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Just Off the Tracks I love a train-themed dining adventure! This restaurant near the eastern border of New Mexico, is housed in an old train station. It sits just 30 feet from the tracks.  Don and I dined at The Rails in July 2024, but we discovered the station about 6 years before. Clovis Depot This is how the train station looked in 2019, when Don and I passed through the small city on a road trip. There was no restaurant then.  The place was vacant and surrounded in fencing. The depot had closed 20 years before. Little did we know, the station had been purchased and good things were ahead. The Gran Quivera Harvey House Hotel On the same visit, Don and I walked a little further down the tracks and found a building in worse shape.   This had once been a Harvey House restaurant and hotel. In the early 1900s, this building would have been lively with rail travelers. Harvey Girls in their starched aprons, would have been bustling about, serving meals. The hotel closed in 1948. A Train! It was a bit sad seeing the boarded up building. It felt like a ghost town, until we heard a sound.  Suddenly there was life on the tracks! Across from the weary buildings, a train rumbled by! Big improvements! 3 years later, we stopped again while on a road trip! The depot looked different in 2022.  The barbed wire fencing was gone. The building had the original colors, but the paint looked fresh. Almost Ready We found a door and peeked inside and suddenly realized we were interrupting some kind of meeting. The nice folks halted their discussion and started up a new one, with us.  One gentleman (who could have been one of the owners) was eager to let us know the renovation was complete and The Rails restaurant would soon be opening.  They seemed surprised that a couple from Texas had stopped to check on the historic station. We told them we were big fans of old railroads and often detoured to see historic depots. We'd stayed at a few renovated Harvey House hotels, in the west.  They welcomed us to to look around and I quickly imagined us in the future, stopping for a meal on a road trip. I was excited to find patio seating in front...  ...and in back. Perfect for counting cars, like I did as a kid. June 2024 Two years later, Don and I planned another road trip and booked a night at a chain hotel in Clovis. If only the old Harvey House had been renovated, we could have stayed there and walked to dinner.  We arrived on a Wednesday evening and parked near a row of arches. Thick shades covered the rounded openings, giving no hint of the covered patio behind them. Old Equipment We headed for the depot entrance, taking a peek at some displayed goodies, rescued from the old railroad days.  I'm not sure how that yellow thing on wheels was once used, but I'm sure there are plenty of train enthusiasts today who might be happy to sit a spell and explain it.  I was amused imagining how this crazy bike was used on the tracks. I was tempted to climb on the crooked seat, for a look-at-me photo pose. But, I was reminded of a childhood memory of getting stitches and a tetanus shot, after trying to stand up on a rusty tricycle. More Historic Items Once inside, I noticed a display case filled with artifacts, inherited from the museum that lived in the station after it closed.  My eyes were drawn to the white dinner china, with red designs. The dishes were once used to serve diners at the nearby Harvey House hotel. Rustic-Modern Bar We arrived a half hour before our reservation, to make sure we had time to sit in the cozy bar, tucked at the end of the building.  We passed through an arched opening, and found the corner bar and a few high top tables. Reminders of Depot Days The space was empty at 5:30, so I snapped a few photos. I could picture giant luggage carts passing through the hefty sliding door, that opened to the tracks.  I looked down to see I was standing on a wood platform of some kind. The bartender said it had once held a scale. I imagined cargo and travel trunks being weighed before loading. Window View Don and I sat in a cozy space between the bar and a small dining room. We had a great window view with lots of train activity.
Besides trains, we studied railroad related photos, displayed on the walls. I also enjoyed studying the arched doorway, with all its dings and missing chunks. Many coats of paint over the years softened those blemishes, made by hurried cart and equipment movement... I presume. Another View My seat also gave me a good view into the adjoining room, which (along with the bar) had begun to fill up. There was such a pleasant, friendly vibe with staff and customers.  Many guests greeted one other. It was easy to conclude that this was a favorite go-to place for locals. Later I learned the owners were dining. So that added to the fun. Favorite Room I remembered seeing this particular dining room, when we visited in '22. It was a little cozier and I loved the arched windows with blue trim. Two of the window tables were occupied by the time we were ready to be seated for dinner.  When checking in with the hostess, we happened to meet the beverage manager, Maribeth Delgado. She was delighted that we'd come from TX to dine. It was tricky explaining how we'd grown fond of this depot from roadtrips. Maribeth graciously assured us we'd get a great table. New Table Don and I were thrilled to get that third table, next to a window. It looked like a million layers of paint covered the frame and hardware. Don's shirt almost matched. Our server Cole, arrived with menus and a warm smile. Also warm ciabatta bread. Perfect!
