Cleburne Cafeteria
Restaurant · Upper Kirby
3606 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
Highlights
Hefty portions of American classics served cafeteria-style
Hefty portions of American classics served cafeteria-style
"Since 1941, Cleburne has served homestyle comfort food in a no-nonsense, cafeteria-style environment. This family-run institution fills diner’s plates with hearty servings of chicken and dumplings, fried catfish, turkey with dressing, and more. The unpretentious setup and generous portions make it a cherished spot for a comforting, casual meal." - Marcy de Luna
"Cleburne Cafeteria exists in the same cinematic universe as your local Luby’s. The cafeteria-style restaurant in West University has been around since the ‘40s, and people have been coming long enough to know most of the staff by name. Instead of serving your typical chocolate milk and fish sticks, they do hefty pieces of cod and mounds of smooth mashed potatoes protecting pools of rich gravy. Somewhere between looking at the timeline of the restaurant's history printed on the wall and tearing into chicken fried steak the size of your face, you’ll get hit by a wave of nostalgia and be grateful for the pause in time." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi
"Cleburne Cafeteria exists in the same cinematic universe as your local Luby’s. The West University spot has been around since the ‘40s, and walking in, you get the sense that everyone has been coming here with their families for years. The cafeteria has a sea of plastic trays leading to the food assembly line. But instead of your typical chocolate milk and fish sticks, Cleburne serves hefty pieces of cod and mounds of smooth mashed potatoes protecting pools of rich gravy. By the time you make it to the end of the serving line, you’ll have to make the tough decision between a slice of pecan pie and a quarter-pound of blueberry cake. And when you’re finally in the dining room tearing into chicken fried steak, you’ll get hit by the nostalgia of this classic restaurant and be thankful for the pause in time. photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen Food Rundown photo credit: Quit Nguyen Kale Salad The kale is dressed with a slightly sweet vinaigrette and features a slight crunch from roasted peanuts and bell peppers. It makes for a good way to start your meal. video credit: Quit Nguyen Mashed Potatoes Fluffy and filling, the mashed potatoes warrant a spot on your tray. We love the excess gravy cascading over the top of the potatoes. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Chicken Fried Steak The football-sized steak is covered in perfectly crispy breading. You can get it plain, but the gravy adds so much richness that the dish feels incomplete without it. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Blueberry Cake This slice is massive enough for two people. But between the thick slab of buttercream frosting and the tart bursts of blueberries folded into the cake, it’s OK to want this dessert all to yourself." - Gianni Greene
"Take comfort in knowing no matter when you visit Cleburne Cafeteria, every experience is safe and predictable, just like H-E-B curbside pickup. Here, you know what to expect—great food and tried-and-true entrees—and you can select exactly what you want from the display in front of you. Like colorful bowls of jello cubes, meticulous slices of prime rib, butter-whipped potatoes, and tiny plates of impractically large pieces of cake. No menu to mess with, no server to forget your extra side of ketchup. When you need order and control, go to Cleburne Cafeteria. " - chelsea thomas, gianni greene
"The Southern-style restaurant Cleburne Cafeteria will be open from 11am-8pm on Christmas Day. Which means you can swing by this West University spot and have the classics, like chicken fried chicken and golden fried catfish with hushpuppies. Or, take your holiday cheer to-go with takeout orders with turkey, ham, and all the fixins’. Price: varies" - Gianni Greene
