Drive-through
Yes
Chaf-In Restaurant in Cleburne
Categories
Location on the map
Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas, US
Service options
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Delivery
No
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Highlights
Fast service
Yes
Great coffee
Yes
Great dessert
Yes
Great tea selection
Yes
Popular for
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Healthy options
Yes
Kids' menu
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Dining options
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Historic
Yes
Crowd
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
Payments
NFC mobile payments
Yes
Phone: +1 817-645-3772
Site: http://chaf-in.com/
Site: http://chaf-in.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:6AM–9PM
- Tuesday:6AM–9PM
- Wednesday:6AM–9PM
- Thursday:6AM–9PM
- Friday:6AM–9PM
- Saturday:6AM–9PM
- Sunday:6AM–9PM
Comments (199)
Had sliced roast beef dinner. Tasty! Dinner companion had the soup & half a sandwich plate. Was all really good. The menu is extensive & interesting (such as offering an avocado plate, for example). The waitress was very attentive, knowledgeable & friendly. They were busy but not ridiculously so. We got there for an early dinner (@ 4 pm), fwiw. Prices are very reasonable. Its not our first visit here & it def wont be our last! Oh yes... They have a cute train that circles the room at the top of the wall. Very cute - fun!!
The Chicken Fried Steak is awesome, the Spaghetti and Meatballs is good, the Mexican Dinner was below average. The Chips and Salsa are amazing out-of-this-world, you have to try it. Also cute waitresses.
This place is great with a wonderful variety of excellent food options, and fast/friendly service! 👍 👌 🙌 👏 😊😍❤️🍽💙🍛💜🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Service was excellent and food was 👍. The chicken fried chicken was very small but with the sides it was plenty. We got 3 sides but a bisquit or texas toast would have been great. The server even brought some free pudding when we were done to share.
Went Easter super crazy busy. A bit slow but worth the wait. Food great but portion of Chicken fried steak a bit small and grisly but wonderful flavors. Maybe because it was a holiday.
The Rueben was good. French fries were soft and I prefer crispy. My wife liked her meal too. Nice place. Will go there again.
Ive been wanting to try this place for a minute. The sevice was good but the food was not good. My son ordered the 3 beef tacos plate. Was supposed to come with chips & salsa, never got them. The ground beef was completely unseasoned, and very overcooked. Definitely not fresh. I had chicken fried chicken. The portion was very tiny. The rolls seemed to have been reheated several times. Everything was cold. Very disappointing 😕. Very small dining room. Nice decor.
Pleasant staff other than that the reasturant is cramped. You are literally sitting on top of one another. I was really looking forward to the homemade fries as they are my favorite but they were raw and greasy and the hamburger was burnt and dry.
Sunday brunch; great food - reasonable prices. Great wait staff, good atmosphere. Be certain to visit. You will not be disappointed.
Happened to be in Cleburne from out of town. A co-worker recommended me to the Chaf-In. I will say this, I’ve been to atleast 100 diners and nothing will compare to the atmosphere or quality that you get at the Chaf-in. I ordered the special #1 with a pancake on the side. If you are passing through town. Stop here, anytime they are open.
Best breakfast, the food is great, the staff are excellent. Love the toy train that runs along the upper wall by the ceiling. We always feel at home.
Husband has been looking for an Open face roast beef Sandwich. Found this place on a trip we made to Cleburne. He loved it and it was welcoming
The last time I was here was in 2014. Every Saturday, from 2012-2014, I would have lunch and nosh on the veggie burger. The veggie burger is house made and the best, Ive had anywhere! This time I came with my wife and two grandkids. My 3 year old grandson was so fascinated by the train going around the ceiling that he didnt want to eat. This 100+ year old café is a true café experience. The service is great, the food is awesome and the ambiance celebrates the train stop history of the town of Cleburne. This is a must visit for everyone!
I found this restaurant by accident while looking for another one. I am so glad we stopped here instead. I was surprised that I couldnt find one fault, the food was great seasoned just right even the sweet tea was on point! I never find sweet tea that is perfect!I was really impressed when I asked if I could get the dressing that came with a different plate and our waitress, Danielle, said that was no problem. And it didnt cost extra either like some places.She was great and knew all the history of the place and the owner. And I give her props for keeping a smile and great attitude because she was working it while pregnant!
Im over 70 years old and this place has been around much longer. The midcentury ambiance and vibe is still existing subtly. It was open 24 hours back in the day and was a haven passing through Cleburne after a long excursion, hungry, sleepy, and tired. The loop around Cleburne changed the driving habits of travelers, but Chaf-In still has the warm and friendly service and consistent quality food that will bring me to drive through town for a BLT and pie.
First time there and it was the best buffet Ive been to in 35 years. I will be going back and its 12 miles out of my way.
Came to this chaf-in based on looking over Yelp and getting a recommendation from a museum employee in town.- First thing is the fact theres plenty of parking- the menu is very basic- the restaurant is pretty small but cozyI ordered just breakfast as was quite satisfied as was like a home cooked type of meal.Highly recommend
Parking spaces are numerous. The waitress was so pleasant. The food was great. A comfy cozy historic atmosphere. Limited seating. Little train running along a track. We loved the food and service and we will definitely return.
We went in for breakfast. It was super fast, the service was superb and the food excellent 👍. Support your local businesses!
This place was not that great people say it is. Ordered a open sandwich steak. The breading was ok, no seasoning salt less fries. But the Belgian Waffle was the one decent thing here. And its hard to order food when items on the menu were scratched off and work out. Also the service was bad. Waitress looked like they didnt want to work that day. Never again, Ill just pass by and get Jack in the box instead.
