Merl's Diner
Quick info
About Merl's Diner
Merl's Diner sits on 1st St in Lanett as a walk-in diner with a menu running to 72 dishes. A weekday lunch buffet runs until around 4:00, alongside a printed menu covering catfish, okra, and hush puppies, plus hamburger steak and gravy and pork chops. Fries and onion rings round out the sides, and wings, burgers, and grilled cheese are also on offer. Food comes out in styrofoam boxes with plastic forks, and a wait for food can run past 30 minutes at busy times. Orders can also be placed online for pickup. The diner is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays, with a private dining room available for groups.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Plenty of parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available · Has kids' menu
Menu & Prices
72 dishes · mains $2–40- Fries$1.99
- Mac & Cheese$1.99
- Onion Rings$1.99
- Baked Beans$1.99
- Cheese Sticks$2.79
- Baked Potatoes$1.99
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention catfish plate, fried okra, hamburger steak and mac and cheese.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention catfish plate, fried okra, hamburger steak and mac and cheese.
Customer Review Summary
The catfish plate is the clear draw, with reviewers returning trip after trip for the fried catfish, okra, and hush puppies, and one diner ordering the whole fried catfish with onion rings and mac and cheese. Close behind, the hamburger steak and gravy draws repeated praise, and pork chops, wings, and a grilled cheese with fries also earn mentions. Sides split opinion: okra and mac and cheese are called standouts, coleslaw isn't a favorite, and one reviewer who ordered fish fried and got it otherwise found the meal disappointing outside the fish itself. Service ran slow for a first-timer who waited a long stretch for food and flagged that the large menu's listed prices didn't match what was charged, including an eight dollar philly cheesesteak. Others found service fast and friendly with generous portions. Reviewers note the food arrives in styrofoam with plastic forks, no complaint, just how it's served, and several say they keep coming back on every visit.
Customer Review Summary
The catfish plate is the clear draw, with reviewers returning trip after trip for the fried catfish, okra, and hush puppies, and one diner ordering the whole fried catfish with onion rings and mac and cheese. Close behind, the hamburger steak and gravy draws repeated praise, and pork chops, wings, and a grilled cheese with fries also earn mentions. Sides split opinion: okra and mac and cheese are called standouts, coleslaw isn't a favorite, and one reviewer who ordered fish fried and got it otherwise found the meal disappointing outside the fish itself. Service ran slow for a first-timer who waited a long stretch for food and flagged that the large menu's listed prices didn't match what was charged, including an eight dollar philly cheesesteak. Others found service fast and friendly with generous portions. Reviewers note the food arrives in styrofoam with plastic forks, no complaint, just how it's served, and several say they keep coming back on every visit.
Featured reviews
- Haley Rosa
“It’s not the fanciest seating or flatware. Food was served in styrofoam boxes with plastic forks. But, let me tell you, it was PHENOMENAL. Hamburger steak and gravy was amazing. Okra was fried to perfection. Others had the pork chops and they were best I’ve ever had. Honestly left there feeling sick trying to finish everything on our plate. This is definitely a place we will be back to visit again.”
- Foy Shiver
“traveling to visit my family in South Georgia, wife says she's craving some catfish. sounds good to me. quick search brings this place up. that was 3 years ago. we have stopped for catfish EVERY TRIP since then. catfish, okra and hush puppies are a must. coleslaw is not my favorite but everything else we've tried was delicious. heading home in the morning after 4 days with my mom. departure is 8am since that puts me at Merl's when they unlock the door.”
- Jace Langley
“The cake and the grilled cheese and fries are good. I would write it in an infinity out of infinity. She’s got the best grilled cheeses.”
- Nancy Johnson
“I love Merls' Catfish plates. Very good food. They also make a hamburger steak that is very good. They have a buffet during the week for lunch. I think it's over at 4:00.”
- Kimberly Moore
“I ordered the catfish fillet plate, fries and mac and cheese. The fish was the only thing decent although I didn’t try the coleslaw (I don’t eat it). I ordered online and it was ready in 10 minutes although I asked for the fish to be fried …”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for popular for lunch
- Popular for popular for dinner
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Offers delivery
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Casual
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Has private dining room
- Serves dessert
- Has table service
- Offerings· 2
- Quick bite
- Serves small plates
- Dining options· 3
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has seating
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Highlights· 2
- Has great tea selection
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Parking· 2
- Free parking lot
- Plenty of parking
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Quiet
- Accessibility· 3
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs available
- Has kids' menu
Location
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