Today I had the misfortune of dining at Mary's cafe in strawn. I've been hearing for years how great it is and they have the best chicken fried steak. Well their reputation is way over inflated. The food was overrated and mediocre at best and overpriced. The service was HORRIBLE! I was the first one in the door with a group but the last one to place an order. When I asked the waitress why she didn't take my order first she said it doesn't matter because all the orders get turned in the same time! Needless to say I won't be returning. read more

Disappointing. I had heard so much about Mary's Cafe. Went there over the weekend and the service was horrible! Waited for 1 hour outside in the hot sun to get in. The person (hostess) doing the seating was rude, not very friendly. Finally got a table. Waited another hour before our food was brought to our table. Received all sorts of excuses about why it took so long. Will NEVER go back there Food was good ( I can do just as well) and it wasn't worth the 2 hour wait!! read more

We make the hour drive to Strawn to eat at Mary's frequently! This place has the absolute best melt in your mouth chicken fried steak!!! Also, if you are an ice cold beer connoisseur, then you must try their tap beverages! They are extremely cold, ice floating in the "fish bowl" when it is brought to you. The absolute best way to drink beer!! Their weekly 'All-You-Can-Eat' specials are just as great! You get more than enough on just one plate!!! read more

This place is amazing!!! Friday and Saturday night is packed beyond belief but the CFS or chicken fry steak is worth it all

I was very surprised that it was a very busy place .... We arrived at about 2:45 and our waitress promptly took our order .... It took 35 minutes to get our order and I noticed that two other tables that came in after us were served prior to us .... I believe the waitress forgot our table ... when I received my order it was wrong .... I ordered mashed potatoes and was served a baked potato .... I told the waitress, she seemed hurried, she reached onto my plate and grabbed my potatoe then turned and reached into the container of dirty dishes setting in the chair next to me as tbe table was being cleaned and put my baked potato on it!!!! I gasped and she looked at me and said, it wasn't dirty and she took the potatoe back to the kitchen for the next customer .... I couldn't believe what I had just seen .... No I will NOT return but I did enjoy the drive to get away ... read more

I honestly was repulsed by the food here. Other than the waiter being nice there was nothing about this restaurant that is good. I literally felt sick eating my food and looking at it. The problem with this restaurant is they WANT to be known by the large portions they serve. You can tell by the tons and tons of food being thrown in the trash and not eaten. A serving of mashed potatoes is 3 cups. Way too much for one person. So looking around at tables where people had left, the plates are still 2/3 of the way full of bread, fries, potatoes, and going in the trash. When you try to get KNOWN for large portions what you do is you serve CHEAP food. The tortilla chips were OK but had no flavor. The salsa was literally like a tomato sauce. No flavor. I've had way better salsa from a jar. We ordered the Mexican Sampler plate. The very GREASY taco was OK but the hamburger was cheap tasting and had ZERO seasoning. Just plain burger in a shell. I kid you not I think Taco Bells tacos are 10 times better! The re-fried beans were so nasty looking. I didn't eat them. The nacho sampler was 1 tortilla chip with enough topping for 10 chips. The enchilada was nothing but a pile of greasy cheese. If this restaurant wants my opinion they would stop buying cheap cafeteria style items and reduce the amounts. Serve quality food and less. Because serving that much food doesn't matter if everyone is leaving it behind. The guy next to us was eating nachos. Since it was our first time there I asked him what he was having because it appeared good from our table. He gave me a look that said he was disgusted by it. He showed us how they put 12 chips on the plate and pile each chip with 1/2 cup of toppings. He left over half on the table to be thrown out when they left. I also felt the restaurant was in need of repair and a good cleaning. read more

Absolutely delicious gem off the highway. Chicken fried steak definitely lives up to the reputation and the fries are greasy and delicious. Don't go into this dining experience expecting a healthy meal, get ready to dig into some greasy and tasty food all around read more

Chicken Fried Steak was not nearly as good as touted. Of course the whole experience suffered greatly because from the time food was order to when it was delivered to the table was over an hour. I felt bad for the little gal waiting on us as she was running her tail off just to keep drinks filled and many customers where complaining from lack of food. NEVER AGAIN read more

what is the hours and days open? i know mary's is the best but need to know the days open. diz howell, cisco ,tx. read more

The food and atmosphere was phenomenal. It was very laid back and no one was smoking inside. The portions of food, were more then we could eat. Great potions for the price. I have paid lots more in the city and still left hungry. The chicken fried steak was perfect. No fat or gristle. Homemade fries and cream gravy. Mmmmmmm . We look forward to going back. read more

We have eaten at Mary's for many years. Our last two visits have been very disappointing. The chicken fried steak had no batter and the frog legs had no seasoning. We stop by Mary's every time we go to Dallas We won't stop anymore. read more

