Over the course of the past decade, there’s been a familiar sign that has caught my eye along the stretch of HWY 3 connecting Shawnee and Seminole. It reads, simply, “David’s Cafe.” The sign has become a landmark, one that’s whispered promises of delectable fried pies and a taste of something uniquely comforting. Despite my frequent passage, the café itself remained a mystery to me. The directions on the sign point towards Earlsboro which, to me, had merely been a fleeting landmark along the way, rather than a concrete town.
I found myself grappling with the possibility that the sign might be a relic of the past, an artifact of nostalgia rather than a living establishment. Until a couple of years ago, the realization that Earlsboro was a bona fide town had escaped me. It lingered in my perception as a transitional space, a geographical milestone on a journey to somewhere else. I’d argue that “bona fide” is still a stretch but it’s incorporated and has a Main Street. Its heyday came and went, twice, and now it’s largely considered another one of Oklahoma’s ghost towns.
However, as fate would have it, my perspective on David’s Cafe was destined for a transformation. Last week’s errands demanded that I venture into Earlsboro. Ironically, it’s home to one of the best tag agencies in the area. Rounding the corner of East Main and Lamar, there before my very eyes, was David’s Cafe. My daughter and I decided to seize the opportunity and step inside for lunch. What unfolded within those humble walls unveiled the narrative that I’m compelled to share.
David’s Cafe is a Quintessential Small Town Diner
David’s Cafe is, without question, a manifestation of its namesake. As far as I can tell, he runs the show single-handedly, simultaneously donning the hats of chef, waiter, busboy, and dishwasher. At least that was the case on this particular day. The cafe embodies the quintessential essence of a small-town diner. It’s no grandiose establishment, but rather a humble haven where the community can gather to share a meal and swap the week’s stories over coffee and pie. There’s an unpretentious ambiance and an aura of heartfelt American pride that create an authentic and inviting atmosphere. The owner’s affable nature rounds out the experience. He displays a genuine pleasure in welcoming each patron and providing a good meal.
Not Your Average Burger and Rings
The menu offers the familiar array one might expect from an Oklahoma diner. Both my daughter and I opted for a universal favorite and the true test of a cafe. Cheeseburgers. A good burger will make any hole in the wall famous around here. We’ve got Hamburger King in Shawnee, Nic’s in OKC, and of course the burger at Meers Restaurant. They’re all good but the burger here was different. These were no run-of-the-mill patties; they bore the heft and tenderness of the burgers cooked on your backyard grill. David, also donning a hat of master persuader, convinced me to keep the onions on my burger. A decision I don’t regret. It’s not that I don’t like onions, I just don’t like them raw. He assured me there would be no such thing. Here, caramelized onions crown the patties. It’s the Oklahoma way.
We ordered fries and onion rings on the side. The fries were pretty standard, but those onion rings were the best I’ve had in a long while. Unlike their fast-food counterparts with their prefab coatings, these were the product of genuine craftsmanship. The light and crisp batter resembled homemade authenticity. Whether they were indeed a product of hand-breaded work remains unknown, but they are so delightful the specifics hardly matter. Word of mouth tells me they are made in house along with the burger buns.
A Sweet Farewell
And finally, the pièce de résistance: the fried pies. As we bid adieu to David’s Cafe, we carried away a trio of joy. Cherry, apricot, and chocolate pies, each crafted to order and adorned with a generous drizzle of piping hot glaze.
Hours and Information
Address: 200 S. Lamar Ave, Earlsboro, Ok 74840
Phone: (405) 997-7300
Link to David’s Cafe on Facebook
Hours state David’s Cafe in Earlsboro is open 7 days a week 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and closed on certain holidays. As with visiting any small-town establishment, if you don’t live close by and you’re making a special trip, it might be a good idea to call and verify.