it as a dessert. But not overly sweet. Just right. The GREENS were tender and seasoned perfectly. Greens and fried side with their delicious CORNBREAD could be a meal in itself. The SWEET TEA-perfect! All around, best home cooked food/soul food you can get. I will be back and I highly recommend for true SOUTHERN COMFORT food.

Sign outside

Worth your visit.

See all

JJ's Mama's Soulfood & More

3.9(66 reviews)

27.3 mi

I went on a Saturday, and it was really busy. There was someone standing outside the door telling…read moreus that the wait was super long. I stood for a couple of minutes listening to the guy talk to a couple. As soon as they left, some other people came from inside, so the line wasn't short any longer. There were 2-3 people in front of me at that point. There were other people seated and were waiting to be seated or waiting on their food. The people in front of me ordered, and when it was my turn, I did have to wait a few minutes for the lady at the front to get some food and drink orders out. I feel like they were kinda running her a lot. I was able to order, and they were out of yams, so I got double mac. The food is reasonable priced in my opinion. I did have to wait a while for the food. They had some kind of incense burning and it was coming toward my way and I was choking. I realized that's why no one was sitting there lol. I will say the thing that upset me about this experience is that they gave someone else my food. The only reason it was caught is because the lady opened the plate and noticed it wasn't hers. I'm glad she didn't eat anything from the plate, but I was still a little iffy with her opening it either way. I still took it because I couldnt wait another 30-40 min for another plate. The food was good overall.

Came for the senior banquet this time! What an amazing experience…read more People, both guests and help, amazing. Made all feel welcome. Will be back again. No longer waiting for visitors to bring!

Owner

See all

Turkey wing, Mac & cheese, and yams!

Tru Soul Food Kitchen

4.2(75 reviews)

67.6 mi

It was our Saturday night in Burlington NC were that location 2629 Ramada Road Burlington,NC and it…read morewas a wait time. But the food was delicious and it was hot and good, it was very clean it's in the old K&W Building ,It was plenty of space to eat your food. We really enjoyed it me and my husband. I will go there again .# Bring your wallet.

If you like old grease, gigantic cheap chicken, canned food over seasoned with $1 spices, potato…read moresalad and coleslaw that taste like it has added ingredients to appear home and deserts that I'd be in shock if they were homemade or even doctored this your place! Unorganized in many ways. True Soul food is fresh and cooked with love. Great location and I do wish them well!

Waiting area

Oxtail Meal

See all

Turkey BBQ Sandwhich

Bestfood Cafeteria

3.9(48 reviews)

19.0 mi

I know this is a southern cafeteria. It's cheap and the food is proof of that. We go here once…read moreevery couple of months when I'm too lazy to cook. Food seems to have gotten worse tasting and the servers are super skimpy with the gravies and toppings. Fried chicken used to be really good but now it's a greasy mess. The mashed potatoes I believe are like powdered or something. They're like glue. If you can improve those-we'll be back. I wouldn't even care paying more if it was good food It is what it is. A cheap bland meal. You get what you pay for.

We stopped at this place after a soccer tournament. We aren't from the area but found it on Yelp…read moreand it looked great. My family of four and our grandparents were all with us. They had no problems seating a large crowd and the food was really good. It was good enough that we came back for a second time with another large crowd being half our team. Both times have been on point. If you are in the area I would recommend checking out.

Cafeteria.

Broccoli chicken over rice, pintos, green beans, a roll and chocolate pie

See all

Orange chicken, green beans, Nash potatoes.

Nana Morrison's Soul Food

4.0(127 reviews)

58.3 mi

Great fresh sould food The place was ssooo clean…read more Staff was soo great and welcoming Me qnd husband will be back

Finally got to try Nana Morrison's Soul Food in Cary! The restaurant itself is a pretty large…read moreestablishment with plenty of seating inside, plus a covered outdoor area that looks like it has garage-style doors they can open up when the weather is nice. Definitely a cool setup! I went around lunchtime and there was no wait at all to order. I decided on the fried pork chop, which I didn't realize was a made-to-order meal. I expected a little bit of a wait because of that, but I was honestly shocked when it took about 25 minutes to get my food. My friend had already finished her smothered chicken by the time mine came out Thankfully, her chicken was VERY good because I definitely stole a few bites while I waited! As far as my meal, I think next time I'd order something that's already cooked and ready to go and probably switch up my sides. The mac and cheese and yams weren't quite as good as I was hoping for, and the cornbread muffins were pretty dry and probably my least favorite part of the meal. Now the sweet tea?? SWWWWWWWEEEEET! They definitely understood the assignment on the Southern sweet tea! Overall, I'd give Nana Morrison's another try. There were enough things on the menu that looked good, and after tasting my friend's smothered chicken, I know there are definitely some winners. Next time I'm skipping the made-to-order wait and trying a different combination of sides!

