City Cafe

A dear friend suggested this place, or rather demanded I eat breakfast here. I am very glad they did. It's a place that you can feel has a ton of history. I ordered scrambled eggs, smoked link sausage, homefries and a biscuit with gravy. It was all delicious. But I need to call out two items. The smoked sausage was incredible. Tons of flavor and probably one of the best breakfast sausages I've ever had. But the biscuit. Look, you could tell by looking at this thing that it was going to be great. It appeared at first glance to be 87% butter. It almost tasted like cornbread a bit. God it was so good. If you find yourself in Tuscaloosa, I highly recommend you head here for breakfast. They open at 4!

Go for the food. Service is friendly but be prepared for a wait. Locals are used to it but first-timers may be in for a shock at the line. You wait for a table to be free and seat yourself. It’s also not the kind of place where you languish over your meal. Eat and move on. If you have mobility issues, this is probably not the place for you as there is only a bench to sit while you wait. My mom is 90 with a walker and had to sit outside until a table was free. Granted, we knew this. They do take-out. No complaints, it’s just how it is. I can’t wait to return!

A great Meat and Vegetable place to grab lunch or even a nice breakfast. If you are in Tuscaloosa when UA is in session then you should stop here and catch the local flavor. It’s been in business for a long time and there is a reason… it’s good.

Called in an order and still waited 20 minutes for it. It was not prepared correctly the young lady Sabrina noticed and communicated with the kitchen only for them to microwave a piece of cheese on my hash browns!! Called and spoke with Michelle extremely rude she nearly threatened me that I would be no longer able to eat there if I complained basically. ATP I paid $16 for poor service and food. Pancakes under cooked, hash browns garbage microwaved and the omelette grease and under portion.

Normally I would give it a 5 but today I was so disappointed. As I was looking at the menu, the waitress said they were only serving breakfast at that time and it would be at least 30 minutes before we could order off the lunch menu. I'm not a breakfast person but I just had minor surgery and needed something , so I ordered anyway. It was about 5 minutes later the table behind me ordered off the lunch menu so when the waitress came back by, I asked why. She said she messed up on the time. Giving me excuses on her mess up. I just asked a question but I guess I offended her and someone else took our table. The other lady was nice but we still didn't get the service we have always got in the past. Will I go back, sure. Great food and usually great service.

I've been eating here since I was a child. You'd be hard pressed to meet a local who has never eaten here. I recommend both breakfast and lunch. Meat and 3 vegetables for lunch. Menu changes depending on the day of the week. If you go at lunch, be prepared to stand and lurk over the tables while anxiously awaiting someone to get up. Gobble it up and leave quickly. The line typically spans 3 rooms and it's standing room only. If you're looking to sit and chat for hours, this is NOT the place for that. The waitresses know the locals and know their drink orders and salad dressing of choice. It's an iconic landmark and a true staple of Northport.

Honestly, given City Cafe’s reputation, I was disappointed. They serve very simple southern dishes. The fresh vegetables were excellent. The chicken and dumplings were excellent. The Cole slaw was excellent. The baked chicken strips were dry and somewhat tasteless. The chicken fried steak appeared to be a frozen patty not made in house. It was also somewhat tasteless and appeared to chicken instead of beef. The deserts were average. Service was excellent. I wish I could give more stars but the food was just too inconsistent.

First ate here in 1992, my first year at the University of Alabama. Just had breakfast here 33 years later and it's every bit as good as it has ever been. A legendary spot that is an institution in Tuscaloosa County. Can't wait to come back again soon!

Went there for the first time today and really enjoyed the food. It came out warm and fresh. They were extremely busy but we didn't have to wait but a few minutes. The servers were all fast paced and seemed to be on their game. We were greeted, order taken and then food was out. The atmosphere was your old school era, so to speak but pleasant. Definitely is a great place to eat!

The food was amazing, incredible home cooked style breakfast! The service was slow which is fine considering they were busy, but they staff didn't seem too attentive to their tables. Overall good place to eat with incredible food, just be prepared to wait a while because they will most likely be busy.

Any time we are in the Tuscaloosa area, City Cafe is a must. With good homestyle cooking and incredibly reasonable prices, you'll leave feeling full and your wallet won't be hurting. This trip we arrived an hour before closing and I think that hurt our overall service experience. It took a bit to be seated, which was to be expected. Seating is first come first serve and you stand in line and wait for a table to open up. Once seated, our server took our order and we pretty much did not see her again. Another server took care of drink refills while another actually brought our food. The food itself was good and I have no complaints, I just would not order the mac and cheese again. Our toddler was a big fan of the cornbread! Overall, we had a good experience and I'm sure we'll be back the next time we come to town.

