Katies Country Kitchen Restaurant

[Sandman]

[Sandman]

I like Katies a lot. They serve breakfast until 2PM, so I go there quite a bit when I want breakfast. The service is good and the quantity of food you get for the price is great! I'm always full when I leave. I wish they stayed open for dinner. I'm sure it would be popular if they were open later than 2PM. Many people forget about this place becuase its always closed. A+ For Katies, but I wish they had longer hours.

[Cactus Kate]

"Katie's Country Kitchen" -- ( I give 'em 9 http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gif )

Katie's is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves up down-home breakfast and lunch fixins'. They must think me quite a greenhorn as I always blow in around a quarter to closin'. But they always greet me with a smile and seat me, knowin' their gonna have to stay late a-servin' me.

Fer those of you that haven't been to Katies, it seats about 80 in booths and tables and really does remind me of my granma's kitchen - with all kinds of kitchen gadgets hangin from the ceilin and a comfy laid-back atmosphere.

Location: Highway 41 in Oakhurst.

Scale of 1-10 (10 bein' best and 1 not cuttin' the mustard - no pun intended)

Atmosphere: 7
Cleanliness: 7 (floor had all kinds of mess on it - but remember, I walked in at 15 minutes to closin' - they'd just been past their lunch rush).
Uniqueness: 8
Selection: 8 (Breakfast foods such as Omelettes, pancakes, etc. to Burgers and Sandwiches)

Service-
Time to seat me - 10
Time to take my order - 10
Time to serve my drink after takin' order - 10
TIme to serve my food after takin' order - 10
Checked back on me - 10
Refilled my drinks without my remindin' them - 8
Order was served right - 10 (remembered my side of dressin')
Time for check to come when I wuz finished - 10
Speed - 10
Friendliness - 10

Food Quality-
Served hot - 10
Taste - 8
Main Dish - 7 (Chicken Salad Sandwich - a bit too much on the vinegar-sour side.)
Fries - 10 (crisp and hot like I like 'em)
Drink - 10 (Dr. Pepper)

Cost of entree: $5.95
Cost of drink: $1.45 (Dr. Pepper - free refills)

Bang for my Buck - 9.11


I'm Cactus Kate, self-appointed Mountain restaurant taster, er, critiquer. I like eatin' out and hate to cook, so you'll be seein' lots of these here critiques.

[concerned]

I think Katies is great. It is my favorite breakfast place for 2 reasons. They serve a corned hash that actually looks and tastes like corned beef hash. Secondly if you don't want fried potatoes they will substitute a fruit bowl.

[Jimi]

Amen ..... and you might just get too much food ...

[Dodgergirl]

one pancake & a side of tri tip & coffee

[Edana]

What happened to this place? It used to be such a nice place for breakfast, but now it seems to be on a steady decline. What are these new owners thinking?

We went in yesterday, first time in years. I cant believe we actually stayed and ate. But Im an adventurous type, so we stuck it out. The place is dingy and smelly. They gave us dirty glasses of lukewarm water, sticky silverware, and warm OJ. The two liters sitting over the soda machine were a humorous touch. The owner should be embarassed by the horrible service he gave. And the food .... just EW, seriously! How are they staying in business while all these other places are going under? That doesnt seem right. :p

[FritzDaCat]

What happened to this place? It used to be such a nice place for breakfast, but now it seems to be on a steady decline. What are these new owners thinking?

We went in yesterday, first time in years. I cant believe we actually stayed and ate. But Im an adventurous type, so we stuck it out. The place is dingy and smelly. They gave us dirty glasses of lukewarm water, sticky silverware, and warm OJ. The two liters sitting over the soda machine were a humorous touch. The owner should be embarassed by the horrible service he gave. And the food .... just EW, seriously! How are they staying in business while all these other places are going under? That doesnt seem right. :p

x2.........

[dancingqueen]

We USED to love Katies. BUT it has been going down hill for a while now. I have heard some really scary stories about some of the cost cutting TRICKS that the owner is taking. Believe me, they make it very unhealthy for anyone to eat there. Yesterday was our wedding anniversary so we decided to go out for breakfast before our company arrived. We went to The Mountain House (fabulous as usual) they were packed. On the way up there we noticed there were no cars in Katies parking lot, on the way back there was one. I remember ALWAYS having to wait for a seat and it was always worth the wait, this new owner is just running a good place into the ground. We won't eat there because of what we have heard he is doing with his refrigeration.

[only1alphafemale]

I dont really think the *now* not so new owners had a real clue about how to run a restaurant ~ ~ We havent been back since not too long after they had it....and it was just "passable" then... Its a shame too.

