Cleburne Cafeteria

We’re celebrating over seventy continuous years in business. Today, Cleburne Cafeteria® is run very much the way it was back in 1941. We take pride in offering the very best quality and the widest possible variety. The Mickelis family believes in a welcoming, comfortable environment and simple homemade food. Nick Mickelis endured unbelievable hardship and starvation during World War II. Invading forces had occupied Greece, and at a very young age Nick joined the Greek Navy and fought with the allies to liberate Greece. In 1948, after the war, Nick Mickelis immigrated from Patmos, Greece to America. Seeing the Statue of Liberty and passing through Ellis Island were his first recollections of his new home. It is estimated that 70% of Cleburne customers are regulars. Many appear daily for both lunch and dinner. Their son George graduated from the Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston and has been active in the restaurant business ever since he could walk. Angela is a psychologist in California. Nick passed away at the age of 68 on September 28, 1989 following complications from open heart surgery. On August 9, 1990 the cafeteria was completely destroyed by fire. Miraculously, most of Nick's paintings were saved and completely restored to their original beauty. The cafeteria was completely rebuilt, in loving memory of Nick and reopened for business on December 2nd of that same year.