Vern’s Kitchen

I CAN’T BELIEVE VERN’S REMODELED/​GOT A NEW BUILDING/​WHATEVER. I’ve been telling people about Vern’s shack for years and although I haven’t visited the new building, I can’t help but think it might have lost a smidge of it’s charm– the fact that you could barely squeeze a party of four in there (especially at lunch time), that it appeared as though a hearty sneeze might bring the walls down (I worked at a larger/​sturdier looking sno cone stand in high school), that there was twenty year old grease build-​up on the walls, dim lighting, friendly staff and an eclectic mix of customers (mostly from the hospital, like me)… these were all things that made Vern’s Vern’s.
I’m sure the food is still as good as it ever was– succulent melt in your mouth short ribs, bacon grease laden vegetables (but they do it right!), crumbly cornbread, and, best of all, CHESS PIE. Lawdy. I had to go up a notch on my belt just thinking about their food! Oh how I wish they were open on the weekends. I have got to stop this nonsensical working thing I do so I can do things during the week– like snigger at my cardiologist behind his back.

When it’s done right it’s beautiful thing! I’m not gonna call it a greasy spoon, it’s more of a buttery spoon. I swear, almost everything I put in my mouth had a half-​pound of butter in it. And I mean that in a GREAT way.
In all honesty this was the best home cookin’ I’ve ever had – mine included and I make a mean chicken fried steak. Vern does too. The creamed corn was out of this world. I had the meatloaf, of which there were three huge wedges topped with a tomato gravy. No ketchup for this stuff, it was heavy with the taste of tomatoes, bell peppers and onions. I tried a hunk of the chicken fried steak. I’m going to bet you see this in the next D Magazine best CFS list, giving Ozona a firm kick to the curb. The steak was thick and tender, the breading tasty and crisp without being too crispy – à la Black-​eyed Pea.
For dessert the three of us split homemade pound cake that was so good my eyes crossed, and sweet banana pudding. The cornbread was almost sweet enough to be dessert but hovered right on that edge. It was amazing and crisp around the edges.
Prices are about right for what you are getting. The special today was chicken fried steak so it was a steal at $ 6.50. Other plates range from $ 7 to $ 9 depending on whether you get one or two sides. The portions are huge, you will take some to go… unless you are me, and then you will make a happy plate and sun in your warm car afterward wishing you had room to try the buttermilk chess pie.
Menu changes daily to include greens, pepper streak, short ribs, chicken and dumplings, gumbo etc. They also serve breakfast 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. And recently started opening on Sundays.