This is a unique and cool place to get your breakfast. Think Route 66 or something out of Cars. The review is a 4.0 and not 5 because (1) The steak for the steak and eggs is AWFUL. They don't even try, so you should not either and (2) they are not picky about who they hire as waitstaff. Sometimes (2) is a colloquial plus. Just as often its not. So: no steak, bring cash, good luck with your server.
Bill Smith's Cafe is an institution in McKinney Texas. This is the epitome of the greasy spoon cafe, complete with the prison tattooed short order cook behind the grill (at least when I went). The food was good though. I had a cheeseburger and it was cooked just right, and the buns were heated up by placing them on the grill with the meat so they were nice and toasty and greasy. The fries were ok, but not as good as the fries at Scotty P's. If you want old school cafe food, you can't go wrong here.
I'll admit that it is the atmosphere, more so than the food, that keeps me returning to Bill Smith's Cafe. It's almost a requirement for living in McKinney to eat here, and it is typically one of the first stops when we have out of town guests. Not being a McKinney native but hailing from an even smaller town, there's something immediately familiar and inviting about Bill Smith's. I have had countless meals in places exactly like this in numerous small towns throughout the south and they've all been good but -- more importantly -- they've all made me feel like I was at home regardless of how far from home I may have been.
I'm partial to the Rib Eye breakfast steak because A) it's delicious B) it's cheap and C) I don't get the strange looks here that I get at other places when I want to have a steak for breakfast. Bill Smith's gets it.
old run down building. not very pleasing to the eye. breakfast was good but then again it's not much better than what we make at the house. it's better than denny's though
Great find! Packed when I.... Great find!
Packed when I arrived and full of regulars based upon the rapport between staff and patrons.
If you have not made the trip to Bill Smith's Cafe you are missing a good meal, fun experience and great people.
Check them out. You will not be disappointed.
---- 10-31-2015 ----
Great as always!
Amazing place! Vintage decor, exceptional service, the best sweet potato pancakes...everything was wonderful!
Great breakfast & staff. Lots of atmosphere.
Great breakfast. I have been going to bill smith's for nineteen years. Best breakfast in McKinney!
Wow. Best breakfast diner I have EVER been to. Atmosphere was great, pancakes looked great and tasted better, the gravy for the biscuits was not over powering...just a great place. Now I know where to take my friends for breakfast when they visit from out of town.
Excellent breakfast. I loved the eggs. Pancakes a little too sweet for me. But the coffee is soo good
Comfort Food. We had breakfast here last weekend and it was great! Like the other reviews say, this some of the best home-cooked comfort food around. We try to get by here at least once a month and have never been disappointed.
NOTE: Have cash or check in hand - they do not accept credit or debit cards! They do have an ATM machine though.
Have been eating there since I was a kid, great home cooked food always hot and fresh. You know that the food is from scratch. You will always get your money worth.
Great food and great price. We eat here just about once a week and love it.
Gina Reedus Thompson
+4.5
OMG. Breakfast (not my favorite meal) was great! Huge blueberry pancakes French toast it was great and we will be back! Next time we will definetly try the homemade pie or bread pudding
Bill Smith's Cafe. The food is "home cookin' " and lives up to the title. It's got that small town cafe atmosphere in a big town. Service with a smile.
The food is great and the prices are, too. Bill Smith's could charge a good deal more and I'd be happy to pay it.
They are open for breakfast and lunch until 2:00 Mon - Sat and until noon on Sunday.
Home style food.... Good food. They are only open for breakfast. The place is very affordable.
Ths only negative I choose to share is they have no handicap restroom facilities.
Many of these people eating here were....large. Large people eating at a restaurant is usually a sign of great grub . A young lady ready to eat some pancakes! The inside wasn't much to look at, but luckily I had this beautiful lady sitting across from me. Our waitress was extremely friendly and quickly got our coffees as we looked over the menu. I ordered chicken fried ste
Robert Ronald Halcomb
+4.5
McKinney’s oldest restaurant opened in August 1956. They still make food from scratch, including all of the pies, rolls, and biscuits.
What a hidden gem in McKinney! This place is truly unbelievable. Extremely friendly staff, nice homey feel inside. And the food is outstanding! I had the chicken fried steak special which was super reasonably priced – it was probably the best chicken fried steak I’ve ever had in my life and I’ve had a lot of chicken fried steaks! I highly recommend you come and try this restaurant. It truly is my on my favorite list!
The food was good, but for our party of 5, it arrived one or two at a time, with several minutes from the 1st dish to the last. Service was good, overall atmosphere was good and unique. Staff was outgoing and friendly. Notice the sign under the helmets (not our table).
The Place to stop in for Real Home Cooking 🍳 ‼️ The "Everthing Omlete " Just perfect. All order are cook , fresh. Nothing Frozen. Amazing Staff ‼️ 👏. One of A Kind America 🇺🇸 little place. Thanks 👍
Very friendly staff. The large.slice of country ham with my eggs was quite tender. My brother had a western omelet that had lots of vegetables and meat in it. Can not wait to go back a try the lunch and supper options. This is a Texas icon and treasure.
In town visiting, lots of places to choose from, but this Cafe was a goldmine! Breakfast Christmas morning, filled my table with real fluffy blueberry pancakes, the all meat lovers omelette, hash browns, grilled sourdough (which was super yummy) and finished with pecan beautiful pie!
So this place is a very rare gem . It is what you see is what you get. 1950’s hole in the wall dinner. The very best around. Everyone here is awesome, but there’s one special lady that’s taken our (me and family)hearts , that Candy . She’s full of spice and vinegar filled up with spirits. Either you love her or hate her. Well we absolutely love her.
I love this place. Not only does it have great food, breakfast is my favorite, but the service is excellent. Always such an upbeat positive environment. Highly recommend!!
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