Jackson's Cafeteria

Is there a better home cooking cafeteria, restaurant in the area?, if so please tell me!I've been going here since as long as I can remember. It was originally in the old Gaston Mall off Cox Road.On Sat 10/18/25, we had a small family gathering here at the recommendation of my Nephew Sean we met up for a late lunch and there was six of us.So many good comfort food options. Today I had the baked whiting fish with fried Okra. Everyone got something different and everyone just raved about the food quality.The fried chicken, the roast beef and the meat loaf were all crowd pleasers.Since opening in 1973, this place has managed to stand the test of time....and COVID!The Staff is great, very welcoming. Still family owned and operated, please check them out.

They have pretty good service, but the food isn't fit for a dog. Roast beef was mushy and gravy tasted like water, flour and browning, broccoli casserole tasted like they ran it through a blender . Wasted $12, went straight into the garbage.

Cafeteria food never appealed to me much, but i do love that Hambrosia Salad they got with the marshmallows. Turnip Greens are adequate and menu seems overall reasonably priced. Can not vibe with the chicken fried steak. Broccoli casserole was way too watered down.Who would do that a cow? Its a crime on a plate. Bit of a local staple with the older crowd I have noticed.

can't really say as I actually remember being in an actual cafeteria since high school, fairly certain that I have but kinda fuzzy on the details... regardless, we were cafetering it up Saturday in Gastonia.windy, wet, and cold and possibly running late but not excessively so. still, we needed sustenance but wanted to get in, get fed, and get out in a reasonable time and by chance we ended up here, in front Jackson's Cafeteria! who'd have thunk it?after a short hike back to the serving line you grab a tray and some flatware and pick your portions on the way back towards the dining room starting with dessert and finishing at bread with meats, mains, salads, and sides in between priced as marked (Pro Tip: the daily specials include two veggies except for lunch on Saturday) and if you have questions about what's what just ask. get your total at the end of the line and pay on the way out. nifty...today's fare was roast chicken - dark, 7-layer salad, corn, slice of pie and a roll plus coffee. and MLB had fried fish special with carrots and green beans plus deviled eggs, jalapeno corn bread, and tea... not real adventurous or exciting but filling and tasted alright which was the goal today ;-)

This food was very mediocre. So here's what I thought.1. The sugar free strawberry cake was actually pretty good. The crust was awesome to be sugar free.2. I mean you can't mess up corn. A little dash of salt, a couple shakes of the pepper, and the corn was actually pretty good.3. The mashed potatoes was bland as can be. It was almost like they made them from Idaho instant mashed potatoes.4. The Salisbury steak, that was covered in gravy, was not appetizing at all. Once again, another food item that lacked flavor. I think somebody need to rework this whole recipe before serving this again.

Jackson's is the premier place for cafeteria-style dining in the Gastonia region. Service is friendly and prompt. Prices are average, and the selection can't be beat. Plenty of parking. Open seven days a week. Specials each day.

Good food. The Salisbury steak was tough and very salty. Stuffing, Mac and cheese good, cornbread muffin was good as well. A bit pricey.

Good food. Healthy food to pick from at the line. Inexpensive compared to fast food. No waitress fee. Baked chicken is seasoned and very good compared to fast food.

I have yet to visit this establishment, however, based on the reviews and things I have heard about this restaurant, I can indeed confirm that this is the most horrid place to spend money. As a student in the public school system, I can confirm that school food looks far more appetizing than the abominations served here. I've never been more horrified and disgusted by merely looking at images of food. I was simply appalled to learn that this establishment has been open for over 40 years. I cannot comprehend how this restaurant has not gone out of business yet, especially after the pandemic.At first, I thought it was just the meat and main dish items that appeared to be unedible. I was wrong. Upon seeing the wretched banana pudding sold here, I was met with sheer horror and disgust. I thought banana pudding was a simple dessert to make, something impossible to mess up. I cannot fathom how this restaurant managed to create such a repulsive, stomach-turning dessert. How does one manage to create green banana pudding?Please do not waste your money at this restaurant. Literally any other place is better than this.

Wicked Awesome Food and Service !Fresh Food, clean setting what's not to love Thank You !