I wanted to eat healthy, not easy in this place. I ordered the 5 oz grilled catfish for $12.00. Yes, 5 ozs for $12. It came with potatoes and some white beans which I didn't want (too many carbs) so I asked to substitute for green beans and they said no. No substitutions. Really? You keep the potato and white beans and I get green beans, you make more money and that's still a no? Pure greed to make you spend more money. So I had to pay $2.50 for a small serving of green beans. With an iced tea, a 5 oz peace of catfish and a serving of green beans, I had to pay $17.69. The catfish was just ok and the green beans were bland from a can. read more

I had wanted to stop here many times as I drove from Ft. Worth to Abilene and back but never had the chance. I finally had the time last Friday evening. I arrived about 7:30 pm and saw the line out the door. I walked in and asked how long was the wait and could tell it would easily be 45 minutes or more. That was confirmed and I nicely said, well maybe I would try another time. The cashier asked if I was by myself and offered me a seat on a table with 4 others next to the register. I graciously accepted, glad that I was given the opportunity to try the place out. I also was able to gauge which size I wanted as the other diners with me had a small, medium and lastly a large. I ordered the medium and found that it was large enough to take a full portion home with me when I was done. The steak could be cut with a fork and the mashed potatoes were fresh and perfectly seasoned. The gravy looked and tasted the way it should be. Reminded me of home! The salad was fresh and crisp. They were very busy and I shared the table with the hostess. It is a true home town type of place that should not be missed if you have the time and are in the area. read more

Of course being from Texas when I hear about top ranked chicken fried streak I'm there. I seen the recent airing on Texas Country Reporter about this place and since I was going that direction I stopped in. Seat yourself I suppose the casher looked at us and said nothing .It appears the cafe had went through growing spurts because the rooms seem to be either added and or Mary took over the business next to her and just put in a door. The cafe had no flow and it was set up not to function well in high volume. The wait staff greeted us upon seating and took our drink order. Mary's offer a full menu with wide range. The price point was a bit too much perhaps due to the on air program. The décor is beer advertising and framed past newspaper reviews. The famous chicken fried steak was tender and was able to cut with a fork. The fries was cooked at too low of a temperature to produce floppy greasy fries. I pushed them aside and pilled on the gravy. My tea was refilled when needed and the waitress was very attentive. When it came time to pay out you get a ticket from the waitress and you go towards the door and pay the cashier. The cashier was disconnected and did not have a grasp on her position. The chicken fried steak is very comparable to Risky's of Ft.Worth and but the next time by I'm that way I will stick with the Smoke stack nearby on I-20.. read more

Smoking permitted in entire place! I won't be back. The bun on my burger was burned to a crisp and meat was way over cooked. Lots of people there. I guess they like that type of atmosphere. Not me. Hate to even give 1 star. read more

I have eaten here before and really enjoyed it so today I skipped lunch and waited with eager anticipation to eat at Mary's again while on my way to a job in Odessa. I walked in and sat down. After about one minute I checked some emails and answered them. After about three or four more minutes no one comes over to get my drink order so I walk to a table right by the front door and counter. Both girls there see me again but neither one asks if I want a menu or a drink. A young teen age boy who works there asked one of the girls if has to refill the containers on the tables that hold the lemon juice and artificial sweeteners. She explains to him that normally those refilled in the morning but if there are some that need attention, then go ahead and do it; he grumbled something and walked away. What great initiative!!! I am still sitting there when the phone rings and the little blonde girl answers it, writes down a takeout order, tells the customer it will be ready in ten minutes and promptly takes it to the kitchen leaving me there. Sooooo, I get up and head out the door. Just as I am walking out I hear her behind me asking me "Sir can I get you a menu"? Take the hint honey, I have one foot out the door and my back turned against you. No, I don't want a menu!!!! Too late to ask that when a customer is leaving. This place is not like it used to be. Sad to say but I will NEVER be back!!! read more

This place was recommended by an old friend who said their Chicken Fried Steak was the best in the country, I was driving within 4 miles of it so why not take a detour for the best CFS in the land! Mary's is a classic small town cafe that everyone in the area gathers at regularly, nothing fancy, just a hometown come as you are kind of vibe. We of course had the CFS which comes in three different sizes and all of them are large! Choice of one side and a lettuce and tomato salad with the CFS. The medium that I had covered a large portion of the plate with Texas Toast, and the sides in separate bowls on the plate, the cream gravy is also on the side and there's plenty of it! The CFS was thin but not too thin, tender and breaded well, but not the typical thick batter that you see so often. The CFS was great, but I think maybe the oil that it was cooked in might have been in service a little too long and grew more noticeable with every bite of the huge portion. The mashed potatoes were great, mashed perfectly, not creamed. The gravy was awesome country style perfection! Overall it's not the best ever, but definitely in the top five and may have gave my number one a run for its money if the oil had been fresher! The rest of the menu looked great and that will get me to stop again to satisfy my curiosity about those items. read more

