Tucked away on Washington Street in High Point, North Carolina, Becky’s & Mary’s Restaurant is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve walked into someone’s grandmother’s kitchen. With a 4.5-star rating from over a thousand loyal fans, this mom-and-pop soul food spot has quietly built a reputation that stretches far beyond city limits.
The banana pudding alone has people rerouting road trips just to get a taste. If you haven’t heard of this humble gem yet, buckle up because you’re about to find out exactly why it deserves a spot on your must-visit list.
The Legendary Banana Pudding That Started It All
One reviewer said it plainly: “Banana pudding is by far the best around.” That kind of bold statement doesn’t come from just anywhere. At Becky’s & Mary’s, the banana pudding is made the old-fashioned way, with real ingredients and zero shortcuts.
Layers of soft vanilla wafers, fresh banana slices, and creamy pudding come together in a way that feels like pure nostalgia. No fancy presentation, no gimmicks.
Just honest dessert done right.
People who stop in for lunch often end up ordering it on impulse and then talking about it for weeks. It’s the kind of sweet ending that makes the whole meal feel complete.
If you’re driving through High Point and you only have time for one thing, make it this pudding. Your taste buds will absolutely thank you for it.
A Soul Food Spot With Over 50 Years of Flavor
Half a century is a long time to keep people coming back, and Becky’s & Mary’s has done exactly that. One loyal customer put it best: “There are a lot of reasons this place has been around for over fifty years and still going strong.” Longevity like that doesn’t happen by accident.
In a world full of trendy restaurants that open and close within a year, this Washington Street staple has kept its doors open through consistency, community, and genuinely great cooking. The recipes haven’t been dressed up or modernized because they don’t need to be.
Soul food at its core is about feeding people well, and that’s exactly what this restaurant has been doing since before many of its current customers were even born. Staying true to tradition is its own kind of superpower.
Fried Chicken So Crispy It Demands a Return Visit
Crispy outside, juicy inside, and seasoned with something that just works. The fried chicken at Becky’s & Mary’s has earned its fans, and most of them didn’t plan on becoming regulars until that first bite changed everything.
One customer drove from Charlotte and said no restaurant back home could come close.
Opinions on seasoning vary slightly from visit to visit, which is part of what makes it feel like real home cooking rather than a factory-produced meal. Some days it’s bold and punchy; other days it’s subtler but still satisfying.
Mary herself works in the kitchen and sometimes invites customers to try extra dishes she’s prepared that day. That kind of personal touch is rare.
When the cook cares that much, it shows in every piece of chicken that lands on your plate.
Collard Greens With That Smoky, Slow-Cooked Magic
Collard greens might sound simple, but getting them right is an art form. At Becky’s & Mary’s, they carry a deep, smoky flavor that tells you they’ve been cooked low and slow, the way Southern grandmothers have always done it.
One reviewer specifically called them out as a highlight of the meal.
There’s something grounding about a bowl of well-seasoned greens. They’re not flashy, but they round out a plate in a way that nothing else can.
Paired with fried chicken or pork chops, they become something close to perfect.
First-timers often overlook the sides and focus on the main dish, but regulars know better. The greens here are worth ordering on their own merits.
Whether you’re a lifelong collard greens fan or trying them for the first time, this version might just set the standard for you going forward.
Mac and Cheese That Hits the Comfort Food Sweet Spot
Creamy, warm, and filling in the best possible way. The mac and cheese at Becky’s & Mary’s is the kind that makes you close your eyes for a second after the first forkful.
Multiple reviewers mentioned it as a standout side, often pairing it with the fried catfish or fried chicken for a full Southern spread.
It leans toward the stovetop cheese sauce style that’s common in North Carolina kitchens, which means it’s smooth rather than baked and crusty. Some love that style, others prefer a firmer bake, but most people who order it here leave satisfied.
At the price point this restaurant operates at, getting a side this comforting feels like a genuine bargain. Three full meals with drinks for around forty dollars total?
That kind of value is nearly impossible to find anywhere else these days.
Sweet Yams That Keep Customers Coming Back for More
Ask almost any regular at Becky’s & Mary’s what they always order, and sweet yams will come up more than once. Described as “awesome” and “good with traditional seasoning,” these yams hit the kind of sweet, buttery note that makes comfort food feel like a warm hug.
One visitor came two days in a row specifically because of the yams and the overall cooking quality. That’s not a coincidence.
When something tastes that good, you don’t wait long before going back for another round.
The yams are part of what gives this restaurant its reputation for richness. The kitchen doesn’t shy away from butter or natural sweetness, and the result is a side dish that feels indulgent without being overdone.
For anyone with a soft spot for classic Southern flavors, these yams are a non-negotiable order.
Meatloaf Done the Old-Fashioned, No-Nonsense Way
Meatloaf doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, but at Becky’s & Mary’s, it’s quietly one of the most talked-about items on the rotating daily menu. Reviewers who’ve tried it describe it as delicious and well-seasoned, the kind of dish that reminds you why simple food done right beats complicated food every time.
