Dawson's Kitchen

If you are looking for good soul food please go to Dawson's kitchen. The food is delicious and service is 10/10 👌😍 They have the creamiest mac & cheese 😋😋

Love love love this place! Everything we had so far tasted phenomenal. So good that we went 2 days straight. Most of the restaurants here are too salty for me but Dawson’s makes it just right. They also have a great bakery. We love all kinds of cheese cakes. They are supporting local farmers too. Fresh produces with reasonable prices. We will definitely go back a try them all!

UPDATE: Recently tried again and the food was very good. The staff was great and wanted to please me. Apparently I was right in saying that before was just a bad day. It is rustic with limited seating. OLD REVIEW: Used to be great food but now the food looked great but poor flavor. Possibly food setting on warmers too long. Too much pepper in peas. Macaroni and cheese dried out. Chicken just not good. Cornbread used to be a big muffin now tiny. It's a quaint place with great staff. Maybe we went at a bad time.

We purchased dressing for Christmas dinner and I couldn't believe what I saw. We have eaten here in the past and the meals have been good. We even have purchased larger sides to have for family events and they have been good, however this time it was totally unacceptable. What was purchased for dressing looked like corn casserole. The product wasn't more than 1 inch high and looked dry after the restaurant cooked it . My understanding is the restaurant cooks a lot at one time at a high temperature so when you heat it back up it want dry out. I understand however mine looked like we got what was left at the end of a batch and wasn't filled. Needless to say not a quarter was eaten. The taste wasn't even acceptable. Want be purchasing anything again I'm done.

I am so glad the was a train stopped across the tracks and we decided to wait it out here to let it pass. This is definitely a hole in the wall and once you stop here, you will crave it! If the home cooked food with a rotating menu wasn't enough, they offer fresh produce, pies, cakes, sauces and spices. Somehow I never had chocolate pecan pie before going here. What have I been doing with my life? My granny will definitely have to get this recipe! The staff was very friendly, the food was superb. My only issue with the place is that it isn't closer to home! Keep up the phenomenal job!

When I think of soul comfort food, this fits the bill! The food was so delicious, fresh, & warm and the staff was even nicer. I got to meet Bob, their outdoor cat, who I think might’ve gotten his name from his adorable lack of tail. He’s a 10/10 Grade A Beggar and I thoroughly enjoyed his company on the patio. Such a sweetie! The fried chicken breast was moist and crunchy, the collard greens were delicious, and the Mac n cheese was so yummy. The only thing that could’ve topped all of this is if I wasn’t too full to grab some dessert! I’ll definitely be coming back. Thank you for some good cookin from good people!

I have had many meals and desserts from Dawson Kitchen before and they were delicious, but today I returned an unopened cake which the owner said it was ok to do so via email to my wife.once I was there doing so ,I was treated with so much disrespect by the manager and a staff member, I felt like it had to do with my skin color they was talking so loud and saying how they’re losing money with this return, and even stated for us to not return to the store. I don’t see how or why It was a problem for me to return the order and because of doing so be told to not return when the I never cause a problem there ever or even open the cake at all. The purchase was $50 and our first ever returned item after shopping in the store over 10yrs now.

Great service, great food and smiling faces. The place is real easy going and cozy. The atmosphere is welcoming and even has some friendly felines to greet you outside.

I don't know where to start on this, if you enjoy southern food and southern hospitality, go no further besides being the most hospitable folks I have met. had fried chicken, collards and the famous Mac and cheese. Start with the chicken light and crispy skin, super juicy and tender meat. The collards were some of the best I have had ever eaten, a taste sensation, " try the famous and I heard this many times Mac and cheese it was the one of the best . They were not fooling and not to forget the corn bread . The manger makes you experience even better. Thank you all for a great meal and your great southern hospitality. If I'm even close to Macon I will make it back.

What's that old saying...? Don't judge a book by its cover. Well, this cover screamed meat and 3, c'mon on it! The staff were very friendly, the place was cozy with some communal tables in the building, and the food was fresh and hot. The hot bar worked well. I chose chicken and dumplings, cabbage (I love cabbage but family doesn't- so it is a treat when I am traveling without them), and Mac and cheese- fantastic. You can chose between a roll or cornbread. I chose the roll- it was fresh and lovely. My entire meal (with water) and tip... around $12.50. Great experience and a local gem.

