Was looking for something that wasn't fast food, and from the reviews, it seemed like another "meat and 3" type place I had been looking for. The location is very peaceful and charming right beside a railroad track. It's only open for lunch and there weren't many parking spots open. The place was packed, and I watched many people come and go, mostly of the older 70 years and up age. We had to do take-out and my husband had the filet fried catfish that he liked. My daughter had fried chicken and vegetables, and my son had fried center pork chop with vegetables. I had chicken and dumplings, cabbage, and sweet potatoes with buttermilk pie for dessert. The chicken and dumplings were ok but tasted more like they were poured out of a can and not homemade, the cabbage really had no taste and also seemed to come out of a can, the sweet potatoes were so horrible we couldn't eat them they were full of nutmeg and the consistency was like water. The fried chicken and pork chop were cooked ok, and the only thing that tasted like it was actually cooked there. The buttermilk pie was ok for someone who is maybe diabetic because it wasn't sweet and again looked and tasted like it was made at another bakery and put there. All in all, the fried meats were ok, but all of my family thought the vegetables were bland and tasted "out of a can." I had high hopes for it, but it fell short for us. However, as I said earlier, it must be great to others because it was packed with people.
Iconic & endearing, Irondale Cafe is a must for lunch! I seek to visit whenever I am traveling through the area. They have a great country, soul-food, fresh selection of food via a staff serviced style cafe offering. Meat & 2, Meat and 3 or any combination one may wish for is available. Staff is attentive and friendly. The train station vibe both marvelous and unique.