This North Carolina Restaurant Is Famous For Banana Pudding You Can’t Forget
There’s something magical about finding a place that feels like home the moment you walk through the door. Becky’s & Mary’s Restaurant has been serving up that kind of warmth since 1973, turning strangers into family one plate at a time.
When North Carolina knows your name, it’s because your banana pudding writes love letters to every soul who tastes it. Located at 731 Washington St, High Point, NC 27260, this soul food sanctuary run by sisters Becky and Mary has become more than just a restaurant.
It’s where generations gather, where recipes whispered from grandmother to grandchild come alive on every table, and where the simple act of sharing a meal becomes something extraordinary. The aroma of fried chicken mingles with sweet yams in the air, creating an invisible welcome mat that pulls you inside.
Cash only, no reservations, no frills, just honest to goodness cooking that reminds you why food matters beyond filling your belly. This place doesn’t just feed you; it embraces you with flavors that linger long after you’ve left.
1. Legendary Banana Pudding That Started It All
Walking into any conversation about Becky’s & Mary’s inevitably leads to one dessert that has achieved near mythical status. The banana pudding here isn’t just good; it’s the kind of revelation that makes grown adults plan road trips around getting another taste.
Layers of vanilla wafers soften into the creamy custard while fresh banana slices add that perfect sweetness.
What makes this pudding unforgettable is the balance between nostalgia and perfection. It tastes exactly like what your grandmother would make if she had decades to perfect the recipe.
The texture hits that sweet spot between silky smooth and comfortingly substantial, with each spoonful delivering memories you didn’t know you had.
People drive from neighboring states specifically for this dessert, ordering it before their main course to ensure they don’t miss out. The pudding sells out regularly, especially on weekends when word spreads that a fresh batch just came out.
One taste explains why visitors become regulars and why regulars guard this secret like treasure, even while simultaneously telling everyone they meet about it.
2. Sisters Who Built a Legacy From Scratch
Becky and Mary didn’t just open a restaurant in 1973; they created a second home for an entire community. These sisters brought recipes passed down through their family and transformed them into a business built on love, consistency, and genuine hospitality.
Over five decades later, they still show up, still greet customers, still make sure every plate leaving their kitchen meets their exacting standards.
Meeting either sister feels like reuniting with family you haven’t seen in years. Their warmth radiates through every interaction, whether they’re recommending dishes or simply asking about your day.
Customers mention these encounters in reviews with the same fondness usually reserved for beloved relatives.
The longevity of their success speaks volumes about their dedication and character. Running a restaurant for over fifty years requires more than good cooking; it demands unwavering commitment to quality and community.
Becky and Mary embody both, treating every customer like an honored guest at their table. Their presence transforms a simple meal into an experience worth remembering and repeating.
3. Fried Chicken That Defines Comfort Food
Some dishes become the measuring stick by which all others are judged. The fried chicken at Becky’s & Mary’s occupies that sacred space for many who’ve tasted it.
Golden breading shatters with the first bite, giving way to meat so juicy and tender it practically falls off the bone. The seasoning walks that perfect line between flavorful and overwhelming.
Comparisons to grandmother’s Sunday chicken aren’t just nostalgia talking. The preparation follows those time honored methods that prioritize flavor and texture over speed or shortcuts.
Each piece gets the attention it deserves, resulting in chicken that tastes like someone’s best childhood memory.
Critics of the seasoning exist, proving that taste remains beautifully subjective. Some crave bolder spices while others appreciate the subtle approach that lets the chicken itself shine.
What nobody disputes is the quality of the cooking technique. The breading stays crispy, the meat stays moist, and the overall execution demonstrates skills honed over decades.
Whether you prefer your chicken aggressively seasoned or traditionally prepared, the craftsmanship here deserves respect.
4. Potato Salad Worth The Hype
Potato salad sparks debates fiercer than politics in Southern kitchens. Everyone’s grandmother made it differently, and everyone believes their version reigns supreme.
Becky’s & Mary’s potato salad has converted countless skeptics into believers, earning mentions in review after review as a standout side dish that overshadows even the main courses.
The creamy texture and balanced seasoning create something special without relying on gimmicks or unusual ingredients. Traditional preparation methods yield extraordinary results when executed with care and consistency.