My husband had fried chicken, collards and Mac and cheese. Chicken and collards seemed a bit bland. We prefer more seasoning on both. He loved the Mac and cheese. We ordered an extra side of potato casserole and that had very good flavor. The cornbread is not what we are used. We prefer a sweeter and more moist bread. This was dry and falling apart. Sweet tea was great. Very interesting place as far as ambience

This place is the real deal, authentic southern home cooking. The building is old fashioned and inviting. The staff are friendly and helpful. The only reason I didn't vote 5 stars is because my food was wrong, I ordered the baked spaghetti and got ribs. Not that was a bad thing, the ribs I got were fall off the bone and delicious. My dad got roast beef and said it was kind of tough, but said overall the food was good. Finally the best part was the cheesecake squares we ordered, just the right amount of sweetness and you can tell it's homemade. Definitely will be coming back!

Good home cooked southern food and desserts! Only open for lunch, not breakfast or dinner.

Delicious, Southern homecoming, friendly staff, decent prices, laid back atmosphere, fresh produce, jams and jellies, cookies, cakes, pies, giant cinnamon rolls...and so much more in this cute little place! They have indoor and outdoor seating, and we even made a couple of local furry friends while taking in some sunshine on the deck! I definitely recommend a visit, whether to have a meal, pick up some fresh produce, or swing by to grab homemade goodies!

Staff is not friendly (specially kitchen workers). Food is mediocre and sweets are not good enough to consider visiting this place again.

Fantastic. Simply amazing. This place is an authentic, southern soul food place and the food is off the charts.

Really wanted to like this place but our fried chicken was really dry maybe because the quarter chicken was small and overdone. Cornbread muffin was dry and tasteless. On the bright side and upping the score to 3, the Mac and cheese was delicious and the Mexican wedding cookies were great. Would return for those 2 items.

Delicious! Some of the best Southern vegetables in the state. Baked goods are fantastic too.

Great service , like going to grandmas kitchen and trying to decide what to eat. Always comforting

This is a MUST in Macon! I dream about there fried chicken and bread. Plus they have bakery items and canned items as well for purchase. The best meat and three place in town!

I've lived in Macon most of my life and never eaten here, but my husband suggested takeout on our way home one night. I'm so glad we finally stopped by! The food was soo good. The ladies behind the line were so sweet and patient with my two year old who wanted to order his plate himself. My kiddo usually doesn't eat much meat, but even he ate a ton of his food. We'll definitely be back.

Dawson's Kitchen is SO good & they have the best chicken, dressing and gravy in Macon.

This place has delightful and delicious cakes. We were gifted a pound cake and the entire family agreed how scrumptious It was. The crumb was light and the top was sugary. We ordered an entire caramel cake, a vanilla layer cake, a hummingbird cake, and half carrot cake. The vanilla was my favorite. It was sweet and tender and the frosting was so soft and delicious. I will be back for a lunch some time.

Tucked into a side street in quaint Payne City you will find Dawson's. You are in for a treat. Walking through the front screened doors you will be transported back to a simpler time. The aromatic scent of comfort foods hangs in the air. Southern fried chicken, collard greens and fresh cinnamon buns just to name a few. Delicious baked goods just like Granny made them. Homemade ice creams including favorites from days gone bye. The banana is the real deal y'all. Don't forget to pick up fresh baked biscuits and rolls along with a block of hoop cheddar cheese before you leave. I couldn't resist getting 1/2 of a caramel cake and 1/2 of the hummingbird cake to take on my way. Did I mention the staff is just so friendly. Y'all come and sit awhile and tantalize your taste buds. This sweet little spot is definitely worth checking out. Hope y'all enjoy it as much as I did.

Pretty great place. Hidden gem in Macon for sure! Their salmon patties and mac n cheese were honestly delicious. Also they have an amazing selection of dessert including cakes, cookies, brownies, etc. Overall, service was top notch as well. I would caution that not everyone was wearing a face mask when serving food- which may be a deal breaker for some.

This is a restaurant and a bakery. Serving homestyle cooking with baked goods and vegetables for sale as well. My companion and I opted for the salmon cakes. I had rice, field peas, pole beans, and corn bread. The food was really tasty. The dining room is not large. There is outdoor seating. It was nice outside so we sat outdoors. The baked goods were pounds cakes, cookies, brownies, fresh made yeast roles, and lemon bars. We bought cookies. They were all delicious. This place is off the beaten path. There is an antiques mall next door that looked like it would have been fun to visit. You go through the line and choose your food and find a seat. Other meats included fried chicken and there were other vegetables and starches to choose from. I'd go back!!

