I'm from the south and I'm not that great of a cook. When I want good southern cooking I go here. The chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread, even the cake was deliciuos. Reminds me of home! read more

The food is pretty good. We had the short ribs dinner and the meat was falling away from the bone, tender and seasoned well. I can see why this place is so popular. (Soul food/ home-style cooking.) It was totally worth the long line. (The line can easily be out the door at 845pm and they close at 9pm.) I went Sunday night, 8/1/13. I will definitely eat there again! read more

My favorite Chicago soul food restaurant!!! Best Mac and cheese as well as smothered pork chops and fried chicken!

This place is good. Of course it can't replace the great taste of my mom's cooking, but it's a good substitute. Chicago doesn't have many great soul food restaurants, and this is one of the best in my opinion. read more

I have been to MacArthur's several times, although I live on the north side, quite far from there. A few years ago, my high schooI students who live on the west side told me that I must try MacArthur's. Thank you students! I have gone there with my students and with my friends. Everyone loves it! When I go with my students, I can't believe how much food we get for such low prices. Everything is great, but my favorites are the mac and cheese and peach cobbler. Just be prepared to leave there STUFFED! I'll keep going back! read more

I have to say that I was very dissatisfied with the quality and service given to my party and I. I went there over the weekend, starving. I will never do that again. This restaurant has been in existence Forever. I live out south and it used to be so reputable. Half of the food was empty, no wait time was given. Staff wasn't friendly and could be heard talking about another customer that was a few spots in front of me. I had the thinnest and overcooked catfish steaks that I've ever seen. The fried chicken wasn't even hot. I hate that I didn't see anything else in the area. I was just hungry and stopped. read more

Been comin here since cross da street and once I have ordered the Fried Chicken dark, Mac n Cheese and Greens, or either Cabbage, Their chicken came hot, flavorful, crispy da mac n cheese, when it first comes out hot Mmmm on the Greens, I have yet to be let down, their a dependable comfort food staple wit Soul on the wayside!!!!! read more

Wonderful! I will be returning...and I will definitely be sure to call in my order, the line was ridiculously LONG! :)

I just want to say that the food was fairly decent however one thing that I didn't appreciate was the customer service, or lack thereof. Instead of getting a "please or a thank you" or "service with a smile" we were greeted with a "mean mug" and sweet potato juice spilling off the side of my styro-foam platter onto my hands and clothes. I was highly disappointed with the service of this establishment. This is the second time that I've brought out of town guest to your restaurant and both times, both parties said the experience was sub-standard for a big city like Chicago. The workers, the service and the attitudes certainly represent that your restaurant is a product of the neighborhood. Yes, I will be back when I don't feel like cooking at home or leaving the neighborhood but at least the next time I can know what to expect. Unfortunately I won't be recommending the restaurant or bringing friends back during my next visit either. I'll be recommending Chicago's House of Chicken and Waffles for a true dining experience. It's so amazing that the city of Chicago continues to be a trend-setter and innovator in the world of culinary arts but it's very unfortunate that Mac Arthurs is still a pillar of the ghetto. Not that there's anything wrong with the ghetto because I live in the ghetto. The NEW Chicago House of Chicken and Waffles at 543 W. Madison, Sylvia's of Harlem is (was) in the ghetto but the food and especially the service is sophisticated. Beans and Cornbread or Franklin's in Detroit is hood but it's an awesome dining experience like no other. Just because you're in Austin doesn't mean you should lower yourselves to that standard. Set a goal for yourselves and bring an air of pride to your restaurant service. read more

Was in there for a repast this past Thursday theCustomer service wasn't friendly and very very unprofessional with each other in front of customers. The food wasn't cook with love or soul it was just put together Smothered pork chop and gravy pork chop was pink on the inside gravy flour and water green and spaghetti no flavor macaroni and cheese terrible Barbecue beef ribs sauce was terrible read more

Everything tastes amazing: Catfish (seasoned perfectly, and decent sized portions), Mac-n-cheese amazing, and fried chicken like moms makes it! read more

This place has great soul food! I used to work around this area and my coworkers would order lunch from here so they got me eating there too. I've eaten there many times in the past, but I just picked up dinner from there this evening and it was delicious! They actually had a sticker on their door that said people love them on yelp so I had to review them after my meal. I had fried chicken, spaghetti and greens! Yuuuummmmyyy! The fried chicken is not too greasy and is flavorful. The only thing I have never liked is their corn bread. I can't understand how a place this good has such bad cornbread! It's not sweet at all and is pretty dry. They also have some FANTASTIC peach cobbler! Woooo hooooo! I could go there just for that! read more

Decent quick fix soul food cafeteria style. Not the best I have had. Soul by the pound, which opened in the loop a long while back was the best but they have been closed for many long years-sigh : ( I miss it and have yet to find comparable. Morrison's on Ashland on the south side of chicago is close though. read more

