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    Irondale Cafe

    4.1 (165 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafes
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:30 pm

    Irondale Cafe Photos

    IRONDALE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Irondale Cafe

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    Fried Pork chop, World Famous Fried Green Tomatoes and Stewed Steamed Cabbagage
    Iseo Y.

    I was there for lunch yesterday for lunch, my very first time to try this place, I ordered Fried Pork Chop, Fried green tomato and Stewed cabbage, dinner roll, bottled Coca Cola, I was so happy everything is really good not to mention the ambiance that took me back in time. Service is fast and everyone is so welcoming. Mr. Dolan is very nice and talked to us shortly, I will be back to try the other dishes that really looks good.

    The best fried chicken livers and fried okra I have ever eaten.

    The food was wonderful and the staff was so friendly. Especially Tom in the dining room. He made sure we had any sauces and drink refills that we needed. The fried chicken livers were very tender and had a mild flavor. The best I have ever eaten. The Okra was amazing.

    Lindsay S.

    My parents and I ate here yesterday for lunch and when we arrived 15 minutes before opening, there were already customers waiting on the doors to open, so I took that as a great sign. Thankfully there was decent parking, but I'm glad we got there when we did, because when they opened at 11 am, I'm not sure there was much parking left! Loved the blues they had playing on the speakers outside too. It's a typical, Southern "meat-and-three" place, where you wait in line, then pick out your food dipped from the servers in a cafeteria-style, order your drink, then find a place to sit. I had to ask how it worked, because the 3 of us were thinking payment might be required somewhere in this, but nope! You eat, then pay at the register on your way out, just FYI in case anyone is new here, like me. I got the catfish + fried okra and greens. They offer cornbread or a roll, but because the catfish comes with hush puppies, I skipped on those. My parents got the fried chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, and green beans, and the roasted chicken, fried green tomatoes and greens. We thoroughly enjoyed everything, although my catfish was not the best I'd ever had. They had some beautiful, tempting desserts that I really wanted to try, but didn't. All of the employees, from start to finish, were extremely friendly and helpful, especially with my newbie questions. I'd love to come back here and try something else on the menu because everything looked so good. Cute place, good food, excellent service, great atmosphere and location!

    Beef tips , lima beans, roll
    Brady B.

    This is one of my favorite lunch spots of all time. You can't go wrong with a single item on the menu, but my personal favorite is always the beef tips (I always get 2 orders). Service is great and the atmosphere is a classic small town cafe. Lots of seating and good for small or large groups. Make sure you get there around 11:00 because the line will get long real fast. I've been coming once a week / every 2 weeks for years since I started working on this side of town. 10/10

    The line
    Lucy T.

    I have heard nothing but absolutely amazing things about this place! I rarely venture out to this part of Irondale and especially not during the lunch hour. It's a pretty big space and there is ample parking out front too. Service is absolutely exceptional. Everyone was so warm and friendly! I ordered the fried chop, collard greens, macaroni & cheese, and a piece of cornbread. Everything was amazing, but if I had to choose, I would say the fried pork chop was my favorite and the one I can't stop thinking about! There are so many menu items that change daily. You will want to come here every day for lunch if you can! There's not too many other businesses I go to around this area so this meat and three is truly a hidden gem.

    Gabe P.

    I tend to forget about Irondale Cafe. I'm so glad I visited again a few months ago. When I arrived, there was a line out the door. I immediately felt defeated because I wasn't feeling standing in a line. I was starving! Turned out to not too bad of a wait. Met some nice people in line. Once inside , all of the food looked soooo good!!! I had to hold back from ordering one of everything. As y'all can see, I had a meat and 3 veggies. Chicken livers were fantastic as well as the greens , corns and fried okra! Whew!!! I enjoyed my meal. The ambiance is not quite cafeteria style. It's more like dining at a family member's house. The staff was hardworking and approachable. I definitely will be back and IC is back on my food radar!!

    Tammy P.

    My husband and I went on Sunday afternoon around 12:35pm. Restaurant was very busy. But the wait was only 20 minutes. Buffet style service, lots of different foods choices. Staff were very polite.

    Menu on 4/26/2022
    Brian C.

    I might be biased since I grew up in Irondale and frequent this establishment, so I apologize up front. Ever since I was a baby (now 42), we have gone to Irondale Cafe. The meat and three option, vegetable plate, or just the person that decides they want one of each, can leave satisfied. I took my wife and in-laws from out of town here knowing that they would enjoy this more than some of the other meat and three locations in the city. They loved it. The smothered chicken livers in brown gravy with onions was super tender and tasty. The fried okra and fried green tomatoes are some of the best around. The greens were tasty, not bitter, and with a little bit of pepper sauce, were brought to the next level. The baked mac-n-cheese was homemade and good. The pork chop was very tasty, as was the catfish and cornbread. Try the cabbage, it doesn't have a ton of flavor, but it is a nice compliment to everything else. The jalapeño hush puppies were nothing to really right home to as they seemed a bit over fried. The sweet tea rocks here too. The ambience is like a small town diner but with big rooms. You get all walks of life in here. Plus, if you have little kids with you, try to get a table by the window so they can see the trains passing through which is quite often. There are a couple shops to walk around in the area too. Come check out the Irondale Cafe and you will not be disappointed.

    Waiting in cafeteria line at Irondale Cafe
    Lynda H.

    Looking for a lunch that was tasty and comforting. My last day in Alabama after a week in the area for my sis's funeral, and a week of so-so food. This was wonderful. Everything was cooked perfectly. I ordered the chicken and dumplings, collards, green beans and toasted coconut pie. Oh my! The pie was not too sweet, the best I've ever had. You stand in line to go through the cafeteria line which moves fast. Clean restaurant with friendly staff. If I'm ever in the area, I will definitely eat there again.

    Farah M.

    I had seen this place crop up on lists of must-try places in Alabama, and it was a mile or so from my house, so I had to try it. This is a really cute, local, authentic southern place. It's in downtown Irondale right across from the train tracks, and has a very classic hometown feel. When you walk in, you order your food cafeteria-style. We got there at about 1 pm on a Sunday. There was a long line, but I would say we waited about 15 minutes to order our food. Food was good. They have a number of entrees and side dishes, all the typical food you'd expect. I ordered the country fried steak, which is one of my favorite foods. It was ok- the steak didn't seem fried, seemed more like hamburger steak. But it was pretty good. I also got the Mac n cheese and mashed potatoes, which were good. The portions weren't huge- I was definitely full but not overly so. You also get a roll or cornbread, and the cornbread was really good. The sweet tea was also really good. There is a large dining room with plenty of seating. Service was excellent- everyone was really friendly. Overall I would say this place was worth the hype. I'd probably try a different entree next time, but I would definitely come back!

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    6 hours ago

    Large dining room and great selection of meats and vegetables. Service was great. Fried chicken and beef tips over rice were great.

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    5 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    6 days ago

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    16 days ago

    Always delicious and fresh. Fun place to eat and delicious country cooking! PLENTY of food. My mom and I split a plate and had plenty!

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    The food is delicious serve is fast,and friendly. There's so much on the bar it's hard to decide. Put you want be disappointed

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    11 months ago

    Delicious food. Great selection of meats and vegetables. Fast paced go through line.

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Food was ok it was fun to see the atmosphere and the dessert were great. Found it a little greasy but it's was true southerners diner

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Last 2 trips to this cafe have been sub par.. want be back.. I will give it a 2 star.. don't know how they stay in business ..

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    5 years ago

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Irondale Cafe

    Do they do take out? If so, how do you place an order if they never answer phone?

    Yes they do take out!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Irondale Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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