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    Kemper's Cafe

    3.8 (157 reviews)
    ModerateCaribbean, Soul Food
    Closed • 10:30 am - 7:00 pm

    Kemper's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    KEMPER'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Kemper's Cafe

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    Rice and Peas with Oxtail
    Keisha C.

    Kemper's Cafe in East Point is serving real, authentic Jamaican food, and this oxtail plate was absolutely on point. I was skeptical at first after being fairly new in Georgia and hearing horror stories of restaurant bangarangs The oxtails were slow-cooked to perfection tender, juicy, and falling right off the bone, drenched in a rich, well-seasoned brown gravy that had layers of flavor you can taste in every bite. This is the kind of oxtail that tells you the cook knows what they're doing. I was sucking the bones like it was my last meal. The rice and peas were fluffy and perfectly balanced, soaking up that gravy like they were meant to. The fried plantains were sweet, golden, and fried just right not dry, not greasy. And the steamed greens were seasoned beautifully, soft with just enough bite. What really stood out besides the food, was the customer service. Warm, welcoming, and respectful from start to finish. You're greeted with genuine hospitality that makes you feel like family, not just another order number. The staff was patient, kind, and clearly proud of the food they serve. it was enough for me to leave some for dinner the next day, which I appreciated. If you're craving true Jamaican comfort food in East Point, oxtails, rice and peas, plantains, and love on a plate Kemper's Cafe is the place. Come hungry, leave full, and expect to be back.

    i was so excited to experience this restaurant!!! a manager at a store, that I service, mentioned it to me. So me and an employee of the store came i to grab food for the whole store team. After AFTER checking the website attached to the restaurant iMa's listing. (not a third party website). I walk up, greet the cashier. They greet me. I proceed to order, from the menu that I saw on their website. "Can I get the jerk wings lunch special for 7.99?" "We don't have a lunch special." "Oh, on your website it says a few meals for 7.99, is there another meal for the special?" "No, we don't have a 7.99 meal. All the prices went up in October 2025" At this point I'm annoyed and disappointed, cause I rushed to get there before 2pm, again CAUSE ITS ON THEIR WEBSITE. I ended up getting the meal for $14 cause I've already spent half my lunch break waiting to be served. The fact that they did not honor their own prices and had absolutely no notice of a price change, is crazy! Honor YOUR prices, when it's brought to your attention or or just maybe, update your prices on the online menu and or post that prices have went up. PS: prices going up does not mean double. Maybe like $2-3. jumping from 7.99 to $14 is crazy!

    Jerk Chicken Lunch Portion
    Yada B.

    Stopped by on my way to work. Chicken/cabbage are good, rice and peas? Not so much. I'll be back on another day to try again.

    Curry Chicken, rice and peas, Mac and Cheese
    Ryan S.

    Recently visited Kempers for the first upon the recommendation of some coworkers and was quickly reminded why I don't take people's food recommendations at face value. The food was just as nasty, if not worse, than the staff's attitude. The prices are ridiculous for the portions they serve you. Remind you this is my first time, so I ordered a lunch plate (see attached image) not knowing what the portions would be like. I frequent several Jamaican restaurants and the lunch plates are normally the same serving size as a small plate, not here. Not knowing this, I placed my order and proceeded to pay. Once receiving my food, I looked and saw three (3) small pieces of chicken and knew that wasn't enough for me so I asked what's the price difference between the lunch and the small plate. The lady told me the price but stated that since I had already paid, I couldn't pay the difference to upgrade to a small plate. She proceeds to tell me that she already gave me extra because it supposed to only come with two (2) pieces. I honestly don't even know if it was chicken or not b/c you can't even tell what part of the chicken it is, it's like they had cut it into smaller pieces. I also paid extra to upgrade one of my sides to Mac N cheese b/c it looked so good --it tasted like water. No flavor whatsoever! Really the only saving Grace, was the curry. I will NEVER go back here, even if someone else is paying, and I would not recommend this restaurant. Oh, but if you do decide to visit for yourself take cash b/c they also charge extra for you to use a debit/credit card. If you want some good Jamaican cuisine in the metro area visit: Tastee Spoon or Jamrock.

