When I lived in Texas I dove 150 mile every two weeks to eat at Mary's. I now live in Virginia and have dreams of going into Mary's for Chicken fried steak.
My family is from this town. Brother lives about 400 yards from Mary's. Aunt and Mom just passed, but they were 400-500 yards the other direction. Loads of fun running all over town as little kids in the 70's and great memories. Fast forward to 1987..... I was graduating from college and would visit once a year for a few days. "Flossies" was right across the street, and "Mary's" opened up I think right after Flossie's. Each year I'd go back, and Mary's was just 10% more popular, year-on-year, than Flossie's. Note the "Year on Year" aspect. Competition might have lasted 5 years, but Mary's won out. -And, as an aside, all my relatives said Mary's food was better, but not by a huge margin. The biggest differential ? The chicken fried steak and past that; much more friendly employees, including Mary. She was just always there those first, critical years. Always friendly and outgoing. So... Now.... Now we're Old Dogs, but my brother is still just a few hundred yards from Mary's. Several cousins in town. Whenever I go; we always go to "Mary's", who is our age. AnywayZZZ.... Really good food. I'm not positive if the Chx fried Stk is the best in TX, but it's certainly very good. Personally, the mashed potatoes and gravy are outstanding. Great place. Fantastic memories, and I recall the year-by-year battle there back in the mid-80's fwd for about 5 years. All of us being mid-20's and rearin' to go. Mary made it. Kewl.
@wesley gary Thank you for your response, Wesley. I appreciate it. But, yassir... That's about the way it went down. Your analogy is pretty much on target. Ah, well.... There ya have it. My opinion ? The food really is quite good; not sure it's the best. But, Mary Rules Supreme over Strawn. That chicken fried is quite good; and get the mashed potatoes and white gravy ! Peace, Brother.
@wesley gary Oh, and I should add this... Couple years ago, came into town and wanted to check e-mail and all before seeing my relatives. The difference re: Mary's ? I just asked for an iced tea and if I could use their wi-fi for 30-40 minutes or so. No problem. Of course I tipped a couple $ on the $2 tea or whatever it was. My point being the young ladies working the tables mid-day were just happy campers. No problem at all. THAT is the difference in the end. They were just genuinely happy and pleasant to let some dressed up stranger hang out and drink tea/use their wi-fi. No snottiness, no objection. And of course we went back later that day and all dined there. Again; really very good if maybe not outstanding food. But, just truly pleasant small town Americana from back in the day. I miss it. I'm out West now; making serious bank with a fed pension and a wonderful job and all that BS. But; Mary's is still pretty cool in my heart. Peace.
Mary’s is opened now. We went there on Monday for their chicken fried chicken and today for their cod. Delicious. Didnt realize that our waitress was Mary until I watched this video.
I came from Jackson Mississippi and Ms. Mary was the first face I saw through the door. She is sweet ass apple pie. I ate both the Texas large chicken fried steak and the Texas size bacon cheeseburger. Both were delicious. It was a well worth trip.
Brother. If you ate both of those at one sitting.... I ain't messin' wit 'Cha ! Ha ha. Mary's is excellent. I'm not sure if I'd vote their Chx Fried Stk as number one in Texas, but it's in the top ten. No doubt about that statement. MASSIVE quantities, pretty low price, and definitely really solid food. The foodservers are very friendly; wait is not too bad as a general statement. Nice solid homerun. Can't say with the bases loaded, but definitely a homerun.
Love love LOVE this place! I actually learned about it from the documentary "Texas 6" that's on Paramount Plus. I've been there twice now and it was amazing both times. First time I got the medium chicken fried steak and could only eat half. It's huge. Second time I got the small. Still had trouble finishing, as the mashed potatoes on the side is also a huge portion. Gravy is amazing. Also worth noting... their chips and salsa are unexpectedly really good. Some of the best salsa I've ever had and their chips are fresh. Both times we visited around 11:30am on Sunday. No problem getting a table, but the place filled up pretty quickly around 12:30. Can't wait to have an opportunity to go back again.
