Diverse Dining List

Huen Phen in Chiang Mai, Thailand

10/21/2018

Authentic Northern Thai Cuisine

In January, Don and I got to experience numerous dining adventures in Thailand. Our first meal in Chiang Mai, was for lunch at Huen Phen.

We were eager to get a sample of Northern Thai cooking in a restaurant that has been serving locals for a very long time!

Our Traveling Gang

Our traveling gang was what made all our Thai dining adventures extra fun. It also made a lot of our logistics extra complicated. Here are the young people in our family group of 9. We were waiting to be seated, inside the house-like restaurant.

Tired, Hungry and Smiling

Luckily our group was in pretty good spirits, despite the fact it was the day after Christmas and we had flown from Bangkok, early that morning.

Pre-Chiang Mai

Our group wasn't really tired from that day's travel. We were mostly tired from the 2 days before. On Christmas Eve, our 2 families had come together to celebrate the marriage of our children in a Thai Buddhist ceremony. Just hours before that, half of us had arrived from the States. We may have been lacking in sleep, but we couldn't have been a happier bunch!

Peek Inside

While waiting to be seated, I peeked in the open front of the restaurant. I could tell the space was broken up with lots of separate dining areas. I was amused with the odd rocking horse, that seemed to be tempting me.

Cooking

There was also a good view of the foods and cooking action, from the sidewalk. But honestly, I could barely recognize any of the foods.

2 Rockin' Mamas

It seemed time to make use of that rocking horse. My son's new mother-in-law, Linda, had great horse sharing skills... and humor!

Serious About Menus

We were seated in a smaller enclosed room, with just a few other tables. The quiet helped give us a chance to concentrate on the menu.

Photos

There were photos, which helped a tiny bit. There were words in English and that also helped a bit. Mostly, I was happy to let Linda and her family do the ordering.

Meeting Time

Yes, we were a little tired, but I had no idea how serious we looked until I saw these photos. We look like we're gathered around a table, having a very important meeting. And I guess we were. Linda did an excellent job of telling us what the options were. She busily worked with the pencil and order sheet.

A Full Table!

The food began to arrive and it was time for some serious dining.

I was pretty excited about the little things, like straw boxes that held rice... and foods, displayed on large green leaves.

Khoa Soy!

Then the bowls of Khao Soy arrived, with chicken and egg noodles and curry paste! This is the dish we'd been told about. It is the food, most connected with Chiang Mai's Northern Thai cuisine!

Fixing it Up!

Linda and her family helped guide the rest of us. We garnished our soup with sprigs of cilantro, shallots and squeezes of lime. The soup-like dish really was something to savor... tangy, with just enough spice!

Other Foods?

There were many other dishes on our table, but I can no longer recall. I am glad I got one photo of an enthused diner. All of us were more than delighted with the food, but I was able to catch Heidi, grinning with her bowl!

Exploring

For a while, my daughter-in-law, Chali disappeared and came back smiling. She chuckled about an odd restroom experience and I had to go see for myself. I headed through the other eating area, where I was surprised to see some non-Thai folks dining.

Mystery Area

I must have taken a different route, because I found a mysteriously festive area on my way to a fairly normal bathroom. I returned to tell Chali, that the restroom I found did not have a hole in the floor for a toilet. She grinned with embarrassment to think she had perhaps used a staff bathroom. Restaurant adventures are so fun!

Food to Keep Going

Thanks to the gracious Temple family for guiding us through food and travel adventures in Thailand!

We spent 3 weeks in Thailand and sampled many kinds of food. Linda's cooking will always be my favorite, but the Khao Soy at Huen Phen, will go down as one of my favorite dishes on the trip.

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Hosteria del Marques - in Valladolid, MX

10/21/2018

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Courtyard Lunch

In April 2017, Don and I visited the the Old City of Valladolid, in the Yucatan. We had heard that the Hotel, el Meson del Marques, was the perfect place to sample some authentic Yucatecan dishes.

