Van's Burgers & Soda Bar

I thought this place was a real gem out in the middle of nowhere Texas.  The burger was really good but I had to salt and pepper for seasoning.  they need to season the meat a little.  Good fries, cool decor, clean, 4 large screen tvs.  Awesome fried mushrooms.  I would come back.

At their previous location I would totally of given them 3-4 stars. Their newer location not so much. They changed everything to "sit-down" restaurant style aka the owners want to save a few bucks by paying their employees waitress wages. That's a great concept except the high school kids don't know how to wait on tables. Last time we were visiting and stepped foot into this place it was the last straw. Not a lot of people were there but it still took 45 minutes for our food to come out which they forgot a patty on one of the burgers and completely forgot about one of our guests meal (which we had to wait another 20 minutes for) After a hour and half, we were waiting for our check. Our waitress ditched us kept walking by and not saying anything! Finally we walked to the counter to ask if we could get our check. The owner said the credit card machines were down and had been down the last 20 minutes- so it would be awhile. Seriously? No one could've mentioned that at any point? Horrible horrible service I will not be back!

Visiting family in Mathis, they recommended Vans for its chicken fried steak and they were right. It's the bomb!   HUGE portions too.  The deep fried mushrooms were the best I have had anywhere.  The only reason I took away a star was how rigid they are in the menu.  NO SUBSTITUTIONS for anything.  They need to lighten up a bit, after all its not fine dining.