Smitty's Cafe and Bakery: Brenham

Smitty’s Café has become our new go to place in Brenham.  Located in an out of the way location near the Brenham High School, Smitty’s Café serves hamburgers and comfort food with daily specials.  Large cedar benches and tables wait for you to sit awhile.  Service is young and vibrant.  Smitty’s offers baked goods that change daily, and sometimes, they are completely absent.

On this Saturday, we stopped in for a hamburger.  My husband says this is the best burger in town.  It is good, but for my likings, the thick beef patty tends to be on the dry side.  I order the Firecracker burger with queso, jalapenos, and pico de gallo.  Served on a sweet home style bun, the heat, the meat, and the sweet combines beautifully into a mouthful of happiness.

BUT, the real winner at Smitty’s is the home made potato chips.  They are perfectly fried and perfectly dried- not greasy at all.  They are given a dash of what tastes like Tony’s seasoning salt.  Unfortunately, in recent visits, they have coated the chips with too much salt.  You might want to encourage just a dash.

Other notable dishes that I have tried yet forgot to photo have been the chicken tenders.  The tenders are huge with the lightest batter ever- it barely stays on and it fries up deep brown.  Very good.  I didn’t care for the cream gravy- not a lot of taste to it. 

The side dish of okra and tomatoes ROCKS.  It tastes just like my mom’s- lots of black pepper and bacon.  The side dish of green beans is great too.  More like haricot veins sautéed with onions and bacon in bacon grease- though I like to think it’s olive oil.

Overall, we really like Smitty’s Café.  The food is always good though we would suggest that they purchase a heat lamp.  We have had some cold plates come out, but they have always been happy to rectify the situation.  Plus, I would encourage the staff to quiet down about the karaoke from the night before.  It makes me laugh to hear yall laughing and giggling and belting out songs, but not everyone finds it as entertaining.

So, the next time you are in the Brenham area, use your GPS to find Smitty’s Café.  It is a little hidden gem that will make you smile.

Smitty’s Café & Bakery

1600 North Park Street

Benham, Texas 77833

979/277-1133

www.eatatsmittys.wix.com

Rusty Taco: Tyler and Longview

So, taco shops have been a crazed for awhile.  Now, they're moving into East Texas!  Rusty Taco has locations in Tyler and Longview!  I've given it two chances, and I'm not a fan.

First, I stopped into Tyler's South Broadway location for the usual breakfast taco- bacon, potato and cheese!  I got their green/tomatillo salsa, and I will admit that I do like it.  It's sweet enough yet it has the slightest of a bite.  These tacos are very small, and they are not brimming with ingredients either!  This morning, the diced potatoes are undercooked and crunchy- just gross!  Overall- these tacos are a nonevent!  For breakfast tacos, I would rather go to a BBQ place than to come back to Rusty Taco.

OK, second chance for a late lunch in Longview- I actually think my husband calls this Suppa!  I chose the beef fajita and chicken fajita  tacos!  Once again, these tacos are tiny, so make sure you get some chips and queso or something else!  You can hear and smell the sizzling meats on the griddle.  With such anticipation, I was irked when the chicken fajita taco was cold!  Served on a corn tortilla with pico de gallo, white and dark chicken chunks (not my favorite) were another nonevent!  Please note the amount of dos salsas that I have used!  Hint Hint.

The beef fajita was the better taco- cubed beef with onion, peppers, and cilantro sat in the warm corn tortilla that didn't hold together.  Basically, another nonevent!  
Overall, I was really disappointed with Rusty Taco in Tyler and Longview.  I'm so done with this taco place- don't waste your time.  There are too many other taco shops in East Texas, and trust me this one is VERY RUSTY.

Rusty Taco
http://www.therustytaco.com/

The Original Fried Pie Shop: Buffalo, TX

This year, my work area expanded, and I’ve been spending a lot of time in East Texas.  I keep passing places with Fried Pies.  Every time I see on a building “Fried Pies”- Hank Hill is saying it in my mind.  On this day driving home, I decided to stop at the Original Fried Pie Shop in Buffalo, Texas.

