I like to encourage local businesses and I'll let a lot slide before I say anything, realizing that they're just trying to do a job. I especially love local diners. However, everything was so poorly and unprofessionally done here that I just couldn't believe it. Its continued existence I can only attribute to the fact that until recently there wasn't much choice in Manor. They should notice that that has changed. We were short on time so we figured we'd get takeout. We put in a simple order online, and I figured that since it was the lunch rush, I'd wait another ten minutes before picking it up. I get there and there is NO parking. At all. People parked illegally all over. I find a semi-legal space, figuring I'll just be in there for a minute (HA) and run in. To my surprise, the place is way more than half empty. They must have to bus people in to fill it up because there is absolutely nowhere for them to park. Despite its emptiness, there is a "please wait to be seated" sign and no indication of where to pick up to go orders. No big deal, I'll ask the host when he/she is back. There's no host. The waitstaff apparently just seats tables at random when they have a minute, and they are not in a hurry about it. Every person found at least five things to do before they came back to the line. There were three people in front of me but it took probably seven minutes to get to me. Finally one of the servers comes up and I tell her I'm just picking up an order. She asks the name and walks off. She then proceeds to serve food to three other tables, take and fill a drink order, and refill coffee. Let me add that serving food involves taking the main dish from the kitchen window and dishing up sides/applying gravy themselves from a bar behind the pastry case, so this is not a quick process. Finally she wanders back over (there is a substantial line behind me at this point, although people keep leaving and I do not blame them) and I ask her what's happening. She says, "Oh yeah, what's the name?" and, pretty exasperated by this point, I give it to her again. She goes back to the kitchen window and calls, "Hey, do you have a to go order for [name]?" While she's trying and failing to figure out where it is, some other girl tells me rudely to go wait at the register. Finally she figures out that it's directly behind her on the bar where she has been dishing up sides but I still have to wait for her to bag it. By this time it's been well over twenty minutes. I deeply regret paying in advance because otherwise I would have left. Oh and when we ate the food it was mediocre at best and way overpriced. The queso looked and tasted like it was made with velveeta; the fries were clearly frozen and somehow cooked in a way to make them limp and bland and there was a small handful; the pulled pork was FULL of huge lumps of fat; the burger was dry. I had ample time to watch them serving other dishes and none of them looked appetizing. I wouldn't go back even if it was still the only option in Manor. read more

Great place, great specials and friendly staff! Food is yummy and tastes great every time we go!

Awesome food!! Great service Chuck's Chicken is the BOMB!!! Queso legit also! I'll be back

Kids loved it especially the toast and jelly, they had a mix up with coffee and tea so our second glasses of tea tasted of coffee. All in all a very traditional cafe atmosphere and regular cafe food tastes. No frills but it's really homie taste and George Strait albums on loop get my approval for this spot. read more

My first time so was not sure what to expect. I ordered breakfast and it was awesome. Outstanding service as well. Food prices was reasonable as well. I will be back!!! read more

An old school, small town Texas roadside jewel. I have been a satisfied customer for several decades. Thanks to Natalie and the crew for providing such an inviting dining experience. Oh yeah, try the cheesy chicken! Southern comfort food bliss! Recommend!!! read more

Cafe 290 Manor - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Manor, Texas

This has been one of my all time favorite restaurants/cafes. One that all other cafe's were measured by. It was a favorite for the whole family because of the choices available for everyone. But we have seen a change over the last few weeks. A number of side dishes have been removed, and some good entree's are either removed or impacted due to the sides being pulled. My favorites was the enchiladas and Chucks Chicken Deluxe. Both very flavorful meals. But now with no pinto beans, refried beans, Spanish rice, or even their awesome cabbage...what's the point. They added steaks...haven't tried, but others say that 290 steaks are nothing to write home about. In fact, a couple sitting behind me tonight was comp'ed for their steaks because they said it was not good and cooked wrong. May have to search for another cafe. read more