[Red Mule]

Cactus Kate gave them a 9? So much for her believability!

I TRIED to eat there after the new owners took over. But I quit after giving them 2 chances. My stomach refused to give them the 3 strikes I usually offer.

My rating: 1.5 (It probably won't kill you and would keep you alive in a pinch.)

[FritzDaCat]

Cactus Kate gave them a 9? So much for her believability!

That post was from '04

[nosmatt]

Cactus Kate gave them a 9? So much for her believability!

I TRIED to eat there after the new owners took over. But I quit after giving them 2 chances. My stomach refused to give them the 3 strikes I usually offer.

My rating: 1.5 (It probably won't kill you and would keep you alive in a pinch.)

You are generous!

I will never go back. I gave them three chances, last time was about 5 months ago. HELL NO is what I give them.

Mountain House and Pete's Place are the only places I will eat breakfast anymore (well, Ducey's is top notch, but too fancy for a quick and dirty)

[magwa]

Yetch! Tried them right after they bought it. There are only two possible reasons it could still be open:

1) They have other money

-and -

2) Their hobby is watching people barf.


I'm sure they wouldn't serve that trash to their own family.
I loved Katie's. And I love her family. Hope she got paid.

[Newcomer]

well I will tell you that when Katies changed hands a few years ago we did not go there for a while but one day we said lets give it a try. The food was fine and the owner was friendly and greeted us. Since then we have eater there many times and the food has always been great. If you go in there with a pre-determined attitude that the food is going to be sub-standard then the power of your own suggestion my be having an influence on you.

[Red Mule]

If my mind had already been made up, I would not have gone back a second time. The food and cleanliness were very poor, no matter what my expectations might have been.

[Dodgergirl]

Sandman & I went in there for lunch some time ago and the burger was awful... neither of us could finish our meal... then I went there for breakfast with another friend and the quality was sub standard at best... maybe things have changed, and hopefully they have, but I for one will most likely not be going back...

[nosmatt]

If my mind had already been made up, I would not have gone back a second time. The food and cleanliness were very poor, no matter what my expectations might have been.
I find myself agreeing with you yet again. I hoped the food would be good, I really liked the place, and missed being able to go there. Sour tasting bacon, and my kids were eating this too. Wish I could afford to buy the place, it would once again be great :)

[dorseygirl]

I hadn't been there in a very long time.

Then went for breakfast and was very pleased - lots of food.
Took my daughter for lunch and it was great.
Took my husband for lunch and he was very pleased too.
We took the family for dinner - not, service and food was okay, but way too expensive.
We will stick to breakfast and lunch - price is right.

[Kahlua Kid]

Maybe I just have a tough stomache! I've never gotten sick from Katie's. I agree, the food isn't EXACTLY as good as Katie's once was, but it is still good, and I think they have definitely improved since first taking over.

We only go there for Breakfast or Lunch. Breakfast mostly. (I just don't think of them as a dinner place.)

I like to get my Western Omelette and hash browns. With a Chocolate muffin and hot cocoa with whip cream on top, its been just fine. The muffin and omelette are EXACTLY like they used to be when we went to Katie's before they were bought. The hash browns aren't, I miss the old hashbrowns. They now seem to be the frozen patty kind of hash browns, but still just fine.

I also get the Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple sandwich or Philly Cheesesteak and that tastes just the way it used to also. The fries are good too.

The service has improved since they first bought. I think either they've gotten to know us as more regular customers so they aren't as shy or they have just improved with time and experience.

I'm still eating at Katie's. And will continue to eat at Katie's.

[Dodgergirl]

guess I'll have to give it a try again... (if you've ever eaten with KK you know a recommendation from her is usually right on) ;)

[BooBooBear]

I also haven't had any issues with Katie's regardless of said rumors of what they do or don't do with their food. I've never gotten sick and the Sandwich I got was hellagood!! The other person who ate there with me also enjoyed her sandwich so it seems odd that some of us never have an issue and others do. Maybe what Newcomer says is true...if you're out looking and expecting crappy meal/experience based on heresay that is what you'll be getting.

[magwa]

guess I'll have to give it a try again... (if you've ever eaten with KK you know a recommendation from her is usually right on) ;)

Glad to hear it. When I see more cars there in the morning, I'll try it. Usually for me, it's "once burned, why try again?"

In this case, it's a little different. Local places need support. And, selfishly, in order to stay true to local establishments, there are few good options out there these days. Some of the "good" have gotten worse instead of getting better. And that's a shame.

For quick, good food, Pete's is hard to beat.
I like some others, too.