A cozy little diner with a great breakfast, lunch, and dinner selection. Everything is reasonably priced! My man and I sampled each other’s slices of pie and were equally impressed by the quality :) definitely coming back again!
Love the train, great local restaurant. Would be back when in the area. Lots of food for the price
As having lived in Cleburne Tx for 18 years during the fifties and sixties, my wife and I wanted to show our neighbors from Ohio around the area. We had lunch at the Chaf-In, a restaurant over 65 years old. It was very clean and has been kept up over time. Our server, Elizabeth, was very friendly and wore a mask. Food was served quickly, hot and fresh. After lunch we showed our friends around town and told them some history. A must see are the murals painted by Stylle Read. I met Stylle in Fort Worth years ago and he is a very unique individual. The weather was great and Cleburne was a good place to escape the metroplex for a few hours. You should go.
It’s a cute little spot with fun things to look at. The staff was nice and attentive. I wasn’t impressed with the food. My husband got the chicken fried steak with pinto beans, mashed potatoes, and a salad. I had an open faced roast beef sandwich with fries and a salad. We also had cheese sticks for an appetizer. The cheese sticks were good. The mashed potatoes were clumpy and dry. The roast beef was very dry and the fries were not cooked long enough. I liked the gravy, but other than that, the whole meal was very bland and lacking flavor. The dinner salad was iceberg lettuce with small croutons, no tomatoes or anything. We decided to give it a chance but I don’t know that we will return. If I do, it will be to try the breakfast to see if that’s more their “thing”.
This is the fifth time that the service was awful. The wait staff ignores you. One example is they don’t know what steak sauce they have. By the time I got a employee to stop and take my request, my food was COLD.On several occasions I spoke to the manager: Nothing happened.The restroom had a bad odorWe will never go there again
Ordered pork chop breakfast. They brought everything out except the pork chop had to eat my sides while they made me a chop because they forgot to cook it. And the food wasn’t very good . And they flat out asked me for a tip after horrible service.
Aida pronounced Ida or EYE-DA is a Fantastic Server and the Food has gotten back to taste it once had & lost but now its just back to good homestyle cooking with a soothing homestyle atmosphere. THANKS Chaf-In for getting it right once again!
Chaf in is my go to spot. So clean, waitresses are so nice. The owners are so thoughtful and care about their customers. I dont feel like a customer i feel like family. Food is so good i never leave with a take out box bc i always finish my food! Great prices, excellent service and delicious food! What more could a pregnant girl ask for. Thank u chaf in! I will always reccomend you and eat here!
Good ole fashion Cafe. I recommend the corned beef hash and eggs. Great service, with that main street feel.
The chicken fried steak was sooo yummy and it’s such a cute little spot to stop and grab some food.
The coconut cream pie wasnt fresh tasting. It had too much corn starch and was gummy
Cute little restaurant, Sweet waitress, My husband ordered liver and onions, live was about 1/8 in,thick not the greatest, CFS was so so,baked Sweet potato was cold, nothing looked quite done except the fried mushrooms, Pies were ice cold,,May give them another chance,
Just had breakfast here today. We seem to always get this one unfriendly waitress. Not sure if her name is Martha, or Maria. Got our orders wrong, and she made us feel like it was our fault. Asked for no butter on our toast, and its like they put extra butter. Watched our food sit on top off the counter while she was eating. My food was cold. We ordered curly fries, and got regular. When we complained she snatched the plate dumped the fries off and brought it back to us. The wait staff is great other wise. Wont be coming back here for breakfast. Well update. Benny is no longer the owner. Theres a new manager/owner. New wait staff. Martha is still there. She wont be going anywhere. Yes we returned after a long period. Breakfast was fair. Prices are fairly competitive. Owner is easy going and friendly.
A nice, little home style restaurant. The service was good, food delicious, and was presented with free dessert. Definitely worth a visit if you’re driving through.
We had a late lunch at chaf-in. Staff very friendly. We ordered patty melts and they left a lot to be desired. They were pricey for what we got, which was a very flat meat patty, cheese that was not melted, very little onions not grilled like they should be,stuck between two pieces of bread. Whole thing tasted like cardboard. On the good side we ordered a childs chicken tender plate for granddaughter and it was huge, in fact more than she could eat. I dont think I would return to this business again for I was not impressed.
This restaurant has not changed in 40 years! Food is exactly what you expect from an old fashioned family dinner!
One of my favorite places. Chicken fried steak always good, and omelets are great.
I was made aware that chaf-in restaurant has been around cleburne for over 100 years. How this is so, I will never know but our food tonight was absolutely terrible. A lot of people had breakfast plates so hopefully breakfast is good but the dinner plates were not impressive. CFS had absolutely no seasoning, mashed potatoes were practically instant potatoes and the chocolate pie they claim to be “homemade” was literally the worst thing I have ever eaten. Pretty sure it was freezer burnt or spoiled. The peas and vegetables were good but who serves you ice cold rolls with a meal?? The waitstaff is very attentive and awesome but this was first time here and sad to say it will be my last. A lot of local places that are “mom and pop” owned that are much better than here. Last but not least, oil that train. The squeaky noise it was making was horrid while trying to enjoy a meal.
