Highland Park Cafeteria -- Great find for this suburbanite (Dallas: home, neighborhood)

[Saintmarks]

Had business down in Dallas yesterday and found this great cafeteria, a throwback to days gone by. Got liver and onions (hard to find these days) pea salad, squash casserole and spinach quiche. Fantastic!

Reminded me of my growing up days in Atlanta and the Picadilly Cafeteria. All the little blue hairs getting lunch together, I missed my grandmother so bad I almost started tearing up.

Wondered about the history of this place, the one I ate at is at Loop 12 and Garland, just north of the Arboretum. With all the suburbs vs. city bickering on here, this McKinneyite was glad to find such a place. Our Luby's closed years back and nothing quite like this that I know of in Collin.

[jobert]

Back in the 70's and 80's the HP Cafeteria was at Knox and Cole in a concrete building with brass fixtures and diagonal wood paneling for interior decoration and fake plants. pretty much the zeitgeist of 70's modern. I vaguely remember going there when I was a toddler in the early 80's because my grandma loved it. There is now an Laura Ashley or something. The location in Casa Linda is a secondary reincarnation of some sort.

[momof2dfw]

Ah yes, a TRUE Dallas institution. Many years ago they opened up a location in Sakowitz Village in Addison. I remember dining there and seeing many a local celebrity. The one you were at is THE BEST! My parents still go there.


For more info on it:
Highland Park Cafeteria

Some history from the site and what cracks me up is they called the location "in the suburbs" LOL!!!:


Left a widow with seven children in 1925, Sallie Goodman faced the future with her usual optimism and faith. At sixty years of age Sallie moved to Dallas with one of her sons, Dewey. She was an excellent cook and she had a big dream. Together on August 24, 1925 they purchased a small cafeteria at 3311 Knox Street which consisted of a counter with 13 stools and 8 tables. With the help of one loyal chef, Mrs. Goodman both cooked and supervised, while young Dewey waited on the tables.

Opening a cafeteria in the suburbs at that time was a real venture, since most eating establishments were situated downtown. Lured by the aroma of freshly baked bread, roast beef with vegetables and the inviting ‘come-have-some” fragrance of hot coffee, her first customer opened the door saying “I’m sure they have something good to eat in here.”

Over the years, "The HPC" increased in popularity, counting many celebrities and Dallas elite among its thousands of daily customers. It expanded to several locations in the Dallas area. In 1981 it was named in a review by the New York Times, "America's Cafeteria".

Now back to a single family owned and operated location, you will enjoy authentic comfort food prepared and served by many who have been with the HPC for over 20 years - including a cook, Mr. Bowen, who was hired in 1956.

Any trip to Dallas calls for a visit to this great Texas institution. Come by and enjoy freshly prepared home style meals in a clean friendly atmosphere.

[jobert]

I really do miss that place, come to think of it
- along with the Mrs. Bairds bakery down the street. There were days when I swore the entire city smelled like fresh bread.

[pepper131]

You were right in our little neighborhood over here.
Glad you enjoyed it.

[ETex2]

I used to eat at the old HP Cafeteria once or twice a week back in the early to mid '80s when I worked a block away. There was nearly always a line out the door. It had an upstairs area that was an all you can eat buffet, but the price was pretty high for back then ($8.99 as I recall). The reincarnated one is pretty close in quality and selection of food.

I read several months ago that the owner was able to find and buy the president's portraits that adorned the waiting line area at the old location. Good memories.

[Lakewooder]

Shakespeare Buffet was the upstairs room.

Son-in-law Ed Yates ran the cafeteria during the 60s, 70s and 80s. His kids went to high school with me, they lived a couple of doors down from Dallas DA Henry Wade.

So we were there a lot through the years. My fave was the smothered steak. Also the pumpkin bread.

The new place doesn't use as much salt so it tastes different to me. Most of the recipes are supposed to be the same.

[Saintmarks]

I did have to salt up my squash casserole a bit more than usual. Thanks for all the replies, will definitely find a reason to go back.

Anybody know of anything similar to this closer to McKinney? There is the Furr's on beltline in Richardson, that's the closest thing I know of. I need a good liver and onion fix every now and then, cafeterias are about the only place I know to get it and the Luby's in McKinney, Allen and Frisco have all been shuttered.

[mysterymachinebl]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

I did have to salt up my squash casserole a bit more than usual. Thanks for all the replies, will definitely find a reason to go back.

Anybody know of anything similar to this closer to McKinney? There is the Furr's on beltline in Richardson, that's the closest thing I know of. I need a good liver and onion fix every now and then, cafeterias are about the only place I know to get it and the Luby's in McKinney, Allen and Frisco have all been shuttered.

There's still a Luby's on Park, just west of Preston, in Plano.

[momof2dfw]

I believe that Hubbard's in Garland on Main St has liver and onions. Some other places do as well as I've seen it on their menu's......... Oh, the fairly new Cooppie's in Garland at Firewheel Town Center does.

I thought the Luby's in Richardson on Campbell was still open.