Spanish Colonial Town

We had visited the Old City area, years ago with our kids. We had good memories of chatting with children, selling embroidered handkerchiefs the near the fountain. We'd gone inside the 16th century cathedral, San Gervasio. We'd even bought leather sandals from a shoemaker.

The Pink Hotel

But we hadn't noticed the pink hotel, that was once a colonial mansion, from the beginning of the 17th century. Luckily our friends who live in Mexico, tipped us off.

Inside the Walls

Before we even tasted the food, we were in love with the setting. The courtyard was a shady oasis. The hostess, dressed in her embroidered dress, took us to our table, past the vegetables and chiles and the tortilla maker, seated on a stool.

Open Air Dining

There were indoor dining spaces, but the tables surrounding the courtyard were too lovely to pass up. The painted chairs, white cloths and fresh flowers welcomed us... not to mention the playful artwork!

Sounds Around Us

Our table was perfect. We could hear the fountain and birds. Even the soft voices at nearby tables, were pleasing. It was a treat hearing no English at all. I loved knowing we were dining in a place enjoyed by locals.

Lunch is Served

Nestor, our waiter made us feel right at home. He brought over a stand to hold our hats. He gave us some good suggestions for beer and Yucatecan dishes. And... he graciously took our photo, with the lovely courtyard as our background.

First Time Foods

My order of Papadzules is shown above. The tortillas were filled with hard boiled eggs and topped with pumpkin seed cream and fried tomato sauce. Don went for the baby shark! Both dishes were a little out of my comfort zone. I never expect to fall in love with a new cuisine on the first try. But we finished it all and were more than pleased with the whole experience!

Nestor

Nestor couldn't have been better. He let Don practice his Spanish and he helped us out with a little English. Best of all he had a good sense of humor. I can't remember what these last words were between Nestor and Don, but they had a fun time.

Yay for our first Yucatecan Dining Adventure!

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Lowell's Restaurant Seattle

10/20/2018

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Lowell's at Pike Place Market

In September, I had my first visit to Seattle, which meant I also had my first visit to Pike Place Market.

Lowell's is where we stopped to have lunch.

A Few Hours to Explore

We were with family on this trip and had just one day to explore. Poor Don was sick and couldn't join the fun. But our kiddos and their spouses were my travel companions for the day. And a beautiful day it was!

Menu Studies

We 5 were pretty hungry at lunchtime, on a busy Saturday. We made no attempts at waiting for a table, in the full service area. Instead, we got in a fast moving line to place our order.

Seafood and More

The menu and the sizzling grill, all seemed to be about seafood. But we learned that Lowell's serves more than fishy food. Diners can arrive at 7 am and get a full breakfst and a Bloody Mary.

Quick Line

We placed our orders and paid at the end of the counter, right next to a quite adorable figurine. I asked about seating and found out there were 2 more floors for tables. That was good news, since the place was swarming.

3rd Floor

I raced up 2 flights, hoping the weary tourists might be too worn out to climb that high. Sure enough there was a great window-side table, just waiting for us. There were also convenient restrooms. It was worth the price of dining, just to avoid crowds at public restrooms.

The View

The view was perfect! After all the fun, hustle and bustle at the market, we just sat and took in the view.

Bloody Mary for Mama

I held down the table, while the kids made a quick dash to the bar. They returned to the table with some drinks for celebration.

A Bloody Mary for Mama! My clam chowder in a giant bread bowl arrived shortly after.

Heaven!

A Very Happy Diner

Chali might have been the most enthused diner, with her Fresh Northwest Steamer Clams! Scott was a bit calmer, with his shrimp cocktail and Alaskan Cod Sandwich.

Soup and Crab Cakes

Jamie and Heidi were quite content with their Dungeness Crab Cakes and Clam Chowder. We were all in good spirits!