When The Shaun moved to the west side, everyone told him that MacArthur's was a must go and now The Shaun knows why! The value is amazing and a nice place to get that home cooked meal for the family with the slaving over the stove for hours. The only not on the place is that sometimes the tables aren't cleaned fast enough after patrons leave which can make it unappealing for dining in. read more

I've been to MacAthurs a couple of times it use to be better but its ok. The fried chicken was alright it was one of those things where its not good but its not bad either.the Mac and cheese was pretty good but I have had better.the greens were decent. Now the candied yams were delicious. They have become higher than they use to be with less food but all in all its nice to at least try it. read more

Banana pudding is the best, I drive from theEnglewood community to get it, but the other food -why waste your time? Eat dinner elsewhere and go here for dessert only! read more

The food was DELICIOUS! I had fried chicken, catfish, collards and yams. I am the type that needs salt and pepper on everything but I didn't even touch it for this meal! My only complaint is that the place looked outdated, it wasn't dirty, actually clean but just needs an upgrade. Pictures on google from 2010 showed a beautiful shining, brightly lit restaurant and it wasn't like that. The only other thing is that there were no signs that indicated what each dish was. The pics from 2010 had signs, that would of been very helpful. There was also no posted menu with options and pricing. I just moved here from Boston and this was my first soul food visit in Chicago, I definitely will be back. read more

Had them cater a birthday party last night and everyone raved about their food. It was on time hot and delicious!! Please check them out. The food was priced Right and you will not be disappointed. Thank you for making my husband surprise bday party memorable read more

I freakin love MacArthur's!!!!!! I'm not from Chicago and this is the closest to good ol' soul food that I can get. The greens aren't what I am accustomed to, because they taste canned, but I love the Macaroni and sweet potatoes and the boneless smothered Chicken Breast. I try to go their every sunday after church. Chicago natives tend to hate on this restaurant, always claiming there is somewhere better. Every other place that I have been to, besides Trinidad's and Soul Vegetarian has been AWFUL!!!! read more

I am with the others who were born and raised on Soul Food. I agree. this food lacks...a lot. I've never seen slices of kraft cheese on macaroni and cheese before. Every time I make from scratch Mac and cheese, it has been with a rue. Don't get me wrong, this place is good in a pinch, but only go on Sunday when they have dressing, which is pretty good and bumps it to a five star. Too bad everything else keeps it a 2 star. read more

This is the place to go for great soul food. There is a great selection of foods for you to choose from a cafeteria style counter. I loved the fried chicken and the rest of the food is just classic soul food (not amazing... and definitely not good for you). But it tastes great and gives you that warm, relaxed feeling. The restaurant is a neighborhood cornerstone that should be appreciated for what it is... good food at a cheap price. read more

I actually went months ago but just now finally reviewing the place. Once again, i dragged my friend with me b/c: 1) I wasn't familiar with neighborhood ( i'm a southsider) and 2) I needed someone to be fat with, lol. So we went ahead and went, thankfully we got there before the after work rush especially on a Friday. As the previous reviews says, definitely was cafeteria style and be prepared to order. One thing i did not like was how the mac and cheese is made, slices of cheese baked on top? I was informed that was unfortunately how they make theirs, bleh. But i did love banana pudding, i had to take some home. Pretty good spot for soul food home cooking. read more

All of the food was like dog food half cooked I wouldn't dare waste my money n the customer service sucks!

The lady taking my order was so rude and unpleasant. Im not from around that area and she didn't want to explain what is offered and how it was package. A gentleman that was in line behind me had to jump into the conversation and say something to her because of the way she was half explaining things with major attitude like she didn't want to be there. The food was good but it didn't outweigh the poor attitude of the lady that was taking my order. Horrible experience. I would not return. I will go to pricilla's soul food restaurant read more

You better try the smothered pork chops! I have to ask for half portions on the sides though, can't eat it all. Spot on Mac. Oh yeah Mac is a good guy. read more

First time at a southern soulfood place, one word DELICIOSO!!! Everything is good, candy yams are sooooo savory, the smothered chicken was a little salty for my taste but good, mashed potatoes are great not greasy or too buttery, I love that! The Mac-n-cheese was awesome, everything is full of flavor! Oh and the fried catfish was sooooo good too! Good service, clean, line moves fast. Going back for the huge BBQ turkey leg on an empty stomach! read more

well, what can I say? The best food place close to my dentist's office. Great food, excellent service. I ordered slice of pizza. And it tasted amazing! Maybe I was just too hungry lol. But believe me when I say I understand taste of a good pizza, I really do!!! read more

Foods good, but sometime the service can be slow and poor. Just tried to order a cake over the phone, nearly impossible.

I was here on a couple of occasions. over all the food is good but the customer service is horrible.