I knew I shouldn’t have watched this one, I sure miss our weekly road trips to Strawn. If y’all have never been to Mary’s it really should be on your bucket list
Two days ago I came across a video asking truck drivers the best meal they ever had and Mary's was #1 now I come across this video. Wow. Looks fantastic.
I've ate a lot of chicken fried steaks. You're the first person I've seen that wasn't greedy with the gravy. Most people put like 3 or 4 tablespoons of gravy on the steak. Then I asked for more gravy and they charge me for it.
For anyone who is CFS connoisseur like myself, I had my first flat top cooked CFS... Life changing... I went to Sam's Original Restaurant in Fairfield, TX. I will definitely make a trip to Mary's.
My uncle in Strawn cooked @ Marys for yr's !! Due to his age & health, he now only cooks @ Marys, occasionally when needed... part time !! I know others, Tx food magazines have also highly mentioned, recommended Mary's CFS And his homemade( Fam only ) Peach ice cream 🍦 is the BEST !! Just sharing 😊
What a sweetheart! I've been hearing of Mary's Chicken Fried Steak for years... I definitely need to go. It'll take me about 300 miles to get there, but it's definitely a bucket list stop!
Yes Sir. My family lives in Strawn. My brother's 400 yards from Mary's and my Mom and Aunt were 400-500 yards the other direction. Bunch of cousins there as well. Mary's is very good, reasonably priced, and service is extremely friendly. I'll say their CFS is exceptionally good, although I'm not sure it's number one in Texas. I like it just because it's not deep-fried, so it's different. Really good, though. I'll add that the ambience is rather basic, and the facilities in total are a bit on the basic side. But, if I were traveling down the freeway... Yes Sir. It's worth the 7 or 8 miles off the freeway for a great bite to eat. As to traveling from Ohio to go to Mary's; well.... I might hesitate on that one a bit. As an aside; my brother/cousins/myself are all Mary's age. Saw her work her way to the top over the years, and she did a great job of doing so. Ciao !
I've visited a few times -- they were pretty busy this past Easter, in fact -- and on my first visit, I ordered the CFS and the Rocky Mountain Oysters. They give you enough food that you'll need a box, so what was left of both came home with me. I returned from work a day later and my wife (who had just come home from a trip) told me that she'd eaten my leftovers. "OK, no problem, what did you think of the Rocky Mountain Oysters?" [long pause]
Mary's has very good food, the portions are huge, and the foodservers are always friendly. I don't know if I'd call their CFS as being the best in Texas. But, yeah, it's really quite good. Their mashed potatoes and gravy are awesome ! The Mex food options are pretty solid. Definitely worth the stop. Best in TX ? Well, I might hesitate on that one a tad bit. Noting, the ambience is rather basic. Fair enough, though. Their prices are quite reasonable, especially relative to the massive quantities you receive. Kewl !
It's been years since I was there but thinking I'll host my extended family there. I'm North of Abilene, the rest are closer to Denton and Frisco, so we thought to meet for Thxgvng in Strawn. Mary's makes a kick a chicken fried steak. It can be busy, so come relaxed and prepared for a wait if it's a weekend evening. NO angry short tempered, impatient Karen's allowed :)
think i gona head to texas an get me some of that chicken fried steak only the regular or small for me tho that large looks like it would feed me for 3 days cant wait
im very lucky i live right across the border in louisiana an if shtf im ah texan in no time flat cause i know no bs will go down there an it makes me feel a little safer knowin im this close i luv texas an its no bs people thank god for texas
Yes Sir. My brother lives a couple hundred yards from Mary's. We grew up with her. The CFS is very good, maybe even excellent. But, Yes Sir. We order the Large and they tend to load us up since my family is right there. Easily enough for a couple days.