Happy Feast

After we relaxed and refueled, we were ready to hit some more of the market. I just wish we'd had more time to absorb some of Lowell's history. I appreciate any place that opened for business, the year I was born! But even before opening in 1957, the building served as a combination coffee and peanut roaster, as well as a cafeteria. I00+ years of history!

Market History

We were better able to handle the shopping crowds without growling stomachs. We wandered the historic market that's been selling flowers, produce and seafood since 1907. I was pretty excited that I got to witness a few fish being thrown. I had heard recently that the old fish handling tradition had stopped. Not on the day we visited!

Surprise Museum

Just when we'd had about all we could handle of the busy multi-storied market, I laid eyes on an odd wall-museum. No one in the packed market seemed a bit interested in this fine display, but I just had to pose next to Robert Preston, the tallest man in the world. Then, I eagerly handed out quarters for anyone interested in paying for a view of his shoes. What a silly way to end our dining adventure at Pike Place Market!

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Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

10/19/2018

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Fairmont San Francisco

When Don and I learned about the Tonga Bar, we were so excited we switched our evening plans and had an Uber take us to The Fairmont Hotel, instead. Our driver drove us to the top of Nob Hill, but instead of taking us to the classy front entrance, he dropped us on the side.

We walked in a side door and got pretty lost. But that was no problem. It was 5pm and the popular lounge had just opened. We weren't in too big of a hurry.

The Grand Lobby

The Fairmont is a fun place to get lost in. The swirling columns in the lobby did not look very Polynesian. We moved on.

Hidden Down Below

We found the entrance to the exotic lounge in the basement. There was a crowd, even though the bar had only been open for 5 minutes. There was a line of people, hoping to dine beside the lagoon, when the food service began at 6.

The Fairmont Plunge

In Pre-Tonga Room days, things looked a little different in the lower level of the hotel. In 1929, a 75-foot swimming pool was added to the hotel. Traveling guests and movie stars, like Ronald Reagan and Helen Hayes, were lured to the new hotel pool!

Tropical Paradise

By 1945, the pool became a lagoon when MGM set designer, Mel Melvin transformed the area into a tiki themed paradise.

A Floating Boat/Bandstand

It took a while for our eyes to adjust when we first made our way inside. The blue-green water surrounding the boat, reflected the playful light display above.

The Bar

It took us a while to figure things out. The tables on both sides of the water were reserved for diners. The bar, housed inside what looked like a pirate ship, had a few available tables. We attempted to grab one, but learned there was a system for bar seating. No seats for us.

Hanging By the Lagoon

We were totally fine with standing at the railing, near the lagoon. We had a great view of the water. The diners, under their palapas and the mostly younger-than-us-crowd at the pirate bar, gave us some good people watching. And of course we had some very yummy drinks in coconut cups and tall tiki glasses, with lots of umbrellas and fruit.

Empty Boat

I was very curious about the lagoon's best feature. Back in the day, the boat acted as a floating stage, with an orchestra. The boat was empty and quiet during our visit, but I'm sure it gets put to use on weekends.

My Pirate

My very own pirate kindly posed for me, so I could capture a little of the bar area, with all its bamboo and ropes. Don was pretty delighted with the place, that he'd just read about hours before. If only we'd had more planning time, we would have dressed in our tropical best. Next time.

Rainstorm!

We hadn't been in the bar long before we experienced our first storm. There were many of them and the thunder and lightening and rainfall, made us crack up each time. It was very clear which guests were visiting for the first time. They were the ones grinning and attempting photos, like us.

Enjoying the Decor

Don and I kind of loved our little spot right on the railing, where we could take in all the carved decor and thatched roofs. We were busy taking it all in, when a young couple, asked to share a little of the railing space. They turned out to be a delightful pair and we swapped lots of stories.

Sharing the Railing

We were glad to that our new friends were just as giddy over all the tropical gimmicks, as we were. They had seen The Tonga Bar featured on Anthony Bourdain's show and were excited to finally make a visit, themselves.

