In the 1980s, Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates) is a middle-aged, depressed housewife who struggles with her self-esteem and the growing distance in her marriage. She visits a nursing home to see her husband’s aunt, where she meets Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy), an elderly, spirited woman who tells Evelyn the story of the Whistle Stop Café, a once-thriving eatery in a small town in Alabama.

Through Ninny’s storytelling, the film shifts to the 1920s–1930s, where we meet the vibrant characters who made up the heart of the Whistle Stop Café. Idgie Threadgoode (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth Jamison (Mary-Louise Parker) are the central figures of this storyline. Idgie is a free-spirited, rebellious woman who runs the café with her partner Ruth, a more reserved and nurturing figure. Their relationship is at the core of the film’s emotional depth, particularly as they face prejudice, betrayal, and personal struggles in their small Southern town.

As Evelyn listens to Ninny’s tales, she begins to find strength in the lessons of resilience and community, eventually transforming her own life. The film concludes with Evelyn finding her own voice and gaining a new sense of confidence, all inspired by the strength and courage of the women from the Whistle Stop Café.