The food was absolutely disgusting. Ordered the Roast Beef and Cheese Combo and it was awful. There wasn’t any Roast Beef on it. Was nothing more than an expensive tomato, lettuce and processed cheese sandwich with lots of white bread. What they call a side salad is a saucer full of iceberg lettuce. The fries were good but that’s it. Don’t know how this place stays in business. This is the worst meal I’ve had at any restaurant anywhere. Seven Eleven food is better than what I received today. 4.3 rating my ass…. Should be 0 stars. Will not be back..
Very pleasant surprise. Good old fashion place with friendly staff, good and reasonable food.
What a great little hometown place. We were just passing through and happened to drive by this place and said, “Let’s check it out!” And I’m so glad we did. I had a pancake breakfast and my friends had the corned beef hash and a steak and egg breakfast. It was all delicious.Our server was friendly and attentive, and even though the place was packed, we didn’t have to wait long for our food.Would 100% recommend!
Historical place love eating here. One of my favorite places. Some of the best home cooking in town. I love the chicken fried chicken and Brussel sprouts. Good breakfast menu as well. And the service is always excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love this place. The waffle with strawberries and cream is my guilty pleasure
Wish the customer service was as good as the food. I asked for something to be substituted in my meal. Was told if they did that then theyd have to do it for everyone. Well the way I see it. They should, the customer is always right. If I want something cooked or done a certain way. Thats how it should be done with out giving me and grief. Waitresses are very nice and are on top of their duties. Again food was delicious as always. Management needs to step up on their part. Have a good day.
This is a nice little place, but I prefer the menu at Sunrise.
Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff. That’s the good part. Appetizer was fried pickles. They were a joke! Thin slices of pickles with crust. You can sure taste the crust but not the pickles! On to the meal. Burger was barely warm and was dry. Paid $1.40 EXTRA to get onion rings. Wife got half a plate of french fries. I got 4 onion rings! Seriously? $1.40 EXTRA???Won’t be back.
Went with friends they liked it I did not very bland cheese burger and soggy fries
Nice little place. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. Food was good but I have had better at other local places. Price was reasonable for the meal we had.
Had a really good burger here. First time eating lunch at this place. Used to get breakfast here sometimes and that was really good. Glad to see they’re still around. It’s obvious there’s a reason why they’re still here.
The place looks nice. The people are nice, the food was okay
Good not great. The chicken and dumplings were great and the vegetable soup was amazing, everything else we ordered was kinda meh. The chicken fried steak was obviously not homemade and just a generic flavorless frozen item they purchased. The mash potatoes had no flavor or texture and tasted almost like instant potatoes. The macaroni salad was drenched in mayo and thats all I could taste. Good potential, maybe they should decrease the number of items on their menu so that they can do great, homemade quality on everything.
Good food friendly service unique atmosphere
Excellent service and delicious food. We got the chicken and waffles with fruit and the huevos Ranchero. Wouldnt ask for anything better. Next time Im gonna try the beef tips with white rice
Food was horrible. Asked for enchilada plate, got 3 cheese enchiladas with No sauce, No rice, No beans. 3 dry enchiladas on a hot plate. Waitress seemed to be preoccupied. She informed me this was their enchilada plate. Got up and left. Will not be returning.
Great food, great service, great price.
I was really excited to eat here, I always love to try a place with history. The atmosphere was retro as expected and the staff were super friendly and attentive. I ordered the steak breakfast and everything came in a timely manner with properly cooked over easy eggs and decent hash browns. My meal fell down when it came to the chicken fried steak and gravy. The breading lacked seasoning and wasnt crispy, the gravy was standard powder mix white gravy. Not the worst breakfast but not the meal I was hoping for.
Food was just ok, but prompt, friendly service. Prices decent but really not much flavor to chicken enchilada plate. Actually had to send back to reheat it. They did give me a whole new serving though which was nice. Okra was not hot enough either but I didn’t worry over that. Just an ok in my experience.
Always friendly, the owner is an amazing woman that makes you feel like family. The customer service is always professional and kind, the food is good. I really enjoy takfast food and the Rueben is great. Drink prices are reasonable and the coffee is always fresh. Very family friendly atmosphere. Plenty of art on the walls to enjoy and the cutest little train that encircles the room just above the tv.
Very good food at a great price. Service was also good. Very large menu so you will find something you love.
The New York Strip that was ordered had to much fat and gristle so I had them take it back and replace steak with shrimp. They were very polite and made it right. The salad had no tomatoes but overall the meal was good, so was the service
My husband and I ordered the breakfast Specials #4 & #5. They were both delicious. The service was impeccable. Our coffee cups never ran dry.The atmosphere was good; busy with a low rumble of friendly conversation. I highly recommend to the one who enjoys a home cooked meal.
Homestyle food & friendly staff. Good food
Went to Cleburne for family celebration and this dinner turned out to be a really nice place to stop at. We were greeted at the door and sat a comfortable table where our waiter made our breakfast even better because of his wonderful service. The food was delivered in a short period and was hot. Our coffee cups never bottomed out neither did any of our drinks. We enjoyed our dining experience here and will definitely be coming back the next time we are in Cleburne.
Used to be good! Not anymore!Ordered chicken fried steak, mash, and Brussel speouts.. Came to the table it was cold so they fixed it all they did was re fry it again and then now it was burnt and tough. And they still expected us to pay for it.
Love the family style seating ,the food and the service.
Terrific owners. Good place. Clean and friendly.
Such a Johnson County Institution, great food and great people
Three of us ordered chicken fried steak. It was consistently presented, temperature was good, flavor of gravy good...however the meat flavor was off...the breading soggy.Service great, clean, tables, chairs, and restrooms.I would 4 star if not meat flavor and breading...
