SERVING GREAT SOUTHERN FOOD SINCE 1976

 
 
 
 
 
 
All reviews
 
 
  
Google
 
 
  
Tripadvisor
 
 
  
Yelp
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excellent4.5662 reviews
 
4.5
 
Excellent662 reviews
 
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   Google    Tripadvisor    Yelp  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Excellent4.5636 reviews
 
4.5
 
Excellent636 reviews
 
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Good4.49 reviews
 
4.4
 
Good9 reviews
 
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Good4.017 reviews
 
4.0
 
Good17 reviews
 
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 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Donna Gray 
 
October 6, 2026
 
 
  
 
Great place for veggies
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Sonja Haney 
 
September 26, 2026
 
 
  
 
Friendly and the food is top tier!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Ray Ski 
 
September 13, 2026
 
 
  
 
Love coming to the cedar house for some breakfast , always good customer service, food never disappoints
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Too Few Acres 
 
August 1, 2026
 
 
  
 
Great place to eat
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Jeff Roberts 
 
June 19, 2026
 
 
  
 
Excellent cafeteria style food! Love the hamburger steak, the sausage with kraut, and the baked catfish! Always plenty of great sides to go with them. Great food and great people! They've been a staple of Tarrant for at least 30 years, probably longer!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Jamie Chaviers 
 
June 14, 2026
 
 
  
 
Delicious food! And they treat you like family!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Eric Valles 
 
May 21, 2026
 
 
  
 
Friendly staff, delicious food. I would recommend the place to anyone.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Jeff Morrison 
 
May 20, 2026
 
 
  
 
This is a gem
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Charlie Ray 
 
April 29, 2026
 
 
  
 
I was a resident of Tarrant the first 20 years of my life and I had never been in Cedar House Cafeteria! I had no idea what I was missing, we had a get together with old classmates and they treated us like lifelong friends and even royalty! The food was great, the service was even better! Thank you Claude, like I told him... This is the Chick-Fil-A of restaurants and that is as good of a compliment as I can think of! Every staff member was great!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Gabe P. 
 
March 6, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
 
Cedar House , where have you beeenn?!  But seriously, I use to come here many, many years ago. Pre Yelp!  I am so very glad that this restaurant came across something I was looking at recently. I popped on in on a Wednesday to see what I could see.  I was pleased.  Liver and onions will always put a smile on my face! I love a good meat and two cafeteria vibe.  I had fried green tomatoes & turnips.  Both sides were outstanding. Now what I did not like what that rice!  Way too much butter but I do believe it was still on stand by from breakfast. I really appreciate the nice lady getting it for me so that's really why I didn't refuse it.  The service was really nice and friendly by all the staff.  I loved my food. I loved the sweet tea ( with lemons). And I looooved the cherry / pineapple cobbler I had to go. It's tastes like nothing I've ever had before.  Pricing is reasonable for your typically restaurant of this nature. Cedar house is a family owned business that's been around for years.  They are definitely in my  lunch rotation now.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Mesut Emrah 
 
January 19, 2026
 
 
  
 
Great experience! Friendly staff and a very cozy vibe
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Quinn Wang 
 
November 19, 2025
 
 
  
 
我从中国大连刚来美国不久，之前在洛杉矶和纽约是很难寻到这种具有传统美国地方风味的美食，开车路过拣选了这家店，不虚此行，真的很美味，服务热情，价格实惠，，如果下次路过我还会尝试一下没有吃过的点心。
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 saniya harris 
 
November 12, 2025
 
 
  
 
Always good customer service and the food is awesome  the prices are fair only thing they close at 2pm
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Jesse McLaughlin 
 
November 7, 2025
 
 
  
 
Always consistent southern cooking
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Mike Byram 
 
October 31, 2025
 
 
  
 
Food was was great. The service was awesome and Shiela was awesome and friendly.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Jacklinn Peters 
 
October 8, 2025
 
 
  
 
There weren't many people here. Food was good.  Just crappie area. Lady stealing from cars when we went. So lock your doors to eat lol.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Tee Shark (TeeShark) 
 
October 2, 2025
 
 
  
 
Great food!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Prince 
 
August 12, 2025
 
 
  
 
Great food
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Mark Watson 
 
June 28, 2025
 
 
  
 
The Cedar House Cafeteria has been in business fourty-nine years in the same location. Throughout the years there have been changes made here and there but the quality of the food and service has always been
remarkable. Stop by and enjoy this iconic landmark and see for yourself what has kept the doors
open all this time. Delicious food, prompt friendly service all at a great price. You will become a regular Cedar House patron too!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Devin Ensor 
 
May 24, 2025
 
 
  
 
I love their food every time I go, it's always great.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Donna Urquhart 
 
April 12, 2025
 
 
  
 
Update:  we also had a recent breakfast at Cedar House.  Check out the photos.  Delicious!