They couldn't stay long, since they were going to see a friend perform Flamenco at another club. They invited us along and we were tempted to add Spain to our international evening. But we had plans for dinner in Chinatown.

Next Time

We hardly had time to scratch the surface at The Fairmont, but it was time to move on. We waited for our Uber, under the blowing flags. We will definitely come back for some Polynesian dining next time. Maybe we can stay the night... if we win the lottery.

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Thai Lounge in Cancun

10/18/2018

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Thai Adventure in Mexico!

Today I'm going back in time to remember one of the best dining surprises we had in Mexico. It was in April of 2016.

Don and I were nearing the end of a 2-week adventure, traveling in Mexico. We found ourselves wandering La Isla, a very touristy shopping center in Cancun.

We were so ready for something besides tacos and enchiladas, when we spotted Thai Lounge.

Bar in the Aquarium

We were greeted by the hostess, who walked us through the bar towards the dining huts. I caught sight of a dolphin's tail, but didn't have a chance to snap a photo. We should have started our evening there.

Tropical Oasis

We followed our hostess on the winding paths, past the lit palapas. I wanted to stop and stare into each cozy dining area. But that would have been a little rude.

Peeking Later

Later, I wandered a little and snapped a few photos. I loved the round table, surrounded with pillows.

Rows of Tables

One section held smaller tables, with glowing candles.

It was so dark, I couldn't tell where the lagoon was. But I could feel the breeze blowing over the water, rustling the palms. It was a beautiful, balmy night.

Our Palapa

My camera flash, added a harsh light to our cozy dining palapa. We were pretty giddy, to have been seated in our own dining hut!

Smiling Don

Don graciously put up with my camera. Not only did I get a photo, to help remember our evening...

...but we also got a brief moment of illumination! It had been so dark, that our sweet server had to pull out a flashlight at one point.

Our dimly lit bungalow was peaceful and exotic!

Feasting

Don and I have loved Thai food for many years, but we were also gearing our tastebuds for an upcoming trip. We were looking forward to our first visit to Thailand, 8 months off.

Our lovely server in her silk Thai attire, spoke little English or we would have asked more questions. She smiled and bowed, pointed to the menu when we asked questions... smiled some more. We hoped this was a hint of what our upcoming trip would be like.

Not Too Spicy

We were able to ask for less spice in our dishes. I had a vegetarian Pad Thai that was delicious. Don's chicken entree and our chicken saute appetizer, were both cooked perfectly, with exotic flavors... that I can no way describe!

Dramatic Restroom

A trip to the Ladies Room gave me a chance to peek around. I just had to snap a photo of the blowing curtains. Luckily this did not cause privacy issues.

Chefs at Work

I loved this dramatic wall. The opening revealed the chefs at work and I wish I could have stood there for an hour.

Over the Lagoon

I wandered a bit further and spotted some tables that might be fun for the future. Although, I really did love our jungly setting, with a breeze and gentle fan blowing from our hut's ceiling.

Last Photo

Our server told us her name. She laughed when I tried to say it. She brought our bill in a little hinged box. She had to help with her flashlight once more, when Don couldn't read it.

Before leaving, she offered to take our photo. I so love when a server makes the offer... so Don can't blame me for embarrassing him!

Thinking back on this trip, I am more than ready to return to Mexico... or Thailand!

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Stop and Eat Drive In New Mexico

10/17/2018

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Road Trip Dining in New Mexico!

Don and I were traveling through New Mexico in September.

We weren't hungry for lunch yet, but Don suddenly grew worried.

"We'll be out of New Mexico in less than 2 hours and we never tried a Frito Pie!" (Supposedly, this food delight was invented in NM) I quickly searched the internet and found the perfect place!

