Welcome to Clanton's Cafe
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319 E Illinois Ave, Vinita, OK 74301 Hotline: (918) 256-9053
Welcome to Clanton's Cafe, a treasured gem nestled in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma, at 319 E Illinois Ave. This charming establishment, regarded as a quintessential American diner, has been serving up hearty fare since 1948. For travelers and locals alike, it's more than just a stop for a meal; it’s a slice of nostalgia, a place where flavors and memories collide.
The moment you step inside, you're greeted with a cozy atmosphere that emanates warmth. The friendly staff enhances the experience, ensuring you feel right at home. Customers often rave about the café's inviting ambiance, describing it as a place reminiscent of visiting grandma for Sunday lunch. It's where sweet tea flows freely, and conversation comes easy.
Clanton's Cafe's menu is a delicious ode to classic American comfort food, featuring a variety of starters that set the stage for an unforgettable meal:
- Fried Pickles: These golden delights come breaded and accompanied by ranch dressing, delivering a delightful crunch for just $5.29.
- Calf Fries: A signature dish at Clanton's, these hand-breaded calf fries served with horseradish sauce are a must-try for the adventurous eater at $6.49.
- Onion Rings: Crisp and golden, served with a Southwest ranch dressing, these crispy bites are only $4.99.
Moving beyond starters, the heart of Clanton's menu lies in its entrees. The Chicken Fried Steak, a beloved local favorite, is often described as a true representation of Oklahoma culinary culture—a crunchy outside, tender inside, and a hearty gravy to top it off. Patrons frequently highlight the diversity of gravies available, all of which harmonize beautifully with classic sides like mashed potatoes and fried okra.
For those craving lighter options, Clanton’s offers a range of salads that do not disappoint. From the Chicken Fried Chicken Salad to the well-balanced Grilled Chicken Caesar, each dish is made fresh and bursting with flavor, giving diners a perfect complement to their hearty main courses.
Don’t leave without indulging in dessert! The lemon meringue pie and chocolate pudding slice are highly recommended, with reviews praising their delightful sweetness and homemade quality.
As you sit back and enjoy your meal, the conversations around you reflect the close-knit community feel, further enhanced by the nostalgia of a classic diner atmosphere. Many visitors express that Clanton's isn’t just about the food—it’s an experience, a connection to friends and family, wrapped up in every bite.
So whether you’re cruising down the historic Route 66 or just seeking a solid meal in Vinita, Clanton's Cafe is an essential stop. With delicious offerings, warm service, and a rich history, it's a little piece of heaven that you won't want to miss.
To make your visit, call (918) 256-9053 and get ready to indulge in a heartfelt meal that perfectly represents the essence of American dining. Clanton's Cafe awaits, inviting you to relish in the flavors of home.
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Perfect little mom and pop cafe we were looking for. Great atmosphere and food. Owner was very friendly and accommodating. Clean restrooms! If you're looking for good food, great sweet tea and a cozy place to stop and eat then this is the place for you!
Like going to grandmas for Sunday lunch! Yum! Chicken and dressing, so good and unique chicken dinner with the works- not fried. Chicken fried steak- our first time experiencing- outside crunch but soft meat topped with gravy. Pie- don't miss, we did chocolate and it is basically a chocolate pudding slice with whip! Service prompt, got us back on the road with our bellies full!
This is a cute little place that's been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. The staff was incredibly friendly and the service was quick. The food is quite good. The salad was okay, which (in my opinion) is not why you go to a small town cafe. The chicken fried steak was great! Tons of gravies to choose from on each item you order. The fried okra was good and so was the lemon meringue pie. It's a small gem in a small town.
Clantons is i great little place with small town allure. If you happen to be driving through vinita From I-44 you will not miss there "EAT" sign. Theres plenty of parking and thankfully theres more seating in the back. You seat yourself and will be greeted quickly by your server. Ours had worked there awhile and took the time to explain the nuances of what we were considering ordering. I got the chicken fried chicken and mashed potatoes and it was pretty good. And my coworker got a double cheeseburger and talked about it even after we left so it must have been pretty good. Stop by the famous clantons if you find yourself in the area.
We really enjoyed our visit, fun place with great atmosphere- food was great. My husband loved the chicken fried steak sandwich and I loved the club!
Nothing to do in Grove so we wandered off looking for somewhere new on a Thursday afternoon. We had heard about Clanton's but never went because it was not nearby. Today we went to Atwood's and there practically in the shadow was this little restaurant. No alcohol and not open weekends, no problem for us. My husband had it visualized as a greasy spoon but it was anything but. He had a huge, fresh salad and I had one of the best Reubens ever followed by an apple crisp desert. Everything was superb. This restaurant is amazing, clean, and has some of the best service anywhere but is a little piece of a bygone era--it'll be 100 in a few years.
Fughettaboutit. What a place! First time here and I will be back. I'm not into chicken fried steak, but I will definitely be trying it next time. This is by far The best Fish sandwich I've had in a long time. It's catfish which I usually find salty...this was perfect. What a gem of a place I wish I found sooner! And the great thing is they don't over salt your food what a pleasure! You guys hit it out of the park with the chili as well!! Whaaaaahooooo!
Amazing service amazing food! It lived up to expectations! If you are or near Vinita Ok on I 44 or taking a trip across historic Route 66 and you don't stop you're missing out! Excellent stop! Tena was awesome
The breaded fried beef steak probably didn't originate in the south, but it was damn sure perfected there. It became a diner staple, an All-American Route 66 Meal and the Official State Meal of Oklahoma! No brown gravy with onions, nope we don't do that here. Cream gravy. To have the perfect meal, do it right, mashed potatoes, fried okra and a dinner roll. Order yours just like that. Clanton's does a pretty decent job. That is the meal my wife and I had today, along with a small side salad. Something really struck me today. Served with the salad was a small pack of Lances Captain's Wafers. I haven't seen them for many years. A true sign of authentic diner food. Clanton's is a comfortable classic old diner. The service is excellent! If you are reading this review, you are likely not from Oklahoma. Oklahomans are born with an innate ability to locate the best chicken fried steak in the area without having to read someone's opinion posted on a website ran by a bunch of Californians. I won't call Clanton's Chicken Fry the best in Oklahoma, but possibly one of the most well-known. The Clanton's restaurant has been in business at their current location since approximately 1948. If you are traveling west on Route 66 this is a great place to start your Oklahoma Chicken Fried steak tour. As you travel, ask the local's which restaurant they recommend. Take the advice, don't argue with them, even if you think that you had something better up the road. You won't change their mind. Enjoy your trip on 66, and the Okie cultural immersion. Speaking of which....If you don't want to look like a tourist in Oklahoma, you always leave a restaurant with a toothpick in your mouth (a.k.a. Okie Toothbrush). Even if all you had was a cup of coffee.