Good clean friendly place good prices pork chops was a bit tuff.
If I had to say much of anything of this place its just ok at best. Ate here this passed Sunday and had a Chili Cheeseburger and my buddy ordered a double bacon cheeseburger with Avocado. Also ordered some Deep Fried Mushrooms and 2 drinks and to my shock the bill came out to 35 bucks. If everything was quality I would expect this type of bill. The Mushrooms looked great, however they were some cold and some still a touch frozen inside. The burger was mediocre at best and honestly the bread was a touch stale. I wouldnt return honestly.
Home cooking is the best way to describe the food.We had a late breakfast,and while the western omelet was somewhat dry I still enjoyed the overall meal.Portions were great,our waitress checked on us often,and the atmosphere was comfortable.Ive visted here in the past,and everything has been improved.I will return and be glad to still have a local diner experience.Great place!
Its was ok. First time visitor. I noticed on the door as I was entering they had a 7 piece fried shrimp special so I love me some shrimp so my mind was made up. I order the shrimp. I saw the had a side of peach topped with cottage cheese. I asked if I could have the peach without cottage cheese. I was told no, it was already made up and couldnt be had without. My wife ordered it with cottage cheese and it came out a peach half with what looked like a spoonful of cottage cheese on top. I didnt understand why it had to come with it,but ok. I moved on. I ordered fried shrimp as a stated but got fried trout. My wife said He ordered shrimp and waitress said no, he ordered fried trout. Truth is I didnt even know they had trout. I ordered shrimp but with a little pushback, I didnt want to send food back not knowing what would happen with my replacement food so I ate it. It was ok. My tea was removed from table half way through meal and was forgotten and not returned till I was done eating. Waitress did apologize for that.. One of the last things I would have ordered(fried trout) but I ate it. Didnt ask for any discounts. Tipped 20% but in no way did I get what I wanted. Place was clean. Folks were friendly. Food was hot. Might have to pass on future visits due to lack of attention to customer service there.
Service was great food was lacking...tea was good. Chicken fried steak was burned sweet potato was tasteless the northern beans were fabulous.. should have just gotten a large bowl of beans...lol
Wonderful old fashioned cafe. Nice people, great food. I had a BLT with cheese. Perfectly cooked bacon. Friend had a chicken fried steak. It was great. Lots of sides to choose from. Homemade pies. There is a wonderful train that goes around the ceiling. Fun to watch while you wait. Friendly staff. Good service. There was no wait at noon.
Breakfast is the best! Our favorite waitress works there!
I loved the food. Its an old fashioned dinner with well prepared classics. I got salmon croquettes which were delicious. My husband got liver and onions but a bit short on the liver otherwise he liked it. Hush puppies were good, long and thin, not the traditional shape and were perfectly cooked. I will be back for sure.
We are new to town. We went for the lunch special, Catfish Friday. It was delicious!!
Part of my meal was cold and why they didnt out gravy on my cold mashed potatoes when I had chicken fried steak in which it was good would have gave 4 stars but the waitress acted like she didnt want to be there and wasnt nice at all.
We got a chef salad it was nasty and $9.00 it should of been bigger then that. I got it home and stared eating it and it made me sick. Be careful
Please don’t waste your time or money!We love to stop at restaurants that aren’t chains and this place has a neat history. Sadly, the chicken fried steak was frozen, fries way under cooked and the baked chicken was so dry my husband couldn’t finish it. Also, the mash potatoes seemed to be instant. And our waiter brought our food and never returned. Not worth it people.
First time here. The food was good. The server was very attentive. But what put it over the top was when I asked for suggestions. The waitress was very honest. I appreciated that!!!
Love that this Place serves breakfast all day !
Always crowded, food was good. Just wish theyd make a pot of coffee thats stronger. Always tastes like flavored water. My sweet tea tasted like soap assuming they didnt rinse either the tea maker or my glass properly. Was only in town for business reasons, so after driving 3 hrs...expected a little better service.
Still the best home cooked meal a man can buy in Texas. The staff is excellent! I say that because I am difficult to please. The food was amazing as always. Chicken fried steak just like granny made you. YUMM! I love this history of the place.
Had lunch from all day breakfast menu. Very good. Sister had steak and baked potato. Also good. Service outstanding.
Delicious breakfast! The chicken n waffle plate is my fav!
Chaf-In is a very quaint and lovely place! I love eating here about 7:30 to 8. Theres hardly ever anyone there and its a peaceful atmosphere. Very clean and great wait staff. Ask for Ryan shes a great server! Theres a train on the wall that goes around the place its been there for years. Really neat to watch...
I like local restaurants, the setting was nice, the waitress was nice, ordered the chicken fried steak and the chicken fried chicken, both were lacking in taste, just bland. The chicken fried steak was thin and tough. Not bad, but not worth ordering. I dont foresee returning, but stranger things have happened.
I’m so disappointed in this place now..... they use to be my all time favorite place, now you can definitely tell the staff isn’t happy, the food quality is terrible my husband had a super gross bacon cheese burger the buns were super soggy not from the grease of the burger but from some kind of liquid, the jalapeño poppers were super old and not even the same kind as the other one was just cheese and the other 3 were cream cheese and cheese, we had lettuce floating in one of our drinks when we received it, and last and for most the fries and chicken tenders for sure were fried in old grease. The owners before went above and beyond to make their customers happy and that wasn’t thecase here...... they definitely lost our business And won’t be coming back.