Goldmine Pizza in Coarsegold; The Italian place at the center where 426 comes in to 41. The place up by the bowling alley where Three Sisters used to be (a little expensive...but really good). The Japanese place also up by the bowling alley.,,,once in a while. Used to go for sushi when it was the original Oka's. El Cid's is good. But Vanilla-American-Mexican. But great people, good food, and fast caring service. Forks Burger once in a while. Todd's once in a while.

We eat at the Vintage at the casino for special occasions. Used to go to the diner at the casino, but it got old (to us). The buffet at the casino is okay for "quantity over quality". But it has some decent dishes. The meat's leather.

I'm all about hearing some of my old favorites have rebounded. We used to eat at the Mexican place at 41 and 49...especially before they moved from the Raley's center. We used to eat at the Mountain House. Before Pizza Factory got so proud (read $$$$) of their stuff, we went there all the time. Even when it was Danny's....the mother ship of Pizza Factory. Used to go to the Blue Heron (is that right?) at YLP Clubhouse.

I'd like to find a decent steak up here without paying $35/person. Maybe some of you have tips on a few of these places that may have rebounded from what I consider a general decline? I don't really like to confine eating out to Fresno trips (except for Pete's...I love that place).

[dorseygirl]

Pete's is way expensive.
Wish they had about 1/2 fish dinner for lunch but they don't so it cost like 15.00 for fish & chips and a soda each.
My husband and I were going to get that for lunch one day and turned around - walked out and went to katie's instead.

[Sandman]

I'm not a fan of Katies anymore. I used to love it! The last time I went was with D-Girl and I swore I'd never be back. :no:

I love Pete's Place, The Hitchin' Post and The Mountain House for breakfast. I have been to the Mountain House quite a bit lately. :yes:

For lunch, I love Todd's BBQ, El Cids, or Casa Villarta. Sometimes I grab a sandwich from Vons, Raleys or Quiznos.

For dinner, I love Narrow Gauge Inn, Sierra Sky Ranch, Woody's, Oka or Sweatwater.

I have also recently become a fan of Sugar Pine Pizza!!! Yum! :yes:

And of course, I love Forks Burgers in the summer time! That's the only thing I'll miss about living in Teaford. It was so nice to be so close to The Forks. But I'm on the water a lot in the summer time so I'll still get my Forks Burgers this summer! ;)

[dancingqueen]

Have you tried that little tiny Mexican Res. right by the bridge, on the left after you have gone through the light if you are heading out of Oakhurst. Have been there many times for lunch and dinner, just a husband and wife, he cooks she serves, very good food. Also in Bass Lake there is a little Mexican Rest that is fabulous, so sorry I am bad with names but I know other forum members who love both of these too and can fill in names. One of the very best burgers in town is at the gas station in Coarsegold, on 41 right across the street from Indian Lakes. They are only cooking for lunch, like 11:30 to 2:00, fantastic burger, we live close by and eat there all the time. We love Pete's but often share a meal because the portions are so large. We love Woody's but you are correct, in this economy you can't go there as often as you might like. I am not saying they are over priced, food is good, portions are good, service is good. I wish there was better Chinese in town, the one in Von's shopping center is OK, the one on the left hand side of 41 used to be really, really good but was taken over by new owners a couple of years ago, haven't really liked it, have been there 3 or 4 times but not recently. We like Crab Cakes, Mountain House, The Forks and Miller's Landing, wish they stayed open year round but I guess us locals just are not enough business for them. We like the restaurant at Sierra Sky Ranch but they are pretty pricey and have only been there on special occasions. We like Todd's too. I am not crazy about the Old Kettle, but my husband really likes it. The restaurant at YLP has such a constant chef turn over that you just never know what you are going to get, don't go there very often, I think it is German right now. I have heard that the burgers at YLP golf course are really good. Don't like the new road house or pizza place right outside of YLP. As for the casino, I agree the buffet is boring, ok food at ok prices. We do really like the St. Louis baby back ribs at Goldfields. Gee, sounds as if we never eat at home.

[Sandman]

Have you tried that little tiny Mexican Res. right by the bridge, on the left after you have gone through the light if you are heading out of Oakhurst. Have been there many times for lunch and dinner, just a husband and wife, he cooks she serves, very good food.
That is Casa Villarta... I mentioned it as one of my fav lunch places. One of my roommates uncles owns it and her Father owns El Cid.

[dancingqueen]

I heard they were related, kind of hard to believe, the food is so different.

[bigfoot]

Martin, the owner of Puerta Vallarta is Antonio from El Cids brother. Martin used to be the lead cook at El cid. I love both places.