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

East Texas Burger Company: Mineola

On this lunch hour, I find myself in front of the East Texas Burger Company in downtown Mineola, Texas.  Rumor has it that Bonnie and Clyde dined here- well, that's what the Internet says!  Among the brick streets and numerous antique shops, the ETBC is beckoning me to come on in.

Place your order at the counter-the menu is to your right on the wall and the daily specials on the counter.  Of course, I am not venturing toward the green chile grilled chicken of the day, I am sticking toward the usual fare- the hamburger.  You can get a small burger or a large, and you can get whatever your heart's desire on it.  Your choices continue with your fries: hand cut, curly, sweet potato or chips.  I chose chips because you can't beat home made potato chips.

At first when my burger came out, I was not impressed, but after that first bite, I loved it.  The meat was so fresh, seasoned to a tee, and cooked to perfection.  The lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles were all overflowing and tasted super fresh.  The bun was slightly warmed with the utmost of butter flavor. 
The chips were beyond light, thinly cut, and lacking in oil.  I don't even think they were seasoned.  My only gripe was that they were cold- fresh hot chips would have been better.  Overall, a very good hamburger and lunch spot.

In the end, my visit to the East Texas Burger Company was pure bliss.  Everyone inside treated you like a local.  They have a great bunch of people working there- so friendly.  On this visit, I skipped dessert, but they have fried pies and pies by the slice.  Next time, I may have to splurge even more.  If you are ever in downtown Mineola, stop on by the East Texas Burger Company.  It is sure not to disappoint even if it's just for a fried pie! 


East Texas Burger Company
126 East Broad Street
Mineola, Texas
903/569-3140
www.easttexasburger.com

Mineola, Texas:

Located in Wood County, just 80 miles East of Dallas, Mineola came into existence when the railroads built lines through the timber country of East Texas in the 1840's.  The town was incorporated in 1877.  Notable Mineolans include San Francisco's Mayor Willie Brown, Texas Governor Jim Hogg's daughter, Ima (born in Mineola), and William Jesse McDonald, a well-known Texas Ranger- shoot em up type not baseball. 

Although, today, Mineola is known as the "Gateway to the Lake Country," downtown Mineola is rich and overflowing with antique stores.  Paying homage to their railroad ties, the Railroad Museum includes a restored 1906 depot and caboose.  Additionally, Mineola houses the Select Theatre, the oldest continuously operating movie house in the State.  Other notable stops in the area are the Mineola Historic Museum, Mineola Nature Preserve, and of course the East Texas Burger Company.

A New Direction for Tasty Texas Travels

Once again, it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged.  In the meantime, I’ve eaten at some good places and some not so good places, but I just haven’t found the time to blog.  I’m back on the road again, and I’ve decided to change up Tasty Texas Travels.  I’m fortunate to visit some of our best towns in Texas, so why not share a little bit of history about these Texas gems.  After all, this is Tasty Texas Travels.