We love to visit historical towns, old cafes, diners and such. Were so glad we came across this gem. The only negative thing I can say is that, we ate too much!!! 😉 The food was so good and the atmosphere was sweet and cozy. All of the staff were wonderful and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. Wonderful place! We look forward to visiting again!
This place was a diamond 10 star eatery!!! Why did it take us so long to try it! Will not be disappointed with food or service! Stop in and enjoy some awesome food!
Camping @ Cleburn State Park (loved it!) and decided that we wanted a breakfast out. Stumbled upon Chaf-In. Great food! Service was wonderful. All of the items on my plate were perfectly cooked. From soft scrambled eggs to pancake with a crunchy edge. Excellent!
Went Sat Feb 24 2018 for first time. Picked this place due to the history and reviews. Took 3 kids and me. Kids had Hot dog, kids burger, and a BLT...I had chicken fried steak Mashed taters, salad, and rolls (could have had 1 more side but that was too much food for me so I declined). Everyone was happy and enjoyed the food. I got 2 pieces of pie to go...my 1 and only sadness was whip cream on the pies vs meringue as I love meringue . Becky was my server and she was spectacular! Clean, laid back, welcoming atmosphere. Working toy train drives above the room on a track going thru 2 tunnels. Price is good. I would go there again and would recommend it to anyone but I think it is especially good for families as the train will entertain the kiddos.
This place has a nice variety of foods and very delicious. I had the Chilaquiles and my husband had Chicken and Dumplings very tasty. We also splurged and i got the Cherry pie and my husband had the Cinnamon roll. I cant say it enough. Very delicious
The staff was extremely pleasant and efficient. The food was very good. my husband had a chicken fried steak that he liked very much and I had their specialty turkey and dressing. It was a lovely experience. We plan to return.
Love this place! I cannot believe I have lived in Cleburne this long without eating here! My new favorite spot. I have been searching for a Reuben sandwich for a long time and this place makes a great one. The entire menu looks great! Ill be back!!!
The waitstaff was friendly, food served fast and hot. But overall I believe the hype about how good tasting the food really is, is just a fairy tale of tall tales. My experience wasn’t that great of the food served to me. Didn’t even finish my plate. Which is strange in my case, because I usually finish everything I see.
Best breakfast in Cleburne, bar none! Great food, fast friendly service and fair prices are a combination hard to beat. On our first visit, the staff welcomed us to the community and made us feel comfortable and appreciated. I am very particular when it comes to breakfast, as it is my favorite meal of the day. My food comes out hot, fresh, and as ordered every time!
Always my go to breakfast spot in Cleburne. Good food at great prices. Wait staff is great, and very good coffee. Large menu options
Nice, old style decor with good food at reasonable prices. Extensive menu, with American and Mexican choices. I was only slightly disappointed with the cinnamon roll. I was expecting a bakery style, i.e. Cinnabon, but got more like a donut shop style cinnamon roll. Other than that, great place, good food and service.
Food is always delicious.....owner is so kind.....historic restaurant...great atmosphere....been enjoying the train going around me since i was a child
New waitress, so service was slow. Food was very good. Owner was very attentive after I brought slow service to her attention.
This place might have been around for a while, but the quality of the food was not at all what we expected. I doubt we will be back. Your mileage may vary. Ive had better at Applebees.
Absolutely love this little small town diner. The environment was amazing. The food could be improved a little, but its still amazing. I would recommend it to anyone.
Great food reasonably priced
It was ok..their breakfast are better
Old-timey home-style food. The service was phenomenal! If you leave hungry it’s your fault. I recommend the pinto beans, chicken tortilla soup, and chocolate pie. The chicken fried steak was good, not great but I’m very satisfied overall. Generous portions.
Great food. Fast service and kids love the train.
We didnt receive our rolls or cornbread that was to come with our meals. We asked for it and when received, they were extremely dry, and hard. Had to send something back because it was cold. Baked potato was barely warm, didnt even melt my butter. Someone in our party ordered chicken fried steak, it was pink in the middle. Overall was disappointed.
Love eating here! The lady that runs the place is always present and shes very very nice. The food is amazing and the coffee is pretty delicious too. They serve breakfast all day and also serve lunch food such as burgers. The atmosphere is very neat as well as it showcases the history of Cleburne and its association with the railroading business.
The food is delicious & plentiful!!!
Great food. Excellent service. Highly recommend it if you get a chance.
This place is a nice comfort food location. Very affordable. Lots of classics on the menu. The food is cooked well, but is really under seasoned. The tables are well stocked with condiments, youll likely need them.
Bad service and food was not great at all. First time and last time eating here.
Chicken fried steak out of freezer from store. Tasted greasy and sickning. The pea salad was frozen peas no taste I sent it back. Mashed potatoes instant not fresh. Waitress sweet and good.
Good Food,great service, great people. love watching the train when we are eating. Been going over 55 years.
Great little place. I was in town for a soccer tournament and only had like 30 min for a quick bite. It was only like 3 minuets into town which was great on my small time frame. I shared a BLT and fries with my mother. BLT was crispy but still juicy, delicious sandwich. We also had a order of fried pickles, they were super yummy the pickle was still juicy inside , which is rare for fried pickles. We got our drinks right as we walked in and ordered. Food was out in under 10 minuets. We stuffed our faces and packed the rest in a box for our trip to our next game and on the way home. It was about 10:30 ish when we went and it was PACKED, but no wait. I like how the servers were fast and sharp but still organized. It’s a cute little place that deserves more recognition. Will be back if I find myself in Cleburne again.
