The Golden Rule: Inside Mrs. White's Iconic Phoenix Cafe Still Serving Soul Food After 60+ Years (Updated 2025)

Few restaurants can claim a legacy spanning over six decades, but Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe in Downtown Phoenix is not just any restaurant; it is a living monument to Southern comfort food and the unwavering spirit of its founder, Elizabeth "Mrs. White" White. As of the most recent updates in June 2025, this iconic establishment continues to serve its legendary soul food classics, a remarkable feat given the challenges of the modern culinary world.

The cafe's enduring appeal lies in its commitment to the "Golden Rule"—treating every customer like family and serving every dish with love. This philosophy, coupled with recipes perfected over generations, has cemented its status as a cornerstone of the Arizona culinary landscape, attracting both local patrons and food tourists eager for a taste of authentic, home-style cooking.

Elizabeth White: A Phoenix Legend and Her Golden Rule

The story of Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe is inseparable from the biography of its matriarch, Elizabeth White. Her journey from opening a small cafe to becoming a celebrated city icon is a testament to perseverance and passion.

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• Full Name: Elizabeth J. White
• Role: Founder and Owner of Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe
• Age: Over 100 years old (mentioned as 101 in some reports)
• Cafe Founding Year: 1964
• Location: 808 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
• Cuisine: Classic Soul Food / Southern Comfort Food
• Key Family Member: Her son, Larry White, co-owns and helps run the restaurant.
• Major Recognition: Received a commendation from Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona in February 2023 for her outstanding contributions to the state.
• Historical Significance: The Golden Rule Cafe is one of Phoenix's oldest and longest-owned and operated African-American establishments.

Mrs. White opened the cafe when Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) was President, and she has been a fixture in the community ever since. Her dedication to quality and her presence in the kitchen for nearly 60 years have made the cafe more than a business; it’s a cultural institution. The restaurant is often affectionately referred to simply as "The Golden Rule Cafe" by long-time residents.

The Menu: Southern Comfort Food That Defines Phoenix Soul

The menu at Mrs. White's is a straightforward celebration of Southern comfort food, focusing on classic dishes prepared with traditional methods. Customers come for the consistency, the generous portions, and the flavor that evokes a Sunday family dinner. The food is often described as "down-home classics" and "the best Southern comfort food this side of the Mississippi."

The core of the menu revolves around a few signature entrees that have earned the cafe its legendary status:

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The Must-Try Signature Dishes

The restaurant’s reputation is built on three main pillars, each a masterclass in soul food preparation:

• Smothered Pork Chops: Consistently ranked as one of the most popular items, the pork chops are tender, pan-fried, and drenched in a rich, savory gravy.
• Fried Chicken: Mrs. White’s famous fried chicken is a staple. It’s known for its crispy, seasoned crust and juicy interior, a result of decades of perfected technique.
• Fried Catfish: A Southern classic, the catfish is perfectly fried and a favorite among seafood lovers looking for a savory, crispy entree.

These entrees are typically paired with a rotating selection of savory sides (often not included in the base price, which is a point of discussion in some online reviews). Sides are essential to the soul food experience, and the cafe offers traditional favorites like collard greens, mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, and yams, all served with a piece of cornbread. The entire meal is designed to feed the soul.

The Gordon Ramsay Intervention: Saving a Legacy

Despite its long history and loyal customer base, Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe faced serious challenges in recent years, a situation that brought the attention of a global culinary superstar. The cafe was featured on the reality television show Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service, a detail that provides a unique and dramatic chapter in its history.

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The episode, which was the third of the first season, focused on the need to save the legendary soul food cafe from losing its legacy. Gordon Ramsay, known for his straight-talking approach, visited the Phoenix establishment to surveil the operation and provide a significant intervention.

The Crisis and the Turnaround

The restaurant, run by Mrs. White and her son Larry, was reportedly in "serious trouble," struggling to maintain its high standards and financial stability in a rapidly changing Downtown Phoenix landscape. Ramsay's involvement was critical, as he worked to help the cafe "find its roots again" and secure its future.

The intervention was a pivotal moment, providing the necessary boost, exposure, and potentially financial or operational improvements needed for the cafe to continue thriving. The fact that Mrs. White's is still operating successfully today, with a respectable 4.1-star Google rating from over 1,700 reviews as of mid-2025, is a testament to the success of that turnaround and the enduring power of the White family's commitment.

Topical Authority and Key Entities

The cultural significance of Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe extends beyond its food. It represents the history of African-American entrepreneurship in Arizona and the preservation of authentic Southern cooking traditions. Key entities and concepts relevant to this iconic establishment include:

• Elizabeth White (Mrs. White)
• Larry White (Co-Owner)
• Phoenix, Arizona (Location)
• Downtown Phoenix Inc. (Community)
• Soul Food (Cuisine)
• Southern Comfort Food (Cuisine Category)
• Fried Chicken (Signature Dish)
• Smothered Pork Chops (Signature Dish)
• Fried Catfish (Signature Dish)
• Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service (TV Show/Intervention)
• Governor Katie Hobbs (Commendation)
• African-American History (Cultural Context)
• 808 E Jefferson St (Address)
• The Golden Rule (Operating Philosophy)
• LSI Keywords: Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, Black-Eyed Peas, Cornbread, Restaurant Legacy.

The cafe is more than just a place to eat; it is a time capsule. Walking up to the establishment, visitors often feel they have stepped out of present-day Phoenix and into a decades-old film, a sentiment that speaks volumes about its preserved, authentic atmosphere. For anyone seeking a true taste of history, hospitality, and legendary Southern cooking, Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe remains an essential destination.