Mary's Cafe - American Near Me - Strawn, Texas

Awesome!! I got the small CFS and it was perfectly a cooked and a good portion size for me. It was a little crowed since Deer Season had opened that day and had to wait a while, but it was definitely worth it!! read more

My sister and I decided to meet at Mary's for our mother's birthday. It was about an hour and a half drive for each of us but we both had heard it was worth it. This was the WORST meal that I have ever had in a restaurant. My mom and sister ordered the CFS and it was huge just like the reviews had said. However, it tasted like greasy flour and nothing else as did the gravy. I ordered the chili cheeseburger and again it was huge. It was like a tasteless meatloaf on a bun and the french fries that I had to order separately were almost raw. On top of the food being awful it was expensive for what we ordered. Wouldn't eat there if I lived across the street!!! read more

Saw the billboard and decided to give it a try. Well worth the short detour off the highway. I had the chicken fried steak touted on the billboard and it was excellent. The service was friendly and fast. read more

Hubby & I drove over an hour from Azle on a Saturday to try their "famous chicken fried steak" for lunch. It was crowded but no line. Good size place, clean, with great "down-home-cooking" look and feel. The staff was very helpful, pleasant & attentive. CFS comes in small, medium & large.... I got small and it was plenty & then some. Hubby got the medium & brought at least half home. Guy at the next table ordered the large & it was as big as the menu. The meat was probably the tenderest I have ever had - but - unfortunately both the meat and the cream gravy were completely "blah", like the meat was not seasoned prior to cooking. Would have liked a bit more crunch in the crust, too. It wasn't terrible, just "edible". Hubby even agreed with me on the CFS. Pies are not home-made but we tried them anyway. Coconut meringue was awful, Chocolate meringue was ok. We have quite a bit of family that eat here and all swear by the CFS so we will try it again sometime hoping it was an off day for them. I notice they have calf fries, which I like a lot, so I'll try them next time. We went specifically for CFS and I give it 2 stars because of the lack of flavor but the restaurant & staff get 4 stars. I'm not rating the non-home-made pies. read more

Was pretty excited to try this restaurant out. I've heard they had good chicken fried steak. We walk in the hostess told us to sit wherever so we do. I have never felt so uncomfortable with all stares we got. I'm talking dirty looks from everyone. We sit down and one table would just keep staring at us like we were not welcomed there. We finally order and received our drinks. Only one waitress would help us. I noticed a different lady was going around pouring tea into everyone's cup but would never come to our table. About an hour later our food finally arrives. It was ok. Nothing to exciting. Especially how uncomfortable it was with people (that table next to us) just kept staring at us. When we were finished we were waiting for a waitress to come and pick up our plates and ask us If we needed to go boxes just like they did every other table but of course nobody would come to our table except that one waitress. Now mind you there was three or four waitresses that were going to different tables asking if they needed anything. You can tell they weren't set to one section. I was really disappointed in this little restaurant especially being excited to try it. Never again will we go back. read more

Love Mary and her chicken fried steak! We always eat here when we are in this part of Texas. Food is good.

Driving through the Texas countryside getting hungry, this is exactly the kind of home cooked cafe that is becoming extinct and that you only hope that you'll find. Came through Strawn and picked this place based on the large number of pickups parked out front. Absolutely the best waitstaff, efficient and friendly. The food home cooked, huge portions, the chicken fried steak is wonderful, home cut fries very tasty, and gravy served in a bowl on the side, Quality food, prepared well, served promptly and with the friendliest help I've had in a long long time. Mary's might become a beer joint later in the evening. Beers on tap including Shiner. Smoking in public not prohibited in Strawn so ask to be seated away from smokers if that bothers you. The restaurant's decor is sort of strange, the neon beer signs and the grey walls aren't that appealing, but somehow they add to the unique experience you will feel you had once you step out the door! read more

Maybe this was an off day for Mary. I'd heard that the CFS was worth the trip, but I'm not sure I would've walked across the street to have this experience today. The place was packed and the staff wasn't keeping up very well. We waited quite a while to be presented with a mediocre meal. The breading on the CFS was pretty thin. Based on the funky dark color of the steak, the fryer was overdue for an oil change. The mashed potatoes could have been good but were too heavily seasoned with black pepper. It wasn't the worst CFS dinner I've had, but it definitely doesn't make my list of bests. I'm not opposed to giving the place another chance if I happen to be out that way, just because so many other people must have been served something better on their visits. read more