Located on the end of a gas station, I pulled up to the drive thru window.  There wasn’t even a menu, but luckily, I had looked on their website.  Now, my idea of a fried pie was the Ms. Baird apple pies in the blue and white packages that we would eat when I was younger.  

According to their website, the Original Fried Pie Shop has been making these family tried and true recipes since 1893- originally from the Arbuckle Mountains in Oklahoma.  Now, the Original Fried Pie Shop has over 15 locations throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri.  Taking pride in their hand made tender, flaky crust, the Original Fried Pie Shop strives for “quality, service, and homemade tastes that only Grandma could provide.”

Today, I picked up an apple from their fruit and nut pies and a lemon from their cream pies.  There is a meat section that brings the “concept of a ”pot pie” to your hand and savory flavors to your mouth.”    Additonally, you can combine the fruit flavors with the cream pies for a piping hot, custom made fried pie in just four minutes.

As I bite into the fried pie- yes, I am driving down I-45- the lemon cream is beyond delicious.  It isn’t that bright yellow lemon curd that makes your lips pucker.  I believe it is a mixture of lemon and lime because it is light and fresh.  Yum!

Now, I got the apple pie for my husband, but for some reason, the pie fell out of the bag, and broke open- that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.  The apple pie filling tasted like canned filling- too sweet for my liking, but chunks of apples.  Once again, the pie crust was flaky, tender, and perfect. My only suggestion would be to dust the pie crust with a slight coating of cinnamon sugar. 

Overall, I like fried pies.  These pies are quite large- enough to be shared- if they make it home.  Next time, I may have to venture into the Meat section- I’m curious of the Tex-Mex or Pizza Fried Pies- but probably not the Comfort Food Fried Pie.   If you get the chance, stop in and try the Original Fried Pie Shop.  Grandma would approve!

The Original Fried Pie Shop

2431 E Commerce Street

Buffalo, Texas

903/322-1788

www.theoriginalfriedpieshop.com

Scotty & Friends: Round Top

It is nearing that time of year, when the chaos comes to our neck of the woods- the Round Top Antique Fair.  If you have never been, one should truly experience the 25 plus miles of junk and treasures.  If antiques are not your thing, it’s a great time for people watching ranging from the Country Chic fashion show to just really bad drivers stopping in the middle of the road to admire our landscape.  But, I digress….

I’ve been craving breakfast food- crazy coming from the girl who despises eggs.  On this Sunday morning, we head down the road to Scotty & Friends in Round Top.  A large deck and a sprawling oak tree screams come drink wine under me, but today, it is breakfast not the breakfast of champions.

We enter inside only to be told to sit where ever we wanted, so we took our place on the front sun porch with a handful of other patrons.  Then, we waited, and waited, and waited.  We got to hear all about the lady from Katy and how she hates her sister in law- I wasn’t ease dropping- she was screaming across the main room in her whiskey cigarette laden voice.  We got to watch the wait staff stand around and around and around.  Finally, after 15 minutes of patience- as my husband reminded me, we were finally given menus, and our drink orders taken.  It wasn’t like they were busy or didn’t see us come in.  OK, so service is not their strong point. 

We placed our order- sausage &cheese omelet and a short stack with bacon- can you figure what I am eating. 

The omelet- well we were confused.  A sausage & cheese omelet usually has the sausage inside of the omelet not on top of it.  The sausage was not local, but typical frozen patty fare.  Why, when we live in the land of awesome sausage!  The cheese omelet was overall pretty decent per my husband- he's not a picky eater.  The toast was just typical toast with Land of Lake butter and Jelly Packets.  This is a pet peeve of mine- use real butter and real jelly for your country style breakfast! 

My pancakes were pretty good despite the black stuff on them.  The batter must have had or been cake mix because you could smell it.  The bacon was cold and old- keep it hot under a heat lamp at least.  Once again, the butter was Land of Lake packets, but the syrup was at least in a container - I am sure Mrs. Butterworth.

In the end, another waitress came to let us know that the sausage was supposed to be inside the omelet- never apologizing- but it was the wrong order that our waitress had brought out.  Previously, our waitress explained that she is just helping out during Round Top- here’s a hint: You don’t have a future in waiting tables, and you will not make it during the chaos of the next two weeks!

