Eatery serves all-you-can-eat catfish, breakfast all the time

Not sure if I was feeling rebellious or trying to extend the morning, but eating there hit the spot.

Located at 3731 S.E. 15th St., the dining establishment sits directly next to the Del City municipal complex. The marquee promoted a karaoke event that night and free wifi when I walked into the foyer, so I knew this was a restaurant that was interested in staying relevant while serving the kind of fare that typically fits into the comfort-food category.

Decades ago, my grandparents lived in the same neighborhood as Sara’s, and the great smells wafting from the kitchen reminded me of the great meals my grandmother makes. The menu offers a wide variety, from breakfast to lunch and dinner, even with some heart-healthier options, like salads and lean meats with veggies.

The restaurant offers an $8.99 all-you-can-eat catfish special, which I saw many diners selecting. That tops the entrée portion of the menu, along with other delicacies, including fried chicken, chuck roast, meatloaf, liver and onions, fried shrimp and pork chops. The eatery also offers a variety of sandwiches like chicken fried steak, patty melts and chuck roast. For those who want some deep-fried starters, there are battered and fried cheese sticks, green beans, potatoes, chicken, catfish, onions and shrimp in smaller portions.

HEALTHY OPTIONS

There are also a wide variety of salads and soups on the menu, which would either make a cardiologist grin or groan, depending on how many children he has to send to college.

Knowing that I wanted breakfast for lunch, I perused that page on the menu and debated whether I wanted to try French toast or something with a little more protein and perhaps fewer carbohydrates. I opted for the three-egg, three-meat omelet, which was served with golden hash browns and thick slices of Texas toast. Considering I eat a lot of grilled chicken and steamed broccoli for lunch, this was quite a departure for me. The omelet was surprisingly light with cheddar cheese and chopped and crumbled ham, sausage and bacon. The portion was so large, I barely ate half. The hash browns were spectacular — I don’t eat potatoes that often — and did not need any condiment that would hide the flavor. The thick toast was a perfect accompaniment to the gooey omelet.

The dining room is spacious with booths and tables situated in an airy space with a vaulted ceiling. I left the eatery thinking that the city employees have a great next-door neighbor. Count me as jealous.

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