Haven't received our food yet but found out the entire seating area is smoking. That is enough for zero stars I don't give a damn how good the food might be. Will not return!!! read more

Awesome chicken fried steak. Got the small with mashed potatoes and gravy and salad. Gravy is fantastic didn't have room for the salad. Worth the drive. If I lived here would definately make this a regular srop. read more

We waited 45 minutes to be seated. Then proceeded to wait over an hour for our food. When we said we needed to go- our food was miraculously ready. We saw several tables get seated and get their meals before we did. They were busy and working hard, but short handed and highly unorganized. No chicken fried steak is that good. read more

There is a sign right off he interstate at Ranger hill claiming a world famous chicken fried steak. They aren't lying. Do not go big unless you are ready to not move for a few hours. read more

There are two places in the State of Texas for Chicken Fried Steak in Texas and that is Hill Country Cupboard in Johnson City, Texas and right here at Mary's Cafe. This is the best place for pan fried CFS and Hill Country is best for deep fried. Excellent all the way around! read more

I love this little place. The chicken fried steak is the only thing I have ever had here, and it is great...whenever I travel west of DFW I make sure to stop in. There is nowhere in the DFW area with chicken fried steak as good as this place. Wait staff is very friendly and service is great... read more

Chicken fried steak just like my mother used to make in the 50's and 60's...real home cooking with the perfect balance of crust to meat. Meat was tender with no gristle or fat and the mashed potatoes were tasty with just the right amount of seasoning. The cream gravy was as good as Mom's and the wait staff was friendly. Yes, we will be back. read more

Great onion rings and chicken fried steak! Casual atmosphere. Lots of locals and repeat customers. It's a little out of the way but once you find it you'll be back! read more

Took an hour and 35 minutes from placing order to meal on table but the chicken fried steak was awesome, as usual. Cafe was not packed. Must've gotten order ticket misplaced. read more

We went with high expectations, and were disappointed. Food was edible, but hardly the great stuff on other reviews. We had much better chicken fried steak at the restaurant on the hill in Thurber. We don't get the rave reviews, but different tastes for different folks. read more

Mary's was recommended highly by a Coach from Cisco College. We had time to go and I must tell you how pleasantly surprised we were. This place is jumping. We read two negative reviews and I can tell you to pay no attention to them. We ordered the Tater Tots with Cheese and the Blooming Onion as appetizers and WOW. Our taste buds came to life. My Son's friend ordered the large CFS and this boy can eat but he took half of it back to the dorms. My wife had the regular sized CFS and my Son and I the CF Chicken. YUMMY and all homemade. The sides are JUMBO sized. The sign says there's a $2 cost for an extra plate. Go for it and pay the 2 bucks to share. The Mashed Potatoes and Gray are enough for 2-3 people. I suggest a 2PM Lunch to give yourself time to digest by bed time. Don't skip on the dessert. Mary's will absolutely be a stop for us on our future trips. read more

I've been going to Mary's since they opened and I have to say it's one of my favorite restaurants. You get humongous portions of delicious food. I've had a few things off their menu, but I mostly get the chicken fried steak which I believe is one of the best you can get. I've never lived very close to Mary's but I make it out there several times a year. It's worth the drive!!!! read more

We were on a Motorcycle Ride today, and came all the way from Arlington, TX where we live by the lake. It was well worth the ride!! Great atmosphere, wonderful food, HUGE - and I'm not kidding - HUMUNGOUS YUMMY DELICIOUS portions of food. We had to take half of our plates home in a to-go-box, and that is NOT like my man at all to leave a crumb on his plate! We will DEFINITELY go again!!!! :D read more

Waited for over an hour after we ordered our food. Service was very poor, chicken fried steak was overrated. We will not be back, and would not recommend Mary's to anyone. read more

First and foremost, the reviews are NOT true about the best CFS. It USED to be according to my own family members, but the business has since sold out, no longer offering the best. I have been wanting to try Marys for a few years now as my brother and parents have frequented the place during basketball and baseball game visits. Over the Christmas break we took a drive out to Strawn to check on the new but yet unfinished Texas State Park. We decided to stop in at Marys to try it out. The first thing we noticed it was kind of a dirty place and we were informed to seat ourselves. A kind of young waitress wearing tight spandex pants and half shirt (showing belly) was serving around us. It was pretty unprofessional, though our waitress wore simple jeans. Both my wife and I ordered the small CFS. It came with a small salad and baked potato, gravy and CFS. The potato was pretty food (no complaints), but the CFS and gravy was VERY bland and not hot at all. We were not impressed. And our waitress never came back to check on us until the bill. We wont be back. If you want a much better CFS, go to Mesquite Pit in Mineral Wells, Weatherford, or Granbury. But even Cotton Patch serves better. Thats my opinion. YMMV. read more