It was a delicious lunch at Cedar House.  I had the stuffed pepper, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, and Mexican cornbread.  The stuffed pepper looked somewhat dry, so my expectations were not high.  However, it was still very good.  My husband had the beef tips, which were also delicious.  We will definitely be back!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Jay M. 
 
October 25, 2024
 
 
 Verified 
 
So I give this place a 5 star review I actually spoke with an employee and they assured me that everything is wonderful it was definitely a miscommunication and they were not communicating the information to everyone right away about the price changes or the new menus .. either way I do recommend this place as stated before great breakfast, great atmosphere. However I will not be returning but again it's a wonderful place to dine .
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Dave H 
 
July 7, 2024
 
 
 Verified 
 
Hit the spot.
I love meat and 3's and this one is amazing. The BBQ was so great. I had new potatoes as a side, and I am still thinking about it.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Beth S. 
 
October 14, 2023
 
 
 Verified 
 
Coworker brought back lunch. I gave her free will on my sides but I requested chicken and dressing if they had it. Fortunately they did and I got a good size portion of chick and dressing, cranberry sauce, creamed corn and mashed potatoes with brown gravy. I wish I could have gotten less starches but I'm grateful for the pick up nonetheless. 
What I'm curious about..,
Why the use of tumeric in the chicken and dressing?  I was born and raised in the Ham so I'm used to the way we normally do it. The look threw me off. It was as if yellow food coloring was used. The chicken was overdone as well. If not for these two, I would have given this a 5 star. But I can't get over the yellow.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Bob C. 
 
August 20, 2022
 
 
 Verified 
 
The personnel here are so friendly, and it made our first visit here extra enjoyable. To top it off, the food was excellent, with just the right amount of seasoning, especially the fresh vegetables. It's nice to be served food that's not overly salted. Food here is far and away better than the nearby Niki's, which is way overrated. Thank you for an excellent meal, and we will return soon!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Mitch H. 
 
February 26, 2021
 
 
 Verified 
 
Friendly, fantastic service 
Country fried steak 
Turnip greens
Black eye peas
Corn bread 
All was a 4
I'll be back
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Lea C 
 
February 25, 2020
 
 
 Verified 
 
Wonderful Southern cooking.
Wonderful Southern cooking and sweet ice tea. Friendly wait staff. Good food at a reasonable price. I will return.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 smmarkfan 
 
January 8, 2020
 
 
 Verified 
 
True local flavor off the beaten path.
Local meat and three with a long history. Off the beaten path but convenient to the airport and surrounding area. Worth seeking out if you are tired of the same old thing and want a little local flavor. Simple and unpretentious, some might even call it ratty, but the food and the people will make you glad you stopped by. Don't forget the pie!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Joyce B. 
 
July 11, 2019
 
 
 Verified 
 
Good southern cooking.  The fried pork chops on Thursday are the bomb.  And the pecan pie is amazing.  I try to eat there as often as I can (especially on Thursdays).
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Sharron W 
 
February 18, 2019
 
 
 Verified 
 
Home Town Meat & 3
Every weekday is good but pork shop day on Thursday is the best! The desserts are also very tasty! If you are in the Tarrant/Inglenook area, this is the place for lunch!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 mereaurx 
 
February 4, 2019
 
 
 Verified 
 
Yum!!
So good! Delicious home-cooked family recipes. Staff is always so friendly and the place is clean. Great for breakfast or lunch!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Jennifer B. 
 
February 4, 2019
 
 
 Verified 
 
Delicious home-cooked food, very friendly staff, and the pies are AMAZING. Do yourself a favor and get a slice of the chocolate chip pecan pie and thank me later. Also highly recommend the fried chicken liver!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Randy J 
 
August 24, 2018
 
 
 Verified 
 
Excellent lunch setting for business and community
One of if not the best "meat and three" in Alabama. Claude and his team really know how to cook and Pork Chop Thursday is a must. If you like a great buffet with vegetables, salads deserts and various meat entrees, this is the place
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 slatsp 
 
July 24, 2017
 
 
 Verified 
 
Excellent Meat & 3 Restaurant
My first time here. It is a nostalgic step back into the 1960/1970's. Decor plain and no frills. You enter as side room to view the cafeteria style offerings, 3 or more entrees and many excellent vegetables for sides. Homemade cornbread and rolls too. Waitress came by to refill our teas. Everyone working there were very pleasant, even to a newcomer like me. Crow was construction workers, professional people, even a couple of young families. Worth a try.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Bradley D. 
 
