Davis Cafe

First time in Montgomery in some time and wanted to try a new spot for lunch. Found Davis cafe. Do not be dismayed by the surrounding. The place is surrounded by vacant lots and actually looks like a closed business. Open the door and you are treated to a great menu with some fantastic food, all with great service. I selected the liver and onions which was perfect. The price is right but be prepared as each day there are specific entrée options. Plenty of street parking.

Looks like an abandoned building but I heard the food was good so I went as an adventure. My food was very average. I had pork chops and they were just deep fried. Pretty good but very greasy. The cornbread was tasteless, out of a box I suspect. I’m probably just cornmeal. The sides were ok. I’ve had worse for sure and I do think that maybe I could have have gotten something better. Maybe it was an off day. Take a chance maybe. I’ll probably give it one more to see.

I try to eat here every time I come to Montgomery. Only open 3 hours for lunch. Food is excellent. Real cornbread dressing not out of a jiffy box. Real cornbread . Real sweet potatoes ,excellent butter beans. I think the collards were frozen but still good. It’s a true soul food place. And honestly a real dump outside. Inside not so bad. Not the friendliest folks when it comes to customer relations but I’m rating the food. Service was ok but they don’t have enough people waiting tables. I notice the lot and building are for sale and it’s actually a prime property location . I hope they make enough money on the sale to move to another location. Maybe take a Dale Carnegie course on how to win friends and influence people. They would get 10 times more business.

I got the beef liver and onion. Real homemade flavors. You’re gonna want to set some time aside during and maybe after because it’s the kind of place to have you laying down on grandmas couch afterwards. Not a lot of parking so ordering ahead might be a good idea if you in a hurry. But don’t worry if you late and ate at Davis cafe you’ll end up where you supposed to be either way.

Great local meat and three spot. The fried chicken is great with a criapy crust without being dry inside. The squash was well seasoned and the cornbread is delicious. The menu changes daily.

You don't come here for the atmosphere. You come here for the food and come back again for the food! Usually very friendly service and the staff works as fast as they can to get you in and out in a timely way. Call ahead for faster service!

The 2025 Williams Family Reunion was held in Atlanta, GA, earlier this month of August. One of our ansestors history is told at the The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL. So 50 family members wanted to take the 2 hour trip from Atlanta to see his story. Since time was going to be an issuie of getting back to Atlanta, GA. I recherched and found the Davis Cafe and spoke to Shelia and asked if they had seating together for our party and could we prepay our individual orders and have the food ready once we arived in Montgomery. The repretation and reviews that prompted me to choice this outstanding landmark goes without question. So, if you are ever in the capitol city of Montgomery, give you and your party a treat and some amazing food when you visit Davis Cafe. I wish they were in Atlanta, like the old saying goes "The food is so good it wants you to go and slap your Mama" - A great time for sure, thaks for the service. - Brandon K. Hardison

The best meat and three I think I've ever had, hands down! I had the Friday menu with Dressing, Mac n' Cheese, Blackeyed Peas, Green Baby Lima Beans and Cornbread Muffins with Sweet Tea to drink! Needless to say but you will be full when you leave here! I got a to-go plate so I can have a delicious lunch tomorrow!

The Food is amazing! They have a daily menu so some items change depending on the day. The fried Chicken was so moist and flavorful with a nice crispy skin. The greens were amazing! The service was amazing and friendly. The ambiance is nice and friendly.

First time in Montgomery in some time and wanted to try a new spot for lunch. Found Davis cafe. Do not be dismayed by the surrounding. The place is surrounded by vacant lots and actually looks like a closed business. Open the door and you are treated to a great menu with some fantastic food, all with great service. I selected the liver and onions which was perfect. The price is right but be prepared as each day there are specific entrée options. Plenty of street parking.

I used to eat here when I lived and worked in Montgomery. Good southern good and small community atmosphere.

AMAZING FOOD!!!!!! It's a must try if you're new to the area!!! The service was great as well. Hometown soul food cooking is just what I needed.

Today I made a big mistake!! I ordered a quart of dressing from Martin's Restaurant! it was $20 for a quart. They didn't even have the decency to put the dressing in a small pan. I was given a 32 oz cup with a torn lid. Not to mention they called me three times to make sure I was picking up the poorly prepared order. I am very disappointed and if you are planning on getting dressing already prepared for the holiday I strongly recommend you find somewhere else to go. Overated and expensive!!

