Oklahoma Dining One (the good one0

We came back from “the farm” after communing with the critters, and had another great homemade lunch, and then kind of relaxed.  It being the last night of the “group” in Henryetta, we decided to go out” for dinner (not to mention reducing the workload on MFON’s wife).   Even though MFO’s sister headed back to Wisconsin earlier in the day, we still numbered an even dozen with kids of varying ages.  So the age old “where to go” came up.  Oddly enough even though it was Saturday, the kind of go to in Henryetta, the “Classic Diner”, does not serve on that day.  So after a bit of thought, MFON’s wife came up with “Mona’s Rose of Sharon” restaurant.  One nice thing about a small(ish) town is that most people know each other so the Owner was alerted that 12 people were about to descend for dinner.  No problem.

So we got into a variety of vehicles and did a short drive over to the restaurant.   They have not been here too long

Inside is bright and clean, with a nice painting of the namesake on the wall

As you might surmise from that name, the management are people of faith, and indeed keep a copy of the Holy Bible on the counter (in the “x” frame on middle right)

Mona’s serves all three meals, and there is a “one menu does all” covering all three meals in a single two sided laminated sheet.

Probably can’t read much, but breakfast offers just what you would expect: eggs, ham, sausage, pancakes, waffles..in almost any combination you might think of.   Just a couple of notes, no scrapple, and under drinks you can get tea, coffee, or pop!

On the lunch and dinner side of things, so surprises, sandwiches (including fried bologna), salads (including a hamburger salad), and burgers, headlined by “Mona’s Famous Burger”, and a “Bubba Burger” which was two patties.  

Apparently one of their specialties is “Fried Pies” (down in the lower right of the dinner menu).  More on that later..On Friday’s they apparently have a fish buffet.   On top of the buffet table (which I guess is not used during dinner service) was more condiments and hot sauce bottles than I have ever seen

There was a blackboard with daily specials, one of which was a “fried Hamburger”.   In fact that word “Fried” seemed to be pervasive, as in the little tent card with appetizers (including the hand “breadeded” onion rings.

So anyway, we got down to business and ordering our food.  The ladies were very efficient in taking our choices on a little pad, being very careful to make sure they heard correctly, etc.

I chose the Famous Burger (voted best burger in town) with mostly all the stuff, and elected to have some onion rings.  I won’t go through the whole litany of other stuff, but when it came out everything was very good.  My burger was sizable, cooked as I wanted it,

And those onion rings were real onions, didn’t look like they came off the truck and the breading was hot and crunchy.   Maybe it was that extra “ed”.  Ha ha..

A Chicken Fried steak was classic. And those fries were also not from a truck

I think I might take some issue with the black board “fried hamburger”

It was kind of a takeoff on a croque-monsieur, but characterized by its owner as “a bit heavy”.  Pretty dense. 

After ingesting all that protein and the rings, I really wasn’t craving dessert, but feeder duty demanded I try one of the “Handmade Fried Pies”.   Which, I did

I'd have to say it wasn’t memorable. I think the picture kind of tells the story.  The dough was a bit soggy, the glaze heavy, and the filling was pretty glutinous.  If it were memorable I might remember what it was… I think maybe lemon..

Anyway, besides the pies (IMHO) they do a great job.  All the food was good, served hot, friendly service (water glasses kept filled).

I’m sure by this time you’re all wondering about “Just right”.  Well, I think so.  Delivers exactly what you expect.   Only caveat is that it hasn’t been there very long.  I may have to rethink that criteria.

Oh, and another feature was that one of the youngsters finally lost one of his front teeth that have been dangling for a few days.  I have a great picture which I will share with his mom and dad. 

DFD