I love this place so much! Chaf in has been serving great home cooking since 1920. I like to grab a booth next to the old folks in the mornings and listen to them talk. Takes me back to my childhood every time I walk in!
Awesome food, great service.
Quaint old time cafe. Great breakfast in a setting reminiscent of 1950 era. Loved the model train circling the room.
Wow the food here used to be so good. Now it has changed hands and lacks in anything that might be good. My chicken fried steak was like eating leather and took a week to chew through. My 85 year old uncle had spaghetti and meatballs. He said it had no flavor and only ate 2 bites and we left. They used to bring a whole basket of bread out when you got there. It was traditional. Now they ask how many rolls you want and bring one or two.
We have been eating at this restaurant since 1981 and have never had bad service or bad food!! One of our favorite places!!
The food was very good, the service not so much. Ordered coffee when seated, it never came. The staff was friendly just not jolly on the spot.
One of my favorite places. Food is always good and staff very friendly.
My husband and I wanted to check out their breakfast and try something new. Though I enjoyed the nostalgic atmosphere, I was disappointed in the food. I ordered and omelet with a side of hash browns. I felt that the meal could have used more flavor. My husbands plate of chilaquiles also could have used more flavor. The coffee tasted average, and the water did not taste filtered.
Cute and clean atmosphere. Friendly staff. Really good breakfast!! Will definitely go back!
Ordered pancakes. They tasted like grainy raw batter. Awful. The bacon and ham were both uber salty and inedible. They brought us waffles to replace the pancakes. Same outcome. Still paid $27.On the plus side, the staff is very friendly and courteous.
Very nice people as always. Especially the owner.I just had a gastric bypass and cant eat much and she was very kind to me and helped me with my needs.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Nothing like a home town diner. This is the epitome of great home cooked food and AMAZING service! Our coffee cups ☕️ were never empty and they treated my sweet son like family. We highly recommend breakfast at Chaf-ins!!
Best kept secret in town! Always greeted with friendly staff that provide outstanding service. Food is awesome and inexpensive, i.e. a loaded baked potato is less than $4!!!! Highly recommend. 👍👍
I love Chaf-in restaurant. I ate there this evening with my wife and I have not been in a number of years ( I live in Ft Worth). Food was better than it has ever been, service fast and friendly, prices more than fair and ample amount. I ate the Baked Chicken and it was delicious. I had a nice chat while paying my bill with the new owner and she is so nice. it looks like the 100 year anniversary is coming up next year, (2020). Very good and nostalgic gem in downtown Cleburne, TX. We will get down to Cleburne more often to eat here.
Our crew went in and we were so impressed with this 100 year old restaurant and with the food! The staff was very friendly! Will be back!
For the prices, this place is excellent. To be able to come here with my husband and both get drinks, entrees, and an appetizer for under 30 dollars was shocking. With large portions too. I definitely see why this place has been around for almost 100 years.
Wasnt as impressed. As a family wanted to try something that wasnt a chain. And we pass by all the time. Ended up stopping in and all try a different dish. None of the meals we necessarily bad. They were all .. ok. And service was good. But nothing spectacular to write about.
Was ok .I had lunch Burger nurses were good service was rather slow for my liking
Great food great people will be back oh my very soon
Amazing local restaurant with many options on the menu. Service is great and all of the waiters are very nice and outgoing! Cheap and delicious breakfast too!
Spaghetti sauce tasted like plain ketchup. BBQ chicken was baked chicken with bbq sauce poured over it .
Service was less than par today. About 1/3 of my hash browns was cold. Found a piece. cof ham under our toast. We dont eat pork so this was a biggy.
The medium sized restaurant was a blast from the past aesthetically. The food is American and done very well period our service was quite good but not overly cheery which is nice. Not too loud. I would recommend giving it a go.
Traditional, been there, still have great breakfasts and meals. The enchiladas have always been great. Check out th model train running around th track along th entire 4 inside walls..cool
The potatoes & blackeyed peas were good but the chicken fried steak was horrible. Tasted like old frozen something. Couldnt eat it.
Food was delicious and the cinnamon rolls are amazing!
Great place, great food, friendly service in one of Cleburnes oldest food establishments. Atmosphere is amazing! Rich in history, pictures, nostalgia. Menu has a lot to choose from. And pie is available for dessert. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Check them out. Id rather eat here then 15 other places in Cleburne anytime! :)
I absolutely love this place! Every time I’m in town I have to stop here. The people that work there are so inviting and create a friendly atmosphere not to mention that the food is delicious!
Food was ok service was good
Very elegant and convenient restaurant. They serve big meals and for fair rates. I loved the menu very much and the staff were super friendly and chatty. I recommend this place.
I wish I could say how the food was. This was my first time at this resturant. I ordered sweet tea with lemon I did not get my lemon we tried to stop the waitress but she kept going. I tried to ask two other waitresses that walked by and again was ignored. I walked up to the bar area and asked for a lemon the girl rolled her eyes and acted like I had asked for a million dollars. In not a person to complain but come on I just wanted a lemon. So my husband was about to blow his lid we decided to leave. We went to the register to pay for our drinks then the waitress wants to help us. I probably wont go back.
This restaurant has been in Cleburne over 50 years. I met friends here and had a waffle while they ate delicious Mexican style chicken soup. Fun place where a train circled the walls.
Food ok. Coffee ok. Cleanliness could be better. But they were busy and very friendly staff!! Will probably give another try
Service was good, but food wasnt great. Potato fries look as if they were freezer burned and burned during cooking, but sweet potato fries were perfect. Other foods could use seasonings, and salt.