As classic as in gets. Came to town for a football game and came here and it did not disappoint. Basic menu but everything was great. The fried chicken was amazing. I tried my buddies catfish and it was really good too. Very friendly staff who explained all the food options. The ambiance is an old southern cafe

If you want the classic diner experience head on down to city cafe. No frills just solid breakfast/lunch. I ordered the 3 eggs plus meat (bacon) and the sausage egg sandwich with tomato Total cost $10.62. I left stuffed and planning my lunch visit. I went at 4am so they weren't busy but there were a few of us gathered outside waiting for the door to open-that says a lot. You can call ahead for pick up, order to go or eat in. Just a good classic all American diner. They do not accept Apple Pay at this time.

You want good southern grandma cooking ? Go here for breakfast or lunch. They aren't open for supper or weekends!

We decided to stop here for a quick lunch. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the food was. It was a bit of a wait for a table but it wasn't too bad, and ended up being worth it. Great portions sizes and prices.

A great place to grab breakfast and lunch without feeling ripped off afterwards. A fixture in old downtown Northport. Try it once and you won't regret it.

Had breakfast here everything was very good ! eggs cooked perfectly, gravy was delicious, grits excellent, biscuits fantastic , plenty of bacon , took too long to get coffee, waitress was nice but took a while it was busy but .... Anyway only three things I would change , first off we get a gallon glass of water , it's heavy glasses huge waste of time , I'm not a horse I don't need a gallon of water before my coffee , serve small glasses so you can get coffee on the same tray , seemed like 15 bowls for each person way too many , I'd hate to pay your dish washing labor and soap, last but not least , how in the hell can you serve margarine,? real butter would definitely be better just ask Nikis west or Bright Star , remember cut out the gallon of water , ten dishes for each person and butter .

Good food and even better prices! (We fed 4 adults and 2 kids and got 3 desserts for $50). The service was quick and the servers were VERY friendly. The ambiance was very much like a small town. I highly recommend City Café! All I can say is, "Geaux Tigers!"

Best breakfast in town. Great service for the great price. Love the country feel!!! It just feels like Alabama. Has a true country kitchen feeling.

We were visiting our niece who's attending U of A in Tuscaloosa. This small cafe was recommended for good food at low prices. It's late morning and the place is packed, though we managed to get a table fairly quickly. We ordered a plate of biscuits, served warm and with honey. Delicious! Damn near the best I've ever eaten. The service was good . . . though it took over 40 minutes for our food to arrive. My Western Omelet was runny (under cooked) but the grits were on point. There is a lot of U of A athletic memorabilia on the walls. The building is old but the prices were reasonable. It's only open for breakfast and lunch.

Best fried chicken I have ever eaten! Sometimes the line is long, but it is always worth it! The chicken and dumplings is also amazing!

Every Friday morning, my little family has breakfast to start our weekends! The food and service never disappoints! The staff are so nice and kind to us and never make us feel unwelcome. We love them!!

This far one of the best little hidden gems in the area. I've lived in Alabama most of my life and spent years visiting the Tuscaloosa and Northport Area. We are residents of Tuscaloosa County all the places I have eaten this by far is the best. I didn't know this little Cafe has been in the area since 1931. We will definitely be back. Everyone was friendly and accommodating to us.

Very good food fast service and love the atmosphere! Makes me feel like it's 1975 ! Wow!

Very very very good good good food food food I eat there two til three a week I love there salad and field pea

If you miss your moms good home southern cooking you can't go wrong with City Cafe. Same of the best dishes that I remember grandma making. A little history from way back I think about 1952 if not mistaken my Dad worked there while in the National Guards. Mr.Hoyt ran the place at the time. While not having drills my dad worked there cooking and washing dishes. He actually made enough to buy some land in Samantha Al. and at that time built a country house for He and My mother which is still on the property. He was 19 from what I gather, he worked there until he was called to B.f goodrich. He worked in final finish. My Dad continued to work at BFG for 42 years. Then he enjoyed his retirement until he passed in 2001. So we go back many years and it's the best home cooked food you can get away from home. When all the college students miss moms cooking hit City Cafe up. It will not disappoint. Nice portions and great quality food and reasonably priced. MaRsHa H. NORTHPORT Al My dad James M. Dennis

A true local gem. True southern meat and three! all delicious offering. The fried green tomatoes are a MUST !

Great food and a very busy restaurant. They have so many regular customers and this tells me everything must be good.

If you like the staples this is the place to go! Good price and great food! It's a must for breakfast or lunch! I grew up on this so expect some good eats! It's a hole in the wall but I love it so much!!!!

I'm a long time patron of City Cafe I definitely recommend them prices are very reasonable and the food is mouthwatering

Great food, fast service, old time atmosphere just super busy place. Best meat snd three you will have anywhere. Staff is friendly but a bit pushy due to how busy they are.