Oh yes it is still a five. Davis keeps bringing it to be one of the South's premier soul food cafes. Open now only for lunch but you still want that fried chicken, the perfect cornbread, and please more peas and beans!

Your Mom. Your grandma. Your Auntie. Your favorite church lady. Eating good memories!!!

The fried chicken was legit, the rice and gravy was perfect and the greens were probably the best I've ever had. 10/10. Yeah, the outside is intimidating but the food and service were superb.

If you leave Montgomery without stopping into Davis, you have truly missed out. I went for breakfast --a super simple meal but filling and flavorful.

Just as good (maybe better) s Grandma's! This gem of a restaurant is located in downtown Montgomery. You cannot get a better homemade, soul food lunch than this!

Nice local spot for some simple southern fare at great prices. The outside can be a bit intimidating but don't judge a book by it's cover. The folks are friendly and serve safely. I had the pancakes and link sausage both were well prepared.

My first visit was 2/17/2023. I must say I was fully satisfied and FULL when I finished my meal. I ordered to go, and after I finished half of my tips and rice, I was DONE! Finally, around 6 pm, I had the strength and room in my stomach, I finished the meal. Tomorrow, 2/26/2023, I'm going in for the turkey and dressing. BTW, their new hours 11:30 am until 2 pm. Nuff sed!

I was visiting from NYC & looking for some authentic Southern soul food. The lady at the counter & the waitress were so welcoming & kind. The food was delicious, filling, & affordable. 5/5!

Great stop for a quick lunch at the Davis cafe. Fall off the bone juicy ribs, "just right" fried whiting fish, and large pieces of juicy fried chicken. As for sides, the five of us loved the purple hull peas with okra the best and the collard greens too--seasoned just right! The Mac and cheese was not so great, it was a weird type of cheese used in it. The yams were delicious but perhaps a bit too sweet. The cornbread had a nice crust while being fluffy and light in the middle of it. We all cleaned our plates and highly recommend this place for lunch! The banana pudding for dessert was SO fresh and the best we've had so I had to edit this post just to recommend it!!!!!

Hands down the best meat and 3 I've ever been to! Just passing through I wanted food that reminded me of home and I found it!

A REAL TIME WARP!!! WOW! Id be very surprised if anyone that ever reads this is older than this restaurant! I really don't know how old it is, Id guess 1930's?? You take a look at the pictures and take a guess. I really don't know though. I find it just so interesting to come into one of these places like this and look around and wonder. I love a trip back in time. I went for lunch. They lay a daily sheet of what they have on the tables. It doesn't have prices though for the foods, just prices for desserts. You can ask, and each food items ends in an odd number like a 2, 3 4, 8 or something like that. Then they add a tax, and Alabama has a real high tax on prepared food, 10% There were 4 mains to choose from and I went for the liver and onions. The sides I got were the turnip greens and the Large Dry Lima beans. Dry means made from died beans rather than a can, fresh or frozen. The beans were the best! YUM! The liver and onions and greens were ok. The best part was just looking around at things and how it runs and going back in time. Theres few places like this left around the country, or at least few near places that most people are. The green plate has probably been used thousands of time! Everything looks original but they did have a small portable TV sitting on a table that looked like maybe to be just 20-25 years or so old. It wasn't in use. No, it wasn't a flat screen. The outside looks a bit rough but its better inside. The sign is blackened from ?? Maybe its rust, and you can barely read it. You just walk in and turn left if you want an order to go, or just take a seat if you want to eat in. When done just bring your ticket to the lady by the register. She can add on the tip there and they DO take credit cards. There is parking on the street and an empty lot next to the place. If you want a simple place and a trip to the past, You will find it here!!!

Decrepit on the outside, popular and friendly much loved inside The sign outside says for sale. They aren't going to serve breakfast after April and will only be open 11 until 3. Very standard no frills southern breakfast.

Great old school vibes as the restaurant is very old. When I say best customer service ever though! Like instant refills whatever I need at all times. Out there way service better than any service I've gotten in Montgomery. I ordered the wing meal which is not listed but you can order any version you like when it comes to the chicken. I had collard greens and peas as my side. I'm a country girl and this hit the spot! They also had banana pudding made to perfection in my mind since it was loaded with soft cookies. Will be back very very soon.