The menu at this restaurant changes daily, which means meatloaf isn’t always available. That unpredictability makes it feel even more special when you show up and it’s on the steam table waiting for you.
It’s the culinary equivalent of finding a twenty-dollar bill in an old jacket pocket.
Paired with potato salad or collard greens, a plate of meatloaf here feels like a full, satisfying meal that costs less than most fast food combos. Good value and good taste rarely overlap this cleanly.
Pork Chops That Prove Simple Seasoning Is an Art
Pork chops at Becky’s & Mary’s have a loyal following. Customers who order them often describe the experience as deeply satisfying, noting that the seasoning is spot-on and the meat is cooked through without being dry or tough.
One visitor tried them alongside potato salad and called the whole plate delicious.
Not every visit produces the same result, which is the honest reality of a kitchen that cooks in batches and serves cafeteria-style. But when the pork chops are on point, they’re genuinely hard to beat at any price range.
The key here is that the kitchen doesn’t overthink things. Pork chops don’t need a complicated sauce or a fancy garnish.
They need good seasoning, the right heat, and someone who cares about what they’re cooking. At this restaurant, that last ingredient is always present, and it makes all the difference.
Breakfast That Tastes Like Eating at Granny’s Table
“It’s like eating at your Granny’s table.” That’s how one customer described breakfast at Becky’s & Mary’s, and honestly, there’s no higher compliment for a place like this. Opening at 7 AM Tuesday through Sunday, the restaurant welcomes early risers with a menu that feels genuinely homemade.
Pancakes, eggs, and extra crispy bacon are among the breakfast favorites. The staff greet you with the kind of warmth you’d expect from someone who actually knows your name, even if it’s your first visit.
That Southern hospitality isn’t performed here; it’s just how these people operate.
For anyone who’s tired of chain restaurant breakfasts that taste like they were assembled in a warehouse, this place is a welcome reset. Everything feels fresh, personal, and made with care.
Showing up early means you get the full experience before the lunch crowd rolls in.
Chicken and Dumplings That Deserve Their Own Fan Club
Chicken and dumplings is one of those dishes that either feels like a warm blanket or a letdown, depending on who made it. At Becky’s & Mary’s, it falls firmly in the warm blanket category.
Mary herself offered samples to a table of first-time visitors, and the response was immediate enthusiasm.
The dumplings are soft and thick, the broth is rich, and the chicken is tender enough to fall apart without any effort. It’s the kind of dish that shows up on the daily rotation rather than as a permanent fixture, which makes spotting it on the menu feel like a small victory.
Regulars who know the schedule plan their visits around it. If you’re lucky enough to walk in on a day when chicken and dumplings are available, don’t hesitate.
Order it, savor it, and then plan your next trip back before you’ve even finished the bowl.
Fried Catfish With a Crispy Crust Worth Writing Home About
Fried catfish is a Southern staple, but not every kitchen gets the crust right. At Becky’s & Mary’s, the catfish comes out crispy, well-seasoned, and paired beautifully with sides like mac and cheese and smoky collard greens.
One family who visited on a Saturday afternoon came away genuinely impressed and said they’d return.
The key to great fried catfish is the seasoning in the coating and the temperature of the oil. Both have to be right, and this kitchen understands that.
The result is a fillet that holds its crunch even after a few minutes on the plate.
For anyone who grew up eating fried fish on Fridays at a family gathering, this dish will bring those memories rushing back. It’s not trying to be anything other than what it is: honest, flavorful Southern cooking served without pretense or fanfare.
A Cash-Only Policy That Adds to the Old-School Charm
Becky’s & Mary’s is cash only, and that detail alone tells you something important about this place. It’s not trying to modernize for the sake of convenience.
It’s operating exactly the way it always has, and the loyal customer base respects that completely.
Several reviewers flagged the cash requirement as something to prepare for ahead of time, especially since parking is limited and the nearest ATM might require a short detour. The advice from regulars is simple: stop at the bank before you stop at the restaurant.
Once you’re inside with cash in hand, everything else falls into place. The prices are low enough that you won’t need much.
Three full meals with drinks can run around forty dollars total, which is practically unheard of in today’s dining landscape. The cash-only policy isn’t a flaw; it’s part of the authentic, no-frills identity that makes this place so special.
The Warm, Welcoming Staff That Make Every Visit Feel Personal
Walk into Becky’s & Mary’s and someone will smile at you. That’s not a guarantee most restaurants can make, but at this Washington Street spot, it’s practically a given.
Reviewers consistently praise the staff for being kind, attentive, and genuinely happy to have you there.
Mary is often in the kitchen, and she sometimes steps out to offer customers a taste of whatever she’s cooking that day. That personal connection between cook and customer is something you can’t manufacture or train into existence.
It either comes naturally or it doesn’t, and here it absolutely does.
A restaurant that has won “Best Soul Food” in High Point multiple times doesn’t get there through food alone. The people behind the counter are a huge part of why customers drive from Charlotte, stop in on road trips, and bring their families back again and again.
Good food tastes even better when served with genuine warmth.