Diverse Dining List

Jenny's Giant Burger in Fort Bragg, CA

5/26/2020

Burger Memory

Sometimes you just have to go back and remember a good burger.

Don and I found Jenny's, when passing through Fort Bragg, about 9 months ago. We had just driven through the Redwoods and we were headed over to Noyo Headlands Park, to hunt for colorful treasures at "Glass Beach" .

We had no picnic packed, so we decided to pick up a little something at Jenny's

"Old Fashioned Quality"

I'm not exactly sure what old fashioned quality means. But I liked the little retro burger joint, when we pulled up.

We passed a dad and son and the patriotic flag on the window, then headed for the side entrance.

There were plenty of stools, if we wanted to sit at the counter and watch the cook doing his thing.

But we decided to stand in line and order to go. That gave me some time to look around and absorb a little quick history on the place.

Jenny and Herman Kreienhop opened the place in 1982. This place looked a lot older than that. I'm not sure what it was before.

Behind the Counter

I watched 3 men working away. All 3 had some interesting tattoos, especially the guy with the shaved head.

All were friendly and efficient and before long we had out warm bag and drinks and we were off.

Noyou Headlands Park

We found a picnic table, not too far from the water.

I didn't get a photo of the raven that tried to join us. A man walking by, said that raven frequently visited people at that table.

Cheeseburger & Fries

The burger and fries reminded me of fast food when I was kid. It was nice and hot and yes, a little bit greasy. It was darn good!

After we ate, we wandered on the rocks along near the water.

There's not a whole lot to say about our Jenny's experience, except the food was cheap and decent. However, the combo of our carry out picnic and the beautiful scenery, was perfect. We even found lots of tiny, colored pieces of glass. What a fun burger and beach memory!

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Barlow Trail Roadhouse in Orgeon

5/23/2020

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Welches, Oregon

I love the idea of eating at a Roadhouse! This might even be a first.

Last October, Don and I ran across the Barlow Trail Roadhouse, after leaving Mount Hood's, Timberline Lodge.

The Roadhouse sign didn't look old enough to be a real roadhouse, but the cabin-restaurant was actually over 90 years old.

Barlow Trail Roadhouse Inn - 1926

We pulled off of Highway 26, when we spotted the sign and old log building.

The original cabin (in the center) was built by Bill Lenz in 1926. It was named for the famous toll road, built by Sam Barlow. The structure served as a general store before it became an inn.

Signs and Swings

We stepped up to the porch, looking for the main entrance.

We passed the Trail Room (bar) entrance and and a few signs. We went past the porch swing and found the pale green door.

Cozy Interior

We had just come from the iconic Timberline Lodge, (used in exterior filming of The Shining) so we could have been a hard pair to impress.

But, I ignored the '80's era tables and smiled at the old stove, log beams and deer head, with antler lampshades.

Locals and Travelers

The lunch crowd seemed to be mostly local folk and people like us... on the road.

The diners in the earlier years, were mostly loggers and miners and the workers who built Timberline Lodge.

Upstairs?

I didn't get a chance to ask what the upstairs was used for, today.

Barlow Trail was more than a restaurant back in the day. On the menu there was a mention about the inn's reputation.

"Best food on the Loop to Timberline." downstairs and "Best Girls" upstairs.

Pick of the Tables

When we arrived, we were greeted by Brittnee. She invited us to sit anywhere.

I took a look at the line up of booths and felt pretty delighted when I spotted this cute little set-up, tucked into the back corner.

Just look at the shape of that table and those fine seats!

Haunted Table?

I told Brittnee that I was pretty sure we'd picked the best table in the restaurant.

She smiled and informed us that we'd picked the haunted table. That got me pretty excited. "Really! What should we expect?" Brittnee sort of shrugged. "Oh... just good vibes." I was good with that.

Little Bit of Lunch

Don and I ordered a tiny feast, since we'd pigged out on brunch at Timberline Lodge. I ordered a bowl of chili. It was thick and piping hot, with a good amount of cheddar and just enough spice!

Don's Patty Melt was served on dark rye, with a small side of creamy potato salad. Just right.

