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Little Diner near El Paso, TX

5/21/2019

Canutillo, Texas

Don couldn't remember where he'd read about this little diner, but he had it on his list of curious places to eat near El Paso.

The little diner WAS NOT right off i-10. We had to work for this! We wound through dusty neighborhoods and vacant lots. I think GPS was teasing us.

Finally we found the little yellow sign above a Laundromat sign. Oh boy!

Clay Roof & Arches

The simple little building had more cars in front when we pulled up. We doubted any of them belonged to tourists.

Entrance

The open sign greeted us, around on the side. We headed into an enclosed patio space, with picnic tables and lots of bubble gum machines.

Main Room

The diner opened in 1976 with only 3 tables. The main room had a few more than that, today.

This photo was taken when we checked out, but earlier the tables were occupied with locals, all talking with each other. A smiling woman greeted us from behind the counter and asked if we were dining in or taking out. Then she welcomed us to sit anywhere.

Once a Porch?

We headed for the long front room, lined with windows. I'm guessing at one time this space was for open air, patio dining. We took a seat next to one of the arched windows. Susie our cheery waitress arrived right away. She didn't make us feel at all out of place, for being first-timers and asking lots of questions.

Gorditas!

Susie said the Gorditas were the most popular item on the menu. She also suggested Chile con Carne Bowl. Don ordered the verde and it had quite a spicy zing!

Gorditas

My meal looked very festive on the purple-blue plate. The gorditas were gigantic pockets made with masa, corn dough. The fried treats were curiously crunchy and chewy. I had 3 different ones. 1 Chile Verde and 1 Barbacoa and 1 Avocado, which was just oozing with creamy, fresh avocado! I couldn't finish, even with Don's help.

Susie and Don

Don had quite a good, chatty time as he checked out with Susie. She was excited that we'd come all the way from Houston. Although she did remind us that even though they might seem like a small place, they were sort of famous.

Famous Folk

She pointed us to the wall display, showing their VIP guests. Of course the picture of Prez Bush, was from when he was governor... so not exactly recent. Edward James Olams (from Miami Vice) had visited just a while ago and she seemed pretty excited about that.

Before taking off, Susie grabbed us a fresh tortilla and placed the piping hot disc in foil. We could hear the tortillas being made in the other room. "They're just too good when they're hot!" She encouraged us to eat it in the car, while it was still warm.

Fun stop on our road trip!

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Catfish Parlour in Austin, TX

5/19/2019

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Finally!

Today, Don and I finally turned off of TX 71 and pulled in the lot, of Catfish Parlor!
We've driven by this awesome sign for nearly 20 years, on our drives from Houston to Austin. I've always been curious about this roadside eatin' place.

Neither of us are huge catfish fans, but we heard the place was family owned, since the 1970's. We also heard the catfish was Texas raised and never frozen.

Mostly though, I was lured by the sign!

Early on Sunday

There was only one car when we pulled in at 11:10 am. The church crowd was still at church, but we headed in.

Love a Parlour

I kind of love any place that calls itself a parlour. It brings me back to my childhood visits to Silver Dollar City in Branson, where everything was a saloon or parlour.

Orange and Green Booths

Only one table was taken, so we had quite a choice for seating. There were some slick cushioned booths in retro green, down the center. The Howard Johnson's orange booths were along the sides.

Oyster Shucking Bar

We also could have sat at the rounded bar, where a friendly fellow soon arrived, in a black apron and plastic gloves. He said the place would be busy with a church crowd by 1.

Hushpuppies

We chose an orange booth and our young server arrived promptly, with a bowl of complimentary hushpuppies. The jalapeno sauce was yummy. We asked Fernanda about the age of the restaurant. She thought it had been here 30 years... which meant the Parlour is a lot older than her.

Catfish Plate

Don got the "light" catfish plate with 3 sides. The creamy cole slaw, mashed potatoes and green beans (with bacon) were all good. The catfish was surprisingly good. We did not sample any sturgeon... but we liked the sign behind Don.

Salmon Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

I went healthy, because we were on day one of a 3+ week road trip. The salmon was fresh off the grill and the greens were a nice crispy mix. Don made sure to capture those fine checkered floors, along with my food.

This was a quick dining adventure, but a nice one. The staff was friendly and the food and decor was down-home-cozy-good.

Yay! I finally checked this place off my list, after all these years!

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Square One Brewery & Distillery

5/15/2019

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Lafayette Square Neighborhood in St. Louis, MO

A week ago, I had lunch with my good buddy in this fabulous old building, on the corner of 18th and Park. I loved the building, I loved the location and I loved the company.

I have good memories the Lafayette Square Neighborhood, that go back to the 1970's. The history of this building goes back just a bit further. In 1883 the structure was built to house a tavern.

My First Intro to Lafayette Square

Don and I were last in St. Louis, 3 years ago. We wandered through beautiful Lafayette Park, the oldest public park in St. Louis. We visited my mom's dear friend, Werner.

I remember moving to St. Louis in the 1970's and Werner was just beginning to refurbish one of the elegant Victorian homes, that surrounded the park. The area was in shambles and not very safe, day or night. But the once elegant houses slowly came back and Werner's home was one of them.

Lunch with Werner

It was a sunny, April Sunday, when we visited in 2016. Werner took us to Square One for lunch. I remember studying the old brick and painted trim, trying to remember when it was once Park Place Restaurant. I had eaten there 40+ years ago.

We took a table outside, in the shady courtyard. The atmosphere felt relaxed and casual. I was the lucky one, facing the waterfall wall, surrounded by an ornate doorway. I wish I knew the story about that grand piece, decorating the wall.

Beer at the Bar

Werner and Don were both excited about choosing a beer. I remember that the brew master had many options that day. But I can't recall what they chose.

