Chow Down Phoenix!

Rating:

I met up once again with Silverbear for lunch a while back.  We decided to go downtown to Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe for some soul food.  I had been unsuccessful finding good soul food in Phoenix up to this point, with Ross’ Hooked & Cooked being the only other restaurant I had tried. 

The restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the place was alive inside.  It was packed with people, and very loud.  You really had to raise your voice to communicate with the person sitting across the table from you because all the noise was reverberating off of the cinder block walls. 

Our waiter brought out freshly made corn bread almost immediately after we sat down.  Silverbear talked me into putting Louisianna hot sauce (similar to tabasco) on the corn bread.  I laughed at the thought of it at first, but surprisingly, it’s a good combination.  I wouldn’t want to eat it that way all the time, but it was an interesting change of pace.  The corn bread itself was very tasty and soft.

After eating a slice of the corn bread, it was time to start thinking about what to order.  Mrs. White’s is the first restaurant I’ve been to where the menu is handwritten directly on the wall. 

I had no choice, I had to order my favorite dish in the world–Chicken Fried Steak ($9).  It had a wonderful, unique breading and the steak itself was quite tender.  It’s a little odd that they used a chicken-based gravy, but I wasn’t complaining, it was really good.  The rice and green beans were good, especially with a bit of gravy on top. 

Silverbear ordered the Vegetable Plate ($9).  He was pleasantly surprised at the freshness and preparation of the vegetables.  He said they were crisp and not overcooked, as veggies can often be at restaurants.  He raved about the meal quite a bit.

Of course you’re probably wondering why they call it the “Golden Rule Cafe.”  At the end of your meal you find out.  When you go up to the front counter to pay, there’s no tab, you simply tell the cashier what you ordered.  You’ve got to like a business owner that does things the old fashioned way.

Lunch at Mrs. White’s was an enjoyable experience.  If you’re in the mood for soul food, I have a feeling Mrs. White’s will satisfy your craving. 

Read Silverbear’s review of Mrs. White’s

Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe
808 E. Jefferson St. (Map)
Phoenix, AZ 85034
phone: (602) 262-9256
hours: M-F 11-5