J & S Cafeteria

After arriving in Hickory after an 11 hour drive from Orlando,Florida,my wife and I checked into the Courtyard Hotel a short walk from here.
My wife and I had dinner here,
I had the fried chicken,green beans,yam soufflé,and the egg custard pie.(also a biscuit).
My wife had the chicken with bacon,cheese,and almonds on yellow rice,yam soufflé,pickled beets,and a spinach tossed salad,and the german chocolate pie.
We both found that everything we had was well seasoned and cooked to the correct degree of doneness.
Most cafeteria restaurants are gone now.
This place brought back good memories.
While we are in the area we will be back.
Also,the staff is very friendly and courteous.
Wonderful down home southern food and the hospitality to go with it.

I am a professional chef with 30+years experience.

This place is right on.

If it was possible to write a review with 0 star I would. This is literally the worst meal I have ever eaten.

Only once in my life have I complained to a manager about food, and the food at that place was bad... the food here tonight was so bad I didn't even feel the need to complain. I feel if management and employees were crazy enough to sell this stuff as "food", then complaining would do no good, because they obviously do not know what food is.

My meal started off with me walking into a 1980s building. Finding myself wandering around to find the line, eventually I found it. The people serving were very rude. Arguing about who was going to clean at closing, and talking about customers clothing while the customer was still in hearing distance. While checking out, the cashier was making comments about how management has eliminated positions at the other cashier location , and she didn't know why.... well I soon found out why... the "food" was horrible.

I sat down at my table in the deserted dinning room. Took one bite of my "chicken". It was horrible. It was like warm at best, and mush. My cheesecake was an "out of the box" type. NASTY! I literally took a bite of each and walked out.

I didn't even ask for my money back or anything. I hope they use my money to research better options or to pay their unemployment insurance, because if they don't change all their employees will need it

This was my first JS experience and will for sure be my last!

STAY AWAY!

My wife and I used to enjoy going to this cafeteria, but sadly the prices have risen and the food quality deteriorated to the point that we will not come back any more.
The last 2 times we ate here the food was no where as good as it used to be and the prices have risen to the point that a meal that used to cost my wife and I around $14 is now $20 or better.
The lower quality food along with the higher prices does not justify any further visits here.

As you walk in, there is a long buffet line and you get to choose what you'd like on your tray. Most things are pretty cheap and reasonably priced. The food however, can actually tend to be bland. But the food is mostly low sodium, low sugar I've noticed (and tasted). That's more healthier options for people with diabetes and blood pressure problems. I'm assuming that's why I see more older folk come in there to eat. I enjoy coming in with my dad who also has diabetes, because I know what he's eating is a good choice for him. The food isn't anything to absolutely blow you away, nor is it horrible. It's about average flavor and average price!

I've been here and to other locations of this cafeteria since my first review, and I am continually impressed. The food is so great for the price. Living so far away in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where no cafeterias of this sort exist, I am continually craving J&S and its affordable, lip-smacking, Southern homestyle food with so much money left in my wallet. I love getting the panko-breaded whitefish that is huge, crispy on the outside, and flaky on the inside. I always add a couple of veggies, like corn, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, and the heavenly yam soufflé, which is the best yam dish I have EVER eaten. It's basically dessert, though they do have actual desserts that all look yummy, too. If you can't get a home-cooked comfort-food meal at home, and you don't mind a basic cafeteria atmosphere, then just come here. It's the next best thing...maybe better.

The last time I was there I swore I would NEVER go back. Well today I had a senior moment and actually went back.
Dried out grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and beans with a senior tea was $12 for slop I couldn't eat. Used to be a half way decent cafeteria at half the price. All the food they had in the line was old and had been sitting all afternoon. I started to just put my tray back and leave. I certainly do wish I had now.
I don't know who owns or manages this place but your food is TERRIBLE.

Always plenty of choices and if you are not happy with something, they will exchange it. Prices are reasonable and everyone friendly and helpful.

Haven't been here in a while and very disappointed. Price was high and food was cold. A bowl of cool soup was $5 and a cracker was $.10 each. You can get a lot better food and better price at many local diners. Will not be back.

The staff is extremely friendly. The food is average to good. It is easy to ring up a big bill at a place like this.

These are not my favorite style of restaurants and it is hard to eat healthy.

Cafeteria food so mushy and bland. Obviously only catering to people who's tastey buds died before they did.