Overall, the food was fair to mediocre.  With the incredibly bad service, we won’t be back- even if it’s for wine under the oak tree- I will just go to the Stone Cellar.

Round Top:

Before antiques, Round Top used to be one of the smallest incorporated cities in Texas.  Established in 1822, the name arises from the early stage coach stand- the house with the round top.  Round Top hosts the longest continuously celebrated Fourth of July west of the Mississippi.  Other things to do include a side trip to the Winedale Historical Center, tune in for a performance at the International Festival Institute, drop some cash at the newly renovated and expanded Henkel Square or splurge on a piece of pie at Royer’s Café!  And, of course, sip a glass of wine under the oak tree at the Stone Cellar.

Scotty & Friends

109 Bauer Rumel

Round Top, TX

www.scottyandfriends.com

979/249-5512

Price's Chef @ 6 Points: Corpus Christi

After reading that Price’s Chef had King Ranch Chicken Casserole as the Friday special, I knew I had to go.  I am pretty partial to my King Ranch recipe, but King Ranch is King Ranch.  Located across the street from Hester’s, Price’s Chef @ 6 Points is your typical local diner.  On this dreary day, comfort food was definitely the call.

I took my place at the counter.  A younger granola type sat next to me to which the crusty white guy started in on her.  It was a fun conversation to listen to ranging from survival to labor unions to Obama.  It was quite interesting.  I order the King Ranch- two sides come with it, so I chose fried okra and broccoli Normandy- who really needs sides with King Ranch.

After the lame house salad came out with the Kraft Italian dressing in the squeeze tube, I was thankful for the lively conversation next to me.  Finally, the King Ranch arrives.  The first thing I notice is the over fried okra- looks right out of the freezer as well as the lame uninviting broccoli cauliflower mixture.  Luckily the King Ranch looked inviting with a lot of cheese and chunks of white meat.  Although it was decent- like I said King Ranch is King Ranch, it did lack any spice or kick to it.  It was just average.

 

Although my meal came with a choice of dessert, I was ready to go- the crusty white guy’s friends arrived, so the libtard was saved.  I don’t think dessert could have made the meal any better.   My server- a young granola boy- was never overly excited to have a customer, and he didn’t help the situation.  Personally, I don’t think he has a future in customer relations.

In the end, I was disappointed with Price’s Chef @ 6 Points.  If I have the choice, I will go back to Hester’s!  One thing for sure, don’t parallel park because you might find a lovely colorful yet graphic note on your vehicle just like I did- the author definitely has an anger issue- probably because he lives in the basement of his parent’s house, and they’ve closed down Blockbuster- but then again, I digress. 

Six Points:

Why is this area called Six Points?  Because three major streets- Ayers, Alameda, and Staples- come together.  It’s an urban area being revitalized by local hipsters.   It is a pretty cool little funky area, so check it out.  There are several shops and restaurants here- Tasty Texas Travels has featured Hester’s and Price’s Chef in blog posts.

Price’s Chef @ 6 Points

1800 S Alameda St

Corpus Christi, TX 78404

361/883-2786

Roadhouse: Bastrop

In honor of the year anniversary of the devastating wildfires, I chose to spend my money today in Bastrop, Texas.  I used to spend alot of time in Bastrop back before there was really anything here.  I did my graduate field work here, and needless to say there wasn't much available for restaurants. 

Things have changed, and a great little place is the Roadhouse, located on Highway 21 heading across from Bastrop State Park.  Voted as the best burger in Bastrop County for 8 years running, I had to stop, but I am going to try something other than a burger.

The menu is extensive from sandwiches to salads to burgers served on Shelia Partin's sweet sourdough.  Today, I am going for the Lydia Sandwich: blacken chicken topped with pepper jack cheese, banana peppers, pico de gallo, and fresh avocado slices on a hoagie roll. 

When my sandwich comes out, it's as colorful as spring in the Texas Hill Country.  My mouth starts watering at the sight of the fresh avocados, the banana peppers, and the mound of crunchy french fries.  After the first bite, I knew I had made the right diversion into this amazing sandwich.  It totally rocked!  The fries were great too- cooked just right with the slightest of seasoning- and they were perfect with Ranch dressing. 

