MacArthur's Restaurant
WHITE KNIGHT · 282 Google reviewsMacArthur's Restaurant — food in Oak Park. The decor hasn't changed, and it doesn't need to. "Best part it's a soul food spot, so you know the breakfast is seasoned oh so well" — Cam Hunter [$]
What 3,036 diners keep saying
What 3,036 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Well, like many of you, I read the reviews—and honestly, they made me nervous. I was very hesitant to try this place, but I had a craving for some good soul food. So my wife and I decided to take the chance and head over to MacArthur's. The first thing I noticed when we pulled up was that several people were walking out with bags full of to-go orders. That immediately told me there had to be something worth coming for. We went on a Sunday, well after the church crowd, so the line wasn't bad at all. In fact, a customer behind us even commented, "This line isn't that long," which gave us a little reassurance. We got in line, ordered our food, and yes... the customer service was about what the reviews said. It wasn't warm or welcoming, and it definitely wasn't what I'd call great. But we kept a positive attitude, and they took care of us. Then came the moment that almost broke my heart. Right before we checked out, someone yelled, "We ain't got no more yams!" Now, for me, yams are a major part of soul food. My heart sank. But by the grace of God, someone brought out one—and I mean ONE—last container of yams. The lady behind the counter looked at me, I looked at her, and I asked, "Is there any more?" She didn't say a word. She simply handed me that last container. We nodded at each other and went on about our business. It was a silent understanding! Were there other issues going on in the restaurant? Yes. Customers were pointing out missing items or incorrect orders. But to the staff's credit, they corrected those issues every time. The service may not have been polished, but they did make things right. I'd even encourage my lighter-hued friends to give this place a try. Just go in knowing the customer service may be a little rough around the edges. Don't let that stop you, because the food is worth it. Will they be out of certain items? Possibly. Would I recommend calling ahead? Honestly, no. Based on my experience, you're probably better off just showing up and seeing what they have. The food? Delicious. The prices? Very reasonable. The atmosphere? It definitely could use a complete makeover. But when you're digging into fried chicken, greens, black-eyed peas, yams, and cornbread... who really cares what the dining room looks like? As long as the food is clean—and it was—I can overlook a lot. Would I go back? Most definitely. The only thing I'll make sure to bring with me again is the same thing I brought this time—a high level of patience and customer service. If you go in with the right expectations, you'll leave with a full stomach and some very good soul food.”
“You would think it’s a church full of people waiting in line for a meal after service bc ppl from church seemed to be waiting on a very long line and ppl didn’t care to wait bc the food is home style. The line was long like 60 people ahead of us so clearly this place does food right. Staff were nice and so were the customers. Everyone today were dressed in their Sunday best (it is Sunday today 5/25/25). This is in The Austin neighborhood where there’s a mix of rehabbed homes and old homes from the late 1800s. The inside of the place could use a little updating w lights and furniture. But they have a free parking lot and plenty of street parking.”
“Came all the way from Houston Texas and I must say the food was terrible!! I got the smothered pork chops and they were so hard they crumbled like cookies! The cabbage tasted like it was boiled in water, drained and served! The cornbread was crumbly and terrible and the yams weren’t cooked long enough! The only thing I had that was edible was the greens and even they weren’t great! I definitely don’t see why ppl stand in such long lines for this horrible food! It’s laughable that they run out of food! I guess ppl just don’t know any better! I would never recommend this place to anyone!”
“Try to support black business but this place needs to be out of business at this point. I worked 10 hours anticipating to get what I ordered just to get home after their business hours and the plate was not correct. Then the manager wants to go back and forth about what they charged me vs what was written on the box when clearly you see two 50 cent charges on the receipt for greens I never got and $2.75 for a extra side of Mac that they took out a Kraft box and threw cheese on top of. Straight disgusting and disappointing. Never again. Let’s get this place shut down since they don’t appreciate the black dollar!”
“(Same review left on yelp) Drove all the way from Bloomington, Indiana to visit a friend and we were so excited to try this restaurant because we remembered it being so good. However, this food was terrible. We were told we were served fried catfish and I don’t believe that’s what we got. Outside of that you can tell the fish had been sitting, it wasn’t hot. The macaroni was also bland as well. I went and asked the waiter what fish we had been served and she said it was catfish. I’m not sure what was going on but $20 was wasted and this food went in the trash.”
“Worst $20 I've spent in a long time and I've been a huge fan and advocate of this restaurant for over a decade. I went in early right after they opened around 1130 am, thinking I would be given fresh made food, however, I'm pretty sure I was given left over food, reheated and presented for a new day. Spaghetti is literally runny and more like soup with noodles and these smothered pork steaks that I was craving are the driest I've ever been served. Sweet potatoes taste fresh but lack seasoning. It's been years since I visited and I was excited to experience a piece of my old neighborhood, but this was awful and I'm not sure I'll be giving them another chance. Hopefully they were just having an off day, but these are the days people remember so, best of luck to them”
“Crowded area, the food was good, and the employees helped when I first order and helped with on what to get.”
“The food is always good. I got the smothered pork chop this time and they did not disappoint.”
Sounds like your kind of place?
Star it — your hit list is where dinner decisions get made.
One email a month — new openings, hidden gems, and where locals are actually eating.
More dining in Chicago
See the ranking →
In the same lane · budget
If it's packed, walk to…
More good rooms in Oak Park, minutes away.