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Cleburne Cafeteria

MY REVIEW: 3 words - Imperial Crab Casserole! - extraordinary - don't now why I haven't tried this before (maybe because it is expensive at 11.99) but I would pay more gladly. Lots of butter and heavy cream and a nice amount of salt, not very healthy but I think this may be the best dish I've had going out to dinner, for sure within the last 5 years.

Guess I'm in the "blue hair" category because I like that it isn't really noisy. My husband likes the aproned uniforms worn by the women who service the tables for extra water, tea, etc.

I don't like the lines but we went today at 11:00 (on a Friday) so it was perfect.

I usually have their "baked spinach" (that has a lot of parmesan and maybe feta) - but knew I was splurging today with the crab so I didn't have it - but missed it.

We spent $26 for two of us which is about standard for us and not very standard for a cafeteria (and cash only) but we will be back, most definitely. I just hope I die before the cafeteria goes out of business.

p.s. I admit some of their veggies are a bit bland but if you stick with the things they are good at, you won't regret it.

NAME: cilantro
SUBMITTED: 8/17/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: Aug 2012
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: Wow. With mom and family back in Louisiana, this is the closest to true Soutern home cooking, comfort food as is gets. Heard about this place for years and finally tried it on a Sunday. You won't be disappointed.

Strong points: all fresh vegetables, everything is made from scratch. Read in the New York Times review that the owner goes to the farmer's market daily at 4:30 to buy fresh produce. You can tell they are using fresh ingredients and the best quality meats as well. Food portions are huge. Don't eat on Saturday if you go there on Sunday. Or plan on taking home a box with Monday's lunch. You won't even want dinner after eating a lunch here because you will be stuffed.

Weak points: there's only one location, the original which opened in 1941. Lines can be long on Sunday, but there is plenty of ample parking. People are very friendly. Only negative is they need to become more modern and accept debit/credit cards. Currently, cash or checks only. Seriously, who writes checks these days?

NAME: GL
SUBMITTED: 7/15/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: July 2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: The food is fresh, a large variety to chose from, it is definitely place to take your family if you want them to have a healthy, tasty meal.

The desserts are awesome, definitely enough for two people to divide and have a full serving.

It's kind of pricey for a cefeteria but if you can afford it, it's worth the price.

My friend paid, I believe he said they don't take credit cards, have cash or check.

We will definitely return!!

NAME: loveandpeace
SUBMITTED: 10/26/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Just read some of the other reviews. First off, if you're looking for interesting or highly seasoned food, going to a cafeteria is sure journey to unmet expectations. That's like going to a steak house and complaining that everything is so oily and heavy or going to a Thai place and complaining that the food is so carby.

Now down to business at Cleburne's. Say you're in the mood for copious amounts of extremely fresh, homemade comfort food made from high quality ingredients at West U prices...you're in the right place. Who else in Houston serves panfried chicken livers with golden sauteed onions?! (Who even orders panfried chicken livers?! ME! These are delicious. Crispy on the outside with nice salty carmelization. Barely pink deep inside so they're tender and not overdone. Sweet onions piled high. Put it on tender mashed potatoes and there's some deliciousness. I love their oven roasted turkey breast. Lean as turkey is but never dry.

Lima beans, green beans, winter squash, steamed broccoli...the fresh veggie sides go on and on. Even the naughtier veg options like squash casserole are so well made with the emphasis on squash rather than breadcrumbs. Poached salmon was ultrafresh. Chicken and dumplings were decadent. Large chunks of fresh shredded chicken breast, swimming in a savory (but non-greasy) gravy, filled with pillow well salted dumplings. Heaven.

Desserts are classic cafeteria and all made in-house. My favorite are the yellow sheet layer cakes - especially the ones filled with peach or pineapple and dusted with coconut. DAMNNNN I'm hungry now just thinking about it!!!

If you're offended by the prices, it's not for you. Cleburne's isn't cheap, but plenty of people are paying for it. Why? They do this genre better than anyone else in town. Unless you're up for cooking Thanksgiving dinner on any given Tuesday... Bring cash. They don't take cards.

NAME: festusbodine
SUBMITTED: 3/18/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/11
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: Best Lemon Chess Pie. Everything else is only excellent! Homemade comfort food from scratch. I told my wife, if I could only have one meal a day, it would be from Cleburne Cafeteria, because I would only need one meal a day from them to stay full all day long.

Long lines after church on Sundays, and more blue hair than at a Japanese anime film festival, but, seriously, the food is unmatched anywhere.

If I could only get my hands on the recipe for that wonderful Lemon Chess Pie!

NAME: ken
SUBMITTED: 1/1/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 12-2010
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: The food is great. If I ate there daily I would weigh a gazillion pounds. I can't single out any dish, they all have the homemade touch.

NAME: vossner
SUBMITTED: 8/7/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 2009
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Best "American" food in Houston. Nothing from a can, fresh, fresh fresh!

