Myrle’s Cafe
Okmulgee, OK
Chicken Fried Steak
w/ Mashed Potatoes, Fried Okra, Toast
Dish Score: 54
Overall Score: 54
Price: $
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SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Presentation & Creativity: 7/20
- Portion Size & Nutritional Value: 6/10
- Ingredient Compatibility: 7/10
- Flavor, Taste, Texture, & Doneness: 26/40
- Service: 5/10
- Restaurant Appearance: 0/5
- Cost vs. Value: 3/5
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REVIEW
When I stepped into Myrle’s Cafe, I immediately felt like I was back in my youth visiting my great-grandfather on his rural home in Bluejacket, Oklahoma. That is to say everything is decades out of date and most of the time the only people there are family. To further substantiate this emotion, besides myself all the other customers, I found out, were indeed family of the owner. Filled with a hodgepodge of decorations ranging from Native American posters to military propaganda to Asian memorabilia, I thought I’d seen it all until I received the menu.
The menu contained the usual items I’ve come to expect from the region, such as the chicken fried steak I ordered, but also contained a few selections of Mexican choices as well. While waiting for my meal to arrive, I found irony in the flat screen TV sitting atop the 1970′s era Pepsi machine playing black and white movies from the 30s. Getting more acquainted, I noticed many of the furnishings were mismatches and some booths were rigged with wooden platforms for seats over what used to be cushions. This is a place in dire need of repair.
As I began to get concerned about what the kitchen must look like if the dining area was in such shape, my meal was brought out to me. As the plate was sat down on my table, I looked down at it and noticed a bug on my table slurping up some moisture. Brushing it off and crossing my fingers, I picked up my silverware.
Surprisingly, my first bite of okra was delicious. It was not overly cooked and was seasoned well. I moved towards the mashed potatoes and, although they weren’t bad, I suspect they might have been instant potatoes. The chicken fried steak was also hot, breaded nicely, and seasoned properly. The toast needed butter. Overall, I was rather surprised at the meal. Everything was hot and had good seasoning. Considering the meal was cheaper and more filling than getting a value meal at McDonalds, I left happy. Unfortunately, unless Myrle’s relocates to a place that quite frankly doesn’t scare me to eat in, I don’t see myself going back.
