Steak House Cafe

"It was a long day... We drove in from somewhere up North coming down on the mountain roads and hitting the flat lands of Southeast New Mexico. The wind was heavy and air was cold... That was when trouble started. Somewhere near Roswell on a dusty desert highway, our trusty engine began having problems. As we limped into Tatum, the engine finally had enough. We were cold, hungry, and beaten down by the road and misfortune. There were no modern conviences and even the new-fangled cell phones weren't getting a signal. We walked a quarter mile to a pay phone at the main intersection in town and called several towing companies across the border in Texas. To no avail, we were stranded... Finally, we found a tow driver who was willing to break multiple laws and would come and pick us up from across the border. While we waited hungry on the side of the dusty cold road, we spotted it. The Steak House Cafe. We ordered the beef stew and a chile relleno. Both dishes were like shining light of hope. We tipped the waitress with our last couple dollars though she deserved more. Then began the long journey home riding illegally in the tow truck cab, we finally made it across the border back to Texas. It was a another 6 years but finally back and able to charge my cell phone, I was finally able to leave this review."

"Quick details - food is really tasty. The streak fingers are amazing. Price is fair for the portions they give which are generous. Full Review - So the restaurant is overall wonderful. Here is a break down of the major things I look at. Food - I had a steak fingers meal full size. I chose mashed potatoes as my side. The steak fingers are amazing. They take a sirloin I think and cut it into strips and then a batter like chicken fried steak and cook it. It was tender with a great batter seasoned flavor. They give a side of white country gravy with pepper with it as well. The salad bar was decent but stocked with things I personally didn't prefer but it was fresh. Only nitpick is the ranch was watery a bit. Cleanliness - place was spotless and in good repair. Staff - Only one person runs the front. She was a bit standoffish but considering all she was doing that is understandable. She was friendly enough and definitely busy but still found time to refill our drinks without us even asking when she saw them low. So staff gets a great rating overall. Decor - this is a small roadside diner. The decorations reflect that but some pictures of the staffs family behind the counter it has a nice personal feel to it. Tables and chairs are no frill standards. Overall it is fantastic for what it is. If you were expecting something more or decorations matter then perhaps stopping here isn't for you. Final thoughts - great food and value. Friendly overall staff and clean. Wonderful stop for a good bite to eat and take a break from the road."

"Wow! Take a moment to step back in time when food was made like it should be and you had the true small town diner experience. Walk in and Gun Smoke is playing and farmers and their families are eating, locals are there and people passing through. One friendly gentleman saying hi to everyone. Everyone was enjoying the amazing steak fingers, homemade mashed potatoes and homemade rolls. One super woman is answering phones, taking orders, busing tables, refreshing drinks, checking out people, doing it all somehow. The food was outstanding! The nostalgia was off the charts. I highly recommend!"

"Great little mom and pops place. This little hole in the wall sits in the middle of this blink and you'll miss it town. We had planned on eating somewhere else but that place had closed down and we saw this old building sitting by itself and glad we ate here. Service was nice and the food was good. Biscuits was fluffy and while I had better gravy, the gravy and biscuit was still good. If you get in lost Tatum, stop by this place!"

"This was a place we stopped on our road trip and I am glad we did Steak fingers awesome Burger awesome Fajitas awesome Meat loaf delicious Ifnyour driving by definitely stop by, their steak fingers are real homemade steak fingers."

"Year after year, time after time...this restaurant always delivers great food. The steak fingers are my absolute favorite & we will drive an hour out of our way just to have lunch here. Don't judge a book by its cover...go in & order some steak fingers, you will not regret it!"

"If you blink or are judgy, you will miss some of the BEST HOMEADE food that has ever hit your palette. The dinner rolls are so scrumptious, then the most tender fried steak strips!! The bowl of chili was so meaty. The owner is 90 years old and is the cutest lil woman. I found she make the pickled brats that are on the salad bar. Folks the ladies running this cafe understand how to serve hungry folks. Their prices are well below the average. Portions are huge, so I am prepared for my next meal. Be sure to make this lil cafe a must stop for your next meal!!!"