Tag Archives: Norma’s Cafe

Free Thanksgiving Dinner at Norma’s Cafe

Norma’s Café in Oak Cliff, Dallas, has quietly carried a beautiful Thanksgiving tradition for more than 30 years: on Thanksgiving Day, they open their doors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to serve a free holiday meal to anyone who comes. The restaurant is located at 1123 W. Davis Street, and every year volunteers, staff, and community supporters prepare thousands of home‑cooked meals. In past years, the tally has reached over 8,000 free dinners, feeding individuals, families, people from shelters, and houses of worship alike.

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Chicken Fried Face-Off: AllGood Café vs. Norma’s Café

Chicken fried steak holds a sacred place in the Texas dining canon. It’s a dish that straddles the line between working-class necessity and Sunday supper indulgence—breaded beef, fried like chicken, drowned in gravy, and typically served with enough starch to anchor a boat. In Dallas, two long-loved restaurants take this dish seriously: Norma’s Café, a bastion of down-home tradition, and AllGood Café, a Deep Ellum diner with a little more swagger and a lot more nuance. I ordered both. I ate both. I took a nap. Then I made a decision.

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Norma’s Cafe Partners with The North Texas Food Bank

Dallas’ comfort food icon, Norma’s Cafe, is keeping with decades of tradition by giving back to those in need this holiday season through its Gather & Give program. With each guest purchase of a Holiday Family Dinner for 6-8 people, Norma’s will donate six meals to the North Texas Food Bank from now until Dec. 23.  

The Holiday Family Meal goes on pre-sale Sept. 25, with full dinners for 6-8 people starting at a family affordable price of $115.00. The holiday dinner includes a choice of the following: (1) whole smoked  turkey, (1 pan) of smoked sliced or oven-roasted turkey breast, (1) spiral cut glazed ham, (1) prime oven  roast with au jus and horseradish, with (2) quarts of cornbread dressing, (2) quarts of mashed potatoes, (2)  quarts of green beans, and (1) quart of giblet gravy. Also included are the cranberry sauce, a dozen rolls,  and Norma’s classic 10-inch pumpkin pie. Specialty items are also available for additional purchase  including green bean casserole, bacon mac-n-cheese, broccoli rice casserole and much more. 

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Norma’s Celebrates 68-Years with $1.85 CFS!

On Wednesday, June 26, the iconic Dallas diner Norma’s will celebrate 68 years since its original location opened. To commemorate the occasion, the diner is rolling back prices to the 1950s: Customers can enjoy a plate of chicken-fried steak or a slice of birthday cake for just $1.85 each ($2 with tax).

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Unofficially Pie Day at Norma’s Cafe, Jan 23rd

Eating dessert first has always been Norma’s Cafe‘s motto, but on National Pie Day, it’s their mission. Get ready for this tasty unofficial holiday on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Pie Day.

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Norma’s Hits Her 65th Anniversary

In June of 1956, Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” topped the charts, “The King and I,” starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr was out in theaters and R.L. Thornton was mayor of Dallas. And Norma’s Cafe opened its doors in Oak Cliff, selling chicken fried steak dinners with all the fixings for less than $2.

The now-iconic dining institution with five area locations celebrates its 65th anniversary on June 23 with prices inspired by the past on three of its famous Blue Plate Specials. Dine-in guests can order Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken and Dressing, or Meatloaf, including mashed potatoes and green beans, for just $1.79, while supplies last.

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Chicken Fried Steak Day at Norma’s Goes Virtual

By Alex Gonzalez photo by Katy Anderson

While we’re still feeling the effects of the pandemic, there is never a shortage of chicken fried steak in Texas. Times may be tough, but we still find comfort in this comfort food.

A chicken fried steak is a cut of tenderized that is battered and fried, crafted in a way to appear similar to a piece of fried chicken. It is a southern staple with a rich history in Texas. October 26th is Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day, and this year marks the sixth anniversary of the event.

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Norma’s Continues Free Thanksgiving Tradition

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This year, Norma’s Cafe, Dallas’ dining icon that has served DFW home cooking for more than 63 years, continues a 31 year long tradition as it opens its Oak Cliff doors on Thursday, Nov. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for its annual free Thanksgiving dinner.

Guests taking part in the free Thanksgiving dinner will be served a feast of holiday favorites, including turkey and dressing with giblet gravy and cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, English peas, salad, rolls, fruit and dessert. The free meal will only be available at the original Norma’s Cafe Oak Cliff location on 1123 W. Davis Street in Dallas. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as thousands of meals will be served between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Continue reading

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