Mel's Country Cafe: Great Home Cooking in Tomball, Texas

I almost hate to write about this restaurant because it is already very popular in the area and tends to get very crowded at times. Parking can also be somewhat of a challenge despite the fact that they have a lot on the side of the restaurant. The more people who know about this place, the busier it will be and then I will have to wait longer to get a table. Unfortunately, this diamond in the rough is too great a treasure to keep hidden.

Hidden away on a country road in a residential area lies this wonderful casual dining establishment. I have eaten there several times and have never, ever had a bad meal. The portions are huge and the prices are low, which makes eating at this place a real bargain, especially if you have a large family. Best of all is the food itself. Everything is absolutely delicious!

The catfish is wonderful and cooked to perfection. I have had both the grilled Cajun catfish and the fried catfish and love them both. On Friday you can have all-you-can-eat catfish and popcorn shrimp for just $9.95. I used to order that, but when they already give you five or six pieces of catfish on the regular order ($8.95) and it was impossible to finish all of that, I just order the regular order of fried catfish. Some people manage to finish off the entire first plate and get more fish and shrimp and then take that home. Smart thinking!

Mel's is famous for their Mega Mel Burger. This consists of six patties totaling one and a half pounds of beef, a pound of bacon, a quarter of a pound of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and more! The monster burger costs about $15.95 and is a sight to behold. If you can eat it all in less than two hours, your name goes on the Wall of Fame. Some people have managed to consume this monster in less than ten minutes!

Not to be forgotten are the chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken. These tend to be quite huge also. It is more than I can eat and, trust me, I can pack it away at times.

Not to be overlooked are the stuffed mushrooms. They are so big and there are so many of them that people have come up to me and asked me what they were. Equally as large and plentiful are the onion rings. These are the best onion rings you have ever tasted. Both the mushrooms and onion rings are in portions to be shared with the rest of your table.

I am told that their peach cobbler is wonderful, although I have never had room for any dessert. I am sure it is great, just like everything else they serve.

I am lucky enough to work close to Mel's. I work close enough to have my lunch delivered occasionally. Every day there is a daily lunch special which comes with two side dishes and a roll or cornbread at a cost of either $6.00 or $7.00. I have tried their beef tips over rice and the beef is so tender it literally melts in your mouth. When I eat a Mel's lunch, I don't have dinner that evening. If I am hungry at night, I will just have a light snack.

For Thanksgiving I have Mel's cook my turkey. They inject it with Cajun spices and deep fry it. It comes with giblet gravy and cranberry sauce. Others order their entire holiday meal from Mel's, complete with potatoes and vegetables and peach cobbler. If you decide to try it, be sure to order early. You will be asked to put down a pick up time for that morning. You get to have a wonderfully cooked turkey without all the work. The best part is that you will still have your leftovers for sandwiches later.

Mel's Country Cafe has become one of my very favorite places to eat. Everyone I have brought here has loved the food and they were just flabbergasted at the portions.

Just writing this article has me hankering for some good home cooking from Mel's. I think I will have hubby take me there for dinner this week. Yum! See you there, and don't forget your to-go-box when you leave.

Mel's Country Cafe is located at 24814 Standolind Road, Tomball. Now open on Sundays and closed on Mondays.