Got this done off my Bucket List!!! Three hour drive one way. Made for a day out. Should have gone years ago. I'll be making the trek more often. Very Very Good. CFS like pan fried. I am not a fan of CFS Deep fried. My desert was Bucket List T-Shirts from our waitress and a Hello to Mary.
TBH, been there a few times and its just an average CFS, taste wise, size wise it large for sure. Maybe all the hype just ruined it for me. But if you are in the area good place to eat. But for me not worth driving out to for just a meal
The "medium" is huge. I'm a big guy and I struggled to finish it. The "large" is ridiculously big. The "side" of potatoes was a bowl big enough to feed 3 people,lol. Went on a Saturday around 3 pm, place was pretty much packed. Server was friendly but very efficient, could tell she'd worked there for a while. I'll be back.
Texas forever restaurant off of magnolia and I-10 in east Houston is unbelievable I saw a hamburger that was 10 in tall and my chicken fried steak was off the plate. Give it a try you won't be disappointed.
Mary is friendly and humble and generous... people like that make the world a blessed place to live
When I lived in Texas I dove 150 mile every two weeks to eat at Mary's. I now live in Virginia and have dreams of going into Mary's for Chicken fried steak.
Growing up in Mineral Wells, Mary’s was always a stop for us! So many memories in this place. My dad and Mary were good friends for many many years!
I think Mary's great. I wish her all the best.
My family is from this town. Brother lives about 400 yards from Mary's. Aunt and Mom just passed, but they were 400-500 yards the other direction. Loads of fun running all over town as little kids in the 70's and great memories. Fast forward to 1987..... I was graduating from college and would visit once a year for a few days. "Flossies" was right across the street, and "Mary's" opened up I think right after Flossie's. Each year I'd go back, and Mary's was just 10% more popular, year-on-year, than Flossie's. Note the "Year on Year" aspect. Competition might have lasted 5 years, but Mary's won out. -And, as an aside, all my relatives said Mary's food was better, but not by a huge margin. The biggest differential ? The chicken fried steak and past that; much more friendly employees, including Mary. She was just always there those first, critical years. Always friendly and outgoing.
So... Now.... Now we're Old Dogs, but my brother is still just a few hundred yards from Mary's. Several cousins in town. Whenever I go; we always go to "Mary's", who is our age. AnywayZZZ.... Really good food. I'm not positive if the Chx fried Stk is the best in TX, but it's certainly very good. Personally, the mashed potatoes and gravy are outstanding. Great place. Fantastic memories, and I recall the year-by-year battle there back in the mid-80's fwd for about 5 years. All of us being mid-20's and rearin' to go. Mary made it. Kewl.
@wesley gary Thank you for your response, Wesley. I appreciate it. But, yassir... That's about the way it went down. Your analogy is pretty much on target. Ah, well.... There ya have it. My opinion ? The food really is quite good; not sure it's the best. But, Mary Rules Supreme over Strawn. That chicken fried is quite good; and get the mashed potatoes and white gravy ! Peace, Brother.
@wesley gary Oh, and I should add this... Couple years ago, came into town and wanted to check e-mail and all before seeing my relatives. The difference re: Mary's ? I just asked for an iced tea and if I could use their wi-fi for 30-40 minutes or so. No problem. Of course I tipped a couple $ on the $2 tea or whatever it was. My point being the young ladies working the tables mid-day were just happy campers. No problem at all. THAT is the difference in the end. They were just genuinely happy and pleasant to let some dressed up stranger hang out and drink tea/use their wi-fi. No snottiness, no objection. And of course we went back later that day and all dined there. Again; really very good if maybe not outstanding food. But, just truly pleasant small town Americana from back in the day. I miss it. I'm out West now; making serious bank with a fed pension and a wonderful job and all that BS. But; Mary's is still pretty cool in my heart. Peace.
Bless Mary's little heart...BIG heart should I say. I am ecstatic for her success. It appears she's earned every bit of it by lots of hard work.