March 20, 2017
 
 
 Verified 
 
I went here for breakfast and was not disappointed. It's open seating, and while it's not a five-star restaurant it's worth every penny.  I got a couple of eggs, bacon and pancakes for $7.70 and I honestly thought that they had forgotten to ring me up for something.  They do not take American Express, but if you've got $10 in your pocket you got money left over for the tip as well.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Tamiko L. 
 
March 2, 2017
 
 
 Verified 
 
This is such a quaint and family oriented place!  I typically  stop here for breakfast but at times I go for lunch and it's never disappointed!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 ramram14 
 
January 19, 2017
 
 
 Verified 
 
Simply the best!
Hands down, the best place for good old-fashioned southern home cooking in Birmingham. You're not gonna just stumble upon this place. You've gotta be looking for it because it's in a part of town that's seen better days. Although it's in a stand-alone building, the building itself isn't much to look at. As a matter of fact I passed by it for years before finally deciding to stop and try it. Once I did I was kicking myself for not having tried it sooner. It quickly became my favorite restaurant. To me this place is a true "dive". The outside is very unassuming and there isn't much atmosphere on the inside, although there are some interesting pictures of old Birmingham on the walls. However, the friendly staff and excellent food more than make up for the lack of atmosphere. There's table service for breakfast but lunch is cafeteria style. The lunch menu changes daily (mostly the meats) but there are always several meats to choose from and lots of vegetables. I think I've tried everything on their lunch menu at least once (except the liver) and I loved it all. But my go-to is the vegetable plate with black-eyed peas, turnip greens and fried green tomatoes. Love those fried green tomatoes! While the Irondale Cafe may be famous for their fried green tomatoes they don't hold a candle to the Cedar House; to me they're not even in the same league. Cedar House is so much better! And don't forget to try their desserts. The pecan pie is amazing. While I absolutely love lunch at the Cedar House, breakfast is actually my favorite meal here. The western omelette is simply divine! I get it every time I go here. The Cedar House is so good that I find myself comparing all other southern comfort food restaurants to it. For me that is the hallmark of a truly good restaurant. I can't even eat at Cracker Barrel anymore because their food is bland, tasteless, and completely uninspiring compared to the Cedar House. Hint: If you go at peak lunch time be prepared to stand in line as the line will often stretch back to the door. But don't worry, although it's long it usually moves pretty fast.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 John B. 
 
January 10, 2017
 
 
 Verified 
 
Best home cooking around. Seasoned well, not greasy. It's ALL good. Save room for the Pecan Pie!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Mustapha C. 
 
July 25, 2016
 
 
 Verified 
 
Best of the best in local home cooking in this neck of the woods period. Out of the way but worth it for breakfast, especially the biscuits and gracy. Best gravy I've ever had, period. Ownership is 2nd/3rd generation Sicilian and these brothers can really cook.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 dennis m. 
 
May 19, 2014
 
 
 Verified 
 
Sketchy building in a sketchy part of town but great food! Jalapeño corn bread is excellent, catfish is some of the best I've ever had. Chocolate pie is better than average. 

Give it a shot, just lock your car doors!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Robin M. 
 
April 23, 2014
 
 
 Verified 
 
Great old fashioned southern cooking. I ate there for the first time 2 weeks ago and was kicking myself the entire time for not trying it out sooner. I have already been back 3 times since then. 

Everything I have tried has been outstanding. From the wonderful rich flavors you can tell that they actually spend time preparing their food, it's not just dumped out of a can and served up. The meats have wonderful flavor and texture, but the veggies are my absolute favorite, especially the turnip greens and black-eyed peas. And don't forget the fried green tomatoes - they are absolutely divine! The best in all of Birmingham. I eat them as my dessert so that I can savor the flavor.

Meals such as the ones served up at the Cedar House almost demand that you go out on the front porch and "sit a spell" after you're done. Unfortunately, you'll have to do that somewhere else as there's no porch here.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Julie B. 
 
April 25, 2013
 
 
 Verified 
 
Great southern style food. Neat, clean restaurant.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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