Patti’s diner — Restaurant in Pattison

My wife and I tried Pattis for the first time yesterday (Friday) for lunch. We were greeted warmly and seated quickly. Our server came over to explain some items that weren't on the menu. I ordered the lava burger and my wife ordered the philly cheese steak sandwich. Both with onion rings. Our food took a long time to come out as we watched other diners who arrived after us getting their food quicker. We weren't concern since we weren't in a hurry anyway. Finally, our food came out. Both plates had french fries and no onion rings. This didn't bother us actually so we started eating our food. About a minute later the guy from the kitchen ran out with our onion rings being very apologetic. That's a plus.

My lava burger was different. On top of the burger was a tin can with both sides opened. When you raise the can the cheese inside runs all over the burger. The "lava" is melted cheese over the entire burger. Very interesting in a fun messy way. It was the first time in my life I had to eat a burger with a knife and fork. Next time I would order just the plain cheeseburger.

My wife's philly was VERY good. One of best I've tasted. Good portion of meat, onions, and peppers. The bread was extremely fresh. Good choice.

We did need to ask to have our tea glasses refilled. I'm still giving them five stars because I know they haven't been open very long. The young lady was very nice and was working hard serving the lunch crowd. We had verbal contact with three of the employees and all three were very friendly and making sure we enjoyed our food. That to us is just as important as the food itself. We'll return to try the breakfast menu. The food that came out for breakfast...

Earlier that day, my tire blew out on a back road outside Pattison. The kind of day where nothing seems to go right — and lately, there’s been a lot of those. My wife left me a few months ago. Haven’t really been the same since.

I was hungry, tired, and truthfully, just looking for a quiet place to sit down and pretend things were okay for a bit. That’s when I walked into Patti’s Diner.

I ordered the homemade chicken fried steak — mostly because it reminded me of something my ex-wife used to make on Sundays. I wasn’t expecting much. But when it came out, steaming hot, smothered in gravy, and with those buttery mashed potatoes on the side… I just lost it. One bite in, and it hit me like a truck. It tasted exactly like hers. Same seasoning. Same love. I sat there, trying to hold it together, but man — I cried. Right there in the booth.

Samara was my waitress. She didn’t make a big deal out of it, didn’t say anything awkward. Just brought me a napkin, sat the extra gravy down without asking, and said, “You’re gonna be okay. It’s just a hard day.” Cassandra came by too, gave me a warm smile and asked if I needed anything else. I think she knew I didn’t need food at that point — I just needed kindness. And they gave it freely.

I don’t know what kind of magic this little diner in Pattison is working with, but it’s more than comfort food. It’s comfort, period.

If you’re going through something — anything — go to Patti’s. Order the chicken fried steak. And if Samara or Cassandra are working, tell them thank you from the guy with the busted tire and a...

I came into Patti’s Diner with my hands full — literally. Six kids, all under 12. Darren, the youngest, decided it was a great day to scream like he was auditioning for a horror movie. I was already sweating before we even sat down.

But you know what? Not once did I get a dirty look. Not a single sigh. Instead, I got real Texas hospitality.

Samara greeted us with a smile like we were old friends. Cassandra brought extra napkins without being asked — twice. At one point, my 8-year-old knocked over a full Sprite. I was ready to crawl under the table, but they just laughed, cleaned it up in seconds, and brought out another one on the house.

When Darren started up again, Samara handed him a little pack of crackers and said, “Here ya go, buddy. These fixed my nephew right up.” And he actually quieted down for a solid ten minutes. That’s wizardry, I swear.

Another staff member (didn’t catch her name, but bless her soul) walked by and casually slid me a to-go coffee and whispered, “For later. You look like you’re gonna need it.” She wasn’t wrong.

The food was amazing — classic diner stuff done right — but honestly, the way they treated me and my kids? That’s what mattered most. As a single dad, moments like that mean the world. I left a $100 tip not because I had to, but because I wanted to. They earned every bit of it.

If you ever wonder where to find the heart of Texas, it’s in places like Patti’s. And people like Samara...