The perennial classic when people talk of Houston cafeterias is, of course, Cleburne Cafeteria, a local institution since 1941. It's still owned by the Mickelis family who bought it from the previous owners in 1952, and the menu hasn't changed much since then (though the prices have). Because the family is Greek, you'll find dishes like moussaka on the menu next to squash casserole, fried fish and roast beef. The same staff has been serving at Cleburne for years, too, so if you're looking for a restaurant to call home, this just might be it. But don't expect to find a LuAnn Platter (a la Luby's) here, cause Cleburne is a beast all its own.

Much like Aladdin, Fadi's Mediterranean Grill serves a different sort of cafeteria food that, in a melting pot like Houston, could be called classic as well. Even though all the food is served cafeteria-style, some dishes are cooked to order, ensuring everything is as fresh as possible. Many Houstonians count this among the best (if not the best) Mediterranean restaurants in town, and it's easy to see why. From the nearly overwhelming selection of dishes to the friendly service and low prices, it's a great place for a top-notch, cheap meal. Note that it might not always be fast, though. Both locations are so popular that there's often quite a line.

You didn't think we'd write about cafeterias in Houston without including everyone's favorite Swedish import, did you? The IKEA Restaurant is a cafeteria like no other, featuring items you can taste test before you decide to stock up on things like frozen meatballs by the pound. Is it the best cafeteria food in town? Not by a long shot, but it might be the cheapest, and it's hard to resist the allure of Swedish imports in a chic setting. It's also hard to resist anything when you've been navigating the maze that is the IKEA show room for the past few hours.

An often overlooked Houston cafeteria is Mikki's Cafe, a southern and soul food outpost just north of Missouri City. The food here is like what you'd expect to find at Thanksgiving dinner, if the person preparing your meal grew up in the Deep South and wasn't a whit concerned about healthy eating. From candied yams to smothered pork chops, it's hard to go wrong at Mikki's, though the best item of the whole spread might just be the tender oxtails served over rice. Though the cafe opened a mere 12 years ago, it has the feel of a cafeteria that's been there forever, serving regulars and newbies alike with a smile.

While most cafeterias shy away from too much spice due to a largely older clientele, Treebeard's embraces the hot stuff with a menu of Cajun classics. Crawfish étouffée packs just enough heat to necessitate a glass of water, while gumbo is dark and velvety. With five locations downtown, there's a Treebeard's close to just about any office building, and going through the cafeteria line pointing to smothered fish or pork chops makes for a quick (though definitely not light) lunch. Don't ever, ever skip the bread pudding when they have it. But beware, the more popular dishes--bread pudding being one of them--sell out fast.