Happened upon this gem for lunch today (thanks to Yelp). It was great. Friendly staff, delicious food, and wonderful prices. Our family does not eat pork so we were pleasantly surprised to learn that the vegetables didn't have lard in them. My husband was so excited to get peas (that were great btw). We usually can only eat peas at home. Ha! Waitress said the cabbage is the only side dish that has sausage, the rest even vegan or vegetarians could eat if need be. We will definitely recommend this place to others!!

This has rapidly become my go to for any meal. Breakfast is great as are the daily specials and their meat and threes. Always worth your time.

Amazing food at amazing prices. I have yet to have anything less than a lovely time here. It's a Tuscaloosa institution for a reason, and you really do feel like family here. Be sure to try the turnip greens and fried green tomatoes if you get a chance!

We're regular customers. Awesome food and service, highly recommended.

Great price and simple, easy to enjoy menu. Meat +3 for the win. Gets extremely busy at lunch time but it's worth it and tables turnover quick

Okay so the food is very basic meat and 3 but OMG the prices and service are the best you'll get in all of Alabama. The waitresses all call you honey and dear and are so friendly. Tip them well like you would your momma! This place is like coming home. Please just go and bring cash! Not sure if they take cards now but as a college student I remember always forgetting to bring cash lol. Luckily a good friend wouldn't mind paying $5 yes $5 for my meal.

A blast from the past. This place kept me and my friends full when we were on an tight food budget. Can't wait to visit when I'm in T-Town again!! #rolltide

Even on the worst day, the food is A++++. It's a staple in Tuscaloosa and worth the wait on even the busiest of days. A lot of food for the money too! Try the pie! They are all great!

Best meat and 3 around. Their breakfast is outstanding as well if you go early enough in the day. It's a ton of food for a very low price and it's excellent. You are going to get out of their for under 10 dollars with tax and tip. Never had a bad meal here either. If you are going for lunch, go before 11:45 or after 12:45 otherwise you'll stand in line for 5 to 10 minutes for a seat on most days. Biggest downside is that they are closed on the weekends.

For me, City Cafe is serviceable but not impressive. It was extremely busy around lunch time on a Tuesday, with only one table left for us to settle. Our waitress was very pleasant but could NOT get our drink orders right. Two of us asked for Pepsi. One was brought Pepsi, but the other (who happens to get migraines from fake sugar) was brought Diet Pepsi THREE times in a row. She gave up and ordered sweet tea after that. The first, who originally got a regular Pepsi, was given a Diet for a refill. Not sure if they got their tanks switched or what, but it was frustrating. Our orders were as follows: Chicken fried steak, slaw, mashed potatoes; Country fried steak, mashed potatoes, and dry lima beans; And a fried chicken breast fillet with mac and cheese and dry lima beans. The chicken fried steak was probably the best of the meats. The country fried steak was adequate. For some reason, I misunderstood and expected my fried chicken to be an actual fried chicken breast rather than a fillet, which was closer to chicken schnitzel (thin cutlet, no bone, crispy breading). My mistake, as it says what it is on the menu...but it also seems a little weird that a down home restaurant doesn't have REAL fried chicken. The slaw was disappointing and lacking flavor, the mashed potatoes were fine but unremarkable, and the mac and cheese was pretty good - probably the best side item. Be aware that dry lima beans are different from lima beans. Dry are very light brown in coloration, rather than green/yellow, and tend to blow up in size and get a starchy, almost mealy texture. Not as good as regular limas, in my opinion, and I didn't like that they were thrown on the plate with the chicken rather than in a small cup or bowl. The juices seeped all over the chicken fillet, which meddled with the otherwise crispy breading. We split a piece of chocolate pie for dessert after the waitress raved about it. It might be a decent piece of pie if one had never had my mother's chocolate pie, but since I have...it was disappointing. The chocolate filling was very sweet and closer to a mousse, and the graham cracker crust was far too gritty. I sound very critical, but there was nothing BAD about City Cafe. The prices are very good and the menu is quite varied. Just not sure I'd come back when I'm so accustomed to really outstanding home cooking!

Friends tell me this is their favorite breakfast place. The food must be really good to make up for the staff who wouldn't give me the time of day. It's a "seat yourself" place, but everything was either occupied, closed (Covid distancing), or filled with dirty plates. I stood at the front for more than ten minutes and no staff ever acknowledged me. Then a local-looking couple entered and were offered a booth -- "We'll clear a booth for you." I went to Cracker Barrel where the staff are always friendly.

I don't know how you do it, City Cafe, but your restaurant is exactly like I remember it from 40 years ago. Your food is fantastic and your prices are still low. Your service is fast and friendly, and I felt as if I had never left! This is a true gem, folks. Small-town Southern cooking at its very best.