Excellent breakfast. Fast and friendly service. Really great looking pies! Great prices. They could use a facelift on the decor. Floor was full of holes and in bad shape. But definitely will return because the food was yummy. Breakfast til 2pm on weekends and the lunch menu was large. read more

Good place to get full but the food quality is just okay for the price / location. The pies are killer good though

My boyfriend and I came to eat here on 11/25/2016 and we were very disappointed with the service!!!!! The "manager" was our waiter so we ordered and when our food was brought out, my boyfriend noticed a hair in his club sandwich. We complained to the waiter/mngr but before my bf was even finished with his sentence, the waiter just grabbed his plate and walked off (Rude). By the time the second order came out, I was already done with my plate. We get the bill and no discounts were taken off. As soon as he came to pick up the check, my boyfriend asked if we can get a discount bc not only did he have a hair in his sandwich, he had to wait longer for his food without no apology. The manager again walked off mid sentence and swiped the credit card and told us he took off $5. We felt completely disrespected so we signed and left without tipping. 3 days later we check our bank account and noticed our card was charged for more than we were originally charged. I called and spoke to the manager/waiter and he swears he does not know how that could possibly happen but he would refund us the next day. I just can't believe the actual manager is there to scam customers by stealing their money. I couldn't even complain to someone above him since he is the manager. DO NOT GO THERE! IF YOU DO MAKE SURE YOU PAY CASH! read more

I was told this place was pretty good and to get the chicken fried steak, which I did. It wasn't awful. My biggest issue was it wasn't hot. It was warm. I still ate it, but actually felt sick in the middle of the night. Maybe it is what they fry it in or the fact it never got to a safe temperature...not sure. I don't trust going back though. read more

Have been a customer for awhile now... Just not the same. Just a simple note to the owner...of your reading this...please inform your workers/management not to cough in hands and then deal with people's food. Also please train employees how to show proper hygiene.. Our waiters hands looked like he came out of another partime job as a lube tech. Hands were dirty and finger nails were very dirty.. Just a tip. We Will continue come and eat good food.. And then time to pay... Waiter charged 12.98 out of 32.00. As a nice guy i wanted to correct so they supposedly refunded my account. Hasnt shown. Then to charge my card again because im nice another 32.48 to make it right. They got it wrong again. Charged my card 39.00 so another mess up. So all im out 17.00. So now i will never go back. So Checotah Creek holdings... You will be hearing from me.. read more

Restaurant reopened for business! Tried both breakfast and lunch items. Great food, served hot, by very nice folks!

My husband I were not impressed with the food at all! I had their "New" Mushroom and Swiss omelette and man it was by far the worst omelette I have ever had. They literally just slapped the most generic and gross white cheese slices (individually wrapped kind) on top of it. No other vegetables or anything in it! The hash browns were so plain and no seasoning at all. My husband said his meal was mediocre as well. Won't be returning here. read more

Service is the best! Fried green tomatoes are out of this world crazy good! It's a fantastic date night spot.

I love local diners and its hard to judge this place, having eaten at some of the bests diners in NYC & NJ. Overall i love the asthetics has very chicago/conneticut bus diner feel. There is a small portion of dated decor, not enough to hinder the food. The food is pretty traditonal, not amazing, but made with love. I love just sitting in these diners makes me feel very local. Overall i usually order breakfast here and i havent had any issues with the food. I haven't had any issues with the service as well. They all expect you to enjoy your meal and genuinely care. Great people and traditional breakfast. Thats what keeps me going back. Swing by if you want some breakfast and a relaxed meal. read more

I frequently come from College Station to visit my daughter in Austin I passed this place many times always regretted that I wasn't hungry when I passed it. Well today I was hungry when I was about to pass it so I stopped in. Definitely was not worth all the anticipation. The food is good but the prices are ridiculous. They seem to pride themselves on piling a lot on the plate and quantity does not mean Quality.I might stop by for breakfast Sunday just to try it but definitely won't come here for lunch again read more

Great service and food! Very extensive menu and family atmosphere! Make sure to try one of the pies!