Since 1967

I was pretty delighted when we pulled in the lot! It looked like the iconic drive-in hadn't changed much, since it opened in 1967. Although there was no curb service, we could have eaten in the car, under any of the shady roofs. But we'd had enough car time.

Walk Up Window

We parked and headed to the walk up window. A smiling face peered out, so I asked if I could take a photo.

The cheery person answered, as she moved away from the window...

"Sure! Take as many as you like... just not of me!" The good humored woman teased another employee, to pose for my photo. I could tell we were going to have some fun.

Busy Kitchen

After snapping the window pic, Don and I headed for the door. We wanted to eat inside where all the action was. There were at least 5 people working in the tiny kitchen behind the counter.

Photos on Display

Alma, who was the first to greet me in the window, welcomed us. "Be right with you!" That gave me a minute to study the display of framed photos. When Alma turned to take the order, she pointed with enthusiasm. "Those are my parents."

Cars at the Drive-In

Jeannette, who had played along and posed in the window, was also glad to see me admiring the photos. "That's a picture of my car! Last week we had a big group of low riders that stopped here." There were a few car photos, so I'm not sure if this is her car
.

Kitchen Talk

Don and I announced that we had come, to sample a Frito Pie! The kitchen seemed eager to help us out.

Luckily there was a short lull, with no new diners arriving. While our order was prepared, we had lots of time for kitchen banter. Gerald, (who is Alma's sister) teased from the grill, when I asked to take some photos. "No!" He answered with a lame scowl. Then he smiled as big as his Dad, in the photo.

Want to Buy a Restaurant?

The activity behind the counter was playful and active. Gerald pretended to be annoyed when I asked for another photo, since the first one was blurry. He asked more than once if we wanted to buy a restaurant. It did not convince me that he was fed up with the stresses of ownership. He and the rest of the crew, seemed to be having the best time.

Frito Pie Time

Suddenly our Frito Pie was handed to us in a paper bag. We chose 2 of the 10 red stools and got ready for our feast. We said hello to our fellow diners, hoping to strike up conversation and continue the fun. But they answered my question with one word, "California." Clearly they were not about the whole experience. We left them alone.

The Pie

Don and I grinned at each other as we opened the bag and pulled out a Styafoam cup and a paper bundle, secured with a toothpick.

I wondered why our feast wasn't being served in a Fritos bag.

I pulled off the lid and pushed the spoon down, past some melted slices of cheese. How curious. When I lifted the spoon, it held a soupy mixture of red chili, cheese and a few Fritos, that were just beginning to soften. Hmm? We could have added shredded lettuce and tomatoes, but we were quickly starting to enjoy the "soup" just as it was. This hardly seemed like a pie of any kind. The crazy goodie in a cup, was pretty yummy. We passed it back and forth. "I like how the Fritos are absorbing the chili!" "This tastes so much better than it looks!"

On Our Way

Before heading out, we made sure to let the whole crew know that we'd enjoyed our Frito Pie and our visit. There was a little more chatter... about the Houston Astros... some of the favorite guests who have visited the drive-in... the summer weather...

By the time we got in the car, a new wave of diners had arrived. Whether they were regulars or travelers, I hoped that they would appreciate the place like we did.

It's always nice to see a happy, family owned business! When Gerald and Alma's parents opened up over 50 years ago, I wonder if they guessed their kids would be running the place in 2018. I would love to have heard some stories about the siblings earliest memories at the drive-in. Maybe next time!

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Hill Country Cupboard in Texas

10/17/2018

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Signs in Johnson City

There are a couple of signs that I love, in Johnson City. The first one reminds us, when we are nearing LBJ's hometown. The second, is the sign reminds us that we are in the Texas Hill Country. The sign also brags about the World's Best Chicken Fried Steak... Nearly 3 Dozen Sold!