Counter behind inside seating

Fried chicken, yams, Mac and cheese, fried okra, grape and tropical punch koolaid

See all

Franklinville Diner

4.8(45 reviews)

6.5 mi

It's cute, clean and welcoming. The grilled cheese and thickly-sized ham sandwich was great! The…read morepotato salad was delicious. The grilled chicken was much too salty but very moist. So, simple fix. I scraped the spicy, salty rub off and enjoyed a great dinner.

Such a nice little diner to stop in instead of giving your money to Chick-fil-a while on the road…read more We both had the cheeseburger (I had bacon) with watermelon. Our check was $23 including a hefty tip, and it was downright delicious. Burger and fixings were fresh with the best melty cheese. The staff were incredibly nice and the place is clean and homey with a 99 health rating. We saw this joint in Our State magazine, and it is most definitely worth a stop. TIP: They give you a discount for paying with cash.

Hot dogs with hot chips

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

4 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Liz S.

124

25

2

3 years ago

Gather in Asheboro is like finding a hidden treasure for your taste buds. The jerk chicken is the perfect mix of spicy and mouthwatering, and the fried crab and Mac and Cheese balls? Pure bliss, especially for our little one. Their menu dances through Creole, soul food, Caribbean, poke, and sushi, creating a symphony of flavors. The Vietnamese coffee is a sweet ending to a delightful meal. The service is as warm as a hug, and the cozy house setting feels like a culinary embrace. Whether it's a post-zoo treat or a sweet date night, Gather is a haven of flavors and comfort. And those leftovers? Consider them a sweet surprise waiting for tomorrow. You'll leave with a happy heart and a craving to come back for more sweetness. read more

Mustafah G.

0

1

0

4 years ago

The food here is and has so much range! Want sushi? They've got that. Feeling like having shrimp and grits? They've got that too. I HIGHLY recommend the Shrimp Étouffée, AND the Beignets (but make sure you order them with the Vietnamese Coffee ) read more

Jacqueline W.

0

1

3

1 year ago

Wonderful experience. The chief was wonderful. Hosts were beyond. This restaurant makes you mad when you go to others, because they are so classy. I need a handsome man and good conversation for this place. Emaculately ran small business. read more

Jason S.

0

1

0

3 years ago

Had the Jamaican chicken and loved it. They sell hot sauce too. You gotta try the sweet hushpuppies.

Gather - soulfood - Updated September 2026

People who viewed Gather also viewed

America's Roadhouse

3.8

(139 reviews)

My dad went and ordered some takeout from this place and it was disgusting. He literally ordered…read morethree different entrees and they were all terrible. They barely had any taste and oh my god the hush puppies were god awful, they were drenched in low quality oil and even an hour later I can still feel my throat coated in it and it is the most horrific after taste I've ever had in my life. My stomach instantly turned after eating it, my mom agreed it was atrocious. I highly recommend staying away from this place it's absolutely trash.

This was my second experience at this restaurant and since it is an 80 mile round-trip that tells I…read moreenjoyed it. It is high in all three of the review points: food, service, and ambiance! I am still amazed at the quantity of excellent food you get for your money. I have had to get take out boxes both times and I ordered the smallest size plate each time. Both times I have been seated very quickly and drinks brought out fast. They have a large menu and I will be going back to try many more food choices. I have two of the menu items behind me and am still counting!

Chives

5.0

(6 reviews)

Dinner was amazing! From the appetizers to desserts, everything was delicious! The service was…read moreexcellent. We enjoyed the hush puppies, catfish, etouffe and shrimp and grits. Each one was so good. The desserts were also light and fluffy and the perfect end to dinner.