I'm a regular meat-and-two goer, and Dawson's was mediocre at best. I had a veggie plate: turnip greens, black eyed peas, cabbage, and green beans. The food was lukewarm. The greens were soggy and overcooked. I really enjoyed the cabbage and cornbread. Macon has much better Southern, meat-and-two restaurants to offer if that's what you're looking for. I'm scratching my head trying to understand why Dawson's is so highly rated. Perhaps I came on the wrong day (their menu changes daily) and got the wrong thing. The restaurant looked very promising, so I'm willing to give it another chance. Next time I will try the desserts--they looked divine. But I didn't have any sweets this evening. They also had grab-in-go pimiento cheese, soups, and other sides that I would be interested in grabbing on the run.

I love this place. It's hard not to leave with a cart full of food, so many good choices. Fried chicken, yummy veggies and baked goods. Hard to choose. Menu varies daily but there is always something good. Heading into town next month & it's on my list!!

Dawson's was so good!!! While visiting Macon, we originally had planned to stop somewhere else for southern food. Luckily, the other place was closed and we ended up here. My friend who lives in Macon and was also a first timer said this was the best place she had been! I ordered the fried chicken with collard greens and mac and cheese. My meal also came with a roll. The chicken was fried to perfection - crispy on the outside but not dry on the inside. Full of flavor and very delicious. The mac and cheese was a perfect consistency of cheese and milk. The collard greens were the best I've had outside of homemade by my godmother. The staff was friendly and helpful. I even purchased some of their homemade hot sauce and peach preserves to take back with me to AZ and I'm so glad I did - the habanero hot sauce AMAZING. And I know good hot sauce, Im from AZ! For dessert, we had to try some baked goods. My friend and I shared a (huge) pack of cream cheese brownies that were perfect with a cup of coffee. She has since told me they're even better the next day (dang it for leaving them behind!!)

We were road tripping and had to stop in Macon, GA overnight...being in the deep South my tastebuds were craving fried chicken. Unfortunately most of the restaurants are closed on Mondays and with a fried chicken search I found this place. It's right by the train tracks and looks like an old picturesque barn-like bldg, with a feint porch. With the sun setting it was like a location from a movie. That was nice. Another unfortunate thing was that it was nearing closing time. They had just a few items left in their hot dishes and luckily there were a few fried chicken pieces, the bottom of the bin for collards and some squash gratin, which was good actually. I gotta say the chicken was still juicy although it looked like it had been sitting there for a while. They had no more sweet tea by then, was left with soda choices. Everything is served in those white foam containers, which in my opinion should be illegal by now! On a bright note the sun was streaming in by the tables covered with green and white gingham table covers, which give a quaint and country feel, cozy in that respect. Mixed feelings on a whole. Really more of a country grocery store with some hot food, but come early!

Found this place while traveling and it's honestly one of the BEST Southern restaurants I've ever eaten at. Everything was delicious, fresh, and homemade. You really can't get better than this! YUM. Make sure you get some cheese straws to go too! I will definitely be back when I'm in the Macon area again.

I've been wanting to visit this location because it has many fresh local vegetables and the menu looks delicious. When we arrived around 3:30pm, I was pleasantly surprised about how busy they were, so I took a minute to look at the different sauces, jams, deserts, soups, pimento cheese, and frozen vegetables. When the line thinned out for the cooked food, then we placed our order. We tried a little of everything. Fried chicken, smothered chicken, and beef tips and rice for the main meal. Then the sides were Mac-n-cheese, collard greens, and cornbread dressing and gravy. The chicken was fried to perfection! The smothered chicken was cooked in a cream of chicken gravy instead of a brown gravy, so it tasted like the holidays. The beef tips were nice and tender. The downside for me were the side dishes: the cornbread that was made for the dressing had a large amount of sugar cooked into it and I just hate soulfood that has sugar added. The collard greens could of been cooked down more and was heavily over smoked (seems like liquid smoke was used), and the Mac-n-cheese lacked salt and the bread crumb that was on top tasted like sugar as well! Please don't come here hungry or you will leave with the whole market! I removed a star due to the sugar that was in the cornbread, but overall I would return to this local gem. The highlight was the fresh frozen peas and beans, and the deserts for my family!