New Paint

The chicken fried steak sign caught our attention about 10 years ago when we were traveling with the kids. They were amused by the humor, of 3 dozen sold. They were also hungry. So we had lunch and as I recall, the chicken fried steak was decent. In April, Don and I stopped again. I noticed the sign had been painted and the words about chicken fried steak were missing. But we were hungry for something lighter.

Lunch in April

We arrived on a cool and gloomy weekday. The dining felt pretty cozy, although the area looked larger than I remembered. There were enough booths and tables to seat all of Johnson City. Well maybe not quite.

Bar

There was a bar in the other room and I didn't remember that. Our server told us it was open a couple times a week.

Regulars

We took a seat in the booth near the window. That way we got to keep an eye on all the regulars who were congregating. Don and I were beginning to feel pretty young, amongst the retirees.

Table Stuff

Each table had a curious pole and block system that I never figured out. I think when the place is busy, the blocks can signal the server in some way. But I only saw the block being used as a paper weight, for the check. I had meant to ask before we left and now I'll never know.

Menu on a Bag

Our menu was glued to a brown paper bag. That seemed a little odd. But then our server told us that when the restaurant first opened, they wrote the menu options on a paper bag and passed it around.

I liked that funny bit of restaurant history. I also liked the idea that there was a sandwich named for Lady Bird.

I was forced to order one.

Lady Bird

The Lady Bird sandwich was of course, made from a bird. The chicken, grilled with onions and mushrooms, was served with Swiss cheese on Texas toast.

I think Lady Bird would have been okay with that.

Breakfast Anytime

Neither of us had a big enough appetite for chicken fried steak, so we were happy with sandwich and breakfast options. Don went for the eggs, ham, taters and biscuit.

Wandering

Our lingering after lunch, was really what made our visit memorable. We finished eating and began looking around at some of the intriguing decor. There was a cupboard, that might have inspired the restaurant's name. There were antiques and knickknacks and a case of baked goodies. It was when I stopped to study the trio of LBJ plates, that the owner struck up a conversation.

Sandra

I believe Sandra, was the name of the owner. She was gracious and friendly as she filled us in on the restaurant's history. I wish I had taken notes, when she told a story about the day Lady Bird Johnson came to dine. A secret service agent had arrived early and asked about renting out the whole space. A bit later, Mrs. Johnson and family arrived, to enjoy a meal. Sandra said the whole group had been very relaxed and kind. Mrs. Johnson even autographed a menu.

More Chatting at The Cupboard

Sandra talked about her reaction to Johnson City, when she moved there, years ago. It was hard for me to imagine anyone thinking of Johnson City as a city. J.C. has fewer than 2,000 residents, now. Sandra's hometown of Bryce had a population of 15, the last I checked. So it's easy to see how she could have found it hard to adjust to a busier community.

Sandra told us she worked at the restaurant for 9 years, before she was approached about buying the business. I imagine she must have impressed the owners she worked for, with her commitment and hard work.

By the time we pulled off, the lot was fairly empty. We were feeling good about our nice little dining adventure. It ended up having a lot more to do with people, than food.

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The Homestead Resort in Utah

10/15/2018

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Midway, Utah

Don and I found ourselves in Midway, Utah in August. We didn't have time to stop for a meal at the old Homestead Resort. But, we did make time to grab our traveling cookbook and head inside for a peek.

The Cookbook

This is the crazy book, (put out by Ford Motor Company) that has led us to some curious places and some fun people encounters.

As we walked across the lawn, I studied the illustration in the 1963 cookbook. The columns were still there. The circle of grass was there, with a fountain in the middle... and the mountains were back there... somewhere.

The Property

To the right of the lawn, we could see the original 2-story building, that had been called, Schneitter's Hot Pot Resort. It housed the guests who first came to bathe in the hot springs in the late 1800's.

Behind the trees to the left, was the large "hot pot" or geo-thermal caldera.

This is how it looked, on a cold November day, when we visited, 5 years ago.

