It's worth mentioning that I ordered all of the specials in the board. Green chile stew, black-eyed peas & a quesadilla. Counter service gal knew the menu. BETTER than reasonable prices; I would've paid more! The eat-in area is clean & pleasant. Good place to get caught up on emails or SM while enjoying a solo lunch. read more

McCarty's Cafe - Tables, specials, menu board - American Near Me - Portales, New Mexico

I ordered the steak strips after finding out that no one who worked there had ever tried the fish. One of the worst things I have ever ordered. This shop had a very large menu with nothing made fresh. The only customers were over 80 years old. The "steak strips" tasted like chopped up hamburger patties and were badly cooked and that is supposedly their specialty and at the top of the menu. I am surprised to see that it is still open every time I drive by given how little attention it is given by its owners. read more

If I could give zero stars, I would! The service was ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. The food is not much better. After we ate, I ordered two pieces of Boston Cream Pie, which was frozen!!! We used to live in Portales and used to frequently eat here because we loved the food and the service was really good. Tonight, just a bunch of young people enjoying socializing. We are in town for a week, and this is definitely not where I will come back to!!!! Here is what I paid $6.19 for two pieces. If we would have split a piece, we would have gotten 2 bites a piece. read more

McCarty's Cafe - This is one piece of the two pieces that I paid $6.19 for!!! - American Near Me - Portales, New Mexico

Great place for steak or chicken fingers and don't miss out on the fried green chili strips, lots more on the menu

Food is generally very good but do not use the online application. I was mistaken that it was open on Saturdays. I now know that McCarty's Closes at 2 on Saturday. Thinking it was open I ordered online for 6 people. I received NO notice that it was closed and NO receipt for the order until Monday and my card was charged on Monday (the next open day which happened to be 2 days after my order). I finally did get a refund but I had to call and explain that when I order for a drive through pick up I never in my wildest dreams think I had to wait 2 days to get the food. I had to argue with them to get this refund as they truly believe that the customer is warned that the food will not be ready until the next open day...I never saw any of such warning or notice. According to McCartys it was my fault. If so...do not make the same mistake I did. read more

Service and small talk is always good. Steak fingers and chicken strips are homemade and always on our order. read more

Good food. Service seems fine, though I use the drive-thru exclusively. Try the chicken strip basket.

We are staying at the Best Western Plus. We walked to McCarty's cafe a quick 2 block walk. We tried a couple different things. Everything was good. We had the fried chilies with queso. The chilies were delicious & the queso has a little spice. The smothered burrito was good & filling. Would get again! The enchilada soup soup was good & dipping tortilla chips in it was a nice touch to add some texture. read more

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Great food and service!! I'll definitely be a return customer when I'm in town again.

I've always wanted to try McCarty's, but because they seem to specialize in fried foods, my friends and I would always be swayed by "healthier" choices in Portales. Finally did end up trying it with a few friends - we weren't able to try their popular fried chicken, but I was able to try a few other popular items that I've heard were good. McCarty's serves basket dinners, salads, burgers, tacos, sandwiches, etc. They also serve breakfast until 11 AM. Restaurant has a decent number of booth tables; since it's a fast food restaurant, customers come in and out fairly quickly. Steak Fingers in a Basket: $8.25 but it was the special of the day so I think the price was a bit cheaper. Basically strips of steak that's dipped in batter and deep fried along with French fries, gravy, coleslaw, and a bread roll. I heard a lot of other people really loving this dish, but I think I'm more of a fried chicken person than a fried steak person. This dish wasn't that tasty - the steak was a little dry, and I really needed to douse it in ketchup. The gravy was interesting and the roll was a bit stale. Fries and coleslaw were pretty good. The dish also came with green onion as garnish, which I thought was interesting. I probably wouldn't order this again. Chicken Strips in a Basket: $7.95 This was the better choice in my opinion. The chicken was moist and pretty juicy; eating it with the fried batter was a lot tastier than the steak fingers. We also got a chocolate chip cookie, which wasn't the freshest, but at $0.60, not too bad. Workers are friendly - they also have a drive-through window if you don't want to get out of your car or eat in the restaurant. tl;dr - Finally able to try McCarty's. It was just okay for my friends and me - nothing too special. I think trying their fried chicken would have been much tastier than what we had ordered that night. read more

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We were very happy with our dinner from this spot. I got the fish and chips. Delicious breading and crispy fries. Will definitely return. read more

McCarty's Cafe - Fish & chips- came with 5 ish fish. I forgot to take a picture before digging in. - American Near Me - Portales, New Mexico

Worse meal I've ever had there. The bacon cheese burger was so small there was a 1/2in of bun left over all the way around. It was also overcooked, dried out. The fries tasted like they had been under a warming light. The the coffee was fresh and the onions ring were fantastic. Normally we love this place, so I was very disappointed. read more

