MacArthur's

I was wondering if LTH folks recommend MacArthur's on the West Side. I have some out-of-town guests, and my first choice was actually Priscilla's Ultimate Soul Food in Hillside, which I just love! But we might want to stay in the city, so I was thinking this might be an opportunity to visit MacArthur's, which I've wanted to go to.

I've heard it is quite good. Are there long waits on weekends? How might it compare with Priscilla's?

Thanks for your help.

MacArthur's Restaurant
5412 W. Madison St, Chicago
(773) 261-2316

jiahuo wrote:I've heard it is quite good. Are there long waits on weekends? How might it compare with Priscilla's?

Jiahuo,

Macarthur's compares favorably to Priscilla's, same steam table set-up, crisp skinned fried chicken, tender smoked pork hocks, smothered pork chops and a rotating list of Southern standards. Consensus seems to be Macarthur's Mac and Cheese is a highlight, but I am of the baked crisp edges school of mac and cheese, banana pudding hits the spot, in an over the top Southern dessert fashion.

Lines can be long, but move quickly and prices are reasonable.

Enjoy,
Gary

I concur, as one of Priscilla's greatest fans, that MacArthurs is a completely suitable substitute for Priscilla's.

Even with my forced reduced food consumptrion over the past couple of years, I've been known to go to Priscilla's for three bites of smothered pork chops, two bites of macaroni and a couple of spoonfuls of greens.

A MacArthur's photo, by way of encouragement

Thank you for the responses and the photo!

Some of my favorites at Priscilla's are the collard greens (not too salty, just right), green beans (flavorful, delicious), fried catfish (just the right amount of breading, not over-fried), and cabbage (a little sweet, tasty).

I'm definitely looking forward to visiting MacArthur's!

Jiahuo

Do not leave MacArthur's without trying the banana pudding. I think it is my favorite dessert served in the city!
Jamie

fyi-- the greens are from a can.

Yo wrote:fyi-- the greens are from a can.

Whose greens are you referring to?

jiahuo wrote:Whose greens are you referring to?

And how does he know they are from a can?

G Wiv wrote:

jiahuo wrote:Whose greens are you referring to?

And how does he know they are from a can?

Macarthur's greens. Let me back track, I do believe they are from a can. I have not been in the kitchen to see the cans nor did I witness the preparation process.

The greens themselves seem to be too finely chopped and processed to be homemade. The preparation process may be authentic (ham hock or turkey leg... slow cooked for flavor, etc), but the greens themselves are not fresh. They really do seem like the stuff you get from popping the can.

Also, the last time I was at Macarthur's on a Sunday. We sat next to a table of older women complaining about the greens and how they were from a can and not freshly prepared like they used to be. This later digressed into a conversation about generational differences and how this generation just doesn't seem to understand the concept of hard work... a topic for another time.

I do enjoy Macarthurs.. Smothered pork chops... mac cheese... fried chicken... and parking!

I will concur that MacArthur's greens are nowhere in the league of Pearl's, and given the great array of other wonderful vegetables, they don't make the cut. The sweet potatoes, however, are divine and not to be missed.

Stopped by last week with a crowd. We were able to sample most of the menu and unfortunately all of the items served were too salty. My Bride who loves greens wasn't able to take more than a bite or two. Reportedly the BBQ sauce on the ribs were a bit on the sweet side also but the younger gents found that pleasing.

Priscilla's will remain my goto place.

Priscilla's Ultimate Soulfood
4330 Roosevelt Rd, Hillside
(708) 544-6230

Priscilla's has better beef ribs (sauceless variety), but I love the fried chicken, mac n cheese and banana pudding at MacA's.

Their chicken is heavily seasoned, but its my favorite in the city. In fact, I'll be there this Thursday with coworkers to indulge.