City cafe is your classic southern breakfast and meat and three. I have been here for breakfast several times and have always been pleased. Their food is basic and you cant really customize it to your liking, but it is good. The real draw is the service and the regulars that chat about football/family. Just a good down home place to get a meal

Best place to go for home cookin! Great prices and good size portions. You can't go wrong with the chicken and dumplings on Tuesdays.

Love the atmosphere! Unique place. The food was delicious. We had breakfast. Loved the biscuits, the grits, and the coffee!!

No excuse for bland food. Mac and cheese is better out of a Kraft box. Country Fried steak came without gravy. Bread was cold and plain, might as well have left it out. Can't believe this is a highly rated lunch spot. Tuscaloosa must have low standards or the restaurant has dropped severely.

City Cafe has long been a staple of Northport! I have never had a bad meal here. Everything is tasty and of good quality. The food, drinks, and service are all offered with love. The customer service is second to NONE! Meatloaf, fried chicken breast, chicken and dressing, and pot roast are just a few of the favorites!

City Cafe might be the most overrated restaurant south of the Mason-Dixon. How has this place stayed in business this long? Fried chicken: dry. Mac and cheese: repulsive. Service: sub par. Ranch: tasted like Windex. If you want to neglect your body, go to City Cafe. Hospital food

I have eaten here many times over the 30 plus years living in Tuscaloosa. The food and service haven't changed at all!! Which is a great thing! This is a meat and three for under $7. The only reason I give it four stars is because it is not a fancy place to eat. The food is excellent as most times you can tell it is fresh but the cream corn is definitely not fresh. I took my my nephew yesterday for lunch and taught him the unwritten rules of waiting for a table. You must watch who was in line when you get there and let them take the next available table. Don't be a jerk and grab a table just because you are the closest to that table. His take on the food: not a crumb was left on his plate. He even ordered a to go order so he could have another serving once he got back to the dorm!! If you are from Tuscaloosa, it never fails, you will always see someone you know!!

Deliciouuuuuuuuus! Had the chicken breast filet, String beans mashed potatoes,Mac n' cheese. Get there early because it gets packed. You won't leave hungry :)

This place is a gem for the Northport-Tuscaloosa area. Located right smack in the middle of downtown Northport, it's surrounded by neat places for shopping and sightseeing in the historical area. If you like southern home style cooking for a CHEAP price and large servings, this is the place! Beyond your typical Cracker Barrel, this place actually has flavor in their food too! Don't get let down and show up after three! They're only open for breakfast and lunch! Breakfast is by far my favorite! Service is decent for the type of place, and like I said the food is top notch!

I was in Tuscaloosa for the day and a friend suggested we go to City Cafe for lunch! We got there around 1130am or a little bit before. When you get walk in, you can definitely tell it's one of those places with some good history. Wood paneling and photographs decorated the interior which gave it that "Mom and Pop" vibe. It reminded me of one of the places you can hear someone saying, "I've been coming here since 1975." Anyways, you just sit wherever and someone would come serve you. For 4 people, we were able to find seating, with a few spots remaining. The food here is definitely what I like to call Southern. Lots of choices for meat and vegetables were arranged by day. I also noticed the food was cheap (speaking my language). I decided to get the fried catfish fingers with stewed squash and mac & cheese. Food came out in a fair amount of time. I was quite pleased with my meal at the price point! It was also a lot of food! The catfish was hot and crispy, the squash was not oversalted, and the mac and cheese was okay to me. Our meals also came with rolls and cornbread. By this time it was around lunch and more people starting to come in, so heads up to people coming around the lunch hour. Overall, for the price, how much food I got, and the taste... I was pleased! I would recommend eating here at least once!

Favorite for breakfast, I can get sausage gravy biscuits and the hubby gets eggs, bacon, grits as well as biscuits with gravy all under $15 tip included. Favorite for lunch is their Catfish fingers with a side of cole slaw , more than I can eat! A full plate of just the Catfish!

It is good but not the best. Some of the vegetables if not all are canned for lunch. Breakfast is better. But they are popular because they have been around for a long time. Not my go to.

We're visiting from Michigan and wanted to try some southern staples. We got: fried chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, greens, fried okra, cobbler, creamed corn, and the cornbread and roll that came with the meal. The food was great with the exception of the greens which were too salty. The chicken was good but like other dishes here, I wish it had more seasoning--but definitely worth getting anyway!

Had a great lunch today at this local cafe. Always nice to find great comfort food with friendly service with affordable pricing. Ample parking at the side lot makes this an easy accessible restaurant. Be sure to check out the daily special menu.

I have been going to City Cafe for years. They have great lunch and breakfast. My favorite meal is their beef tips and rice, with a side of mash potatoes and field peas. And of course their tea!