Dixie House Cafe

Dixie House Cafe originally opened in 1983 as Theresa’s, named after the owner’s wife. They started small with seating for around only thirty and only one other employee. They made recipes from scratch including, desserts and homemade yeast rolls, along with their hand battered chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken, meatloaf, roast beef and real mashed potatoes. What they were doing worked because more than thirty years later they have five restaurants, with over a hundred employees, going strong.

My family and I stopped in after an exhausting day shopping at Hulen Mall. Spending a long time in a mall tends to make me cranky because there are too many people in too small of a space. My mood lifted within seconds of walking through the door. Not only did huge pieces of pie greet my eye, staff immediately greeted us in a manner that was genuine and welcoming. The seating reminded me of a cafeteria style restaurant, like Luby’s or Furr’s but, the food was way better. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking the others but any restaurant that serves from big trays under warmer lights can’t compare to fresh food made when you order it. I drink an absurd amount of water with my meals so the huge glass the waitress set in front of me made me happier than it probably should. It drives me crazy when I get a little glass because I feel bad making wait staff run back and forth refilling my glass, even if that is their job.

I ordered the chicken fried steak. I am an aficionado of that dish and on a quest to try all the options in the metroplex before I die…I have no real expectations of meeting that goal but, it is sure fun to try. It is not the best I’ve ever had; I have to give that honor to my mother-in-law. This chicken fried steak is definitely in my top five. Wait, it gets better. I went on a Tuesday and for that huge plate of food pictured below, it was under ten bucks. However, if you go on a Monday or Wednesday, between 11 and 8:30 pm the chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken with two vegetables and a roll is only $4.99! That huge, delicious steak for under five dollars! My only complaint (and it is super nit-picky) is that the plate is not big enough. I love the sectioned cafeteria plates but it was difficult to cut my humongous steak up when it did not fit in the section it was given…first world problems, ya know?

My partner had the meatloaf and was just as happy and full as I was. I did not try the pie on that occasion because I was too stuffed. However, on a subsequent trip, I did try a slice of the chocolate pie and I am absolutely in love. Dixie House Cafe sells their homemade pies and cakes by the slice or whole and they are worth every penny.

If you have a party or work event coming up, consider Dixie House Cafe for catering. I know that I would be more willing to sit through a boring budget meeting if my mouth was happy with pie..or chicken fried steak…or their rolls…or mashed potatoes. I would also be more likely to attend family gatherings if Dixie House Cafe was responsible for the food instead of Aunt Edna. Stop by one of their five locations and let me know if you agree with me.