Me and my 1 year old son go here almost every morning. The staff is great! The waiters are very helpful. The cashiers are very attentive. The cooks are very friendly. It's a very welcoming spot. It has a family vibe. read more

If you're looking for a home cooked soul food meal then this is one of a few on the west side of Chicago. Food to me is average

Unfortunately, a family friend had this dump cater his mother's repast. All the food was nasty, old, and inedible. Fried chicken was soggy. Both baked chicken and bbq chicken was swimming in red grease. The catfish tasted old and reheated. Green beans with potatoes, clearly came from a can. Spaghetti was overcooked and lacked flavor. All the pans of macaroni and cheese were dry. The cornbread muffins were more like little stones. But, I think the very worst was the depressing dressing and mashed potatoes. Omg...I've never seen cornbread dressing that everyone thought were pans of actual cornbread. It was a long concrete slab. No onions, bell peppers, sage, or celery was added. I've never seen cornbread dressing and mashed potatoes that you could actually, slice. They were these huge chunks that went straight in the garbage. The potatoes must've been instant because they looked translucent because we found no trace of milk or butter. This food was a joke. All the people laughed and criticized the food, and shook their heads. I was so embarrassed for him especially, after spending so much money on food after his mother's passing. A total waste. MacArthur's food have really fell off and I wouldn't waste my time or money there after witnessing that mess. As a matter of fact, they don't even deserve my one star. It's really a zero. read more

Love love love there food! There juicy yet so crispy fried chicken was amazing! Mac n cheese was delish as well as there spaghetti... for the desert let me just say yummmmmy by far the BEST banana pudding ever I definitely will be coming back!!! read more

This is the place where I can let my hair down and indulge in where I grew up. Service is great, food is sooo tasty, staff are excellent. Lines are usually long, but is well worth the wait! read more

I love MacArthurs! The food is excellent and the service is great! I am a regular and I go every Friday and Sunday for the smothered chicken, macaroni, and yams. The food servers Lo and Glo are good people and always carry a conversation. The cashiers are always friendly and smile when they see you. Miss Vanessa is a top notch manager and the business runs smoothly. The food is always fresh and tasty. You always get good portions and the desserts are on point too. And the price is right too. read more

Love the fried chicken, mash potatoes and desserts up in this place. When I visit Chicago from the east coast, I make it my business to travel to the West Side to this spot. There is no soul food restaurant in NYC that comes close to this place when it comes to good soul food. Copeland's in Harlem was good, but gentrification pushed them out. read more

Worth the trip for some real soul food! I guess Obama was right about one thing!

Visitor from West Africa trying soul food for the first time....DELICIOUS!....Those candied yams really tasted like candy....tasted like melted butterscotch candy, maple syrup, and honey combined....They served it hot but I think it would taste better COLD...add a few scoops of vanilla ice cream with ice cold candied yams and that mudafucker would be turnt the fuck up lol....I didn't get to try collard greens....never had it b4....but I'll be back next month to try some collard greens and smothered pork.....The ladies behind the counter were very nice but str8 to business....long line so don't waste any time when it gets to your turn....you don't want to irritate those ladies...Think about what you want to order so you're not wasting time....Ain't nobody got time for that........a little crowded but I love seeing black ppl meeting in one place to eat good food so I'm not worried...Its beautiful...Parking is an issue here....I had to the bribe the cashier at autozone with chicken wings to park my car in their parking lot lol....I didn't want my shit towed cuz I need my car to drive back home in Naperville....GREAT EXPERIENCE.....far drive from Naperville but it was worth it....but like I said, i gotta try those greens Asap.....Any African Americans reading this should feel free to invite a sexy African brother to a soul food dinner at their house...message me or comment this post......cuz I wanna try some real home made collards....I've seen pictures....can't wait to try it...I'M COMING BACK....oh yess....but I don't think I can do those candied yams again cuz I'm not trying to get diabetes....tastes good...but that shit is dangerous.....I'm not playing with my health messing with these candied yams....no sir!.... read more

since i'm from the south i try not to get excited about any soul food place that i hear about because i usually end up with a case of the major sads because it ends up not being that great. however, with macarthur's i will say that the food was well worth the visit even if it was just for the banana pudding. i had the fried chicken which i admit wasn't better than harold's but was still better that Army and Lou's. the mac and cheese was good as was the dressing with gravy, though the dressing had a taste i wasn't exactly accustomed to it was still good. the corn muffin was a little off, dry and really didn't taste like much. i thought the collards were good also and my eyes glazed over at all the options like smothered pork chops, beef ribs, meatloaf and baked chicken. i most def will be going back! read more

Ok, I go to this restaurant pretty regularly when I'm in the Austin neighborhood - but why was there a MOUSE running around the dining area today - in broad daylight, AND the catfish was dry, cold? Why? Why? Why? read more