Southern hospitality

San Augustine diner serves up country cooking, atmosphere

Our neighbors to the East have the epitome of Southern food right at their doorstep, and we at Buzz are here to tell you: It's well worth the drive there to taste it.

San Augustine has the privilege of being home to Mary-Kay's Country Diner, a small, cozy restaurant that will feed the biggest of appetites.

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Open since 2004, Mary-Kay said she dedicates her life to the business.

"I was brought up in a family where my mother loved to cook for people, and I followed in her footsteps," Mary-Kay said. "I have given up everything in my life for this place."

With a menu boasting an array of Southern fried foods including the traditional favorites like chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken (both of which fill up an entire plate alone), okra, cabbage, greens and rolls, Mary-Kay will send you home with a full stomach and with a box for the inevitable leftovers.

"I want people to know that they can have whatever they want here," Mary-Kay said. "I always tell people, 'If you don't see it on the menu, ask us.'"

Not only does the restaurant serve the traditional fried favorites, but also has a selection of healthy sandwiches and salads.

"People come from all over for our vegetables because they crave them," she said. "We have a healthy beef diet special and a healthy chicken diet special."

How we (the staff) stumbled upon this gem, was pure luck.

While covering the recent flooding in San Augustine, Mary-Kay's was one of the few places open and undamaged by the flooding. After a morning of touring damaged homes and hearing heart-breaking stories, it was nice to get a bite to eat, and amidst the tragedy of the flood, have smiling and upbeat people to greet us at the diner.

After that day, even more of our fellow staff members went back with us to have it again.

"My favorite items on the menu are the fresh shrimp and fish," Mary-Kay said. "We use good quality fish."

Mary-Kay said one of the most important things to her is making sure that her customers are comfortable.

"I love my customers," she said. "I was born and raised here so I know many people. And, I know what the travelers expect."

Each menu at Mary-Kay's Country Diner comes inscribed with a personal message from Mary-Kay herself.

"I used to always be on the floor every day and people would see me," Mary-Kay said. "But now, I'm not, and I want people to know that I do still care."

Running a diner is hard work, and Mary-Kay said she misses the extra time she used to have to spend with her family.

"My 6-year-old granddaughter Kyla misses her quality time with her Nana," May-Kay said. "She loves to shop, and we don't get to do much of that together anymore."

Mary-Kay said she spends seven days a week at the diner.

"I'm glued here," she said.

If I have any complaint about Mary-Kay's Country Diner, it would be the fact that there is only one location.

But since Mary-Kay said she has no plans to expand her business or move to a bigger location, I will be making the drive to San Augustine to eat at the diner.

The food is definitely worth it.

Currently, Mary-Kay's Country Diner, located at 806 N. El Camino Crossing in San Augustine, is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Tyesha Boudreaux contributed to this review.