The Smooth Jazz we'd noticed before was suddenly drowned out by sounds of energetic voices. There was a constant flow of diners arriving and departing. (Just like travelers back in the day) One table with men in cowboy hats, was suddenly replaced by a lively group that looked like they'd just come from a golf course. Fun people watching. The outside activity was just as entertaining. So were the outside sounds. Trains! There was constant movement out there, on about 8-10 sets of tracks. The Menu The menu looked amazing. Especially for a restaurant in a community, surrounded by farmland. But I'd read great reviews, about the French trained chefs. I knew we'd be eating food that would feel like we were dining in a big city.  There were lots of choices, from rib-eyes & burgers, to a butter chicken curry and Turkish baklava! Butter Chicken & Fettuccini I ordered Butter Chicken Curry, with Cashew Nut Marsala & Basmati Rice. We have some of the best curry, living in the Houston area. My dish was outstanding. The gigantic naan, was an added treat, for this bread lover!  Don had Fettuccini Michelangelo (Pork & Ribeye Bolognaise prepared in-house) It was thick and rich... almost like the best of stroganoffs.  I did not mention that comparison when restaurant manager Kailash Jugessur stopped by the table to ask how we were enjoying the meal. I adore a good stroganoff, but many wouldn't see that as a huge compliment. Kailash seemed so pleased that we were enjoying the food and the service. Exploring After finishing, I slipped off to explore for a moment. The larger dining rooms were filled with families and a few larger groups.  I walked to the far end of the building and found another display. This one had a collection of model train engines. Sounds Near the Tracks I stepped out a back door to have a quick look at the tracks. I listened for a while. There was more hissing than horn whistling.  A moment later, I stepped into the Ladies Room and suddenly I was listening to hear my favorite sounds. Speakers had been installed to play a very realistic recording of a train approaching. Bells clanging... train whistling...rumbling... hissing! Just perfect! Meeting Libby & Tate We were just getting ready to leave our table, when a young woman from a nearby table spoke to Don. She wanted to know if we were just passing through town.  Libby introduced herself, along with her husband, Tate. After chatting a bit, we learned that Tate & Libby (along with and Tate's brother, Jordan) were the owners of The Rails. Here they were, casually dining and visiting with locals and welcoming travelers like us.  We stood and chatted for quite a while. They wanted to know if we'd had any issues with Hurricane Beryl, which had recently hit Texas. We wanted to know what it had been like to take on this daunting task of refurbishing a building, then creating an upscale restaurant. Evening in Clovis By the time we stepped outside, the July heat had cooled and a warm breeze made wandering pleasant. I spotted the moon rising over the tip of the depot roof. 
I wanted to walk out near tracks to see the station, lit with strings of lights. But the tracks are no longer accessible to wanderers, like they were a few years ago. We couldn't check on the old Harvey house, but I believe it's still vacant. 1906 Locomotive Instead we walked just a few steps to First Street, where an old locomotive was displayed in a tiny park.  We sat on a bench for a moment and talked about the evening.
The evening had been better than expected. We'd had some amazing food in a relaxed atmosphere, where we'd been welcomed by the owners and friendly staff. We'd watched lively locals. Best of all we'd enjoyed it all, while sitting inside an old depot, watching trains come and go. Hard to beat!
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75 Plus Years Last summer, Don and I had a memorable meal at Plaza Cafe, in downtown Santa Fe.  The menu told us it had been around for 75 years, but the history goes further back. Serving Since 1905 This prime spot, overlooking the historic Santa Fe Plaza, has been serving up authentic traditional dishes, for 120 years.  The pretty building is older than it looks. It doesn't have the soft curves you see in so many of Santa Fe's historic pueblo style buildings. This building on the Plaza, has housed a restaurant since 1905. I'm guessing the building is even older. New Owner in 1947 In 1947 a Greek immigrant named Dan Razatos, took over the Plaza Cafe.. from another owner, who was also a Greek immigrant.  While running his cafe, Dan met and married a local girl named Beneranda. Together they raised 6 kids and ran the Plaza Cafe together. Son Leonardo owns today. Our Visit in 2024 The cafe's exterior didn't look much different when we arrived in 2024, than when Mr. Razotos opened in 1947.  The brick and glass reminded me of Ben Franklin's or Cunningham Drugs, from when I lived in Grinnell, Iowa in the 1960s. Classic Diner The interior was bright and cheery at 11:30 am.  The old fashioned diner look was quite a surprise. It's not what we usually expect in Santa Fe. Counter Seating It was tempting to have a seat at the counter. I loved swiveling on a stool when I was a kid at Cunningham's... having grilled cheese or ice cream.  It's always fun keeping an eye on the action. Especially when there's a friendly staff of nearly a dozen, dressed in white shirts with black bowties! Design with China I was also entertained by the display above the counter.  What a clever way to make use of broken diner china... cups, saucers and plates! Tables & Booths Most guests opted for tables. Actually all guests did.  I was sorry the tables filled quickly before I could get nosy and look at some of the framed photos and art. I did manage to sneak a peek at this photo. Taken in 1949, during the Fiesta Parade.  Too bad the cafe no longer has that great neon sign. Near the Window We were seated at a comfy table in the front section. A great view of the whole restaurant and the colorful patio, just out the window.  Don sat beneath a wreath of red chiles and displayed jars of Plaza Cafe's special sauces. Salsas, I presume. Portrait Not far from where Don was sitting, was a large portrait on the wall.