Back when the Schneitter's opened their Hot Pot Resort, there was only one way to enjoy the hot waters hidden inside the dome. Luckily there is now a tunnel opening, so Don and I didn't have to rappel from the opening at the top of the cone.

Exploring The Homestead

Don and I walked towards the main house and stepped inside. There was little vintage charm to the remodeled lobby, so we headed down a knotty pine hallway and found an interesting display of historic photos.

Chicken Livers!

It was about 5, when we headed for the restaurant. We weren't interested in eating, but we were a little curious to see if they still served this fine recipe for Chicken Livers with Bordelaise Sauce. Don and I both liked everything about the recipe, except the liver.

Dining Room & Bar

The dining room was quiet and the hostess was not all too welcoming. When we asked if the bar was open, she handed us menus. "Well, we're only licensed as a restaurant, so you'll have to eat something." She could tell we weren't from Utah.

Quiet at the Bar

There was no bartender on duty and the lovebirds seated at the end, pretended we weren't there. I could tell we were not going to have any fun with the cookbook.

When the hostess came to take our food and drink order, I told her I didn't see any chicken livers on the menu. I had already guessed that our hostess would not be a bit amused by the vintage book and recipe. I was right. I pointed to the cookbook page and grinned. "You used to!" Awkward pause. Then I asked if we could split a cup of soup.

Cookbook Failure

Don and I shared a cup of broccoli soup and it was actually delicious. We sipped our wine and beer and I laughed at my failed attempt with the cookbook.

The Chef Gets It!

Don and I quickly forgot about the book. We were happily chatting when I suddenly caught sight of the chef, passing by. In a quick moment I caught the chef's eye and grabbed the book off the bar.

"Do you still serve this?" I asked as I waved the book towards him. He stopped in his tracks and leaned over the page, then laughed. "How old is this!" He shook his head and studied the recipe.

"No, we don't make this." He said with another chuckle. "But we could!" He stood a while and mentioned a few ingredients that would make the recipe better. "Would you eat it if I made it?" I paused and admitted, "No." He grinned and took one last look at the book cover, before handing it back. "By the way," I said, pointing to the empty cup. "That soup is amazing!"

Good Bye

Maybe that wasn't top on our list of cookbook adventures. But our brief little soup dining adventure ended well. The chef's yummy soup and his genuine delight with the book, made us put The Homestead on the list, for next time!

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Mark Twain Dinette in Hannibal

10/14/2018

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Hannibal, Missouri

When Don and I visited Mark Twain's hometown 4 years ago, I nagged that we must have dinner at Mark Twain Dinette.

But, by the time we got ourselves to the little restaurant, just steps from Mark Twain's childhood house, the lights had gone out.

Back to Hannibal

When we stayed in Hannibal this past September, I reminded Don about where we needed to eat. I didn't have much of a reason.

"I think I remember eating there when I was a kid. I don't know, I just like any diner named for Mark Twain. Besides, it's a dinette! When did we last eat at a dinette? And they have that cool root beer sign! Remember?"

Revolving Root Beer Mug!

When we pulled into town, I made Don drive by the riverfront and Mark Twain's old house and the Dinette. Something was missing! Where's the giant revolving root beer mug? (Luckily I took a pic, 4 years ago)

I made Don pull over so I could run in and ask. They told me the mug, (that's been towering over the restaurant since 1963) was away for a while, getting a new paint job. Whew! I told them we'd be back later for dinner.

Lights Still On!

Don was not crazy about my dining choice. But there weren't many options at 8:30 on a Wednesday. The sign was still glowing, but as we approached the restaurant. it looked empty inside.

Inside Dining

We stepped inside, where a few, young employees with brooms greeted us.. They insisted they were indeed open, so we headed towards a booth. I did have to stop and show Don the very fine riverboat models I had spotted when I came in earlier. He did not seem that impressed.

Old Menu

We slid into a booth with lots of framed goodies on the wall. I tried to excite Don by pointing out the old menu, with some very good prices.