    Sweet potato casserole
    Gretchen S.

    This was a nice find on a cold, rainy day when I was sick recently. I ordered through Door Dash and had a great experience and meal. The lunch specials are super reasonably priced. I ordered the curry chicken which comes with rice and peas plus cabbage. I also wanted to try their macaroni and cheese, coco bread, and sweet potato casserole, so I ordered those on the side. Overall, it was a great meal. The curry chicken had just the right amount of spice for me. The rice and peas with cabbage were seasoned well and cooked just right. The mac n cheese was nice and cheesy - just the right amount of everything and baked perfectly. The coco bread was good; just like a regular sweet bread. I think I'm more interested in trying the patties next time though. Finally, the sweet potato casserole was good, but different than I'm used to. It had a lot of ginger in it, which was refreshing, but I'm used to more of a sweeter American style. Everything was great though. Definitely worth another try. Reasonable prices, good portions, and lots of flavor.

    Jerk Chicken, rice oxtail gravy and cabbage

    1st time stopping through. I had jerk chicken cabbage rice with oxtail gravy it was good jerk was sweet and hot pretty good will be back

    Sweet potato souffle

    I came right in before they were closing but everything was just as fresh as it ever could be. Like the bused out the new Mac n cheese and didn't give me the last scoop of the previous pan. Really above and beyond good service and quality. Now let me tell you about the ox tails, best I've ever had in my life. Perfect mix of veggies and the sweet potato had so much ginger flavor really 100/10 honeslty of of the best meals of ever had in my life I can't wait to stop back there.

    Oxtails  Rice and Peas Steamed Cabbage
    Amber M.

    Ordered through Door Dash. The oxtails was disgusting . It tasted like sour vinegar water yucky . They were tender i can give them that but a tad hit rubbery . The rice and peas was over done . The cabbage wasn't what I'm use to. They were slightly crunchy tho, which is a plus . I'll try something else next time . As of right now they get an F+ on the oxtails . Yucky

    The plantains  the girl forgot.
    Janeshia A.

    When trying to support your people #Jamaican goes TERRIBLY wrong. I ordered my food and told the young girl I wanted #plantains . The damn girl forgot (probably on purpose cuz yall know my Jamaican restaurant workers got major 'tudes!). I go and tell the cashier lady... roll please...this is the SHIT she gives me. NEVER AGAIN. And yall know when I'm in #ATL shooting I always go here. NO MORE. WE GOTTA DO BETTER. That's why #BlackRestaurants don't survive. They fuckn lack customer service. Why are you handing me any kind of food (outside of banana pudding ‍) in a damn plastic cup??! #KempersCafe #Kempers #JamaicanFood #Atlanta

    Airiel J.

    I am pretty impressed by this place. I hate spicy food too, but I make an exception here. The jerk salmon pasta is spicy as all get out and I still gobble it up.

    Jerk Chicken, Steamed Cabbage, Mac and Cheese, Fried Plantains

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    1 month ago

    HORRIBLE!!! You in Atlanta!!! Do better!!! Can't see the food; too hot inside. Will not visit again.

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    The cashier was so sweet and patient with me. The food was amazing. Definitely will visit again.

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    2 years ago

    Foods good, service is great.. it's a cool little vibe if you want to just sit and chill real layed back atmosphere.

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    4 years ago

    I love the oxtails but recently the jerk chicken wings have been my fave. I typically always get rice and beans and cabbage.

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    3 years ago

    One of my favorite Jamaican spots in Atlanta. Be sure to try the kale and the butter beans. You won't be disappointed!