Back Bar

I was too busy admiring the elegant, walnut back bar. Or would that even be a back bar? The carved arch, framed a leaded glass window, looking out to the courtyard.

Flat Bread...

I have a photo of what I ate in 2016. It was some kind of vegetarian flat bread thing and I do remember it was mouthwatering-good.

But mostly I remember sitting there in that lovely setting, hearing Werner tell stories about my mom. He helped me imagine my mom in her college days. Werner was also able to tell me a little bit about my grandfather, who died long before I was born. I could have sat there into the night, hearing Werner talk. At 90+ years, his memory was sharp and his stories were vivid. Werner died 2 years later and I feel extra grateful for that day.

Same Place in 2019

Last week, I was excited to take Milissa to Square One. She was visiting St. Louis for the first time. It was damp and cold, so the courtyard was closed. We peeked in the back room, where there were plenty of open tables. But we took a table beside a window, near the old arched bar.

Soup and Tacos

Once again, I felt content in this cozy, historic building. I feasted on my Korean tacos and Beer Cheese Soup. That was my nod to Anheuser-Busch, since they operated a tavern in this building in the early 1900's.

Just like 3 years ago, the company and conversation became my main focus. Milissa and I skipped the hand crafted spirits and sipped on water. But, we talked like 2 giddy old friends, sharing a bottle of wine. Every now and then I paused to comment on my food, because the sweet barbecue chicken and the thick, tangy soup was so yummy, it distracted me.

Browsing

After we finished lunch, the place was pretty cleared out. Milissa and I looked around at the all the equipment, that helps create the Hopskey Hop Flavored Whiskey and the Cucumber and Jalapeno Vodkas...

Shopping

I studied some wall art and Milissa thought about buying some Absinthe. She decided $50. was too much and we were soon on our way.

Nice Time & Nice Reminder

I love a pleasant dining adventure that lets me enjoy the moment and the past all at once. Milissa and I had a peaceful, tasty lunch and I was pleasantly reminded of another time as well.

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Empresario in Goliad, TX

5/1/2019

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Neyland Building from 1903

In 2017, Don and I stopped to eat lunch in the town of Goliad. We found this wonderful old building, on Courthouse Square. It had been built the year after a tornado killed 114 people in the small town.

Goliad Massacre

The town of about 1,000 is not really known for the deadly tornado of 1902. It's better known for the Goliad Massacre, which occurred in 1836, less than a mile from the Courthouse Square.

When Don and I stopped for lunch, we had just come from an overnight stay at nearby, Presidio La Bahia. The fort and chapel are part of a State Park, now. They have one guest room available, to those who aren't creeped out by the knowledge of the gruesome history. More than twice the number were killed in Goliad, than at the more famous battle of the Alamo.

An Appetite for History

It was hard to compete with the amazing fort experience, but the old Neyland building looked like a perfect place to chow down on lunch and more history. The long and narrow building had initially been a hardware store.

Local Brick

The tan colored brick had been made, just a few blocks away near the San Antonio River. We should have gone on a hunt after lunch. Evidently, remains of the old kilns still exist.

Bloody Arm

Don and I took one peek inside and felt right at home. On the rear wall, past the bar, was the same eerie flag we'd slept near the night before. The Goliad flag, with it's severed arm had flown above the fort during the Texas Revolution. It's creepy, but you do get used to it.

High Ceilings and Cozy Tables

The high, tin ceilings, checkered cloths and enlarged historic photos made the restaurant very cozy.

Photographs

After we ordered I took a peek at the walls, where no one was seated. I loved getting to see the old photos of the building when it first opened. For the past 30+ years, the building has served as home to Empresario Restaurant.

The Kolbs

John and Joy Kolb bought the business in 2013. It's a good sign when a restaurant doesn't need to change its name. It's also a good sign when owners confidently welcome you, with a photo and plaque.

It's even more welcoming, when you meet the owner himself. Mr. Kolb was eating lunch in the lounge area towards the back. When I wandered back that way, he introduced himself and wanted to know where we were from.

Don's Turn

Mr. Kolb was so friendly, I had to introduce him to Don. Poor guy hardly had time to eat, with all our gabbing. But he was a good sport and even put on his nifty hat for the photo.

Meatloaf!

Our server Sherry Lynn, was cheery and a little nervous. It was her first day, but she did a great job. Don's meatloaf and glazed carrots were very yummy! My Corn chowder and garden salad was also good, but we didn't bother with a photo... since I didn't match the decor as well as Don!

Revisit in 2018

This past December, Don and I were back in Goliad. There were no cars parked in front, so I got a wonderful photo of Empresario and its neighbor. Both buildings were designed by Danish architect, Jules Leffland. I read that it had been a general store, but I see the words coffins and caskets... I guess the local store needed to be prepared, for another Goliad tragedy.

A Few Changes

I noticed a few changes since our visit nearly 2 years before. There were Christmas lights and the tables no longer had the checkered cloths.

Good Food

The food was even better than I remembered. Don's massive burger and fries were delish...

But, Don's burger was nothing compared to my chicken fried steak, mashed taters and green beans! Was my gravy poured into the shape of Texas? The knife was big enough to sever my arm, if I wanted to match the flag!

Mission Espiritu Santo

Our second dining visit with Empresario was also connected to a Goliad State Park adventure. This time, we finished our yummy meal and headed a half mile to the park, but we didn't stay at the fort. This time we camped near another mission and heard the bells ring in the evening. After dark, we walked up to see the church, illuminated with Christmas lights. Beautiful!

Two Meal + Overnight Adventures, Goliad!

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Little Diner near El Paso, TX

Catfish Parlour in Austin, TX

Square One Brewery & Distillery

Empresario in Goliad, TX

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