In the early ‘60s, millions of Americans spent Friday nights in their living rooms watching Tod Stiles and Lincoln Case fight crime as the two cruised CBS television’s Route 66. Along dusty scraps of that historic highway, stars Martin Milner and Glenn Corbett regularly found a cold drink, hearty meal and friendly waitress at a roadside diner that many viewers longed to discover.
Tucked almost secretly into the L-shaped Sahara Decatur strip mall on the intersection’s southwest corner is Mary’s Hash House, a hidden fixture of more than 30 years on the center’s short leg that parallels Decatur. Mary’s welcomes visitors with the proclamation “As Seen on the Food Channel” daubed on the front window.
Mary’s is about as authentic as you can get in a town that’s even glitzed up a Taco Bell on the Strip. Recipes don’t come from stainless steel corporate kitchens in some industrial center; instead they’re concocted in Mary’s own modest kitchen just a ZIP code away.
There she’s developed what have become favorites to her loyal clientele. For those who strangely balk at the traditional corned beef hash, Mary cooks up a menu that includes chicken hash, meatloaf hash, turkey hash, lamb hash and salmon hash as well as traditional omelets, French toast, omelets and pancakes.
Sides include thick cut bacon and homemade sausage patties. For many though, the highlight is always the server’s tray loaded with complimentary 2-ounce paper cups of Mary’s homemade jellies…over 20 flavors with seasonal favorites…many from fruit grown in Mary’s very own backyard.
Mary’s lunch creations include a Philly steak sandwich made with a choice of roast beef, chicken or lamb and a popular Monte Cristo dipped in vanilla egg batter fried to a golden brown. The restaurant also features healthier alternatives.
Beside a wide variety of the homemade jellies, their famous cinnamon rolls and homemade ketchup in mild and spicy, other goodies available at various times for take-home include soups, chili and whatever Mary cooks up in the kitchen.
Mary’s Hash House, 2605 S Decatur, Suite 103, is open daily, 7 AM – 2 PM, closed Thursday. Don’t go home without a cinnamon roll.