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Kemper's Cafe

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    I went to this establishment many years ago when it was called 285 Soulfood. The food was great…read morethen and it is great now. After seeing recent reviews online for the newer place, A1 Soul Food I decided to give it a try when I was in the area during lunch time. The area is a bit sketchy. It shares a lot with an vacant Dollar Tree & a few other businesses. Lock your car & be aware of your surroundings because you never know what you may see. That is honestly the way to be anywhere on MLK drive. When you get inside, the place is set up cafeteria line style with booths for dining in if you choose too. The prices are listed on the wall and they serve breakfast and lunch/dinner food with the prices listed clearly on the wall and daily specials also. You order by standing in line & they place your food into a styrofoam box & you can eat it there or take it home. I opted to take mine to go. I waited in line for about ten minutes which I hear is good for this place. I honestly did not know what I was going to order until I saw the fresh fried pork chops come out (please see my picture). Not only did they look fresh, but they were big, crispy & well seasoned. The meat only option included two and the price was more than right. I will be back for those again the next time I am in the mood for some soul food.

    A1 Soul Food is one of those places that has truly stood the test of time for me…read more This is real, down-home cooking--like a Sunday dinner any day of the week. The portions are amazing, the food is always fresh, and you can genuinely taste the consistency and care in every bite. It's the kind of place you go to when you want something filling and comforting. My personal favorites are the fried catfish and the smothered turkey legs--omg, they are so flavorful and always cooked just right. I've grown up eating here, and one thing I can say is the quality has never changed, which is rare and definitely appreciated. The vibe is simple and laid-back, but the food speaks for itself. It's all about good, hearty meals that keep you coming back. Also, if you're in the area, you definitely have to check out Wing Cafe right next door--another solid spot you don't want to miss

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    Big Daddy's Kitchen

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    I had a great experience at The Original Big Daddy's Dish, and I want to give a special shout-out…read moreto Sydney. When I walked in, the restaurant was busy, and it was obvious they had a lot of orders to handle. Even with all that was going on, Sydney greeted me with a warm smile, made eye contact, asked how my day was going, and made me feel like a valued customer. She was friendly, engaging, and never seemed overwhelmed despite leading the team and keeping everything running smoothly. That's the kind of customer service that leaves a lasting impression. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was welcoming, and I can definitely see why this place stays busy. Great food is one thing, but outstanding employees like Sydney are what keep people coming back. Keep up the great work!

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    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Chicken thigh + sides

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    Its honestly insane that I've been coming here since the beginning and have never taken the time to…read morewrite a review. I remember the first time I walked in with my bestie. RC had approached her with a flier at a gas station, informing her that his restaurant had just opened up. Anyway, I'm ordering my meal, the same meal I always get each time I go. Fried fish (whiting), collards and the baked beans (unmatched). And he goes, "What would you like to drink?".... I'm like, "What do you have?" (Assuming the usual. Sweet tea. Lemonade... I was probably gonna go with sweet tea. ) He lists sweet tea of course, and then hes like, "Kool-Aid, coke, sprite" - IM LIKE WAIT. DID YOU SAID KOOL-AID?......... He's like, "Yeah??..." Im like, "what flavor???.... "Purple?...." I had never heard of that at a restaurant, and quiet frankly, that's all I needed to know. At this point, I literally go nowhere else for soul food. Also, RC is amazing. Really good guy, and his team offer the best service as well. A job well done, always.

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    Walked from our hotel for dinner at 6 on Tuesday night. Only two tables occupied and we were told…read morethat if we dined in the dining area and stayed after 7, we would be charged $10 per person cover charge for the live band. I'm glad we were given the info beforehand so we can make sure we are done and out the door by 7! The bartender was our server and he was very friendly but since he was doing two roles, the service was fairly slow. We didn't fault him for that, just giving a heads up in case you get the bartender too. Anyways, we ordered the fried green tomatoes app, the fried catfish and grits, and peach glazed pork chop with sweet potato and green beans! All the food was delicious and seasoned perfectly! We were stuffed so decided on chocolate cake and peach cobbler to go. We did not care for the dessert unfortunately but we would definitely be back for the food!

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    Kemper's Cafe - caribbean - Updated October 2026

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