Old fashioned cafeteria like you remember. Huge selection of salads, meats and fresh vegetables. Portions that will make you wish you had ordered less, but taste so good you'll wish you had ordered one of everything! The desserts are extra large and extra good. The Lemon Chess pie is just the thing. A previous reviewer suggested the food is "bland" Not so.

Young and old alike love this place. That's why they are always packed, right up to closing time.

Not open on Saturdays (what a shame!)

NAME: Have fork will travel - KL
SUBMITTED: 7/27/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 07/2010
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: All I can say is WOW! I had heard about this place from several friends but just never had the opportunity to go (we live in Spring) but went with some friends and I was impressed. First off, the place is CLEAN! The management staff was alert to the crowd as it increased. Several employees around to help. As many other have posted, food servings were HUGE and very fresh. Next time, we're going to decide what we want to eat and share because there was just too much food...but it was so good!

NAME: The Mama
SUBMITTED: 9/30/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 09/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I used to love, love, love Cleburne's. It was a favorite lunch spot when my now husband and I were dating and our jobs were in Greenway Plaza. That was some 18 years ago. I am back in Greenway and was excited about eating there again. But YUK! The food is bland and tasteless. I guess the largest portion of their clientel is Senior Citizens. So, they have adjusted their seasonings to cater to the palate and dietary constraints of seniors - which is okay. But if you want food that actually has a taste...Cleburne's is not the place.

NAME: A. C. Edwards
SUBMITTED: 8/31/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 4/09
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Yes, you're going to pay more than you are accustomed to at a cafeteria. But, based on only 2 visits, I think the place is worth it. Wife's turkey and dressing would do any Thanksgiving proud. Brocolli casserole was the best I have ever had. And where else can you find both fordhook limas and northern beans? Same with spinach---boiled or creamed. Great selection, many which you will remember from Grandma's table. And deserts---delicious and HUGE!

NAME: Sandy from League City
SUBMITTED: 8/20/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 8/09
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: I had been a few years ago and was not impressed, however friends that had not been wanted to go there so I said ok. My food was $2 more than the posted price and when I pointed it out they informed me they had a price increase but had not changed it on the board yet. I paid the inflated price and after two bites took the food back and got my money back. The country fried steak was tough and totally tasteless. Spend your money someplace else. I'm a native Houstonian and I can tell you this place is over priced and the food is terrible, just as I had remembered from the previous visit! My friends said they wished they had listened to me and not insisted on going there. It's just plain bad!

NAME: Van from Houston
SUBMITTED: 4/29/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 04/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: I can't believe this was my first time to eat at Cleburn, since I've heard about it for years. Wife had a doctor's appointment nearby so we stopped there afterwards. Got to say first impressions were good. My serving of meatloaf was large and tasty, and wife was pleased with the baked fish. Sides of spinach, mashed potatoes, squash casserole and deviled eggs were satisfying.

Deserts, especially cakes, are HUGE. We shared the enormous slice of pineapple upside down cake and really enjoyed it. The ladies who push the carts around that refill drinks, etc. are dressed in modest French maid uniforms---a nice touch---as are the paintings which I understand were painted by the patriarch of the Greek family who continues to own the cafeteria. Prices are a little higher than most cafeterias, but the surroundings are pleasant and the clientel is as well. Only complaint is they don't accept credit cards????

NAME: Sandy from League City
SUBMITTED: 1/28/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/09
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: FRESH local crabmeat in the crabmeat casserole! Not stringly, smelly frozen Alaskan King or whatever. I had the coleslaw (excellent) and a chocolate icebox pie, and only wish it were closer to SEABROOK (where I live) and where most of the seafood is frozen and imported from who knows where. Great experience.

NAME: space cadet
SUBMITTED: 3/31/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 03/30/2008
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Save time and money. Go to L*uby's. The portions are big but totally tasteless. Not even sure they use salt and pepper and did I mention the incredibly ridiculous prices? Won't be back!

NAME: Coonie
SUBMITTED: 12/30/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: A little skeptical since I havent been to a cafeteria since I was a kid but my friend insisted it was a great place. We decided to go for lunch and the line was out to the door, which usually is a good sign that the food was good. There are tons of selection to choose from and they give you plenty of it. I was completely satisfy with the baked cod and side of mac & cheese. Only 2 bad things that occured with my first visit. First, its only cash or check. There were a lot of people that had to run to their cars to get their checkbooks or leave to get cash. Thank god I had my checkbook on me. Second, i saw people eat off their tray with their bare hands. Meaning they were shoving food in their mouth and then using the same hand to touch the display dessert and beverages. Gross! I should of told the manager but i think I was too hungry and crunched on time to say anything. Overall it was a pleasant experience and I'll be coming back.

NAME: PickyEater
SUBMITTED: 11/16/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once

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