 Looking for Mexican Food We were making a 4 hour drive from the Hill Country to the Houston airport when we got a craving for Mexican food.  A Cozy Spot We had made it about an hour east of Austin before detouring into the historic part of downtown Bastrop. The building was quaint and cozy and the OPEN sign was lit up!  Recent History at Margie's "Bastrop Firefighter's Kick Ash!" It's been just over a year since the largest wildfire in Texas history began in the Lost Pines just east of Bastrop. The fire started September 4, 2011 when gusting winds and sparks from a power line caused separate fires to merge. It took a month to get the fire under control and another month to consider it extinguished. The fire caused two deaths and destroyed 1,691 homes, but Margie's (located right next door to the volunteer fire department) became an oasis for firefighters.  The Food This was our lunch feast at Margie's. Served with a smile by Margie herself. When we chatted with Margie about the fires last year she told us how she opened up her restaurant offering free food to firefighters who pretty much took the place over. Her warmth and hospitality was very genuine with us...and we weren't doing any heroic acts! Interior  You've got to love a place that has bulliten boards of photos, kids drawings, Mexican pottery, posters honoring the firefighters AND Longhorn pinatas! The place was just oddly welcoming.  Margie!
Margie is what made the stop the most worthwhile. She was as welcoming as all the cozy decor. She seemed to know all the other customers, but she treated us like family as well. She was attentive and energetic, talkative and cheery. Here she is posing with a plaque given to her by the firefighters who were treated to free meals during the days of the Bastrop fires. She described the atmosphere in the tiny restaurant, filled with tired, hungry, emotional firefighters. There were a lot of emotions shared during those days and a lot of stories shared since.
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The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
July 2020
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