I love, love thus place. I was born in GA but now live up north. Every year I return to GA I eat here at least 3 times. The food is always nice and hot and plentiful. Their vegetables change daily and are always delicious. This is truly what I call good southern cooking. The deserts are all homemade. Not really a place to eat in, but they do have a eat in area. It's best to take it home.

Super tasty. Sides like cornbread dressing and hash brown casserole were so delicious. The rotisserie chicken was a little dry but had good flavor. Loved the friendly folks working there, too. Great homemade baked goods, too! Loved this down home southern cookin' spot!

Great fresh, hot food served by nice staff. The set up is great because when you enter you walk through the line and select what meal items you would like (different items offered on certain days so look over menu before you plan your trip). Everything we ate was hot and seasoned to perfection. There is also a bakery you can purchase pound cakes, strawberry cake, cookies, pies, muffins, etc. I would definitely recommend.

More like beef and rice soup. I know I'm southern but that doesn't mean I like my food drenched In gravy. Could have at least left some white rice.

Great southern food restaurant that changes their menu on a daily basis. They also sale cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. Definitely try this place out!

I have to leave a review for this place . I've eaten here MANY times since 2010 when a friend brought me here for lunch . Okay . Everything I have EVER had here is amazing . The lady who cooks , the people who work here , they're all so sweet and will treat you like they've invited you to their own home ! I always get the beef tips on rice with double mac and cheese when they have it certain days . Their mac and cheese is THE best ! I can't even begin to explain . The fried chicken is better than any fried chicken I've ever had to date . The cakes are amazing . The collards are amazing . And the cornbread !!! To die for ! This place may seem like a hole in the wall place for newcomers . But please try it . I will guarantee you'll be pleased and be coming back for more . 5/5 !!!

Always wanted to try this place. Disappointed. Roast beef was good but a little on the dry side. Customer service was LACKING(even though there were 3 staff behind in the cafeteria) they didn't say anything as we walked up to the serving line so we just walked all the way down until the lady at the end we asked and she said it was where we first entered.

Brought a coworker from out of town. What a treat! She had the beef tips with rice and squash casserole. I had the fried pork chop with dressing and green beans. Everything looked so good! Mm mm mm! Delicious. It's a bit hot and stuffy inside where they make the magic happen so you might want to take your meal to the front porch and have a chat with their kitty.

Simply Awesome! Delicious fresh food and spectacular service. Nice all together! I walked in as a newbie and left feeling welcomed.

Amazing place! When we got out of the car I said "It smells like mawmaw's kitchen." It did not disappoint. The food made me feel at home again. It was all very good. I ate everything on my plate and picked off my husband's. We did not try any desserts because we were entirely to full but they smelled and looked delicious. If you are in Macon and you don't go eat here you are doing yourself a disservice. Can't wait to go back and do it all over again!

Excellent southern food great fried chicken and turnips Susan the owner extremely friendly It's a must eat if you are in the area

Fresh veggies and best deserts in town. Very old fashioned and one of a kind. I live about 50 miles away but will be stopping by everytime I go through macon.

Beware of this place and the owner!! I was in the area and decided to stop by and purchase something to eat! I've always used my debit card the previous months I visited this location, and always get the same thing which is their chicken! So when I get to the counter to pay the owner Dawson was very very disrespectful to me! He Snatched my card and while doing so he say" Give me the Damn Card" then swipe my card as I was saying wait and never mind. By that time I became aware at the fact that this man was really serious about his actions! So he throws the card on the counter towards me as if I was a animal or less than! I asked to speak to the lady that's normally at the register which is his wife and he say's, " WHAT is she going to do, this is my shit"! And to not come back, all because of me telling him he was being disrespectful! I left with tears in my eyes because I shocked that he was speaking to me as if it was ok!! I'm a African American and Yes he is A older white man!! So I feel that he was being racist towards me! As I walked out side other customers was coming out and was in shocked but informed me that he is that way with a lot of people, and was telling me how bad they felt for me to have been talked to in that manner! The man then came outside and rudely talked over our conversation, and told me" to run and tell Facebook like y'all black asses love to do! I was in tears but told him that I would pray for his soul and that I would never step foot in Dawson kitchen!! His wife came out smiling,! SO TO EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD THAT IS TIERD IF BEING TREATED A CERTAIN WAY BY OTHERS BASED ON JUDGEMENT AND RACE, SHOULD NOT SPEND ANY MONEY AT THIS EATERY! Beware!! Beware! I pray for peace in their hearts! Something is very very wrong! This is 2019 times changed and it always has to be someone that wants to keep the past alive!

