Hello dear
Welcome To Shirley Mae’s Cafe
At Shirley Mae’s Cafe, we celebrate the essence of comfort food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Located in the heart of Louisville, our cafe offers a delightful mix of Southern classics, featuring generous portions of fried chicken, meatloaf, and mouthwatering sides like macaroni and cheese and sweet potatoes. Patrons rave about our hot water cornbread and homemade desserts, especially the beloved banana pudding. The friendly service creates a community vibe, making every visit feel like home. Whether you're grabbing takeout or dining in, Shirley Mae’s Cafe promises an experience filled with heartwarming flavors and local charm. Come and taste our story!
About
Shirley Mae’s Cafe
Welcome to Shirley Mae’s Cafe, a true culinary gem nestled in the heart of Louisville's Smoke Town neighborhood at 802 S Clay St, Louisville, KY 40203. This vibrant spot has gained a reputation for its comforting, homestyle cooking that feels like a warm embrace on a plate. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this cafe promises an experience that is as rich in flavor as it is in community spirit.
At Shirley Mae’s, the menu is a delightful parade of classic Southern comfort food. Highlights include:
- Wings: Three whole jumbo fried chicken wings served with the renowned hot water cornbread, all for just US$6.00.
- Fish: Try the tilapia, expertly breaded and paired with hot water cornbread, a satisfying deal at US$6.00.
- Meatloaf: Ground beef meatloaf topped with savory tomato sauce, also served with cornbread for US$6.00.
- Spare Ribs: Smoky, grilled pork spare ribs accompanied by cornbread for a mere US$7.00.
- Pork Chop: A flavorful option that is not to be missed!
Desserts at Shirley Mae’s are equally enticing. The Banana Pudding for US$5.00 is a fan favorite—a luscious combination of homemade pudding, bananas, cookies, and whipped cream. For those with a sweet tooth, the Peach and Blackberry Cobblers are a must-try, each served in a generous loaf pan for US$7.00.
No meal is complete without a refreshing drink, and this cafe delivers with options like Koolaid (Cherry or Grape at US$1.00), fresh squeezed Lemonade (US$2.00), and their signature Sweet or Unsweetened Iced Tea (US$2.00), much praised by patrons for its perfect balance of sweetness.
Patrons rave about the incredible service and community vibe at Shirley Mae’s. As customer Xavier Orozco noted, the food portions are generous and the service exemplary. Reviewers have pointed out not just the mouthwatering entrees but also the delightful ambiance that invites you to linger. The camaraderie among locals and staff creates an enjoyable dining experience.
While some customers have mentioned longer wait times, the consensus is clear: the food is well worth the wait. Each plate served is a testament to the love and care that goes into Southern cooking. Whether it's the buttery fried chicken with sides like creamy mac and cheese, or the delightful hot water cornbread, Shirley Mae’s Cafe is dedicated to serving only the best.
In summary, if you find yourself in Louisville, make it a point to visit Shirley Mae’s Cafe. With its mouthwatering menu, friendly faces, and a sense of community, it's not just a meal; it's an experience that captures the essence of Southern hospitality.
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“ This is my favorite spot for bone-in chicken to be honest. The sides are also incredible. You get a great amount of food for the price and the service is absolutely a 10/10. This place is just another level of great. I had the coleslaw and mac and that was just right where it needed to be. The fried chicken was buttery good. The banana pudding is delicious. I also had the sweet tea. If you want sweet tea with the extra sweet this will also satisfy. ”
“ Love this place, been a staple here in Louisville. Everything is good but the ham hock is incredible and the hot water cornbread is great too. The old dine in model was charming but new model has worked great for us ”
“ We were in town for a few days and were leaving that day. We wanted to try something local before we flew out later in the afternoon. We drive over to “Smoke Town” a Black neighborhood in Louisville. The cafe is walk up with a few tables in front. It seems most people do take away. The staff of the restaurant were awesome. The younger of the two men had an almost freakish ability to manage names of all the customers ...I was sorta jealous. He was cool and busted my chops for not ordering any green vegetables with my lunch special (I'm not sorry though). The other patrons were very cool and we met some of the locals who go there regularly, including an older couple clad in their Sunday church duds. The only downside, the food took forever, We waited an hour or more. The wait got more pleasant when the younger man walked across the street and put on some great music at the bottle shop. We had planned to eat there. The weather was amazing! But, we weren’t anticipating the long wait, so we had to take it to the airport and eat there. Now, for the best part....the food was totally worth the wait. I got the meatloaf with Mac and cheese and sweet potatoes. My wife got the chicken wings with Mac and fried corn. The portions were generous and everything was outstanding. The chicken wings are really fried chicken. They’re huge and some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever tasted. The sides were solid and the two fried biscuits were almost like a dessert! The regulars told us the long wait that day was really unusual, so I wouldn’t get too hung up on that. Other than that, it was a cool lunch spot. I’d totally go back or recommend them to friends. Definitely fits the role of what I like to call “a local gem.” ”
“ chicken and dumplings was smacking i’m not going to score on the green beans bc they was cold with no juice on them to keep them hot and not very favorable. They also aren’t cut down enough so it’s like they lay a few in the bowl for 4. please get those right bc we need fat, juice and seasoning in our green beans. Love this place tho and the service is good ”
“ Their sweet tea is on point. It had been a long time since I’ve had GOOD sweet tea. Service was great. Friendly people all around. The man across the street is an angel from above, I swear it. He offered us a place to sit if we got too cold. I had to switch my order, but that’s alright. I completely admire the fact that they weren’t going to serve subpar food. The cornbread....... Amazing doesn’t even cover it. I thoroughly enjoyed the Mac and cheese too. Overall I cannot wait to come back, because I will stop here again. ”
“ I had the fried pork chops, sweet potatoes, greens, macaroni, and cheese. They also have the onions in the tomatoes, which made it just taste simply the best and the cornbread. It was just all to die for all of it was fresh, and I was fat as a pig. ”
“ Came by after church today and was pleasantly surprised! This little restaurant is a hidden gem ! The prices are fair and the portions are just right. I love the “juke joint” ambience and the staff was friendly! I had the chicken (leg quarter) and dressing with green beans, and sweet potatoes. I WILL BE BACK! ”
“ Hands down the best soul food in Louisville. They used to go head-to-head with Big Mamas I want she retired they gained the crown completely. They're smothered pork chops will fall to pieces at the touch of a fork and melt in your mouth. No dining in since the beginning of the pandemic. But I recently spoke with one of the owners who told me that once they get the air conditioner that's on the roof repaired and the beer cooler they're going to try to bring dying and back because that's what their mother wanted. ”