Since 1942

I pointed out an old image of the original, enamel steel, Mark Twain Dinette. "It only had a counter and 13 stools, then!" I announced, with much enthusiasm.

What to Eat?

I asked our waitress if there was a specialty of the house. "Haven't you ever had a Maid-rite?" She asked, with a bit of surprise. She described the old favorite, as a loose meat sandwich. "Kind of sloppy joe, with no tomato sauce."

Don's Fried Pork Sandwich

Even though the young crew was sweeping right up to our feet as we ate, Don totally cheered up when his food arrived. How could he not laugh, when he picked up that bun with a footlong piece of meat sticking out. It was actually pretty good.

My Feast

I ordered a salad along with my not so healthy, Maid-Rite & mug of root beer. The steaming sandwich came wrapped in Maid-Rite paper, which absorbed some of the grease. The meat and onion sandwich reminded me of a few late night White Castle Burgers, that I once enjoyed in St. Louis.

Peek at the Drive In

We finished up and headed to the door before they had a chance to sweep us out. I made Don drive us through the parking lot where I could peek at the the drive in, which was added in 1960. It looked pretty old, in the yellow light. But, back in the day the curb service was top notch, with switchboard operated service.

Good Bye Mark Twain

It was sort of a silly dining experience, but totally worth a stop. I got to step back in time and I got to sample a local favorite.

Next time, I hope to see the big mug twirling up on its pole.

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Lake View Drive-In Marlin, TX

8/30/2018

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Lunch Stop on the Road

We didn't have tons of lunch options at 11:30 in small-town, Marlin. But Don and I were more than game to try the non-chain restaurant with the words Drive-In on their sign. In fact there were 3 different signs, when we pulled in the lot.

There was no confusion about where we were.

Drive In?

As we approached the lot, I tried to determine if the place was still a drive-in. There was a lot of covered parking, at least.

Love Those Windows!

As we walked under the covering, I saw no signs of curb service, but I could see the original vintage walk-up window. And I could see a red SUV, pulled up to a drive-thru window. We walked past yet another sign, as we headed inside. "Welcome Ya'll"

Since 1946

We joined a line right away and began studying the wall. I was excited to see the words above the menu. "Serving Marlin With Pride Est. 1946" I love a small town diner, that's older than me!

The Kitchen

The line moved quickly, so we were suddenly standing at the doorway to the kitchen. The lower half of the door was closed, while a young woman took our order.

I took a good moment to peek in at the cozy kitchen, with ice cream freezer and the windows that tilted outward. There were a lot of people in that small kitchen, but they all seemed to maneuver around each other, in good spirits.

Two Rooms

We took our little wooden order-piece with #4 and headed through the first room, past a table of orange vests.

In the Back Room

As we waited for our food, I took a good look at all the western and country decor in the room. I liked the little horse hook, holding the worn hat. I noticed that no one in the room had their food and I worried for a moment that we might be in for a big wait.

Food!

Suddenly, it seemed like every employee that I'd seen in the kitchen, had entered the room at once, carrying trays of steaming food! It was humorous and a little amazing. I felt like I should offer a toast... or a prayer!

Yum!

Of course I didn't. Instead I opened up my Patty Melt, with grilled onions and pickles and dug in. It tasted so much better than it looked! Maybe that's why all the locals seemed to be eating theirs, while in the wrapper. I used a lot of napkins.

Don had the daily special. Chicken fried chicken with green beans, mashed potatoes and roll. The chicken was surprisingly moist and the gravy was extra delicious.

Off We Go

We finished up and headed out to hit the road. Before I climbed in the car I stopped. "Wait! Where's the lake view?" I had to wander back a bit to get a peek at some water. Maybe in 1946, there were no trees.

The view was not the highlight of our meal and the drive-in, was more of a drive-thru. But the food and service was pretty good!

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