We had the pleasure of dining at Chives, in Asheboro NC, during Valentine's Day weekend, February…read more2026. We're from Raleigh & had researched where to dine in Asheboro while there to visit the zoo. We chose Chives & were not disappointed! Our reservation was for Friday night 2/13, which we learned was their 1st service, ever, for a Valentine's weekend, as they are still a fairly new restaurant. The creole menu is what attracted us to Chives & its small, intimate atmosphere. Once seated, (as busy as they were, we only waited a few mins), we rec'd our menu & list of specials. I stopped after seeing the specials b/c they had SEA BASS! (drool) We ordered a crawfish appetizer & thought we were going to lick the plate clean lol it was so delicious! I, of course, ordered the sea bass for my entree & my husband, the lamb lollypops. The sea bass sat on top of some kind of delectable mash w/vegetables; my head was spinning after the 1st bite of sea bass so I barely remember inhaling the entire plate, but it was empty & ready for a 2nd helping in no time. My husband said he'd been eating lamb for over 50 years & this was the best lamb dish he had ever had. We told our server how delicious everything was & he fessed up to being the chef's husband (Woody), helping for the night b/c they were short staffed. No wonder they were so busy; everyone was hustling around to make it all work, which they did! His wife, Chef Jasmine, came out to speak w/us b/c we were some of the last diners left. She is not only the restaurant owner, designer of the establishment & menu, but also an amazing self-taught chef, who takes immense pride in her work, which shows in every plate. Just check out her menu & see for yourself. This is NO amateur hour here. If you're in the Asheboro area, please, please, do yourself a favor & dine at Chives. You will not be disappointed. This was one of the best meals we've had in years!!

220 Grill

4.7

(21 reviews)

We stopped here on the way to the zoo on a misty Monday morning and we were welcomed into a warm…read moreand sunny place. The restaurant was very clean and inviting as well as welcoming service. The menu is simple and straightforward so we had a couple of omelets and coffee. I had a biscuit with gravy for my side and Schweey had the hash browns Every thing was delivered quickly and perfectly prepared.

Wow-such a lovely surprise. After opting out of dining downtown we came across this tiny diner off…read morethe beaten path. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by abundantly welcoming and friendly staff. The diner is clean and well put together with 2 dining areas and a counter bar. We ordered breakfast essentials (eggs, pancake, biscuit and gravy) and the food came out piping hot within a matter of minutes. The server was very accommodating. The tea was great and so was the food, for less than $20 at that! There were lots of advertisements around on the table and cups which was a little distracting but overall it was such a good experience. The manager (maybe owner) gave both my children a candy treat when we left. Give it a chance, you won't be disappointed.

Blakes Half Baked

4.7

(19 reviews)

Delicious food, pleasant staff, fast service in a laid back atmosphere. Really enjoyed their…read moresandwiches and sides with their unique crust/bread. Great for people wanting their sandwiches with more meat and less bread. We will definitely be back. My little guy loved it all.

I Was craving a sandwich and this hit every craving! Went with "For The Birds" whole and it was a…read morebig portion for a sandwich. Absolutely amazing taste. Also the house salad with ranch was delicious! Very Friendly staff and a nice vibe. Highly recommend this place.

Ramseur Country Diner

4.1

(17 reviews)

We've been twice and absolutely love the food and staff. We have two kiddos (one in a high chair)…read moreand they've enjoyed the food they've gotten. Our personal favorite is the grilled chicken--which sounds incredibly lame because a lot of the time, it's overcooked and dry...but at the ramseur dinner, it's tender and well seasoned. The fried okra is to die for. Check out the specials on the chalkboard wall, we forgot to the last time and missed out on pretzel bites with beer cheese.

Stopped at the diner today and had a Mushroom n Swiss Burger with Fries…read more The burger was cooked perfectly, seasoned lightly, with plenty of mushrooms and Swiss cheese. The bun was fresh and flavorful. The fries were frozen crinkle cut fries. Fries could have been cooked just a little longer to get them nice and crispy and they come out not seasoned. Overall, the diner is newer looking, clean with attentive staff. The food came out hot and the burgers are a generous portion of meat, cooked perfectly. The fries portion is generous as well. Burger was good. Fries were ok.

The Golden Waffle

4.4

(59 reviews)

What an amazing find! The staff was incredibly welcoming, and obviously, the food was absolutely…read moredelightful. I managed to snap a few photos of the dishes, but only one turned out well. Let me assure you that you will not leave unsatisfied; the servings are generous and reasonably priced. I also captured an image of the menu for you all to peruse. It's a shame the other photos didn't turn out as nicely.

Food sucks. Open 24 hours but only has enough gravy for 1 hour. Service is friendly. Family of 6…read moreonly got 1 biscuit and gravy because they ran out of "homemade gravy" and it wasn't even worth that. Then charged $80+ for a 7 eggs and a 8 waffles. 100% do not recommend

Ya'll Come Back Cafe

4.8

(26 reviews)

I've been dining here for years so I'm not sure how I've never left a review…read more....... Food is always top notch. Service is phenomenal. Prices are very fair. Classic diner feel.

I have been in this restaurant but usually order "to go". The food is good and hot. Their biscuits…read moreare great! The are soft and fluffy with good flavor and texture The restaurant is busy during open times. Sometimes it's standing room only The is a community restaurant where many people know each other. Tables are close together ito accommodate for the crowds

Everything Under the Bun

3.8

(46 reviews)