Maritza and Frank’s

Alas I had a chance to stop at this Southern Style restaurant for lunch. I am sooooo happy that I did. Apparently they have a daily Lunch Menu. Today is Wednesday January 15, 2014 so I picked the Turkey and Dressing with extra dressing and Candied Yams. Now I did NOT order vegetables because the cashier was not sure if their veggies are cooked in Pork or not. And therefore I got all carbs!
Everything was good. The Turkey was actually big chucks of moist turkey and the dressing was a cornbread dressing not stuffing. I think the Candy Yams were good but very sweet (And I LOVE sugar) and so was my co-​workers Baked Apple, which was even sweeter. I also tried her Fried Green Tomatoes and some Fried Mushrooms as well. I liked the Tomatoes.
I initially wrote this review a little over a year ago and gave it 4 Stars. Since that time I have been maybe 5 – 8 times. While the food is still good, it is hit or miss. sometimes it’s great and other times food is over cooked or dry. so now on January 28, 2015 I deem it 3 Stars!

*** They are CLOSED ***
I came here because I wanted to try the turkey and
dressing another viewer mentioned. I found out this dish is served on Wednesday and Sunday (I came on a Friday) so I ordered the country fried steak with collards and candied yams. I also got a ½ order of fried green tomatoes. I was surprised to find that a ½ order gets you 7 large slices! For only $ 3.50 this is a great deal! (some places charge ~$ 6 for four, ridiculous). They were delicious and served with ranch, but honestly they don’t need the ranch. The tomatoes were very flavorful for a couple of reasons: 1. the actual slices weren’t paper thin like some places so you could actually taste the tomato 2. the breading was well seasoned and not so thick that it overtakes the tomato.
The collards were tasty and seasoned so they can stand on their own (but there is pepper sauce on the table if you want it). The candied yams were also good with just barely a hint of nutmeg (not overpowering like some places).
The reason I give this place only 3 stars is the country fried steak. It was similar to what you would get at a school cafeteria, just okay and I wouldn’t order it again. It comes with rolls or cornbread, I got the rolls which came with one white and one wheat, again similar to a school cafeteria, but not bad.
The total for the main w/​2 sides, ½ order of FGT’s and tea was ~12.50.
There was plenty of seating, I came around noon and it was only ¼ full. The service was good, the food came quickly. They even gave me the wifi password.
I would eat here again, probably on a Wednesday to try the turkey and dressing :)

The food was great but I had to wait 43 minutes for it after I ordered.

This place used to be good but it has gone way downhill. Most recent visit: we had to wait over 15 minutes for them to cook chicken though we were seated at noon — peak lunch hour. When the food arrived, the fried chicken was overcooked and the French fries were undercooked.
For a better meat and three, go to Oakwood by the Farmer’s market.

Another meat & three type restaurant near the airport.
I wasn’t too impressed. =(The sides were all too salty for my tastes.
Fried chicken = friend said it was dry and not very good
Chicken pot pie = it was just okay, I fished around for chicken chunks because there weren’t that many
Turnip greens = salty, meh
Lima beans = salty
Overall, probably won’t be going back

Kudos to Allan and Nathan for introducing me to this wonderful place. Maritza and Frank’s is the kind of dining establishment that will make you wish you lived in Hapeville. (Or at least College Park.) Maritza and Frank’s serves up good, old-​fashioned southern cooking. Let me be clear: This is Southern food done right, by people who know how to COOK.
I had the turkey and dressing. It was like an old friend. Except I ate it. They brought a basket of cornbread & yeast rolls to the table. The cornbread is a bit sweet, but still good, and the yeast rolls are soft and fluffy. Total crowd pleasers. Here’s the weird thing: I was so focused on my own comfort-​food meal, I failed to notice what my friends had ordered. I vaguely remember some fried chicken being involved (and I think my friend managed not to eat the bones). Maybe also some kind of sandwich. You have to understand: this is not a fancy set-​up. The focus here is on serving up good food. And I was focused on eating mine.
We all had a great time. Service was friendly and fast. And the sweet tea was good. I will happily be returning to this place. I may actually try a fried green tomato sandwich. Holler if you’re coming with.

Use to be a good restaurant but has gone downhill ever since the owner/​cook opened another location and cooks at the new location. Can’t seem to get a good replacement cook.

I was raised in Hapeville, and I was excited about this place. But as a Hapeville native, I have to be honest: if I was grading this restaurant I would give it a «D.» There are so many good opportunities lost here. First of all the atmosphere inside the restaurant is terrible. I felt like I was in some dark cave. And I had a similar experience as another poster, some of the workers looked at me as if I shouldn’t be there. (The waitress was like, «whatever honey» the whole time), and the food was just okay. It seems that real southern cooking is found in Tucker Ga. (Matthews), while here in Hapeville and other places on the south side of town, we’re getting average we-don’t-care stuff.

We just followed the signs on the freeway after landing at the airport. A really cute little place with good food and great value. Small town America, love the feeling.