Mary’s is opened now. We went there on Monday for their chicken fried chicken and today for their cod. Delicious. Didnt realize that our waitress was Mary until I watched this video.
@ROBERT CRAIG
💜✝️📖👉" AMEN " 👈📖✝️💜
oh dang they have cod too???? ughhhh I gotta go
Who doesn’t go to Texas for cod fish… ?? 😆
Mary is America. Real authentic America. Great video.
Great food and awesome service.
Makes my mouth water just looking at it!!!!!!
Love it from down here in Australia - hope you’re all keeping safe and well
Cheers, mate. I live 35 minutes from Mary's. 🤠
I came from Jackson Mississippi and Ms. Mary was the first face I saw through the door. She is sweet ass apple pie. I ate both the Texas large chicken fried steak and the Texas size bacon cheeseburger. Both were delicious. It was a well worth trip.
Brother. If you ate both of those at one sitting.... I ain't messin' wit 'Cha ! Ha ha. Mary's is excellent. I'm not sure if I'd vote their Chx Fried Stk as number one in Texas, but it's in the top ten. No doubt about that statement. MASSIVE quantities, pretty low price, and definitely really solid food. The foodservers are very friendly; wait is not too bad as a general statement. Nice solid homerun. Can't say with the bases loaded, but definitely a homerun.
Love love LOVE this place! I actually learned about it from the documentary "Texas 6" that's on Paramount Plus. I've been there twice now and it was amazing both times. First time I got the medium chicken fried steak and could only eat half. It's huge. Second time I got the small. Still had trouble finishing, as the mashed potatoes on the side is also a huge portion. Gravy is amazing. Also worth noting... their chips and salsa are unexpectedly really good. Some of the best salsa I've ever had and their chips are fresh. Both times we visited around 11:30am on Sunday. No problem getting a table, but the place filled up pretty quickly around 12:30. Can't wait to have an opportunity to go back again.
Best chicken fried steak anywhere. I had the medium when I was there. I asked Mary how large the large was then. I couldn't believe it!!!
It's one of the best I've had in the State for sure. Surprised it hasn't show up on the Texas Bucket List before now!
Definitely worth jumping off the interstate,and trying this cafe out.. Only trouble is finding a empty table 🤠
stop by several times a year on my way to deer lease...best CFS i have ever had
Best episode ever! Love you Mary!!! 😚☺️😘🙃
Been there and it's GREAT! Mary is the Cat's Meow!! GREAT Cook with a GREAT personality! "Go Mary" !!
I knew I shouldn’t have watched this one, I sure miss our weekly road trips to Strawn. If y’all have never been to Mary’s it really should be on your bucket list
Two days ago I came across a video asking truck drivers the best meal they ever had and Mary's was #1 now I come across this video. Wow. Looks fantastic.
I've ate a lot of chicken fried steaks. You're the first person I've seen that wasn't greedy with the gravy. Most people put like 3 or 4 tablespoons of gravy on the steak. Then I asked for more gravy and they charge me for it.
I would sure like to eat there! Texas is blessed!
Been there.
Done that.
Got the T-shirt.
Time for another pilgrimage.
Thanks, Mary!
GREAT JOB...MARY...THANK YOU BUCKET LIST!!
For anyone who is CFS connoisseur like myself, I had my first flat top cooked CFS... Life changing... I went to Sam's Original Restaurant in Fairfield, TX. I will definitely make a trip to Mary's.
Added this to my list of placed to eat in Texas! All from your channel videos 👍🏽🤤
My uncle in Strawn cooked @ Marys for yr's !! Due to his age & health, he now only cooks @ Marys, occasionally when needed... part time !! I know others, Tx food magazines have also highly mentioned, recommended Mary's CFS
And his homemade( Fam only ) Peach ice cream 🍦 is the BEST !! Just sharing 😊
Just got back from there. Awesome CFS.
My deer lease is a couple miles from Mary's. My favorite place to eat by far.