I have a pretty simple rule on dining out. If I can do much better myself, then it isn't worth it. This is one of those Austin area restaurants you hear about over the years, then after going, you realize you could do just as good, or better at home. The service was extremely slow. The food was mediocre at best, and as others have mentioned, the prices aren't exactly a bargain. On the plus side, the staff was friendly and the bathrooms were clean. read more

stooping here to eat breakfast was the worst mistake of my life how do u mes up biscuits and gravy? and the carne guisada taco was nothing but fat chunks and i had weak ice tea the bill was 13 bucks read more

Cafe 290 Manor - i order carne gisada taco and i got fat chunks WTF??? - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Manor, Texas

Stopped here on the way back from the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm for some lunch. It's a casual diner atmosphere. Very friendly and attentive staff. I had Kellee's California Club - generous portion of grilled chicken breast on whole wheat toast with lettuce, tomato, guac (I had them hold the bacon) and fries on the side. And yay, they were steak fries - my fave. I thought $8.79 was just a little pricey for my meal in this kind of establishment - but the sandwich was really good. Jacko had the chicken fried chicken - also good. Definitely a decent stop if you find yourself out that ways. read more

SLOOOOOOOOOOW to get food out, we went with a party of 7 on a Sat. after the lunch rush, so there were not many people there as the crowd had died down. After 35 mins. and still no food I went and asked if they could check on our food, the manager went and checked and said it would be out shortly. Now I understand this is not a fast food place, but with the small crowd there is no way our should have taken 40 mins. to come out. The thing that really made me made is when our food was ready and in the window the manager and about 4-5 workers were all standing around and not one of them helped our waiter carry the food out to our table, not only that but he carried it out one trip at a time, I guess they don't use trays there. The workers weren't busy working, they gathered around the bar/counter area reading the paper and some type of scrap book someone brought up there. Needless to say this will more than likely be my last trip to this place! read more

Prices are very high at this restaurant! My wife told me it was a great place with low prices but they must have sold the place since she was there last. No fries with your burger ($1.95 extra!) and a glass of tea (weak tea, at that) that costs $2.99! We had the fried green tomatoes and they were sub par at best. The coating was way too crisp and thick and seemed to be what one would dip catfish in to fry. They tasted like they had been fried in old oil. The service was very slow and our burgers were just OK; nothing to crow about. Never going back!! read more

I have been here twice once for breakfast and the other for lunch. The reason I gave it 2 stars instead of one is because the breakfast was solid not great just ok. Something you would expect from a highway side diner. Now the lunch was ridiculous. I ordered a sandwich and it looked like the same lunch my wife packs me for work. Manor needs to step there game up these restaurants here don't try, especially this one. read more

Just ok, stopped in 06/07/14. Service was slow. The restaurant could use a new paint job and some proper cleaning. The restrooms were dirty and there was only one stall. The kids grilled cheese were good. My husband had the chicken fried steak and it was gross he ended up sending it back. I had the fried chicken covered in queso and it was really good, but nothing I would ever dream about. I read other reviews that said to try the lemon meringue pie and I wish I would've not listened. It was the worse pie ever. Overall it was just overpriced and just not what we were hoping for. Glad we won't eat there again. read more

The best chicken fried steak and and mashed potatoes and gravy in Texas which means the best in the entire known universe. And the richest slice of redneck culture anywhere. Sunday dinner there is an experience that will become one of your family legends. read more

Best friend and his wife had a guest from out of town, we all went here for lunch on Sunday. We had been to the Cafe 290 before, something changed. The sandwiches they ordered were nothing to write home about, and my chicken fried steak had much room for improvement. Out of the four of us, two got drink refills, my iced tea was dry and no refill. The check was more expensive than we would have expected, the service was lacking and the food was lacklustre at best. We agreed, never again. read more

