Start Something BIG!

During the month of March, Norma’s Cafe is teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas. Start something in the life of a child by becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister. Norma’s Cafe is starting something, by having the little brothers and sisters of the organization eat FREE during the month of March.

What will you start? Look for the Big Brother Big Sisters in Norma’s Café during the month of March for more information on becoming a Big,  or contact Mandy Klem at Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas at mklem@bbbstx.org or 214-288-3551.

Beads, Jokers and Fire Trucks, Oh my!

We have plenty of jokers at Norma’s Cafe, and finally, we have a reason to let them all out! The Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade, on March 6, marked the very first time that Norma’s Cafe joined in on a parade with the 1975 Ford fire truck. Our great Big Red fire truck had the grand finale in the parade. Staff and friends of Norma’s Cafe tossed out beads and coupons, while having a grand ole time.

Big Red the 1975 Ford fire truck had a different idea for its big finale. The fire truck gave up and stopped working, right in front of the Oak Cliff location. The truck had a mind of its own and knew that that the cafe was home.

It was a fun-filled day, and we look forward to having more parade experiences such as this one

There's a new Delivery Truck in Town

Norma's Cafe obtained not one, but two new fire... umm I mean catering trucks. The first one is a 1975 Ford Fire Truck and the second one is 1944 Mack Fire Truck.

These two new trucks will be used in promotional events throughout Dallas, such as parades, car shows and of course to deliver big catering orders.

The Trinity Mills Norma's Cafe incorporated this fire truck theme at their holiday party this past weekend. Ed, Norma's Cafe owner, and Bill, Norma's Cafe Director of Operations, received a fire truck safety gift package. The store even blew up their picture in front of the Ford Fire Truck and allowed the staff to take a picture as Ed or Bill for the evening!

Do you have an event or parade in your neighborhood that would be perfect for one of these new Norma's Cafe fire trucks? Let us know!

Also, coming soon will be a rent-our-fire-truck program. Honk and wave next time you see our fabulous new trucks driving around town!

Top 10 from 2010

This has been a big year for Norma's Cafe. So big, that we decided to put together a list of our favorite moments. Did your favorite moment make the cut? 

10 -Christmas Toy Drive and Salvation Army Angel Tree

9 –Lonestar filming

8 – National Pancake Day - February 24

7 – Voted Dallas Observer’s Best of Dallas®: Best Home-Style Restaurant

6 – Named D Magazine’s Best of Big D: Readers’ Choice Best Breakfast

5 – Veteran’s Day postcard campaign for our troops

4 – 54^th Anniversary Celebration

3 – Biscuits for Boobies benefiting Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

2 – Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day - October 26

1 –22nd Annual Free Thanksgiving


What were your favorite moments?

Black-eyed Peas Galore!

This year Norma's Cafe will be opened for the first time on New Years Day! In honor of this, we have many things planned for our customers.

We will have special menu items, only while they last, including:

• corned beef
• cabbage for fortune
• black-eyed pea cornbread
• black-eyed pea soup
• and even black-eyed pea pancakes!

January 1 will also mark the beginning of our Pea Guessing Contest. Each location will set up a jar filled with black-eyed peas by their register. Customers can take a stab at guessing how many peas are in the jar. The closest entries will receive a free pancake party for them and their seven closest friends.

So, after you have your New Year Eve festivities, come by for breakfast on New Years Day!

Bells Come a Ringing

Christmas-time is marked by the Salvation Army ringing bells outside of major department stores to collect money. However, there is another holiday benefit the Salvation Army is responsible for, and that is the Angel Christmas Tree Program. This year, the North Dallas Location hosted their very own Angel Tree.

The tree was set up the week of Thanksgiving. We had 40 different angels spread throughout the tree. Customers had two weeks to pick up the angels and return the gifts. At the end of the two weeks, all 40 angels were adopted with items returned!The North Dallas location did an excellent job at collecting the toys and creating a designated box for the items. If you missed your chance to adopt an angel this year, don't worry there is always next year!

However for those that want to still help out this year, Oak Cliff is still running its annual toy drive. Every year, the Oak Cliff location hosts a toy drive to help the children in their area have a great Christmas. 

Help the local Oak Cliff children and stop by and donate a toy or two. Manager, Pam Spell will deliver the donated toys to nearby churches, who will then distribute the toys to the appropriate children. The last day to collect toys is Thursday, December 23.

22nd Annual Free Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving marked the 22nd Annual Free Thanksgiving from Norma’s Café. Every year on Thanksgiving, Norma’s Café in Oak Cliff opens its doors for anyone who would like to join us for a free
holiday meal.

This year, Norma’s Café was open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Thanksgiving dinner. However, the staff started to come to volunteer before the sun was even out. A line started to form around the building at about 10 a.m. As soon as the doors opened, it was show time. 

Staff and volunteers immediately handed out food to appreciative recipients of all ages. Norma’s Café served about 4,260 free meals, both inside the restaurant and outside meals including packaged bulk dinners for various organizations.  Everyone involved, both volunteers and recipients, benefited from this Thanksgiving event. 

Norma’s Café would not be able to put on this event year after year without the participation of our amazing
employees. The staff gives up not only their time and energy but also a portion of their
holiday to help others. Thank you for your continual support of this event.

Thank you for all the sponsors as well, Ben E. Keith, Jennie O, Classic Caps, Clicks Radiator Service, Instant Whip Foods, Community Coffee and Cherished Memories for a Lifetime. These sponsors helped us with food, decorations, drinks, and so much more.

We look forward to seeing what Norma’s Café can do next Thanksgiving with our excellent staff, volunteers, sponsors and customers.