Been there, done that. Definitely worth a stop! Call ahead for a table...
What a sweetheart! I've been hearing of Mary's Chicken Fried Steak for years... I definitely need to go. It'll take me about 300 miles to get there, but it's definitely a bucket list stop!
No food is worth 300 miles
Would've loved to tried all that. Looks amazing.
I loved Marys so much I had to get a DFW buddy to get me some in Hawley. So, so good Marys chicken fried steaks.
Don't get me wrong, I love living in rural Ohio... but man!!! I need to get my buns down to Texas and visit some of these amazing establishments!
C'mon on down, im 35 minutes from Mary's
Yes Sir. My family lives in Strawn. My brother's 400 yards from Mary's and my Mom and Aunt were 400-500 yards the other direction. Bunch of cousins there as well. Mary's is very good, reasonably priced, and service is extremely friendly. I'll say their CFS is exceptionally good, although I'm not sure it's number one in Texas. I like it just because it's not deep-fried, so it's different. Really good, though. I'll add that the ambience is rather basic, and the facilities in total are a bit on the basic side. But, if I were traveling down the freeway... Yes Sir. It's worth the 7 or 8 miles off the freeway for a great bite to eat. As to traveling from Ohio to go to Mary's; well.... I might hesitate on that one a bit. As an aside; my brother/cousins/myself are all Mary's age. Saw her work her way to the top over the years, and she did a great job of doing so. Ciao !
Great burger bite
CFS looks very Texas
But Mary is star of the cafe
I'm hungry now
Huge......is an understatement for these size servings!!!
" Those are Dinosaur portions ! " ....
LOL 🤣 👍👍
" and I am envying Shane for his being the blessed host on The Bucket List ! " ... LOL
Great job Mary wow love the food
God Bless You Mary
NOW I definitely have to return to Texas and visit Mary’s.
I've visited a few times -- they were pretty busy this past Easter, in fact -- and on my first visit, I ordered the CFS and the Rocky Mountain Oysters. They give you enough food that you'll need a box, so what was left of both came home with me. I returned from work a day later and my wife (who had just come home from a trip) told me that she'd eaten my leftovers. "OK, no problem, what did you think of the Rocky Mountain Oysters?" [long pause]
Mary's has very good food, the portions are huge, and the foodservers are always friendly. I don't know if I'd call their CFS as being the best in Texas. But, yeah, it's really quite good. Their mashed potatoes and gravy are awesome ! The Mex food options are pretty solid. Definitely worth the stop. Best in TX ? Well, I might hesitate on that one a tad bit. Noting, the ambience is rather basic. Fair enough, though. Their prices are quite reasonable, especially relative to the massive quantities you receive. Kewl !
So I’m in Houston, and I’m ready jump in my car and drive over there right now for some chicken fried steak & mashed potatoes!!!😋
Two friends and I went on a road trip to try out this place 2 years back, you get your money's worth here.
We'll be stopping by this Saturday for lunch! See you then!
I just started watching this series and its pretty good
This series is awesome. Is sooo awesome I fell in love with Texas.
Go vegan fellas lets bring peace to all beings.
The fact that is not all battered up is good. 👍👍
Looks so good.
This is right near our deer lease and the medium is definitely AT LEAST 2 meals 😂😂
Gawd...My right ventricle is slamming shut and a scooter is in my future for sure!
" LOL 🤣 👍👍 "
Not only is the food great here so is the service and the locals
Wow I need to go there. ❤
Mary knows how to cook a chicken fried steak for sure. My favorite if I'm not making it myself! The large steak and shrimp plates are awesome too!
Shore nuff do wish ar small town had a Mary’s. So sad Tx is 300 miles away 😩!! Yer welcome in KY if ye ever get a noshun to expand😃
Love Mary’s!
I love that South Texas accent!
support small business
Mart’s restaurant is now on my bucket list
Shane, yes Mary is known for her chicken fried steak but you should try her Mexican food.........it’s awesome!
