This place is UNBELIEVABLE. I spent a week in the town of Ponchatoula and after I discovered this restaurant with two of my buddies, we came back everyday. Everyday I would get the special our waitress Kiya recommended, and they were all AWESOME. The perfect lunch during a HARD working day. As an out-of-Towner, you are always nervous for the anticipation of a new restaurant. At this place, I felt at home right away, thanks to the friendly service and warm vibes (even during a cold week .. brrrr!). I am sad to leave, but happy to return during my next visit. Oh, and thanks for the extra vanilla wafers in my pudding! read more

Paul's Cafe - Two of my buddies who loved the food here! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

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I ordered the roast beef special, and it was bland, sliced... and all of about 2 ounces of meat for 11 dollars. Do I feel ripped off? Absolutely I do. My wife got the white bean special that had maybe 2 ounces of sausage in it. Should these people be ashamed? I think so. I love to go to small town places like this, and I can honestly say I've never had a shortage of meat in 45 years. I had to salt and pepper my own food, and that's ok, bc I understand the crowd is a little older, but what I can't get past is meat that was thinly sliced to pass as a roast beef lunch with rice. The outside patio is amazing, and the service was good. read more

Love this place. Their catfish is the best around and their sides are great. Love the cucumber salad. The employees are all so nice and attentive. It just has great food and a great vibe. read more

It has been years since I've been to this place. becauseI was in a rush, decided to order a salad to go. This was supposed to be fried shrimp salad it only had a handful of shrimp a small hand very little lettuce and some cheddar cheese. I was very disappointed in it. I couldn't believe it was that little amount of food for that cost and in that poor shape I'm sorry for writing a bad review. Normally, I would not do that, but that is how I felt. It's enough that I wouldn't go back to the place again. read more

We have been through Paul's Cafe before, but it was during an antique festival and it was a busy place indeed! Our trip through this time was because we had time on a Thursday and we were staying near by. It's a homey kind of place old wood planking and family pictures on the walls, there's a counter you can sit at and seating outside under a roof. Parking is kind of dodgy though. The food is really good, Julie had a hamburger steak and I had a bacon cheeseburger with crinkle cut fries. The staff bustles about and they are having fun with the customers. We went back the next day and had an early lunch before we headed home, two five star meals in two days!!! read more

Paul's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Just good solid country diner. Specials almost every day. Staff is nice. Service is good. Never wait long to be seated. read more

Paul's Cafe - Hamburger steak and sides - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

One of the best and yummiest strawberry daiquiri I have had in a long time. The town of Ponchatoula used to the strawberry capital of the world and this restaurant is famous for its daiquiris. The food is also great outside it was a great breakfast/ brunch spot. read more

I've never actually been to Paul's and always wanted to try it. The other day, my cousin and I went and I really got my hopes up. This was bad. Like, really bad. The portion sizes are ridiculous and what's with the plastic compartment jailhouse plates? You can't even put a proper portion on the plate. I got the chicken stew with mashed potatoes and corn. My cousin got the roast with mashed potatoes. The chicken stew tasted like packaged school food and it may have been 1/2 cup on the plate, 2 tbsp of rice included in that 1/2 cup. It was edible, but not something I would want to pay for. And then they give you a fork to eat it? It's like soup on a plate. My cousin said the roast tasted like warmed up lunch meat with no flavor. Boy, I'll tell you this. Those mashed potatoes had a flavor we'll never forget! The potatoes are clearly instant, which at one point I understand, but on the other, this is supposed to be a home style restaurant. So that's the first thing that threw me. The second was the flavor. I'm not kidding when I say I genuinely think they used dirty mop water to make the potatoes! It straight up tasted like dirt! Like soggy, dirty water. My cousin even commented before I could and said they weren't just bad, but disgusting! I'm so disappointed with my one and only visit of "the famous" Paul's cafe. This was such a let down. The waitress we had was a total sweetheart, but there was nothing she could do to fix that "meal". We didn't even tell her. Our plates only had about 4 bites taken from each, so she could tell. We just smiled and asked for the check. We paid and went to Burger King. Just to be clear, I'm not saying this to deter anyone from going, or hurt the business. If you genuinely like the place, and have had better experiences than ours, by all means, go. Just don't order the potatoes. 1 star for the decent cornbread. read more

This is the quintessential small town diner. Loved it! I had a BLT & fries. Hubbie had the Monday special - meatloaf, mashed potatoes w/brown gravy & sweet cornbread. Got a choice of two desserts & he chose the apple crisp. We both enjoyed our lunches. Very friendly service & it came out really quickly! Would definitely return! read more

The food was great and the service was excellent . Love the small town friendliness !!

