Diner Legend Norma Manis Dies at 80

Friends and family have confirmed that restaurateur Norma Manis died Saturday afternoon.

Three memorial services have been announced for the pie-making darling who opened Norma’s Cafe more than five decades ago on Davis Street before she started her latest endeavor, Mama’s Daughters Diner, with her three daughters.

One of the memorial services will be held in Oak Cliff tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. at Laurel Land Funeral Home. The interment is scheduled at Laurel Land following a memorial service at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano.

In an interview with Oak Cliff People two years ago for Norma’s Cafe’s 55th aniversary, Manis said that she wanted to be remembered for her last venture, Mama’s Daughters Diner, which she opened after selling Norma’s Cafe in 1986. ”Norma quit her job,” she said. “I’m not Norma anymore. I’m Mama. I sold my name when I sold that business.”

She grew up in Oak Cliff and stayed here years after she sold Norma’s Cafe, but eventually moved to Lewisville to be closer to her family and their business.

Acquaintances say Manis, who was preceded in death by a daughter, had been in a coma after suffering a stroke weeks ago.

Ed Murph, who bought Norma’s Cafe 26 years ago, had this to say:

“I believe Dallas would be without a comfort food institution if it weren’t for Norma’s love here that so many people appreciated for years.

“What I remember most about Norma is her love for her customers, which clearly came from the love she cherished with her own family. When we would talk about how to establish a place people would feel welcome, we agreed that it had to begin with service that feels like family.

“Her spirit will always be at the Oak Cliff location. On behalf of our guests who remember Norma’s warm smile and great laugh welcoming them to the cafe on Davis Street, my family and staff will always appreciate what she started. My heart goes out to Norma’s family during this trying time of loss and grief. May the Lord continue to bless her family as He blessed Norma for so many years.”

Read more in Friday’s newspaper.

By Rick Lopez Feb. 25, 2013 | 10:00 am | 13 Comments | Comments RSS
13 comments to "Diner Legend Norma Manis Dies at 80"
  1. Judy Panasci @ February 25, 2013 at 10:39 am
    I have very fond memories of eating at Norma’s for many, many years….quality country home cookin’ – couldn’t beat it.

  2. Buzz Skinner @ February 25, 2013 at 12:13 pm
    “Mama” was a great Lady, a True matriarch of a huge wonderful family. She touched so many lives and mine is better because of her. She was a woman of the Lord. She will be greatly missed.

  3. Val Phipps @ February 25, 2013 at 12:33 pm
    My first job was at Norma’s Cafe the summer of 1974 while I was home from college. I worked the counter, and it was truly hard work! But I met a lot of people, and I learned some skills that I’ve carried with me, and I’ve always been very thankful for the opportunity. RIP Norma, your legend lives on.

  4. Marie Cameron @ February 25, 2013 at 2:08 pm
    The funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. this Wednesday at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano. The viewing is schedule for tomorrow 2-4 p.m. at Mulkey’s in Lewisville.

  5. Gwen Caldwell @ February 25, 2013 at 3:37 pm
    Prayers are with the family at this time of need she was. Great woman and will be truly missed her chocolate and lemon pies were out of this world, she is taking on a new role in life now and that’s walking with out lord oh mighty. Prayers to the family

  6. Laurie bowers @ February 25, 2013 at 4:01 pm
    Hi. I am Normas youngest daughter. For a more complete story on her illness, you can share caringbridge.org/norma manis. For a more complete story of her life, you are welcome to contact me.

    Sincerely,

    Laurie bowers

  7. Andre King @ February 25, 2013 at 6:35 pm
    My Prayers go out to the Manis family. Norma and my mother,Audrey Bryan, were friends for over thirty years. Every saturday we all gathered at Normas on Davis for dinner. Mom passed in 2001, but us kids still came once a week.
    She will be missed, her smile always brightenup a dull sad day. I still go to the location on beltline rd that bears her name and the one on Harry Hines, when I am in the area.

    Now she and my mom can talk and laugh as they did here. Norma tell mom hi. You will be missed.
    Sincerely,
    André King and family

  8. Audrey Lohmann (Bryan) @ February 25, 2013 at 6:37 pm
    I remember as a child that everytime my grandmother and I would go into the restrauant on Davis Street in Oak Cliff she would always come and talk to us. It sadens me that she is gone but I know she is up in heaven where my grandmother and uncle are at. She always did make a special pie just for my grandmother and she would always make sure that my uncle and I had cream gravy on our fries since we were both allergic to tomatoes. I will miss her and he wonderful pies.

  9. Bill Barnes @ February 25, 2013 at 7:19 pm
    Most Folks don’t remember that the present cafe on Davis was not the original location. The original site was 2 oe 3 blocks east of the present location ln a little “Hole In The Wall” cafe and she absolutely served the best food in the world! The stove where they baked the pies was in full view of the counter where I always sat. The cook would take a “Blazing Hot” peach pie out of the oven, they would cut me a piece and put a dip of Vanilla Ice Cream on top, and I was in “Heaven”! Talk about “Good”! How I miss that little cafe, the beginning of a “Legend”! I am 82 years old now and was one of the original customers of Norma. I can’t get food like that anymore! I will always have fond memories of Norma!
    Sincerely,
    Bill Barnes

  10. Laurie bowers @ February 25, 2013 at 9:00 pm
    Bill, that is so sweet. I wrote a poem about her first little cafe last nite called Homefolks. Her first cafe was called Bob McGhees Davis Street Cafe. So glad u mentioned this. Mom was a legend in her own time. Im so proud her little cafe is still going strong. It really means a lot to me.

  11. steve springer @ February 25, 2013 at 11:03 pm
    I worked for norma about nine years. She helped me in so many ways, along with many, many others. I will miss her. steve springer

  12. David Strickland @ February 27, 2013 at 1:25 pm
    My first memory of eating out was at Norma’s on Davis. Our parents took us there when we were just knee high. I was born the year that Norma’s open (1956) and we still go there today. Norma was the nicest lady you could ever meet. I think she knew every one that came through those doors. Because of Norma, going to Norma’s was really like eating out at home.
    God bless you Norma.
    David Strickland

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