At Magnolia Room Cafeteria in Tucker, GA, the kitchen crew starts before sunrise. They prepare every dish from scratch, using fresh ingredients and steady routines. Owner Louis Squires says, “We keep the same rhythm every day. That’s how we stay consistent, and that’s what our guests expect.”
6:00 AM – Prep Begins
The first cooks arrive at 6:00 AM. They start peeling potatoes, chopping onions, and seasoning meats. Cornbread batter is mixed and ready for the ovens by 6:30 AM.
Each day, the team prepares:
100 pounds of fresh vegetables
40 pounds of chicken
15 pans of macaroni and cheese
12 trays of banana pudding
Squires explains, “We don’t cut corners. If it’s not fresh, we don’t serve it.”
10:00 AM – Final Checks
By mid-morning, all hot trays are filled and ready for the line. Fried chicken goes into the fryer. Roasts come out of the oven. Sides are checked for temperature and taste.
Every item is made in-house. Nothing is pre-cooked or pre-packaged. “We taste everything before it goes out,” says Squires. “If it’s not right, we fix it.”
11:00 AM – Doors Open
The line begins to move as guests arrive for lunch. The crew serves steady traffic from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Each staff member has a job—serving plates, restocking items, or cleaning trays.
On average, Magnolia Room serves 400 to 600 meals per day. Sundays can exceed 700.
3:00 PM – Reset for Dinner
After the lunch rush, the crew cleans and resets. They prepare new trays, bake more cornbread, and refill desserts. Fresh batches of vegetables and meats are cooked for the evening.
Squires says, “We don’t serve leftovers. Dinner guests get the same quality as lunch guests.”
7:00 PM – Cleanup
Once the last guest leaves, the team begins full cleanup. Floors are swept, equipment is scrubbed, and prep is started for the next day.
Every crew member plays a role in keeping the kitchen running. Squires adds, “It takes discipline and teamwork. These folks are the reason Magnolia Room works.”
Serving Tucker, GA
Tucker is a city of over 37,000 people in DeKalb County. It supports small businesses and values home-style meals. Magnolia Room has earned trust in the community by staying consistent with quality and service.
Guests include families, seniors, church groups, and local workers. Many return weekly and know the staff by name.