Chunks of potato maintain their integrity while absorbing the dressing, creating that ideal combination of soft and substantial.
Vegetarian diners specifically call out this potato salad as their favorite item on the menu. That endorsement carries weight, considering they’re choosing it over everything else available.
The salad works equally well alongside fried chicken or as the star of its own plate. Some customers admit to ordering extra portions just to take home, knowing they’ll crave it later.
When a simple side dish generates that kind of loyalty, you know something magical is happening in that kitchen.
5. Collard Greens Cooked To Perfection
Collard greens separate the soul food amateurs from the masters. These leafy vegetables demand patience, proper seasoning, and an understanding of how time and heat transform tough leaves into silky, flavorful perfection.
Becky’s & Mary’s greens consistently earn praise for hitting every note correctly, from the tender texture to the savory depth that comes from proper preparation.
The seasoning doesn’t overpower but enhances, allowing the natural earthiness of the greens to shine through. Each bite delivers that satisfying combination of substance and flavor that makes you understand why this dish has sustained generations.
The pot liquor alone could serve as a masterclass in building flavor through slow cooking and careful attention.
Multiple reviews specifically mention these greens as non negotiable ordering items. Even visitors trying the restaurant for the first time instinctively know to add collard greens to their plates.
The consistency impresses as much as the taste; whether you visit on a Tuesday afternoon or Saturday lunch rush, those greens deliver the same comforting excellence. That reliability transforms first time diners into devoted regulars.
6. Cash Only Policy Adds Authentic Charm
Modern convenience meets old school values at the intersection of Becky’s & Mary’s cash only policy. While some might initially balk at the need to carry physical money, this requirement actually enhances the authentic, throwback experience that defines the restaurant.
It’s a reminder of simpler times when transactions felt more personal and less digital.
The policy keeps operations straightforward and honest, eliminating processing fees that might otherwise increase menu prices. Customers quickly adapt, with many appreciating the excuse to slow down and engage more directly with the payment process.
Several reviews mention hitting the ATM specifically for this restaurant, treating it as part of the ritual rather than an inconvenience.
This approach also maintains the restaurant’s independence from corporate payment systems and their associated complications. Becky and Mary built their business on direct relationships with customers, and cash transactions reinforce that personal connection.
The policy hasn’t hurt business; if anything, it adds to the charm and authenticity that draws people in. Knowing you need cash before arriving becomes part of the anticipation and preparation for the experience.
7. Meatloaf That Surprises And Delights
Meatloaf doesn’t typically inspire excitement or social media posts. It’s comfort food in its most humble form, often overlooked in favor of flashier menu items.
Yet at Becky’s & Mary’s, this unassuming dish has developed its own dedicated following among those who appreciate excellent execution of traditional recipes.
The texture achieves that elusive balance between firm enough to slice cleanly and tender enough to cut with a fork. Seasoning throughout ensures every bite delivers flavor rather than relying solely on whatever sauce accompanies it.
The preparation clearly follows a tried and true recipe that hasn’t needed updating because it worked perfectly from the start.
Customers who order the meatloaf often express surprise at how much they enjoyed something so seemingly ordinary. That reaction speaks to the quality of ingredients and the care taken in preparation.
Nothing fancy, nothing trendy, just honest meatloaf made the right way by people who’ve been making it the right way for decades. Sometimes the most impressive culinary achievements come from perfecting the basics rather than reinventing them.
8. Sweet Yams That Taste Like Dessert
Sweet yams at Becky’s & Mary’s blur the line between side dish and dessert in the best possible way. Rich with butter and sweetness, these yams deliver comfort in concentrated form.
The traditional seasoning approach means you’re tasting a dish that has satisfied Southern palates for generations, prepared by people who understand exactly how it should taste.
The texture matters as much as the flavor here. Yams maintain enough structure to feel substantial while achieving that melt in your mouth tenderness that signals proper cooking.
The sweetness never crosses into cloying territory, instead providing that perfect counterpoint to savory main dishes.
Multiple reviews single out the yams as among the best items on an already impressive menu. Even visitors from other regions where yams might not be standard fare find themselves converted by this preparation.