Food was not tasty at all the fried batter had way too much garlic Food had no taste way over priced the portions way too small for café meals. The fries seem like they counted them down by count---Pie prices way over priced.. read more

Drove 20 plus miles to have lunch there on a weekday upon coworker's recommendation. The cheese chicken dish was average and on the heavy side. The most upsetting part is that they overcharged $7 to my bill and did not handle properly. I personally believe that they overcharged on purpose and did not wish you find out when you check credit card statement since the final total was in cents. When I found out and called they said they cannot credit back the balance!! I made multiple calls to the restaurant in 3 days and cannot get hold of their general manage who they claim the only person who can fix it. In the end I gave up and drove all the way there to get my cash back. As a customer I feel cheated and humiliated by the staffs who worked there and took my calls. This kind of scam is shame on them. Shame on the manager who does not show up for 3 days and does not take calls for a situation. Making small money and short sighted business will lose new customers. I do not see this restaurant will go far if no change is made. DO NOT eat there and save yourself from troubles of faked charges. The food does not taste good anyways. read more

Best chicken fried steak around. Local crowd. Huge unlimited ice tea. It's a typical roadside cafe. Maybe you could see a stick up or somethin. read more

Food was OK and prices were just OK for a small mom and pop dinner. My biggest gripe is the service though. I could have sworn our waitress was trying to avoid us. read more

Food is great but the place needs updating. Ceiling caved in whole we were eating. Upsetting because the have the best breakfast around. Hope there improve the building soon. read more

Delicious chicken fried steak for lunch today. Stopped here on my way back from killeen.

Darn good home cookin' and excellent traditional American breakfast this morning. Good coffee and excellent wait staff. Going East easy to get to. Going West on 290 make a U-turn at the next light. read more

Went here today for the first time with a party of 6. We all ordered breakfast since it was around 11 ish. I ordered it the western omelette and it was delicious. My son had the sausage biscuits and gravy and he let me sample it and it was very good also. Others in our party ordered tacos which they had said we're yummy. Wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable. My only minor issue was service was a tad slow but I do understand they was busy. I would without a doubt come back! read more

Great little road side diner. Pork chop and eggs with grits and biscuit for breakfast. Buffet or Hamburger for lunch. Chicken fried steak on the way home for dinner. Waitresses who know your name and have a constant refill of coffee. read more

Let me start with this...I told my husband and son, if I ever run away cause I need a break from life, you can find me at 290 cafe. Its not just because of the food, it's also the people and the atmosphere. Its the closest to feeling like your childhood home that your gonna get besides just being back home. The food is just outstanding. We lucked out because they had their chicken and dressing on Sunday. There really are no words for how flavorable and moist the chicken was. The dressing was...wow...creamy corn bread goodness. My hubby loved it! I had the steak and eggs which was amazing but they had me with just the grits and one biscut. Lets just say...i know where the phrase..."hmmm..buttermilk biscuts comes from" LOL! I had died and gone to heaven on that alone. The grits brought me back to when I was a child with not a worry in the world. My son had a Cuban and he said it was the best he has ever had. Mark was our server and he was so sweet. The owner stop by talked to us and gave us some dressing to go. YES, I am a foodie which means I know what good tastes like and folks cafe 290 is down right delicious! Get there NOW! read more

The only thing worse than the service is the food. Not only did the check come close to $30 for only two people, but our waiter was of the hit and run type. The food was horrid. My beans were canned, my chopped steak was not cooked to order, and the mashed potatoes were really dry.. but not as dry as my friends fajita meat, which looked like week-old leftovers. The clientelle that probably left all the good reviews are either loyal to a fault or their tastebuds are out of service. My worst meal of 2011.. read more

I like this place. The food is good and I always go for the coffee and cake. Staff is very friendly and food is comforting and good location. It has been around for decades. read more

No meringue pies? No business from us! We made a special trip only to be disappointed and leave empty handed. I don't know what changed, but not carrying those amazing meringue pies anymore is a HUGE mistake. read more