We're going to be headed there on our way to pick up my son from Texas Tech 😊.
I want your job, you get to eat at all the good places. Looks like you've been eating pretty good too.
Coach brought the team here after our last baseball game, had me the BURGER and it was awesome!
The place is pretty dang good gonna have to make a detour the next time I head back east
I'm gonna have ta stop in there sometime soon,
It's been years since I was there but thinking I'll host my extended family there. I'm North of Abilene, the rest are closer to Denton and Frisco, so we thought to meet for Thxgvng in Strawn. Mary's makes a kick a chicken fried steak. It can be busy, so come relaxed and prepared for a wait if it's a weekend evening. NO angry short tempered, impatient Karen's allowed :)
great job nicley made
I have to visit here!!
Love her attitude ! 👍
This guy reminds me of the sheriff off of Mr. Pickles 😂 😂 😂
The only thing Texas does small is taxes and gas prices.
Lol
werd. 1.59 here
Property Tax rates are actually horrible they don't tell you that when you move here
Better than any other state
but not our property taxes 😂
Guess need take a trip back to Texas!
think i gona head to texas an get me some of that chicken fried steak only the regular or small for me tho that large looks like it would feed me for 3 days cant wait
im very lucky i live right across the border in louisiana an if shtf im ah texan in no time flat cause i know no bs will go down there an it makes me feel a little safer knowin im this close i luv texas an its no bs people thank god for texas
Yes Sir. My brother lives a couple hundred yards from Mary's. We grew up with her. The CFS is very good, maybe even excellent. But, Yes Sir. We order the Large and they tend to load us up since my family is right there. Easily enough for a couple days.
Looks delicious
Got this done off my Bucket List!!! Three hour drive one way. Made for a day out. Should have gone years ago. I'll be making the trek more often. Very Very Good. CFS like pan fried. I am not a fan of CFS Deep fried. My desert was Bucket List T-Shirts from our waitress and a Hello to Mary.
I lived near there for 4 years and always planned to go but never did and I’m sorry for that
How do you keep your trim physique recording all these home cooking places?
She seems to be an awesome personality!
Now I'm hungry
Thought dude from Active self protection was cooking
He isn't as big as this Gentleman.
Well, Now I want some Chicken Fried Steak!
Have u been to underwood’s in Brownwood ? Man it’s good
Pop a Lipitor and say a lil prayer ..... that looks amazing
love chicken fried steak also you need to try 30 burger in texarkana tx
Oh my God !!!!God I wish I lived in Texas
I really wish I had watched this before I went in today and ordered a large........ insane.
I wish!
Those potatoes definitely need some gravy. But everything look good!
Question? Does Mary’s chicken fried steaks are they considered country fried steaks not chicken frayed.
I am gonna arrive in texas at 190 and leave at least 425 if i go all the places from this show
My welcome home meal in 09'. Country fried steak was worth the drive.
Is that mashed potatoes or caulk?
I would cry happy tears if i had that food in front of me.
They ask a trucker what’s the best place u ever ate in USA he said this place
TBH, been there a few times and its just an average CFS, taste wise, size wise it large for sure. Maybe all the hype just ruined it for me. But if you are in the area good place to eat. But for me not worth driving out to for just a meal
Best chicken fried steak I ever had!
Awesome! Next!!👍👍
The "medium" is huge. I'm a big guy and I struggled to finish it. The "large" is ridiculously big. The "side" of potatoes was a bowl big enough to feed 3 people,lol.
Went on a Saturday around 3 pm, place was pretty much packed.
Server was friendly but very efficient, could tell she'd worked there for a while.
I'll be back.
Hey Mary I coming over!!!
Wow...I feel like making a trip down there just to pig out on her food...!!!
Texas forever restaurant off of magnolia and I-10 in east Houston is unbelievable I saw a hamburger that was 10 in tall and my chicken fried steak was off the plate. Give it a try you won't be disappointed.