The people, atmosphere, employees I just loved. I am From a big city here in Texas. It was like I was on the Andy Griffith show. The hometown hospitality I just love. They treated everyone who came in like family. Food was 100% on. read more

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Location; this is a favorite right on the main street, appears to spot for everyone in town. Menu; Tried the Egg breakfast with Bacon, my eggs cooked to order and bacon crisp just the way I like it! The coffee was kept filled to the brim. Service; AMAZING Service, to include the Owner a few times to check on us. read more

Paul's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Paul's Café was established back in 1976 and has been a popular restaurant with locals and visitors ever since. Paul's is especially popular during the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival where their strawberry daquiris are very popular. Paul's Café has changing daily specials along with their standard items. I've been wanting to eat here for years and finally I got a chance and so far I've only had a chance to sample their burger while I'm still interested in trying their daily specials. I've had better burgers and I've had worse burgers but the great ambiance of the interior of this joint along with the friendly service still make this a great spot to visit. My video review of Paul's Café is here: https://youtu.be/6W7XzQBZLbg read more

Stopped in for a bite while I was in the area. Good service, cute little spot. Friendly employees. The roast beef and rice with gravy were very good. It was a nice touch that they give a cup of soft serve vanilla ice cream with dessert for most meals. Specials were good. read more

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Food was just OK. But there is nothing about the food that makes me say to come back. It's presented on the plate scarcely And the portions are small. Ice water comes in a shot glass. If they would put more into presentation it would really be different. Service was excellent Ambiance is amazing, love the old style diner. Grits are cheap, they should float your plate in grits or hash browns. Make people say wow!!!! read more

Great service and great food! Definitely would recommend the daiquiri, it was soooo good. Had the spicy chicken po boy while here and it was delicious and a great size (could share with someone). Not pictured were the fries, but they tasted amazing and fresh! Will definitely stop by if I'm ever in LA again! read more

Paul's Cafe - Spicy chicken po boy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

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First of all the food they serve should embarrass them this must be a one and done tourist trap. I live on the north shore and would never recommend this place to anyone. Ham and cheese po boy was to thin slices of packaged ham. Not even french bread was some kind of loaf. One tomato on each half. This sandwich would not fill a twelve year old. Now they bring the bill. Not itemised and no tax break down. This is easy way to scam people. I went over the bill at the register and the pre tax everything. Not the way to run a restaurant. My family is from Ponchatoula and will never send anyone there to eat. Total waist of money for me. Sorry hate to bash local places but you should sell and let someone with some good business sense run it. read more

Love this place in Ponchatoula. Great food and a great staff. The setting is just like you'd expect in a diner. You can dine outside if you like too. Need some good food. Check out Paul's. read more

Just little home town restaurant serving up some good home cooking. Staff were very friendly and helpful. I would definitely stop in again if passing through. Got a little gem. read more

Wife and I stopped in for breakfast while in town for a work event. The service and staff we great and these days that goes a long way with me. I didn't enjoy the breakfast as much as I hoped but they have quite a few items on the menu so I would give them a try again if I am back in town. I ordered an omelet with toast and a hash brown. My wife ordered an egg, with toast, bacon and a hash brown. read more

Always enjoy eating here. Both inside and outside dining. Food always tasty. Staff pleasant.

Great place to eat. Very courteous and friendly staff and the food is down home good.

So today we went checking out the antique shops in Ponchatoula. Got a little hungry and had lunch at Paul's. I had the lunch and my wife and her niece each had a burger with fries and onion rings. The lunch: I had the chicken and dumplings with Lima beans and potato salad. A dessert came with the lunch. The chicken and dumplings had a good flavor but it wasn't whole chicken - instead the chicken was cubes- and the consistency was very thick like it had a lot of corn starch. The Lima beans were barely warm and the potato salad wS ok. Overall, the lunch was sub par. The dessert was ice cream over apple crunch. It was just ok. Nothing really outstanding here. The burgers: my wife and her niece each enjoyed their burgers and we all shared the fries and onion rings. The onion rings were very good. The service was very good. Covid sage practices: our waitress did wear a mask but tables were not spaced apart like they should have been. The restaurant was full shortly after we sat down. There was outdoor seating but the temperature was cold. This is not a bad place by any means. We are here before and enjoyed it. The wait staff is friendly and efficient and the food quality varies by what one decides to order. Yes I recommend Paul's Restaurant in Ponchatoula. read more

Paul's Cafe - Photo of Paul's cafe. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Decent place to have breakfast. Pretty basic menu. Service was pretty good. Seems like a nice place for locals and something other than Waffle House and Ihop. read more

Great customer service! Atmosphere was outstanding, Food was really good!! Definitely recommend!