Had butterfly shrimp and mashed potatoes. Shrimp tasted freezer burnt and potatoes were cold. Se vice was bad
The Chilaqueles was very good. Hashbrowns were also very good, but portion size was small. Home fries lacking any flavor besides potato (just didnt have any seasoning). Overall very good experience and nice service.
Home-Sweet-Home is the feeling that warms and welcomes me home. Every time I step into this local favorite of my hometowns.Home of the beloved Texas Toast (A special favorite of mine).This place is one Id suggest for those early risers and hard workers for breakfast.Come on down and check the menu out, youll definitely find some all time favorites from the Chicken Fried Stakes, to the Homemade Hamburger.All of which are classics.The new Specials include; The Gyro Sandwich, Crispy Chicken Jim, and The Chicken Philly Sandwich. Just to name a few.
We were recommended to go to this place by the hotel we were staying at in town. Great breakfast, small place. They could do a better job washing their dishes but 🤷♀️ small town, few options!
Friendly, down home atmosphere, great food and reasonable pricing. I definitely recommend.
Croutons were stale, burger patty was rubbery and old, the salmon was good but thats it. We were pretty disappointed!
Only complaint is, wish there was more seating room! This place is a nice place to chill out and enjoy a good home meal! Love the turkey and dressing, its my fave!
Good food, great service, and has a hometown family atmosphere. Its been an iconic dining location for many years in Cleburne.
OMG the waiting staff is the BEST in town. The food is great. We love that it is a place you can talk, eat, laugh and not worry. The portions are perfect. Only down is you might have to wait a min. They do have a bench outside if ya do. They make the food just how you ask. Meaning= crispy, no meat, flour not corn, no ice, okay moving on. I love to listen to the older customers talk. Great way to learn to be quiet. Lol ya right. Almost forgot menu is all day, so if on swing shift can eat whatever ya like. The sodas are in cans & delivered with cup of ice. Awesome piece of gold in CLEBURNE. Go see for yourself. Tip, talk, tell others, taste great food. The prices are really low shockingly so. Hope you love it as much as we do. Save us a place. We promise to be quiet, eat, listen. Have a GREAT day! Favorite item breakfast burritos, hash browns( I sub fries sometimes) and diet coke.
Really good service. Fantastic Food would go every time I pass through this small town. Amount of food per dollar is 100% amazing
Cant imagine how they acquired over 4 stars! Chicken fried steak batter was limp and had no crispy batter at all. Tasteless so we added lots of salt and pepper. Fried mushroom appetizer was bad frozen from a bag. We will not go back. Huge disappointment.
Its pretty good. Not exciting or anything to write home about. Prices were good. Its like a little country restaurant. I will say people were friendly and coffee is always refilled.
Amazing! Delicious! Great time!
Great little restaurant. Has a cozy feel and the food was good. The servers were very friendly. They have a train the runs a long the edge of the ceiling and my son was so fascinated by it.
The food was really good and the prices seem reasonable, we have been there two times and both times the waitresses seem to be in a bad or upset mood. Not sure what is going on with the staff but a smile goes a long way
You cant beat really good comfort food at amazing prices. The staff is friendly and was quick to get our food to us. Small town cafe feel with a cozy atmosphere
Cozy diner! Very friendly and fast service. Get lots of food and great prices! Love their food!! Except the catfish.... needs a more flavorable batter. Current batter is bland and greasy tasting. Tarter sauce is a mayo. :/ I have had the catfish dinner in the past and it was delish. So, I dont know if its just a different cook or just a change-up.Hushpuppies cost extra and they are little, cheap frozen ones you can buy at Wal-mart.
If you want some real home cooking with yeast rollsCome on down and try it if youve never tried it worth the drive
Came to town to work a couple days and found this place. Love the atmosphere, and the staff and food were outstanding.
Chaf-In has been around as long as I can remember. Always giving me a down home feeling. Good food, fantastic staff, and great place for the family to go eat
The service saw great. I had an open face roast beef sandwich. The roast was tuff as leather like it came from the micro wave. Will not be back. Second meal that was so so
Good food, fast service, a lot of character.Complained to the owner about the fact that they use tap water and not filtered water for their drinks (coffee, tea, ice water). The owner told me they werent changing anything, citing that it was too expensive to serve anything other than tap water.
Very good little restaurant...people are nice and friendly....oh yeah food is good too.
Been eating here for years. Food is awesome, service is excellent. Sometimes eat here a couple of times a week. Best burgers Ive ever eaten. Highly recommend
Excellent food clean place white staff was very polite and very reasonably priced We live in witney and this place was in Cleburne Texas and I will make the drop just to go eat it was fat good
This place is a Cleburne meeting place, a very comfortable and welcoming landmark, it has been around for more than 40 years so you know they are doing something right!! If you havent been there you really must check it out, its a small town restaurant with a lot of history and a bit of love.
My husband and i have ate there. For many years. They have great food and great personal that work there. There brekfast is worth the time to go sit down and enjoy the railroad. Attraction in the restaurant.
Honestly, amazing food, service, and an overall good experience. Id recommend this restaurant to people who enjoy a good home cooked meal
The food was okay, nothing to brag about.I didnt feel there was adequate distance between diners that were not together.
Still wonderful food. Its been a few years since weve been but the food is still great! Kids of course love the train! Server was very nice
It was a cute little cafe. Nice service and the pie was good.