Peeking Around

From my seat, I had a good view of the fireplace. I would have preferred logs over gas, but I was happy for any fire, on that chilly day.

The Wash Room

I was sort of amused that there was just one washroom in the old place. But I guess all the customers had been men, back in the day.

The little washroom was actually pretty tidy. I was sort of amused by the combo of fishing decor and lace curtains.

Heading Out

We finished up and thanked Brittnee. She seemed to be the only server. She was in good spirits despite being extra busy.

We peeked into the adjoining lounge. We could see from the outside that this odd addition (with stone facade) came years later. The atmosphere seemed more biker bar than cabin cozy.

Chimney and Deck

I took a quick peek at the other end of the building. There was a covered deck with picnic tabes. I'm guessing this place might have a whole different feel, with summer crowds.

On a quiet October day, the old inn looked like a storybook house. If I were a kid, I'd have been tempted to climb that stone chimney!

As we pulled back on the road, I glanced up at the roofline and was reminded of the image on the menu. What a sweet old place. I'm glad it's still around.

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Don's, in Lafayette, Louisiana

5/22/2020

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Don's Seafood & Steak House

For a long time, Don and I have wanted to stop in, for a bite at Don's.

For over 20 years, we've seen the billboard ads, along on I-10, on drives to New Orleans and Florida.

I always remind Don that it's his restaurant and we need to stop. If they had a restaurant named Beth's, I wouldn't wait 20 years to check it out.

The Cookbook

We've also been eager to have a Don's experience, because the fine eatery is featured in our vintage cookbook.

Many of the restaurants spotlighted in the cookbook are long gone.

When we find places that have managed to survive, we always remind ourselves,

"We have to visit, before it's too late!"

The cookbook only has a few recipes from the state of Louisiana and only one for Lafayette.

Last March, Don and I spent a night in Lafayette, in the heart of Cajun Country. We decided to give Don's a try!

Change?

It was Ash Wednesday, when we arrived in Lafayette. The night before, the small city had celebrated with big Mardi Gras festivities.

The corner restaurant was just a 2-minute drive from our inn, so we drove over to check it out in the afternoon. It was quiet and deserted, with a few barricades, left over from the parades. I cracked open the cookbook to compare the illustration of Don's. I could see the corner entrance and some of the old glass block. Lots had been covered with shutters. Funny... the watercolor image showed a Mardi Gras parade!

Lamps and Neon

The old building looked a little weary in the bright sunshine, but I could see that things would be glowing in a few hours.

There were lots of "gas lights" and a few unlit neon messages. One said "Since 1934". I believe the French-Acadian restaurant opened as Don's Beer Parlor, in 1934

I spotted a few beads, left over from the Mardi Gras festivities. I spotted a sign, that mentioned the Landry brothers, Don, Ashby and Willie. At one time all 3 had a part in this business, which was combined with Willie's grocery store.

Interior

Don and I arrived for dinner at about 7. It was actually fairly busy at that time, so I waited till later to snap some photos.

I was a little unclear, which part was original in 1934. There had obviously been some expansion and a bit of remodeling.

Spirits

The main dining area, was filling up steadily.

We guessed that the nearest Catholic Church had just finished an evening Ash Wednesday service.

Most of the diners seated and entering (including a priest) wore an ash cross, on the forehead.

Don and I took a peek at the rather snazzy looking "Spirits" bar and thought we might be more appropriately dressed, for that crowd.

But the bar had a loud TV and the wrong ambience. We headed back towards the arched entrance, into the oddly bright and quiet, dining room.

Brick and Photos

The dining room had a retro Super Club feel to it, with white table cloths and black napkins. There had been a little updating, with enlarged photos, mounted on the brick walls.

I love a restaurant that spotlights their history. I'm sure all the photos had good stories, but I just guessed at them. Our server was very busy. I only asked about the man in the suit and glasses.

Frenchy

Frenchy was a well-loved employee of Don's for over 45 years. Her rode his bike to work, into his late seventies.

One of the restaurant's refurbished rooms is named for Frenchy. I love stories like that!

Menu Studies

Don and I were seated beneath a few fishing photos, then we dug into our menus.