This sandwich is large, so plan on a getting a to go box.  However, I am not going to guarantee the safe arrival to home since the ingredient mixture of this sandwich creates a constant craving in your mouth.  I will confess it didn't make it to dinner!  I give the roadhouse a thumbs up.  The crowd is a great mixture of golfers, fisherman, Austin weird to Texas normal, and DPS troopers.

Bastrop:

As previously mentioned, in 2011, Bastrop County suffered from one of the most devastating wildfires in the State of Texas.  Over 1600 homes burned charring over 30,000 acres, Bastrop is known to be one of Texas' oldest settlements originally called Mina.  More than 130 historic structures are located in Bastrop.  The Bastrop Advertiser, the local newspaper, is the oldest weekly newspaper in Texas.  Located just 25 miles South of Austin, Bastrop has become a poplar bedroom community of Austin.

Bastrop has everything from fishing to shopping to fine dining.  Sites to see: Bastrop State Park- the site of my master's thesis: Forest Stand Dynamics of an Upland Forest Ecosystem (copies available for some light reading); Bastrop Opera House; Bastrop County Historical Society Museum; LCRA's McKinney Roughs Nature Park; numerous golf courses; and numerous shops and fine dining in Downtown (one day Tasty Texas Travels will invade).  I particularly like the Blue Donkey Gallery for hand painted pottery.  And, of course, don't forget the Roadhouse on Highway 21!

Roadhouse
2804 Hwy 21
Bastrop, Texas 78602
www.roadhousebastrop.com
512/321-1803

Taqueria Chihuahua: Giddings

I’ve driven by this place for the last 15 years- always curious about it and always cars and trucks in front.  Today, I am going to stop.  As usual, the parking lots on both sides are full.  Inside, the line is wrapped around the restaurant.

The menu is on the wall to the right.  Two ladies are as busy as bees behind the hot plates.  The typical fare is present like bacon, sausage, eggs, and potatoes.  In addition, they have the traditional Mexican fare like guisados, chicharones, and asado.

I order my usual: bacon, potato, and cheese with hot red salsa.  Note: this taco is more like a burrito in size, so one is plenty.  Second note: don’t get it to go- it’s nearly impossible to eat it on the road especially when you are wearing a white shirt!  Did I mention the hot red salsa?

In the end, I am furious with myself for waiting fifteen years to stop.  This breakfast taco is filled with cheese, smashed red potatoes and bacon.  The hot red salsa is more runny than chunky with seeds present- it wasn’t too hot.  They offer a green salsa too, so on my next stop, I may have to try it!  The huge tortilla is handmade right in front of you!  Muy delicioso!

My only complaint is that they have the eggs in the same container as the bacon.  There is no way that the two don’t comingle at some point even in your taco, but it is definitely worth taking one for the team!  By far, this is the best breakfast taco that I have had in the State of the Texas.

So, the next time you are blowing through Giddings on your way to Austin, make Taqueria Chihuahua a definite stop.   It’s definitely worth it!  Aye Chihuahua!

Giddings:

Did you know that Giddings holds the Annual Texas Wendish festival in September every year?  Did you know that the Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center holds one of the largest Native American collections in the State?  And, you thought it was just all about peanuts and a beaver!

Giddings was established when the H&TC Railroad was laid from Brenham to Austin in 1871.  Most residents were Wendish Immigrants that migrated from the Serbin Community.   Famous Giddings residents include Hilton Lee Smith, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, August Schubert, who sold his historic home to the Missouri Synod of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1894 to house the Concordia Lutheran College, and Dr. William Edward York, a prominent pioneer physician.   Giddings is the county seat of Lee County.

Other sites to be seen include: the grave of the notorious outlaw Bill Longley, who was hung here in 1878, the Serbin Community-Wendish Museum-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, one of the area’s painted churches located 6 miles south on FM 2239, the Lee County Courthouse- built in a red brick Romanesque style,  the Union Station Transportation Museum, and of course, Taqueria Chihuahua.

Taqueria Chihuahua

1935 E Austin Street (Hwy 290)

Giddings, TX 78942

979/542-3927