I was pretty excited to try this spot while I was driving through early this morning, and that they were open at 5:30. I arrived at 5:45, door was unlocked and the lady said I was welcome to drink coffee but food would not be served till 6. I was disappointed because I didnt have that extra time to hang around. So basically, they arent open till 6, like it says on the front door.
Been coming here since I was a kid. When the new owners took over, they kept the same menu and I love them for that. Great food, great service at a great price💙
We ate here Saturday for dinner for the first time and were impressed with the quality(and quantity of the food) for the money. The ambiance is very laid back and the staff was friendly and attentive. We will be going back.
Absolutely worst chicken /country fried steak I have ever put in my mouth. It was inedible. Had waited several years to give it a second chance but the second chance was worse than the first. Dont have any idea how they stay open.
Usually a good place. My chicken fried steak was very tough. My fried okra was rubbery. And my banana pudding was watery. Not a very good day.
We went here because of the great reviews. It was ok, not good, not bad, but ok
Very good food! Our waitress Becky was the best. If you have time and she isn’t busy, chat with Bedula. She is so sweet!!!
Total reviews rating 4.3
199 Reviews for Chaf-In Restaurant 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-30Great food. Good pricing. Attentive service. Loved loved loved their Cleburne burger with onion rings. Well adorned old school esentric decor. Wished we lived closer.
Review №2
2022-01-03Super cute restaurant with a train running around overhead. Calm, relaxing atmosphere. I had the blt with avocado. It was delicious! I should have ordered the fries well done as they were disappointingly uncrunchy. My waiter was a nice, young man. The pies sounded tasty, but I ran out of room. Lol.
Review №3
2022-01-06Hey, weary US-67 traveler: are you tired of crummy gas station food and craving some real cuisine? Do your eyes need a rest from looking out for the seemingly endless speed traps? Well, look no further than Chaf-In.This place is pretty popular, so parking is a bit hard to get once you get there, but once youre inside, youll be greeted with welcoming, antique-feeling décor, my favorite of which is the model Union Pacific train running along the rafters. You can just take a seat wherever, and someone will be with you rather quickly, usually within a minute or two, to take your drink order and give you their menu. They have a rather large menu with all the diner classics, plus some novelties. Breakfast is served all day, but so is lunch and dinner for that matter.About the prices: I got a 6oz steak, sunny side up eggs, hash browns, and biscuits with gravy for $9.99. Despite that price, there was absolutely no compromise on quality. In fact, its easily some of the best diner food Ive had. Its easy to see why this place has been around for over 100 years. Perhaps it would be wise to drop in to this place before it gets on Guy Fieris show and they raise the prices.All-in-all: its a great place with excellent food and a very welcoming environment. Its more than worth the short diversion off of the highway.
Review №4
2022-02-08Ate there yesterday for the first time and I have to say that we will definitely be going back!The food was excellent and the only complaint was that the food was hot - yes, everything we were served was fresh and hot!The young lady that waited on us was really sweet and made sure we were comfortable.The atmosphere is great as well with a little train running along the top of the wall above your head.I think my little Grandson would like that too.Visit and enjoy!
Review №5
2021-08-22Been here since 1920?! I can see why!!Comfortable atmosphere (Love the train)Friendly staff, the owners helped bus tablesFood was just phenomenal, every town needs a place like this. They have a very large menu, and everything I have seen and tested was really good.
Review №6
2021-07-27Food was delicious, wait time was short, cozy atmosphere, and the waitress was amazing!There were a few flies circling around where we sat and could have used a little more mayo on my grilled chicken but honestly nothing to keep us from coming back especially since our waitress went above and beyond! We ordered fried pickles for appetizer then a grilled chicken, breakfast special #1 with fries instead of hashbrowns, two kids breakfast , a kids burger, two large drinks and three kids drink. All for $49 even without tip.Definitely try this place out if you have not yet!
Review №7
2022-02-09Hubby and I were on motorcycles, and looking for a place to eat, this restaurant had what seemed like a sea of cars in the parking lot so we decided to check it out... it has a diner like atmosphere and the owner was polite, friendly, and very accommodating. The restaurant was packed, and while most owners would be flustered and servers tired, it was nice to see that this place was not that way. The menu contained every imaginable home cooked meal, sure to suit the tastes of the most diverse dining group, and the food was delicious. Highly recommend. Also... love the American Legion across the street!
Review №8
2022-02-15The starting point is a great diner/restaurant period. Because my family has eaten here 11 times since December.I ordered eggs at breakfast,and only told my server well done. Normally scrambled eggs is my go to type. Since if ordered regular its always medium.Image my surprise getting well done regular eggs.Ok checking the eggs are perfectly cooked. Moving on tried six other dishes liked all of them.The feel inside is comfortable like you been going here for years. A little train runs around the seating area above you. The ceiling has the old pressed metal inlays.Simply put if you can go for a meal. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Review №9
2022-02-02Cute, old hometown type diner with some history of the town.The waitress was phenomenal! The food was so bland, no spices, no flavor. The baked chicken that I ordered was cooked so nicely and I would have really loved it, except that I dont like dark meat and thats what they delivered to me. The waitress hadnt asked me about white or dark meat and maybe they only do dark meat, Im not sure. I could have overlooked it on the menu, or it was all they had.The soup of the day was absolutely worth the visit and Ill visit for the soup again!
Review №10
2021-07-30This place is a Hometown favorite.. Great home style cooking... Great waiter staff. Very fast... And the cool train that goes around the top of the restaurant...