Beneranda Razatos ran the cafe for many years without the help of Dan. Her husband died 25 years before her, in 2022. She was well loved at the Plaza and in the community. Breakfast & Lunch The cafe served breakfast until 4, so Don was able to order scrambled eggs with a big slab of ham, hash browns and toast.  He was mighty pleased. The lunch/dinner menu offered everything from Posole (pork & hominy stew) to grilled salmon. But I chose a spinach salad that made me so happy!  My bowl was full of goodies! Was this a shredded hard boiled egg? It was a tasty topping, sprinkled over my greens, onions, mushrooms and bacon. The warm bacon vinaigrette dressing was tangy-yummy! The chili-cheddar crostini was an added treat. I think our server Esther called in Pepper Bread. Surprise in the Wall I took a trip to the restroom after we finished and found 2 surprises. One was the fun wallpaper in the hallway.  The other was behind glass. Part of the original adobe wall was on display. I'm sure this building has had many renovations, but somewhere along the way, they decided to preserve this peek at the past. I wish I could have found more history about the age of the building before 1905! Cheers to Esther! Our server Esther took such good care of us. She chatted and answered silly questions every time she stopped by our table. She was efficient and friendly and I finally just had to ask how long she'd been working at The Plaza.  42 years! "What!!? You must have been a baby!" Before long we heard more of her story. She'd moved to the States as a teen in 1986. She found herself working for the Razotos Family and was very grateful for their support. She laughed as she remembered the very first order she took and how she messed it up. Eventually she became a citizen and brought her parents and 10 siblings from Guatemala. There were many servers working on that July day and we lucked out with Esther! Heading Off We left feeling happily satisfied with our breakfast/lunch.  But we were even more pleased that we'd experienced another side of Santa Fe. Our little retro diner had a whole different kind of vibe and history than much of Old Santa Fe. And our server made the experience extra nice. Next Time In a couple of weeks we'll be back in Santa Fe, dining on New Mexican cuisine, at some of our favorite places.  I'm hoping to return to Plaza Cafe. It's a refreshing change. This time I hope to sit on the patio, overlooking the old Plaza. And maybe I'll order the Greek Salad, in honor of the Cafe's Greek roots. That should be just right... along with a Red Velvet Cupcake!
