Matthews Cafeteria which opened in 1955, is a Main Street Tucker landmark that serves southern style meat’n three fare and has developed a strong local following. Matthews Cafeteria is open Monday through Friday only and features a rotating menu. If you like Chicken Livers, go on Monday. In order to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day each week, it’s a Tuesday visit for a generous serving of Corned Beef. The best Chicken Pot Pie to be found for miles is served on Wednesday, Thursday is popular for the Thanksgiving style Turkey & Dressing and Friday is a good day to try Matthew’s Meatloaf.

Vegetables each day include rice, mashed potatoes, green beans and fresh turnip greens. Other vegetable choices rotate on a daily basis with offerings to compliment the rotating entree choices. Years ago the staff consisted mainly of grandmotherly types and the friendly manager Barbara. Barbara, who is greatly missed on a personal level has since retired and the staff has changed but the food remains consistent and the prices are quite reasonable.

The interior could certainly use a coat of paint and a few other upgrades but don’t let that deter you. Matthews is seriously a good southern old fashioned small town cafeteria. It is rare that a visit to Matthews does not include the sighting of at least a couple local politicians running for office and some of Dekalb’s finest policemen. The clientèle varies from many single diners to young couples and families with children enjoying dinner with their parents or grandparents.

Matthews Cafeteria opens at 5:00am for breakfast, lunch is served from 10:30am until 3:00pm and the dinner service is from 4:30pm until 8:00pm. For more information and the complete menu, please visit Matthews Cafeteria.

Matthews Cafeteria will be featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives episode “Where the Locals go”. It is currently scheduled to air on the following dates: Jun 23, 2008 10:00 PM ET/PT, Jun 23, 2008 1:00 AM ET/PT, Jun 29, 2008 4:00 PM ET/PT, Jul 04, 2008 9:00 PM ET/PT, Jul 04, 2008 12:00 AM ET/PT, Jul 28, 2008 10:30 PM ET/PT, Jul 28, 2008 1:30 AM ET/PT, Aug 03, 2008 3:30 PM ET/PT, Aug 08, 2008 9:30 PM ET/PT, Aug 08, 2008 12:30 AM ET/PT

Originally published 5-6-2008 ; Updated 6-22-2008