Dawson’s Kitchen

Consistently very good food. Imo, the 2^nd best southern cooking in Macon, just behind H&H. Also lots of. a la crate options, like cookies, homemade ice cream, pimento cheese, jams, etc. can also grab some fresh veggies to cook at home for your next meal.

Dawson’s Kitchen cooks the kind of food I want when I want «home cookin»! I ran across it when I was hungry and out doing some antique shopping. I had intended on going back to H&H after having had a great breakfast there, but Dawson’s was in my way so I stepped on in. Not the least bit sorry I did! Served cafeteria style but everything I ate tasted fresh, hot and delicious. The vegetables were from the produce stand — not a can. Nothing was heavy. I had fried chicken and it was the best. Just like my Nana’s, just the way I like it. A southern classic done to perfection. The okra and tomatoes — with the emphasis on the okra. I’m gonna say there was a pinch of sugar, not a fan of that, but not enough to distract me from the goodness of one of my favorite vegetable dishes. Pole beans with small nibs of potatoes were fresh and tender. And then there was the mac n cheese — cheesy, dense perfection. I don’t eat cornbread so I had a roll and it was ok.
I had room for dessert. I saw all kinds of cakes — whole ones and slices. I would have tried the strawberry cake but there were no slices and they’ll only half a whole cake — not slice it. So I picked up a giant chocolate cookie and it was wonderfully fresh and delish. Perfect sweet ending to a yummy lunch.
Dawson’s isn’t fancy. And it shouldn’t be. The simple food done right is all you’ll need. I like it.

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 !!!

My wife somehow found this place. We were rolling through in a pickup (truck drivers, forget it, you will hate me trying to get here). Maybe, MAYBE best fried chicken I have had. Bought some tomatoes on the way out. Good southern fried homecookin

Food was off the chain and the lemonade was on point! None of that crappy minute maid stuff. old school with real lemon slices in it. I highly recommend this place!

Questionable Hygiene.

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.

From the two prior reviews and from what I was told when I visited, the food here is better than at The Bear’s Den. I will have to find out for myself on another visit.
I looked at this place on Unilocal prior to my visit to Macon and I did not plan to come however, after passing by it while driving around, I decided to visit.
The Milltown Market & Dawson’s Kitchen also has a bakery. Upon entering, I noticed the selection of jams, jellies and sauces. Breads, cakes and cookies which are available also.
The chocolate chip pecan cookies I bought were good; a half-​dozen was $ 4.25.

Plain and simple it’s the best southern food in downtown Macon. The bear’s Den is second.
Make sure to ask for the special garlic, vinegar hot sauce. They sell it there but will bring it to your table upon request.

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.