The generous portions mean you get plenty to enjoy, and the consistent quality means you know exactly what deliciousness awaits each visit. These yams represent soul food at its finest, proving that simple ingredients treated with respect and skill can create something truly memorable.
9. No Reservations, No Problem Philosophy
Planning has its place, but Becky’s & Mary’s operates on a different philosophy. No reservations means no guaranteed seating, no calling ahead to secure your spot, just showing up and taking your chances with everyone else.
This democratic approach treats every customer equally, whether you’re a first timer or a fifty year regular.
The first come, first served system actually enhances the experience for many diners. There’s something refreshing about the simplicity, the lack of pretension that comes with reservation systems and waiting lists.
You arrive, you wait if necessary, you eat when space becomes available. The process feels honest and straightforward.
Lines form regularly, especially during peak hours, but customers report that the wait moves reasonably well. Standing in line also builds anticipation and gives you time to decide what you’ll order from the cafeteria style setup.
Fellow diners often strike up conversations, sharing recommendations and building the community atmosphere that defines this place. The no reservations policy might seem inconvenient in theory, but in practice, it reinforces the accessible, welcoming nature that makes Becky’s & Mary’s special.
10. Breakfast That Starts Your Day Right
Breakfast at Becky’s & Mary’s proves that starting your day with soul food sets the right tone for everything that follows. Pancakes arrive fluffy and generous, bacon comes out crispy, and eggs are cooked exactly as ordered.
The morning menu delivers the same quality and care that defines their lunch and dinner service.
Diners compare the breakfast experience to eating at their grandmother’s table, which represents the highest compliment in Southern food culture. That homestyle preparation means real ingredients, proper techniques, and portions that ensure nobody leaves hungry.
The staff greets early morning customers with the same warmth they show all day, making breakfast feel like a family gathering.
Opening at seven in the morning means early risers and workers can grab a solid meal before starting their day. The affordable prices make regular breakfast visits feasible for those who want to start every morning with something special.
Several reviews specifically praise the breakfast service, noting that it deserves as much attention as the better known lunch and dinner options. Whether you’re a pancake person or prefer savory morning plates, breakfast here offers another opportunity to experience what makes this restaurant exceptional.
11. Cafeteria Style Service With Heart
Cafeteria style service might sound impersonal, but at Becky’s & Mary’s it becomes part of the charm. Seeing all the options displayed lets you make informed choices and build your perfect plate.
The setup encourages trying multiple sides and discovering new favorites you might not have ordered from a traditional menu.
Staff members serving from behind the steam tables bring personality and helpfulness to the process. They’ll offer recommendations, explain dishes you’re unfamiliar with, and make sure you get generous portions of everything you select.
This interaction adds a personal touch that elevates the cafeteria format beyond institutional dining into something warm and welcoming.
The visual presentation of food matters more than many realize. Seeing those collard greens steaming, watching meatloaf get sliced fresh, observing the golden fried chicken waiting to be plated all builds anticipation and helps you decide what sounds good in the moment.
Some reviews mention the food temperature could be slightly warmer, but the trade off comes with being able to see and choose exactly what appeals to you. The cafeteria approach works beautifully here, combining efficiency with the personal service that defines Southern hospitality.
12. Community Gathering Place For Generations
Restaurants come and go, but the ones that last become woven into the fabric of their communities. Becky’s & Mary’s has served High Point, at 731 Washington Street, for over five decades, feeding multiple generations of the same families and creating connections that extend beyond food.
Regular customers know each other, staff members remember names and preferences, and newcomers quickly feel included in something bigger than a simple meal.
The neighborhood location means this restaurant serves the people who live nearby, creating a genuine local gathering spot rather than a tourist destination. That authentic community connection shows in how customers talk about the place, using possessive language as it belongs to them personally.
In many ways, it does; this restaurant exists because the community supports it, and the community thrives partly because this restaurant exists.
Longevity like this doesn’t happen by accident. It requires consistent quality, fair prices, and genuine care for the people you serve.
Becky and Mary have provided all three for fifty years and counting. The restaurant represents stability and tradition in a world that often feels chaotic and temporary.
Walking through those doors means joining a legacy, becoming part of a story that started in 1973 and continues every time someone orders that unforgettable banana pudding.