The menu cover had black and white photo, of Don's. I'm guessing in the 1960's.

We opened to a colorful page, with cocktail suggestions. Our Cajun fiddler, at the B & B had recommended the very powerful, Don's Old Fashion. The drinks that came in Don's glasses, looked mighty inviting!

Don with Don's Old Fashion

I of course had to get a photo of Don with his glass. I'm afraid I failed to capture his cocktail very well. There was a lot going on in that drink! I enjoyed the sugar-stick-stir-er!

I usually only like a Bloody Mary at a brunch, but I went all out. It came with pickled okra, a green bean and olives on a pink sword! That was a meal in itself. Both drinks were powerful and packed with flavor. I couldn't finish... but that's just me.

My Feast

I went for the Cajun Casserole, which was a combo of shrimp and crabmeat dressing and eggplant. My baked potato was the size of small animal! All good!

Don worked on his Crawfish Half & Half, with fried and Etouffee. Both meals were huge and filling and tasty.

We watched the tables empty and finally we were the only ones left.

Gina and the Cookbook

Things were finally relaxed enough to chat with Gina, our super upbeat server.

Usually, when we take the cookbook on a dining adventure, we try to order the featured recipe.

This can be pretty fun, if you have a server who's old enough to appreciate a little history.

But we waited until later, since Gina had been racing around earlier.

When Gina came to check on us after we finished, I told her I had something to show her.

I pulled out the book, with the Crawfish Etouffee recipe. She leaned in and gave the page a good look, before she reared back with a laugh. "Where did you get this?"

Sharing and Posing

Gina rewarded us with the perfect reaction. She asked if she could borrow the book to show others in the kitchen. That's always a good sign.

She disappeared for a bit, then returned, grinning with the book. We chatted a while, before Gina and Don did a little posing for my camera.

A Good Night at Don's

The staff couldn't have been sweeter. We had slowed things down with our cookbook and a couple of purchases... Don's cocktail glasses were for sale, at $5. each.

As we headed towards the doors, some lingering staff wished us well and thanked us for coming. I'm pretty sure we were the only non-locals on Ash Wednesday. We certainly were the only diners who brought a show-and-tell item.

A fun little Dining and Cookbook Adventure, for sure!

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Brownie's Hamburgers in Tulsa

5/21/2020

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Burger Joint in Oklahoma!

You have to love a burger joint that also serves, Root Beer and Fresh Pies!

You also have to love the little running cartoon-guy, on the sign!

This Mom & Pop place, was serving burgers on Yale Avenue, back when we lived in Tulsa 21 years ago.

The sign says, they've been in the biz much longer than that... since 1956.

Old Place & Old Car

Don and I passed through Tulsa, last November. We stopped in for lunch.

We parked near a mighty fine, vintage Ford. That was an added bonus!

Decor!

I actually couldn't remember much about the interior.

Once we stepped inside, I thought it might be possible that they've done zero redecorating, since our last visit in the 1990's. That worked for me!

Seating

When we first entered, the counter seating was all open.

I talked Don into eating at the counter, because I couldn't resist those orange-y red stools, with little foot platforms!

Bowl Specials... Root Beer...

We had a good view of the menu, with the daily Bowl Specials.

I chose Monday's special, Frito Pie. It seemed like we should be ordering malts and fries and the works. But it was early, and we'd already enjoyed a big breakfast.

Entertaining Stuff

We ordered and I spent a few minutes looking at all the curious stuff, in the little restaurant.

There was a coat rack, holding a cheeseburger hat. There were shelves above the windows, displaying lots of... stuff.

I'm sure there are stories behind the plastic toy collection, but I didn't ask. It looked like most of the goodies were more from my kids' era than my own.

Order Window?

In the front of the restaurant, I spotted a large window with more knickknacks on the sill.

I was curious and dashed outside, to see if the window had been some kind of ordering window. I also wanted to compare the exterior, with a photo I'd seen.

But by the time I got outside, a man in a knitted cap, was standing on the sidewalk, in front of that window. He waved two fists above his head and shouted in anger, "JUSTICE! JUSTICE!"

Customers React!

