Whistle Stop Cafe — Restaurant in Decatur

My husband and I stopped here for lunch based on all of the great reviews. It was packed, but it was one of those places you go into, and everyone there immediately knows "you aren't from around here." I think there must have been several regulars there. We came at lunch time. Besides feeling like an outsider (it's a very tiny restaurant, think the size of a living room for seating), the next thing we noticed was the lack of cleanliness. We nearly left, but the reviews convinced us to stay. Hence, writing our own reviews as to help some poor soul out that might want to try this spot for the first time. Do yourself a favor, and keep driving. It took about 15 minutes to get our orders. I ordered the special--meatloaf. If you thoroughly enjoyed your school days eating in the school cafeteria, this would be something you would enjoy. Otherwise, steer clear. I was told the mashed potatoes were "homemade." They were obviously instant. I didn't mind eating instant potatoes, but it was the lack of transparency that I minded. The rolls were rock hard and cold. The packaged crackers on the table that we nibbled on while we waited were stale. The salad was ok, but it was tiny. My husband got chicken tenders and french fries. The french fries were just reheated frozen fries you can grab at Walmart. The chicken was greasy. He feared he would get sick and did not even finish his food. To top it all off, the mediocre to gross food was way overpriced. We only got water to drink, and the meals I mentioned. It was $32 for both of us to eat--at lunch time--eating lunch cafeteria grade foods. Later that day, in the evening, we went to Casa Torres. I got beef fajitas, my husband got beef enchiladas. Both meals came with beans and rice and of course, free chips and salsa--as much as you wanted. Our total cost there was $28, and I had enough food to get a box to bring home leftovers. The waiter was very attentive and friendly, and the restaurant was clean. Skip Whistle Stop, but if you like Mexican food, try Casa Torres. My only complaint there was I like the thin chips. Theirs are a little thicker than I care for. I hope this helps someone, and I hope this helps Whistle Stop Cafe to know that they need to step it up. I would be concerned about the health...

Mom had the pot roast special with a side of Mac and Cheese, and fresh crispy fries.

I had the chicken fried steak with a side green beans seasoned with bacon, and a serving of fried okra.

Both plates came with homemade yeast rolls, the big puffy kind that a stick of butter can get lost inside of.

The pot roast was clearly slow cooked for a very long time, it came apart easily and could be twirled with a fork much like you do with spaghetti. The pot roast gravy had all the flavor of the vegetables that simmered in it plus the roast. So delicious.

The chicken fried steak was like a movie star. It really competed with the one from Sarah's on the Square in Gainesville, and blew the doors off the one offered up by Spicy Mexico of which I had previously rated higher than Armadillo Grill. The steak was seasoned, as was the breading. The breading was unbelievably flakier than Sarah's ever was. The default cream gravy needed a dash of salt and a shake of pepper to reach final perfection.

Then we noticed sugar free on the pie menu, and today it was sugar free pecan pie. Oh my word! The pie was amazing, perfectly balanced, and just sweet enough. You could actually taste and enjoy the pecans and the crust.

Also on the menu but with full sugar was buttermilk custard pie. I don't know what it is supposed to taste like but to me it was heavenly in all aspects. To me it was equivalent to a stack of buttermilk pancakes paired with hot melted real butter and a very subtle but flavorful maple syrup.

We will be back to try even more options.

Oh and the service was top notch and I made sure that was known with a $10 tip.

I'll take...

Traveling through Grapevine and then dropping down into Decatur we decided to stop at the Whistle Stop Cafe. When we walked in the door we were greeted, but it was not cheerful. It was kind of like one more customer. Which I kind of hated for a shop that has food the way they do! I will say that our personal waitress was new and she was very kind and helpful. It was the initial contact that we had that was somewhat unwelcoming. We were motioned to sit down at a table, which was a dirty table. Thankfully I had bath & body works spray in my purse and so I sprayed, wiped down and sanitized our table. The lady that motioned us to the table did not do that for us. Our waitress came up later after we had been seated. So I do not think there was any way she would have known it was a dirty table. Long story short we ended up ordering a chicken fried steak, which my daughter and I shared!! It was big and wonderful! The rolls were hot and the green beans were very good. My husband got a grilled ham and cheese and my son got a child's plate with quesadillas and their chips. Their chips were home-made. They were really good. He really enjoyed them along with their salsa. The food here is great! It is a hole in the wall, unique and fun restaurant. If the service was a notch higher and a bit kinder it would make this little restaurant an all around hit. Perhaps we stopped on a bad day. We all have them. So give this little place a try. Hopefully your food and experience will be great! Certainly worth a stop in a place very...