When you enter, the bakery items are on the right and the buffet is on the left. Stay to the right. On that side, we bought lemon bars, a half of a lemon cheese cake, and cheesestraws. All three are great, and the cheesestraws are the best I've ever eaten. The food on the buffet leaves a lot to be desired. My fried chicken, black-eyed peas, and mac and cheese were devoid of salt. The best part of the meal was the fresh baked cornbread.

Delicious country cooking and amazing baked goods. There is a fresh veggie stand as well! Come hungry!!!

SO GOOD. Everything you read/heard is true. The dankest/creamiest/softest mac n cheese I've ever had. The girl behind the counter was super friendly and helpful. The "restaurant" is more of a store, however. Doesn't seem like the greatest date spot, but if you're trying to eat a decent amount of good southern food, this is the spot!

Dawson's is one of my favorite restaurants. I don't live in Macon so it's one of those that I crave and can't have often! A friend of mine born and raised in Macon introduced it to me. And yes, I love the H&H and The Bear's Den but Dawson's is (also) something very special. The menu changes daily but always includes multiple Southern staples: chicken-n-dumplins, pork chops, fried chicken, rice and gravy, collards, green beans, butter beans, yams, mac n cheese, you name it. It's served buffet style but so surprisingly fresh and home cooked. It's an adorable restaurant next to the rail road tracks and apparently used to be a fabric mill from what I'm told. You order and eat on the left side of the restaurant; on the right side are wooden tables and displays of local veggies, locally made jams and sauces, baked goods from the Mennonite community including apple loaves, cookies (oatmeal chocolate chip pecan, lace cookies, sugar), and full cakes.

Super friendly people and great food. I liked the cornbread so much, they gave me an extra, along with a piece of coconut cake.

Excellent. Not what I was expecting for atmosphere. We were hungry so we stayed, and glad we did. All of us loved all of our food. Chicken is amazing. Highly recommend.

Love Dawson's. Good salmon croquettes,rutabagas, the BEST fried chicken in Macon. Also the fudge nut brownies are fabulous. They are what I ask for on my birthday. The cakes are wonderful, too.

We order all our employees Birthday treats from here. Have for many years! Awesome people own it and put their heart into it. You can tell because we are never disappointed! They make us feel special with their hand made treats:)

Visitors to Macon always want to know where they can get authentic southern cooking. They should go to Dawson's instead of the Bear's Den or Jeneane's. Those places are good; Dawson's is much better. This is one of the best kept secrets in Macon. I won't go anywhere else when I'm craving southern cooking. Dawson's Kitchen has been around since 1996 and won a couple of awards (Macon Food & Culture Foodie Award for best southern cooking) so I'm really surprised that I'm writing the first review. I get the feeling that I'm breaking a code of silence among the locals by exposing this place. What sets Dawson's apart is the superior quality of the food. The veggies are really fresh and taste like they came from a local garden - not a can. Everything tastes like it was made that day from scratch. The meals aren't that heavy or greasy; they won't trigger a food coma like the other places. The sweet tea is divine. Love this place.

Southern comfort food. Baked chicken, peas, butter beans, fried tomatoes were . My cousin enjoyed the sweet tea, fried chicken, Mac and cheese, and fried tomatoes.

Heading back from Savannah and needed lunch for three, searched in Macon and saw this. I got fried chicken, daughter got pork chop, husband got baked chicken, sides were Mac& cheese, string beans , cabbage, collards, everything was super delicious. Staff was very nice and friendly. We got the peanut butter cookies and chocolate pecan chip cookies. Peanut butter had a tad much baking soda or powder, but overall, I highly recommend this eatery. They have been there for 21 years.

Great Southern cooking and bakery--the real deal!! We stopped in on our way to HH Island. Easy to get to. My hubby had mac and cheese and broccoli casserole and I had fried chicken, green beans and turnip greens --all fresh and hot. Cornbread was excellent. We picked up some cookies and cheese straws to take with us. All the servers were super friendly. We'll be back!!

Hole in the wall joint with great food. Fried chicken, Mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy and sweet T were all banging for just 6 bones. Also bought lemon bars to go, damn good. Cmon down, they won't disappoint. 3 stars due to decor, food is great.