Came upon this spot randomly. BEST IDEA ever. The food is phenomenal, a prototypical down home southern breakfast. If you're not a fan of butter, though, this place might not be it for you because the grits, toast, and pancakes are drenched in it. I enjoyed the smoked sausage, grits with cheese, egg scrambled hard, toast and two hotcakes. The prices are extremely cheap so I would suggest trying many different breakfast items. The waiters are really nice. Old school vibe. Good atmosphere.

Finally tried Davis Cafe for lunch today. Had the Fried Chicken, Greens, Rice and Gravy and finished with the Red Velvet Cake!! Everything was great, the staff was friendly. If your looking for traditional Soul Food-- don't miss this place. Don't let the outside of the building scare you away-- truest a great Southern Experience!!

Southern Soulfood, Meat and Three, Gathering a Point for All Backgrounds...at it's best! Dr. King would be proud. This is what restaurants on Bham's 4th Ave District should mimic. Go now: especially after visiting the state capitol, archives, or the Dexter Baptist Church as we did. Be brave: to visit the other side of the tracks where danger is a myth created by the media, but great opportunities, people, and restaurants like this await! This place is popular: but try updating (lighting, floors, tables) a tad, regardless of the point to keep it original. The signage is necessary and purposeful...Keep it! Order: fried tilapia, crispy fried chicken alongside the Mac and cheese, greens, Cole slaw, and the corn bread muffins will serve as mini mops for any juices that remain. I will return! Thanks for the recommendation Miss Wanda B.!

Always a stop when I travel between Nola and Charlotte. Once you dine once the place will always be part of your agenda

We came out here about 20 deep from California. We wanted some real southern style, home cooked, authentic, "Soul Food", so we were on a quest to find some. We were staying downtown, but we know how most cities downtown areas are gentrified, so we had to go deeper in the city to find what we wanted. We wanted Soul Food. Not Mexican food, we eat that in Cali all day. So after asking around to some of the locals, we decided to come to Davis Cafe. When we got there, we didn't know it was the spot. Its not the most appealing to the eye from the outside, but that is exactly what we wanted. We knew the food had to be good. I don't eat pork, so my choices were a bit limited, but I went on the day that they had meatloaf. So I had meatloaf, potato salad, mac & cheese. Very good. Even the banana pudding was good, and most people can't make good banana pudding. I reccoment to anyone sliding to Montgomery, pull up over here one time.

If you are a fan of real southern cooking and sick of corporate chain restaurants this is the the real deal! (They are disappearing all to fast)

If you are looking for a delicious, authentic Southern meat-and-three, look no further than Davis Cafe. It is a dive with its quirks, but the food is a sure thing. I always order fried chicken (white meat only) and it is never greasy and always cooked to perfection. The sides and entrees change daily, but the macaroni and cheese, mashed yams, and lima beans never disappoint. The people are so nice and service is fast. They offer take out, too.

This is a breakfast dive. The location is in an old building with boarded windows. You might not know it was there but let me tell you it's a hidden gem. When you want some good country cooking, a soul breakfast then this is your place the people are friendly and the service is prompt and fast. I ordered grits, eggs and salmon. I also ordered a pancake on the side, and I'm glad I did. That pancake was excellent it was cooked to perfection with the crisp on the edges. The grits were good too they came with butter already in them. Salmon patties were good. I like that they don't over salt the food perfect balance of seasoning. The lemonade was Super Sweet. I will be back.

What a strange little place. It's all boarded up from the outside and if I hadn't seen pictures of the building here on Yelp, I would've kept on walking. It's a super casual place. Go in and sit on down, like you're at home. Don't wait to be seated. The food was tasty. I came here for a real Southern breakfast so had to get the grits. They were oozing butter. A little bit of pepper perked them right up. The pancake was soft and fluffy but the syrup comes out of plastic packages like at McDonald's. So it tasted a bit on the chemically side. The coffee was a little burned tasting. Overall, it was a serviceable meal and CHEAP ($5). But it's not a place I'll dream wistfully of as I languish in a Yankee winter.

Stop by with the intentions of getting breakfast but at 10:30 or something like that they stop serving breakfast but we ended up getting some good soul food with cornbread

Real southern cooking. Authentic. Until I walked inside, I wasn't even sure I was at the right place! This is the type of place people go to for the food and because they know someone who suggested it. Menus are just the food that's available printed out on a white piece of copy paper. I had fried fish, collard greens, Mac n cheese (listed under vegetables) and cole slaw. With sweet tea and red velvet cake for dessert. I'll be exercising for weeks to burn it off. Worth it.