This place was by far the best meal we had while on quick business trip to New Orleans. The service was top notch- attentive and fast. They made us feel at home. We will definitely go again the next time we are down here. Highly recommend ! read more

Paul's Cafe - Hamburger steak, cucumber salad, smothered cabbage - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Paul's Cafe is simply THE BEST. From the moment we walked in, our dining experience was so pleasant. We were greeted warmly by the wait staff then seated right away and asked what we'd like to drink. Our order was taken and the food delivered quickly. Several times while eating, the waitstaff came around to ask if we needed anything or wanted more coffee. We were made to feel like VIPs. We were pleasantly surprised when Paul, the Cafe namesake, stopped by to inquire about our dining experience and engage in p leasing small talk. All the warm attention made us want to linger a bit longer and enjoy the ambience. Good people and good food. Oh and Paul's has the best homemade strawberry daquiris around. If in Ponchatula, don't miss the chance to enjoy some time at Paul's Cafe read more

Just tried this place yesterday and it was sooo delicious. Excellent customer service, very much a local feel which I enjoy. The owner was constantly making rounds saying hello and making sure everyone felt welcomed. It's a small place but nice atmosphere. We will definitely be back! Tried the Apple Crisp for dessert and it was delicious! read more

Paul's Cafe - Catfish lunch entree! It comes with dessert so we tried the apple crisp. So good! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Quaint cafe located in historic downtown Ponchatoula. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch and closes around 2:30pm. No dinner hours. There are daily specials as well as hot plates, sandwiches, and salads. All of the meals have a very homemade taste to them. The owner greeted us and checked on us several times during our meal. Very friendly staff. read more

Awesome lil corner cafe. Food is portioned just right for a meal and matched price point. I take my kids here often.

Employees are great and friendly , family own business . I wish the food had the same love and dedication that the employee and owners have . Food is far from great , presentation is awful and portions very small ( makes the price looks bad when you see what you get ) Very disappointed, my third time and not coming back read more

Great restaurant. Prices were good and food excellent. Best mustard greens I have had. Wife had red beans and sausage and she loved it. I had roast beef and it was very good. Granddaughter loved her cheese burger. Daughter was not impressed with shrimp dish though. read more

Continuing my quest to keep trying local places while I was here I stumbled upon Paul's. Came in for breakfast and was not disappointed. Finally, a place that knows how to make great biscuits and gravy, and my long lost love, grits. Simple, quick service and good food. Easy access from the main road. read more

Paul's Cafe - Breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Cute little restaurant with an old time feel. Feels like grandmas kitchen. It's located in a cute little antique town with lots to walk around and see. The atmosphere felt like something out of Mayberry, I was waiting for Andy Griffith to walk in. Lol. The service was friendly and very attentive. We ordered the western omelet and a breakfast sandwich, they were very good and full of taste. Hot and fresh. I loved every bite of it. Great place for breakfast. I am looking forward to coming back and enjoying this again !!! read more

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Best place every! Me, my dad and his biker friends go there to have breakfast before we hand out food to the homeless, I always get the chicken breast sandwich with tomatoes and cheese and it is always sooo delicious! read more

Love eating here!! The friendliness of the staff is beyond exceptional. The food is always perfect and delicious. Seriously I've never had a complaint been dining here since 2005 when I moved to the north shore. read more

For breakfast I ordered the sausage omelette and my wife ordered two eggs and hash browns with wheat toast. For my wife what came were two eggs as ordered, the hash browns are the frozen kind in a strange rectangle shape, and the bread was "bunny bread" brand bread. For me, I had the omelette which was OK, and I got a side of sausage which was tasty and a biscuit. The reason why I went to Paul's was to drive off of the expressway going through the state, and have something good. Homemade sausage? Homemade bread? Real potato hash browns? Something special? OK, the grape jelly is made there. I guess you get what you pay for. This is a Breakfast to forget....sorry. The positive about the place is that Paul's eight daughters work there and they are very friendly. But sorry, I can't recommend a place that makes lazy food and I will pass and look for another place when driving through for breakfast. read more

Paul's Cafe - A sad and thin egg and sausage omelette with nothing to remember fondly. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Old school cafe friendly atmosphere and great home cooked food. I will eat there till they close or i die

Ordered one Monday from the breakfast menu; I'm vegan so there was an extremely limited section. The taste and speed were there but they need to add more fresh veggies to this menu. I mean it is the "country" where there are farmer's markets and local growers. It's bazaar to have all the meats yet few veggies ingredients. read more

We tried 2 of the lunch specials today...chicken stew and roast beef. Both were a disappointment. read more