I was totally freaked out and decided to take photos later. I quickly turned and rushed inside, with a racing heart.

I didn't take a photo of the restaurant staff & diners, when I re-entered. If I had, it might have looked like this old photo of Brownies. The entire restaurant looked up at me, as if I'd been the one who caused the crazy outburst on the street! I just shrugged and laughed and all was good.

Food!

It was time to eat!

Don ordered a basic cheeseburger, simple as that. That shiny bun lid looks pretty good to me right now. It was gone in a second!

My Frito-Pie was only $4.50. It was pretty tasty, by itself. But, when I noticed the guy sitting next to me, drinking 3 mugs of root beer, I decided I was missing something.

Cold Root Beer

I flagged down our young server and told her I needed to go for a root beer, after all.

She brought me an ice-cold, foamy glass and we chatted a bit.

I told her that Brownie's was a whole year older than me. She laughed and said she used to worry about getting old when she was in her twenties. Now at 35, with a teenager, she just wants to enjoy getting older and having grandkids.

That was a nice attitude for someone nearly half my age!

Bill "Brownie"

We didn't get to meet an owner or even an old customer, but I enjoyed a few old photos, on the way out.

This photo is from a 1983 newspaper. That was years before we lived in Tulsa, or had kids. But those little faces look sort of like our two kids and their friends. I wish I had a photo or two, from an old visit.

This photo is of the pie baker, Mrs. Cleo Peace. The old snapshot reminded me that we had not sampled pie!

Well, next time I'll let the words on the sign remind me! I'll have Root Beer AND Pie!

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Shady Grove in Austin

5/12/2020

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Sad News

Yesterday I learned from my son, that Shady Grove is closing.

This isn't the first sad news of closures.

For a couple of months, we've been hunkering down at home, along with the rest of the country.

Restaurant closures are happening. It's one of the many miserable consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Barton Springs Road

Shady Grove has always been a favorite. Since there are a million unusual, one-of-a-kind restaurants in Austin, that says a lot.

The business has been sitting on Barton Springs Road for nearly 3 decades. The neon sign and stone building make it look like it's closer to 80 years old. With the towering trees, it reminds me of a roadside cafe on old Route 66.

2016

We haven't been to Shady Grove since 2016. But that's only because we no longer have kids living in Austin. We don't get back as much.

The last time, was in April of 2016. Don and I met our daughter for dinner. She rode over on her bike and parked near the trailer. The outdoor dining grounds were already filling up.

The old metal chairs, towering trees and grass, always made me feel like I was stepping back into the summers of my childhood.

We found a spot on the patio, where umbrellas and trees kept diners cool.

We studied the menus, with options like Queso Catfish, Truckstop Meatloaf and Hippie Sandwich.

Cheers to Margaritas!

Heidi and I ordered margaritas and toasted to our little get-together.

Were they watermelon flavored? I don't remember, but they were delicious.

Evening

The colored lights at the outdoor bar, came on first.

We were too early for any musical performances. Live music attracted a lot of guests to Shady Grove's.

Food

I'm pretty sure these were the Airstream Chili Cheese Fries.

I remember Heidi said we had to get them, because they were the best.

I remember the Thai Grilled Chicken Salad. I guess Don got a burger and chili. It's hard to tell from the photo and it's been too long.

Trees and Fresh Air

Looking at these 4-year-old photos makes me extra sad, to know they must close.

With restaurants beginning to reopen this May, it seems they could have managed somehow. Patio dining will be the safest of all restaurant dining. But I can't imagine seeing area, with spaced-apart tables and mask wearing guests.

Howdy

I'll miss the patio and I'll miss the Airstream bathrooms.

I loved the idea of "powdering my nose" in a trailer!

I wonder what will become of these trailers and the neon sign and the stone building.

I'm really feeling frustrated that I never made it inside to see what the interior dining even looked like!

Shady Grove... Relaxed Dining! I will miss this place!

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Jenny's Giant Burger in Fort Bragg, CA

Barlow Trail Roadhouse in Orgeon

Don's, in Lafayette, Louisiana

Brownie's Hamburgers in Tulsa

Shady Grove in Austin

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