Okay! This is rural America where one has to drive some miles to find a place to get a good cup of coffee. And Marcy Jo's is one of those places. Having lived up on the Iron Range and suffered at times some of the most crude cafes in America, here it is something much warmer and personal. I am a local, meaning that Marcy and Jo are down the road and are neighbors. It is a few miles to the Mealhouse, and another twenty to town. I am usually there early for a bite and some of the local happenings. It is without fail that I am treated like family, and usually a hug is tossed in for good luck. While many drive hundreds of miles to be enchanted with the place and the celebrity value, which it certainly has, I am simply happy to enjoy friends and community. One time I was sitting talking with Rory and Marcy, and group came in so I offered to move and give them room to sit together. NOPE! They grabbed a couple extra chairs and snuggled in like back home on the farm when harvesting brought everyone together. NICE! Marcy Jo's holds to a menu of the day, which is odd for the average, fancy, or even fussy eater. Posted on the wall in grease pencil! It is as advertised, simply good home cooking. Again, coming from the cold and tundra of the north one can appreciate the spread piled on one's plate. No demitasse cups, silver spoons, or linen table cloths to clutter the place, there are too many other distractions of memorabilia, and just the aesthetics of an era gone by. The old wood floor has some holes, but neatly covered with old license plates. And when one walks across the Mealhouse there is this sense that things are in a bit of a tilt. Things tend to move around and settle about here and there on the down side of the Cumberland's. It reminds me of the times my uncle would take me to town and sit around the old cast iron stove and talk the talk. A strange mix, sitting with the locals talking about hay, cows, and laying hens, while some are wanting to have Rory and Jo autograph their CD or Tshirt. And from time to time a known celebrity catches everyone's eye. Sorry to say, I am so out of the social circle that seldom can I name one, ... and my apology to the person who asked for my autograph. Not sure who they thought I was, but it will sure give them hours of puzzlement trying to figure it all out. I know this is getting a bit long, happens when one lives in the woods and only has the trees to talk to. Perhaps, that is another reason for a star on the Mealhouse? When you are there you can talk to the people around you, and they share in! Frankly, my opinion of Marcy Jo's, and all of it comes down to one simple thing. A place is a place, things are things, but people are special, and in this case my neighbors. Not selling the place, its food, or even its service, but the people you will meet are very special!

Home cookin' like at Mama's...tons of atmosphere, Southern antiques and newer items for sale. Could have been the inspiration for Cracker Barrels. Charming host and wait staff. Sometimes, I am told, you can catch entertainment by locals including up and coming Joey & Rory, kin to the owner, Marcy Jo and local country sensations. Family atmosphere, I just cannot say enough. A must visit on my every trip south from home in Columbus, OH.

3 weeks ago my wife and I went on a Saturday morning and had the greatest friendliest breakfast ever. I can still taste the "Sticky Bun". MMM mmmmm! .

Great service and good food.

When I go out to eat I do it for the experience and this was nothing special. Customer service was average. Explained that it was my first time at the restaurant but they never took the time to welcome me or even explain how they did things in their restaurant. Don't expect to get a menu with prices because they won't give you one. Have worked many years in the business of customer service and noticed many things that they did wrong. The food was good but again the experience was nothing special. Will be sure to spend my money somewhere else next time to a place that appreciates my business.