Chef's In Downtown Cafe
105 Burke Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401, United States+1 870-934-8962
About This Place
Nestled in the heart of Jonesboro, AR, Chef's In Downtown Cafe invites you to savor the warmth and rich flavors of classic Southern home cooking. This charming restaurant and cafe is a culinary gem that transports diners to the comforting dining tables of yesteryear, offering hearty, soul-satisfying meals that celebrate tradition with every bite.
Step inside, and you’ll immediately sense familiar comfort—the kind that recalls family gatherings and cherished memories. The atmosphere is unpretentious and welcoming, blending a homestyle vibe with attentive, friendly service that makes every guest feel like part of the family. Dining here is more than just a meal; it’s a heartfelt experience where down-to-earth charm meets flavorful nostalgia.
The menu at Chef's In Downtown Cafe showcases a vibrant array of Southern favorites prepared with care and seasoned to perfection. Whether you’re craving a classic like the Smothered Pork Steak or the ever-popular Chicken & Dressing, each dish bursts with rich, layered flavors. Sides like the Brown Beans Mac N Cheese and Green Beans, and creamy Roast Mashed Potatoes deliver a satisfying depth that complements the main entrees beautifully.
For those who appreciate variety, the cafe offers daily rotating entrées with mouthwatering options such as Burrito with Chili & Cheese on Tuesdays, Pork Tenderloin on Wednesdays, and a Sunday lineup featuring Meatballs & Spaghetti and Fried Chicken. Their Latin-inspired and traditional Southern dishes tell a story of rich culinary heritage, crafted to comfort and delight.
Don’t miss their sweet treats—desserts like the airy yet decadent Peanut Butter Pie, the velvety Chocolate Cake, and the nostalgic, crowd-pleasing Strawberry Shortcake are the perfect finish to a memorable meal. Customers rave about how these desserts strike that delicate balance of indulgence without overwhelming sweetness.
Reviews from patrons reveal the genuine care poured into every aspect of the dining experience. Seth Holt fondly recalls the nostalgic ambiance, reminiscent of dining with grandparents decades ago, praising the impeccable seasoning and expert cooking. Christina Smith was pleasantly surprised by the authenticity and value, despite initial doubts based on the cafe’s understated exterior. Ting Chen highlights the flavorful stewed pork paired perfectly with traditional sides, and commends the attentive, warm service that elevates the visit beyond just food.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor seeking an authentic taste of Arkansas comfort food, Chef's In Downtown Cafe promises a satisfying meal wrapped in heartfelt hospitality. This is Southern fare at its finest—rich in flavor, generous in portion, and steeped in tradition, guaranteed to leave you feeling nourished, both in body and soul.
Location: 105 Burke Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401, United States
Phone: +1 870-934-8962
Service options
-contact delivery Dine-inHighlights
Great dessert Great tea selection Serves local specialtyPopular for
Solo diningAccessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible seatingOfferings
Quick bite Salad barDining options
BrunchAtmosphere
Casual Cosy Historic TrendyCrowd
Groups Locals TouristsPlanning
Accepts reservationsPayments
Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cardsParking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lotOpening Hours
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Monday
10:30 AM - 02:00 PM -
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 02:00 PM -
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 02:00 PM -
Thursday
10:30 AM - 02:00 PM -
Friday
Closed -
Saturday
Closed -
Sunday
10:30 AM - 02:00 PM
Map & Directions
Visitor Reviews
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Seth Holt
1 month agoThe feel of the place is just like when I went to eat with my grandparents in the early 80s. The only thing missing was the fog of smoke about 4 ft above the ground and ashtray on the table. This brings back memories. The food was amazing. Well seasoned and cooked very good. Service was excellent. We may have gotten the only person who had more experience than I am old. She was very nice and attentive. I will definitely be back every chance I get.
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Christina Smith
1 month agoNever judge a book by its cover. That's all I had to take away from our brunch at Chef's In Downtown Cafe. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much of the food when I saw the outside storefront of the restaurant, and definitely wasn't expecting much when I stepped inside and saw the decor. The price was a little high, but I understand it after seeing the different prices for different days(honestly a smart move). It's buffet styled restaurant, and not an order at the table, which caught me off guard, and honestly, made me a little suspicious, as I don't typically trust buffets being fresh. Boy, was I wrong. My first plate consisted of a fried chicken thigh, mashed potatoes, cheesy pasta, and green beans. I wish I was exaggerating, but it was the best piece of fried chicken I had in Jonesboro. It wasn't too greasy, and the chicken was so tender it fell right off the bone. The mashed potatoes were thankfully freshly made and not made from instant mashed potatoes and seasoned in my favorite way: a lot of black pepper. The green beans were a mix of sweet and savory. The cheesy pasta could have definitely used a lot of seasoning, because without me adding salt and pepper, it was pretty bland, but everything else made up for it, especially the roast beef. I saw my boyfriend get it, took a bite, and on my second plate, I went straight for it. It was even better than the chicken, but the chicken was a close second. The beef was so soft, I knew it had been slow cooking for ages, as great roast beef should be. And the juices pouring out of it were so delicious. I got my usual sides but swapped the pasta for the stuffing they had. The stuffing was a lot more grainy than I am used to, but it was good nonetheless. I definitely hope to come back here!
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Michael Oberstar
2 month agoWonderful home cooked food. Super friendly staff! Amazing desserts too! Will come back!
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Ting Chen
2 month agoLove the food, environment and service. Excellent value for your money. I really enjoyed stewed pork? It was flavorful and succulent. It paired real well with the potatoes and beans and peas and all the sides. The peanut butter pie was excellent! Usually it’s way too dense but it was fluffy here. The waitress was extremely attentive and on top of it. Highly recommend.
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Tracy Myers
3 month agoI have never been here, but went with my stepdaughter to pick up an order for Thanksgiving. Lots of customers, but lots of staff too! Very busy, but everyone was so nice!
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Ella M Scott
3 month agoThe food was amazing!!! The waitress was very kind and was always on top of things. It was our first time there and we’ll definitely be going back!!!!!!
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Jackie Dotson
3 month agoAte at this buffet for lunch and it was very good. They apparently have an ongoing menu each day they serve and on this day it was pork chops, chicken fried steak, rotisserie chicken, and a few other entrees. Everything I had including the sides, was good down south cooking. The strawberry shortcake for dessert was also great. It was crowded and the area was warm but I think that's a testament to how good it was. Would recommend!
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Orson Meyer
4 month agoI have been here several times over the past few years, usually on Sundays. I would like to rate it 4 and a 1/2 stars but it does not give me that option. The food is what I would describe as comfort food and the quality is very good and consistent. The staff are very polite and it just feels like you're eating at home or at a friend's house on Sunday afternoon. I also had some dessert, but my wife already started eating the peanut butter pie and reduce sugar coconut cream pie so I did not take pictures of those. They were delicious however.
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