I hope we see Esther! Lunch Stop in the City Don and I were passing through Albuquerque in June of 2023.  I searched the map for a restaurant not far from our route. Cecilia's promised to serve up authentic New Mexican cuisine. I called to make sure they were open and was told, "We're open, but we close at 1:00." Odd closing time! Sweet Exterior We arrived at 12:30 and parked near the inviting cafe entrance. White stucco, red awnings and Madonna in the window. I hoped she would keep our car safe.  Always a risk parking in unknown areas, when on a roadtrip with a car full of stuff. More Madonna & Balloons If the Madonna under the awning couldn't protect, maybe the one painted in the alcove could.  I had to stop and admire the window beneath the other awning. Oh how I've always wanted to attend Albuquerque's annual Balloon Festival! City Corner Before we stepped inside, I had to marvel that we'd found ourselves at a homey cafe, near downtown Albuquerque.  The white 2-story building on the corner of Silver and 6th, was dwarfed by the taller city buildings. Evidently this was built as a house, over 100 years ago. Cozy Cluttered We climbed a couple of steps and opened the screen door. What a surprise! The little space was packed with decorative goodies and quite a few diners.  A young guy looked up when we entered. He nodded and gestured towards an available booth. Holy Treasures We sat across from a very decorated corner. I spotted St. Frances and a few more Madonnas.  Two cherubs and a Jesus figure in a clock, beside a ceramic Christmas tree. Guy Another corner made me grin a bit.  Guy Fieri and his signature smile and sunglasses, looked down from a signed poster. Cecilia's was featured on his show in 2009. Studying The young man brought menus. I studied the walls more than I did the menu.  The wooden sign gave us a heads up about Great food & atmasphere. I noticed the red and green chilis, beside the words, "unpredictable chile fix". Awards I noticed a lot of Christmas decor. A Christmas tree here, a wreath there...  ... a manger display. And lots of awards. "Best Downtown House Turned Restaurant" That's an interesting award. Made me wonder how many house turned restaurants there are in Albuquerque? Our View I liked our booth, with a view of the dining room. We could see the the exposed brick around a window. I tried to imagine the old brick house, beneath the white stucco.  I could see 3 in the kitchen rushing about. The woman in the red shirt appeared stressed. I guessed she was the one on the phone who wanted me to know they'd be closing that day at 1. San Pascual Arrived 1999 There was a lot of wall decor near the opening to the kitchen. The most curious piece of art, was a crude little painting of a man in a monk's robe, holding a spoon.
The image was of San Pascual, the patron saint of cooks and kitchens. I learned later, that the mysterious little painted board was found on the cafe's stoop, on the first day that Cecilia's opened, in 1999. Fireman's 10 Pound Burrito! Before deciding on our order, we took a moment to ponder the Fireman's Burrito option. Sadly, we did not hear the bell ring during our visit.  The busy woman in the red shirt came to take our order. I didn't attempt to chuckle about the 10-pound burrito. Her focus seemed to be everywhere but our table, as she waited to hear our order. I asked which was hotter, red or green sauce? I got a quick answer. "Both." Tamales Don attempted to order chicken tamales but was told they only had pork.  He was fine with pork tamales. Sadly he was not fine with the heat. He's become less tolerant of hot spicy foods over the years, but usually he can attempt more than 1 bite. He played it safe (traveling!) and just ate his beans and rice. He raved about the beans, though. Stuffed Sopaipilla I was pretty excited about my fry bread, stuffed with beans, beef, cheese, onions and lettuce. My meal was hot as well, but such flavors!  Don was able eat a little of mine. I offered up my beans and rice to him. We actually were both satisfied.  As we worked on our food, the last customers sat down. Just before the Closed sign went in the door. We overheard the woman in red telling them that it had been a rough day. A pipe broke and the bathroom was closed. Yikes. Meeting Cecilia I had not expected to have a chat with the woman in red. But after she took the last order, a weight seemed to lift. She came over and apologized for being so rushed. She seemed so pleased that we'd enjoyed her food. (I couldn't bring myself to tell her it was too hot for Don)  I asked if she was by any chance The Cecilia, of Cecilia's. She laughed that she was. We asked about her experience with Guy Fieri and she shook her head. "Whew! Our business was crazy after that! There were lines down the sidewalk." She talked about the struggles after the pandemic. "We can't get people to work," She looked at the now half empty dining room and said business was so much slower now. A Good Visit Even with spicy food and no bathroom options, we were glad we'd had a visit to the little cafe. It was a treat absorbing the atmosphere, with Cecilia's precious collections.  I wish we could go back and enjoy another meal. Cecilia might be able to suggest a milder dish for Don. But sadly, I looked up Cecilia's today. It looks like the cafe closed its doors, October 2024. Too many struggles, trying to keep the business running, since the pandemic. Sad.