Unexpected discovery. They may be about a 3 ½ in actuality, but the turkey and dressing was quite good, even though I wanted the gravy to be a bit more authentic. I give them four because they had rutabegas, and they were also pretty goshdarn good.
I saw others plates and their chicken and comfort food really had a nice look to it if nothing else. Values are pretty good for lunch in an area where you really dont get much great value. I will return when I need another ol school veggie fix.

What an unexpected pleasure dining here. I was in the neighborhood to dine elsewhere, but the other restaurant was closed, so I quickly did a Unilocal search, and this was walking distance, with good reviews… so here I was.
And glad I was too. An old style southern/​country setting inside, served by staff who have probably been working here since they opened. I told the waitress I was in a hurry, and if the turkey plate could be served immediately. She said no problem, and within 1 minute I had my diet coke, and one minute later I had my meat + 2, for a whopping $ 6.99. It came with cornbread, and a yeast roll. WOW!!! I ordered the turkey & dressing, and I had a thick slice of white meat over dressing, covered with white gravy. All delicious (I must confess I pushed the gravy aside, and didn’t eat all the dressing… though it was good!!!).
A limited menu is varied each day. But the basics are what you’d expect: fried chicken, chicken salad, meatloaf, turkey, lasagna, chicken pot pie, chicken & dumpling, fried chicken livers, you can fill in the rest.
With an order of chocolate cake to go, my total came to $ 12. What a steal. Bottom line: I will return!!!

First off this place is so cute! I felt like I was in a time warp– I grew up in a small town and it reminds me of a place I would have gone to back then. I read one comparison to Fried Green Tomatoes and I totally see it. Good old traditional southern cooking– the squash casserole was my favorite and my husband loved his meatloaf. Good service and good prices too, we’ll definitely be back.

Probably the best southern food you can find by the airport. All the classics – fried chicken, country fried steak, liver and onions, etc. Service is friendly and the corn bread muffins are hot.

First off, they have a massive grilled chicken sandwich, so much so that you can cut the filet in half and make two sandwiches. Co-​workers and I sat outside and I will say, have someone go in and let them know you’re out there, otherwise you may be ignored for a few moments.
We all ordered and additionally, I got blueberry cobbler, which was simply «okay». The sandwich was great, very flavorful and you can typically eat for under $ 10.
There is a $ 5 minimum on credit card orders

Pros–
Down home southern restaurant. Loads of character. You are definitely in for some authentic food. The prices were really affordable.
Cons–
The food was unfortunately only mediocre. The fried green tomatoes were SUPER greasy and were cut too thin to hold up to the frying process, so they were sad looking on the plate. The fried chicken was moderately juicy, but was lacking in the flavor department. I’ve had much better. The green beans and the creamed corn were decent, but served semi-​cold.
Service–
Spotty. One waitress was fantastic — very attentive to her tables. Unfortunately I had the other one, who seemed almost pissed off that I sat in her section (it’s open seating, but you don’t know who your server will be until after its too late!).
My server never once came to check in on me after delivering my food (I had to ask the other server for hot sauce!) and when she delivered my half-​order of the fried green tomatoes, she announced in an annoyed voice that the chef had made a full order, so she was gonna give it all to me even though she guessed she wouldn’t charge me for the other half! (What was one person supposed to even do with around 15 fried green tomato slices???)
Misc–
The restaurant was super cold for some reason. I wore my coat and scarf the whole time.
It was fun observing the post-​church Sunday crowd. Obviously this is a local institution and I was glad that I went for lunch, but left wishing that the quality of the food lived up to the Unilocal reviews! Fried chicken is such a staple of southern cuisine… it should have been mouthwateringly delicious!

Just left and had something new so of course i had to Unilocal about it.
had the fried chicken (white meat) incredibly good. hard, crunchy, tasty skin and a hot, moist, juicy, tight inside (that sounds so nasty, I’m sorry).
i also had the fried green tomatoes. one word: YUMMY. added a little salt and pepper and never looked backed! you get about 8-​good portioned– slices for 3.00 so yummy, and I am really particular about my fried green tomatoes.
and my waitress today was incredible. she was so sweet and nice and talkative and funny. it was like I was talking to a best friend.

Maritza and Frank’s is the best «meat and three» on the south side without question. But the food is just part of what makes Maritza and Franks so great — they also have atmosphere and service that are rarely found in today’s eating establishments. Walking in the front door is like a trip back to your grandmother’s kitchen. Then all those delicious aromas hit you. .. fried chicken, homemade mashed potatoes (or «creamed» potatoes as my grandmother called them), chicken salad, and on and on. My wife and I got there as often as our budget allows and we always start of with a platter of fried green tomatoes. They are dipped in an egg wash and coated with cornmeal and then fried to a delicious golden brown!
I encourage you not to just take my word for it, but stop by Maritza and Frank’s and try them out!

