Lockhart Food Follies: Lockhart

Well, I know that I am late in writing up my blogs on certain restaurants, and the moral of this story is to not wait so long because some restaurants can close in the mean time.  This is what has happen to Henry's in Lockhart.  It was less than 2 weeks ago that we were sitting in Henry's enjoying a hamburger and fries.

In fact, I will still write about it.  The hamburger was pretty dang good.  The ground meat was debatable if it was fresh or frozen, but it was well seasoned.  The usual suspects were found: lettuce, tomato, and pickles.  Overall, a pretty good burger on a sweet tasting bun.  The only thing was that the typical bagged french fries came out in a pretty chintzy portion.

On another note....just for your information if you don't already know it.  Lockhart is a SERIOUS BBQ town- the BBQ Capital of Texas.  On this day that we ended up at Henry's, my counterpart had just wanted a chopped beef sandwich- you wouldn't think it would be hard to find in Lockhart- Oh, but it is...  After going to Kreuz's and Smitty's, we gave up on the chopped beef sandwich.  Smelling of smoke and hot, we ended up at Henry's by default.  Both Kreuz's and Smitty's greet you with a wall of smoke and heat.  You buy your meat by the pound then eat it without sauce and with white bread.  But, no chopped beef sandwiches to be found!  And, we didn't feel like trying Black's.

I did end up with a pound of brisket from Kreuz's- another Food Folly.  Although the meat was smokey and tender, I definitely believe I have had better brisket.  In fact, some of the meat was so fatty and poorly cut that I thought I was eating a pot roast.  I wasn't that impressed, and we went to A LOT of effort to get that pound of brisket when all we wanted was a chopped beef sandwich- isn't that the truth Mrs. Wells!!!!!

Lockhart: BBQ Capital of Texas
http://www.lockhart-tx.org/web98/visitors/bbqcapitaloftexas.asp

Hinze's Bar B Q: Sealy

Hinze's BarBQ is located in Sealy on Hwy 36 just South of I-10.  I've eaten here a few times, and I've gotten it to go too.  Today, I decide to eat in for my usual Chopped Beef Sandwich with a side of Cole Slaw.

Today's Chop Beef Sandwich has the beef already mixed with their slightly sweet but more tangy BBQ sauce.  You can dress it up with onions, marinated onions, jalapenos, and pickles from a self serve station.  Overall, the Chopped Beef Sandwich is pretty good, but I don't like it when I cannot watch them chop up my beef- usually means you get the leftover brisket with more fat.  Also, the chopped beef amount was not overwhelming- more on the skimpy side.  Come on this is TEXAS!

Their Cole Slaw is another love of mine.  It is a vinegar base with slight sweetness and lots of pepper!  Been know to get a quart of it to go and eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!  It's the little things in life.

You can pick up BBQ by the pound or by the plate.  I prefer the Hinze's in Wharton, but the Sealy location can satisfy your BBQ needs.  Their ribs and chicken are pretty good, and we really like their Seasonings that you can buy at the counter.  Overall, It's not the best BBQ, and it's not the worse BBQ!

Hinze's BBQ

2101 Hwy 36 S
Sealy, TX 77474

(979) 885-7808

Splendora Cafe: Splendora

Today, I find myself in Splendora, Texas.  Located about 45 minutes north of Houston, this little cafe tempted my taste buds after reading the reviews online.  Located in a strip shopping center just North of FM 2090, I walk into a large non-descript room booming with business and patrons.  You seat yourself, and you are promptly greeted by the nicest wait staff ever.  A few other words come to mind: bubbly, energetic and attentive.

Today is Friday, and I have a feeling I am about to be VERY bad.  They have fried pickles, fried mushrooms, fried this and that, but I perplexed by the Queso DipnSides: as described by my waitress, "chunks of yellow cheese rolled into tri-colored tortilla chips, fried and served with Ranch."  Wow, that sounds great, but so do the fried pickles.   Luckily, I didn't have to make too much of choice since I could order the Mixed Appetizer:  Fried Pickles and Queso DipnSides.

OK, the fried pickles were very good, though the fluffy batter was slightly too salty for me.  The real hit was the Queso DipnSides.  OMG.  It was like queso just melting in your mouth.  There was some jalapenos rolled in the batter too.  They were to die for, and the Ranch dressing tasted like homemade Hidden Valley.  Yummy. 

I knew I was being bad, so I went for the worse thing on the menu for my arteries and my main meal.  I chose the Lunch Portion of the Chicken Fried Steak.  The 8 oz sirloin came with a choice of side (Cole Slaw for me) and a salad from their salad bar (I skipped the only healthy thing of my meal).  You could also chose white or brown gravy.  As soon as it came out, I asked for a to go box. 

The lunch portion was huge; but then again, I am sure the Fried Pickles and Queso DipnSides had nothing to do with it.  The Cole Slaw was good- not too sweet and not too tart.  It actually tasted like the kind that comes right out of the bag- I really like that kind since that's the kind my mom used to make.  Back to the CFS though, the batter is the same fluffy batter from the fried pickles, but the meat has a taste that I can't figure out- it's a VERY good thing.  It tastes almost like they soaked it in white wine.  It was super tender and just amazing.  The gravy was just fair, but it didn't matter- that meat was just superb. 

If you are ever on your way North from Houston, stop in and try Splendora Cafe.  The food and the staff will not disappoint.  In fact, add thoughtful to the description of my waitress.  She brought me out an extra large tea to go on this hot afternoon.  Splendora Cafe was packed from the time that I got there at 12:45 to an hour later.  They definitely have something good going on!

Splendora Cafe and BBQ
13817 Hwy 59 #F
Splendora, TX 77372
281/699-1650