When you've had a bad day, there's nothing like a hot, comforting slab of meatloaf. And we're pretty sure none of these restaurants' secret ingredient is onion soup mix.

• At Avalon Diner, tomato-sauced meatloaf is one of the daily blue plate specials that come with two or three sides. We're partial to the fried okra and green bean casserole, both much better than mom's (sorry, Ma, but you know its true).
• Wednesday is meatloaf day at Harry's Restaurant, a midtown cafeteria with a Greek personality. The brown gravy sometimes can be a little bland, but it's nothing a little salt and a little more pepper can't fix.

At Cleburne Cafeteria

• At friendly Barnaby's, Doctor Gale's Meatloaf is a crowd-pleaser. It's topped with a red gravy/marinara and comes with mashed potatoes.
• A distinctive chipotle ketchup is served atop Mama's Meatloaf at Dry Creek Cafe in the Heights. Take along a nice bottle of syrah because Dry Creek is BYOB.
• The steam table at This Is It is filled with soul-satisfying foods like smothered chicken, yams and black-eyed peas, but you only can get the melt-in-your-mouth meatloaf on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Plan accordingly.
• Treebeard's meatloaf is extra-dense and seriously spiced. It is served on Mondays or Wednesday, depending on the location. For your sides, try the mustard greens (with a sprinkle of vinegar pepper sauce) and the corn pudding. You'll thank us.
• It may be known for its migas, but Buffalo Grille makes a mighty good meatloaf. The drawback is that it's available on Wednesdays only.
• Cleburne Cafeteria has been feeding home cooking-loving Houstonians since 1941. Meatloaf is on the menus on Tuesdays only. And treat yourself to some cobbler, too. You deserve it.