I have to give Maritza and Frank’s props (aka, an extra star) for the phenominal and down-​home service I received just the other day. You see, I had signed up to bring Sweet Potato Soufflé to my office Thanksgiving party. Having had to work late the night before, I wasn’t able to make the dish and decided I would just call and order it from somewhere the next morning. When I woke up, I said to myself «where in the world am I going to order sweet potato soufflé, for 30 people, before 11:30 AM?» I decided to give Maritza and Frank’s a call at 7:30 AM (thank God they are open for breakfast!)
Phone conversation:
Me: «Hi, I have a question, do you ever make sweet potato soufflé or even candied yams?»
Ruby (waitress at M&F’s): «Yeah hun, we served candied yams just yesterday as a side item»
Me: «Awesome, do you make large to-​go orders?»
Ruby: «Yeah, do you want candied yams or sweet potato soufflé?»
Me: «Well, if you make sweet potato soufflé then I would prefer it, but candied yams would be fine as well!»
Ruby: «Hang on hun…(pulls phone away from her face).“Frank! This lady wants to know if you could make a large order of sweet potato soufflé by 11:30 AM!»
Frank (in the background): «That’s pushin’ it, but I think I could!»
Me: «Ruby, tell Frank I’ll give him a really good tip!»
Ruby: «Hey Frank! She said she’ll give ya a real good tip!»
Frank: «Ok, I will make it happen!»
For those of you who are still reading after my horrible attempt at re-​living that dialogue – I arrived at 11:25, asked for the waitress Ruby, and had my cash tip in hand for Frank. Ruby promptly brought my GINORMOUS order of sweet potato soufflé out to the counter. Frank appeared as well – I tried to give him his «good tip» but he refused, multiple times. He said he was just glad he could help me out. Frank even helped me carry the massive order to my car which was parked across the street!
Everyone at the work T-​giving party raved about the sweet potatoes. They contained just the right amount of sugar and spice, were not too runny or too dense, and had yummy raisins throughout!
Thanks M&F’s for great service and for bailing me out of my sweet potato soufflé fiasco!

I don’t make it to Hapeville often. Well, that’s an understatement. I think the last time I was in Hapeville was when a friend begged me to take him to see the original Chik-​Fil-​A. Funny thing is, I don’t live that far from Hapeville, but areas south of Atlanta possess some bizarre mojo in my brain that I just can’t shake. Two parts Hazzard County, one part Heat of the Night, liberally seasoned with heat and humidity. Yes, we’re only talking about a place minutes from my home, but Hapeville unfortunately gets lumped in with Macon, Perry and Valdosta in my brain. I don’t understand it either. It’s the same part of my brain that calls Dunwoody «south Tennessee.»
But this morning, I found myself in Hapeville for one reason or another. I’ve always thought they had an interesting downtown and, though I had no allegiance to it, even I felt a little sad when the Ford plant closed. I’d obviously eaten at the Chik-​Fil-​A Dwarf House before so, searching for something different, I spied Maritza and Frank’s sitting in an old storefront.
It had all the trappings of something I’d like – in an old storefront, good sweet tea, polite, homey waitresses (none in this place deign to be called «servers.») Since it was 10:30am, I asked for both the breakfast AND lunch menus and the waitress sweetly pointed out the daily specials sitting on the table too. I read the breakfast menu and saw Streak-​o-​Lean being served in all its glory. Fatback? Niiiiice. Another point for Southerness, but even I couldn’t bring myself to order it. I also noticed brains and eggs. Indeed, I couldn’t bring myself to hang brains either.
I settled on the country fried steak special with green beans, mashed potatoes on the side. Also ordered a biscuit and gravy to give their breakfast a try. And…
Sigh. I was disappointed. The country fried steak really wasn’t. I was expecting Texas-​style hammered-​out cube steak and then skillet fried in a batter. I’m not really sure what I got. It tasted kind of like a leftover salsibury steak was battered and then fried. The beans tasted canned. The potatoes were good though. The biscuit was all right, but I’ve had better in town. Hell, I’ve had better in my kitchen. The sausage gravy was ok, but needed more sausage bits in it. I would’ve tried to brighten it up a bit too with a fresh herb or two, but that’s probably asking too much in a joint like this.
Maybe I ordered wrong that day. I’ll try to give them the benefit of the doubt since they seemed to be doing a brisk business. They also had pictures of Sonny Purdue on the wall and you’d think that that fat bastard would know a thing or two about gravy. He certainly doesn’t know anything about governing. Yeah, I went all political in a review about a place in Hapeville!
Anyway, 2 stars for the food. I’m only giving the extra star for 1) the presence of streak-​o-​lean 2) the very nice waitress I had and 3) it’s a mom and pop shop.
I’m Ivan S. and I approve this message.

A scene from the movies. This place will remind you of «Fried green tomatoes» or «Forest Gump». That southern «Heat of the night» feel.
It’s in Hapeville, which is really close to the airport so it makes a good stop over. Get a good set next to the front window or outside, because it sets across the street from an old train depot, there is also a fountain outside. The only thing missing is a Magnolia tree.
The food here is always good, they don’t miss a beat. Stuff to try Pot roast, Fried chicken, Chicken & dumplings, whole fried fish and all the fresh veggies of the day. Oh yeah BREAKFAST, they have homemade sausage. Prices tend to stay around $ 5.99 for lunch or Dinner and don’t forget to add Sweet tea and desert.