Love this place. It's a southern dive with some awesome food. Looks like it's closed but it's not! Get the hotcakes (no they are not pancakes they are much, much better) the fried chicken and grits. Loved the crowd, diverse and everyone talked with each other, very cool. Low prices so make sure you tip the servers well. Go Bama!

2 Eggs over easy, grits and link sausage. Over easy here was over wet, so if you are skeemish about uncooked whites you may want to get specify. The linked sausage was like a polish sausage... very taste. This place is almost a 5 for my breakfast order. I feel awesome right now.

Great simple awesome food. In a basic setting. Totally genuine grits over egg and cheese. Those ladies looked after me for 4 breakfasts. Let them order for you

Best breakfast I've had in a long time. Very very reasonably priced and will be returning for breakfast again tomorrow. My husband and I got the salmon sandwich, eggs, sausage, grits, toast, a pancake, and 2 sweet teas (don't tell my grandma that this sweet tea is better than hers) for less than $13.

This is probably my favorite soul food restaurant in Montgomery. I have went to a couple places but this one was fast and delicious. The Oxtails and liver are the best. Red velvet cake was unbelievable!!! It loved the service as well.

OMG that's all I can really say. The food was DISGUISING. They had ORANGE mac and cheese. Anyone who knows about GOOD food knows mac n cheese should not be orange. The dressing was nasty. The collards tasted like turnips out the can. NEVER will I EVER eat here again. The fried chicken did have a nice taste to it. I guess why they got one star lol

Had breakfast. Nice people old place. Lunch menu seemed interesting but did not have chance to try.

This is most definitely my favorite soul food spot. The turkey and dressing and just unexplainable. I visit this place every Wednesday. I just love everything on the menu. Oh yeah and then breakfast!!! Just go visit you won't regret it!!!

The food is okay. Typical home cooked soul food. Not in the best neighborhood, but acceptable. I prefer a competitor (who shall not be mentioned here.)

First time in Montgomery and this was a great place for Southern food. Everyone in our party loved their food. Food was seasoned perfectly. Simple memu but meats and vegetables were just like grandma made. Top off meal with homemade banana pudding.

So if you come to Montgomery and want fried "chikin" that will make you want to slap yo mama! Come to Davis, have the "pully bones" yeah that's the wishbone. Have lots of sides, it's all good.

Great place for meat and 3. Traditional Southern food that makes your mouth water. Kind of a hole in the wall location, but walk inside and you are in Soul Food Heaven. A must try if your in Montgomery Alabama.... Kinda goes with what the area is all about! You'll see... It's great food and a great deal.... Every face in the place is smile'n! Sweet tea like Mama used to make!

Best value I have seen in a long time. We each had a large breakfast meal and a cup of coffee for about $5. Awesome food and friendly service for a great price. The hotcakes and the link sausages were great. Nondescript storefront off the beaten path.

This is the real deal - soul food. Don't let the outside scare you away. Food is great. A great Southern experience.

Eat like a local. It's a dive, but who cares when the fried chicken and okra are this good. Sweet tea was tasty as well. Off the path, but very worth it.

I have no idea no one yet to rate this place!!1 IT IS AWESOME!!! Its your mom's cooking at a resturant need I say more... Although the area maybe a bit scary but the people and food make it all worthwhile. The grits, ham, and eggs, are huge.. Come hungry and you will leave happy ready to take a nap!!!

If you want authentic soul food for a cheap price, come here. I had grits, eggs, toast, sausage links, and a coffee for $4.70 after tax. It was delicious. The tables are a wee bit sticky, but it doesn't matter. The staff is super friendly, and the people there seem to be a part of the fabric of Montgomery. If you are the type to judge a restaurant by a few boarded up windows, then don't even bother coming in. It isn't for you.

After reading reviews and accepting the recommendations of a museum guide, my party decided to eat at Davis Café. Let me just say, that on the day we went southern hospitality and good cooking had the day off.

Very disappointed because we did not get to actually try the food. Traveled out of our way to discover they do not serve breakfast after 10:00am and do not start serving lunch until 11:15am.

Great food great value,the gifts were off the chain next time in Alabama will visit again.