The level of customer of service has gone way way down since Pat McCarty isn't working there anymore. I called my order in so I wouldn't have to wait in the long line. Well they closed the lobby so I could only wait in the long drive up line. I even called and was told I would just have to wait in line since my order wasn't ready after 20 minutes. So I tried waiting another 10-15, but had to go someplace else because of time constraints. I am a regular customer, but unfortunately will have to take my business elsewhere. I understand this pandemic has created a lot of problems in the food industry, but gosh there are other businesses that will gladly take my money. So everyone go to J&J's for the best breakfast burrito in town. Only problem is they only take cash. This was the main reason why I would get our weekly breakfast from McCarty's though after this I won't be back. read more

This is home town good. It's like stepping back in time of good ole homemade food. If you want fancy or industrial type burgers and food don't come here. It's not fancy but it's good. Fried foods, gravy, and good greasy old fashioned type foods you'll be in heaven. read more

I WANT to give them more stars. The food deserves it. But for the love, if you order at the window the employees should ask you to pull around, not wait and back up the line. Every time we come we wait in line 30 minutes for an order called in 45 minutes ago. Then our food is cold. If you are in a hurry, or don't want to dine in then do NOT come here. read more

Love this place it's a great stop for us on our way through town. Always friendly service. Food is hot and fresh.

Really good tequila basket and chicken fingers. Fresh food that's made to order. The fresh made lemonade is so delicious.

If you like Macs Steak in the Rough in Albuquerque, this place tastes exactly the same! Fresh and yummy!

Had the Chicken Fried Steak and it was ehh. The plate was either way to salty or had no flavor. The tea was way to sweet.

I enjoyed their biscuits and gravy! Also tried their green chili that was breaded decided to taste test my families food as well which was cat fish (fried to perfection!). The steak was good but not my favorite and last I tried their chicken in the gravy that was superb! I'll be coming back every chance I get to come back here. I know now about yelp so I can now remember all the places I enjoy through my travels! read more

BEST STEAK FINGERS EVER! If you like chicken fried steak ... you will love chicken fried steak fingers, basically chicken fried steak that is chopped into a finger food, that you can dip into your gravy. *yum* The food is fresh ... and just really delicious.. definitely a must try, if you are ever in Portales,New mexico. read more

The southern style fried steak meal and fried fish meal was delicious! We loved all the yummy condiments, like cream gravy for the steak, an an excellent tartar sauce for the fish. The fish was tender and fresh and flaky. The food was served hot with smiling eyes behind their masks! read more

Stopped at McCarty's yesterday for lunch. The food was very good We both had taco salads, which were only average in content, but tasty. Service friendly. No atmosphere. read more

This place rocks. Great food and service. I'v been working in Portales all year and I eat here at least once a day.

I was in Portales on business from New York State. All these good ratings are right on. Steak fingers! Have never seen this and loved it. Good fries, very good cole slaw and roll. Gravy to die for. Very friendly staff. Quick service. Inexpensive. Even a drive through. Wish I could take this place home. Man, that gravy! read more

My favorite restaurant in Portales. Go on Wednesday's for the best fried chicken in the world!

You can't get better food for a decent price in Portales. Everything is made fresh to order, (I should know, I would there while in college) and the lemonade's are to die for! Make sure and order some onion rings, they are by far the best in town! read more

Classic small town cafe. Order at the counter or use the drive thru. Friendly people, plastic forks, foil lined baskets and a packed room full of locals. Service was slow at lunch - it took almost an hour to order, wait, and eat. Chicken strips with a good batter and very good dipping gravy. Worthwhile stop while driving through town. read more

Dined here for breakfast. Breakfast menu is small and basic- burritos, breakfast plate w/ eggs, bacon, potatoes; biscuits and gravy, pancakes. The coffee is bottomless and pretty good. Service was quick. I hear they have really good steak fingers, but we were too early. read more

We enjoyed McCarty's, most of the food very tasty. Coffee is weak and has a strange taste, maybe has some type of filler in it. Breakfast foods are very good, their onion rings are awesome. Service is great, place is clean. 4 stars because of coffee. read more

I've been going here regularly for years. Everything on their menu is absolutely delicious, and the owners and staff are very friendly. Definitely try the fresh squeezed lemonade! read more

Had a great breakfast burrito! It was huge! They had great prices. Everything on the menu is under $8.00! The staff was wonderful! I forgot my wallet & the staff took the time to track down the number to my office in Carlsbad NM so they could get a hold of me! read more

worst experience ever. tried the fried chicken. cold, fried out must have been sitting on the rack since noon. mashed potatoes were gummy. green beans had a disgusting flavor. first and last time to try this place. read more

Food is good, service is great! Everything is made fresh to order! And the lemonade is fantastic!

Good food, nice people. A little greasy but that's Eastern New Mexico. Get the lemonaid or limeaid, made fresh and its good! Fried chicken on Wednesdays only. read more