But, I read that Cecilia may have a food truck somewhere! Maybe there will be a next time! Dining With Fast Food Aliens The majority of Dining Adventures in this blog, spotlight places Don and I discovered while traveling. Fast food places are way too predictable, so we've avoided them... until recently.  We were lured by Aliens in Roswell, New Mexico. We had to stop!  We stopped at not ONE, but TWO junk food chains! Breakfast Stop at McDonald's Over the years, we've spotted the golden arches in a few faraway places, like Paris and China. But recently we made a stop at a location, that was totally out of this world!  At least the building looked like it had come from outer space. The location in Roswell, is actually about 2 hours from the spot where a UFO (supposedly) landed in 1947! You know you're in Roswell, when you see street lamps with alien eyes! Flying Saucer Shape The McDonald's chain doesn't really do themes much. So it was kind of fun to make a stop at this mod structure to see what it was all about.  I'm not really sure how they came up with this design. The space ship shape was sort of hidden by the enormous glassed in play area. It looked a bit more like Houston's Space Center, than a McDonald's. Although I doubt there are aliens lurking near the Houston museum! Glowing! I snatched this photo from Google Maps so I could be reminded of what we missed, visiting during the day.  In the morning when we arrived, the shiny surfaces were reflecting sunlight. If we'd been traveling through at night, we could have enjoyed the changing colors outlining the building! Morning! But our 9:30 am visit was a treat just the same.  Look at the silver Alien overseeing the drive-thru line. He looks like he could use a few Big Macs. Glowing Aliens We stepped inside and I spotted a neon Alien near the food counter.   The floor was also glowing with some changing images that involved the Alien theme. What Part of the Galaxy are We From? After getting our food, we paused to donate a dollar.  The clever collection box made the act of donating to the Ronald McDonald House, very entertaining.  Well, sort of entertaining. The "galaxy locations" weren't all that creative. We just chose the state we're from and added a buck. The Kiddie Spaceship I don't believe I've ever taken a seat in the Kid Zone area, when I didn't have kids with me.  But we were all about the theme. We headed into the interior of the big spaceship, where the theme was happening. Astronauts We didn't dine with any aliens in the spaceship, but Ronald McDonald was suited up in his astronaut suit.
I had to look up the purple character in the Coke can. Grimace seemed to have his own spacesuit as well. Sharing With Friends On our way out, Don and I took turns posing with our Alien Friends.
I shared a Biscuit Sandwich with the weariest of the 2. Across the Street We headed towards the car, but I was quickly drawn to an even bigger Alien across the street.  Something tells me I'm not the first to pose with the Green Giant Alien. Quick Peek I didn't feel like I could travel on, without at least looking inside.
I wasn't totally impressed with the inside decor. Just a handful of inflatable aliens. Then I spotted some green donuts! Dessert! I don't often need to have dessert at breakfast, but my alien donut did the trick!  Green icing and green filling! Probably green teeth after I ate it! It tasted fine, but I'm not giving big bonus points for that alien drawing! Bottom Line: McDonald's wins the prize for Best Alien Themed Dining Adventure! Update in June 2025 It took us less than a year to return to Roswell's McDonald's, while on another road trip! I never thought we'd need a second experience, but we needed food. We stopped first at Roswell's Cowboy Cafe, and there was a long wait for a table.  So we headed back to McDonald's, which was more crowded than ever. And I got to share my drink with this alien. I'd say, both our expressions were similar, as we reacted to the chilly beverage!
Tucumcari Ranch Supply When Don and I travel, we're always game for odd and curious lunch stops. But we weren't just trying to please ourselves, when chose Watson's BBQ while on the road in New Mexico.  There were lots of words surrounding the cement block building, when we pulled up. "Where you get your butts rubbed and your pork pulled" Hmmm? With Family on Route 66 When we reached Tucumcari, we'd been on the road (in 2 cars) for 11 days, with our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Heidi and Jamie were excited about this cross country trip to their new home in Texas. But they were tired of making decisions.
They asked Don and me to plan the route and stops. Heidi said, "We want to travel like you guys. Take us where you'd go." So we took them to Tucumcari, on old Route 66. We turned off the Mother Road and found Watson's, a block away. All Good I'm not usually intimidated by signs with jumbled letters and questionable humor. But we were all weary travelers and we had a 2-year-old with us.  Don and I arrived first, so I ran inside to check the place out. I headed in, then popped out the side door (where a kitty cat greeted) and raced to the parking with my announcement. "Looks fun! Let's do it!" Charlie is Game Charlie wasn't at all intimidated by the appearance of the old Ranch Supply Store. She led the way to the door and paused to check out some of the cow figures.
Charlie approved. She would have been even more enthused, if she could have read that sign for "Cowtown Donuts".  cCharlie was also not a bit threatened by the golden bear, near a few dining tables. Those teeth and claws look pretty intense, but maybe she found courage by clutching her Baby Yoda and clamping down on her Paci. So Much to See There was so much fun stuff packed into that old building! I loved the music corner. There was even a sign inviting "Me" to play and a church pew for the audience!  Of all the signs at Watson's, I liked the one on the piano best. I wasn't really tempted to play, but I appreciated the invite! There could have just as easily been a sign saying, "Do Not Play". Since 1982 The piano wasn't for sale, but there was plenty to buy at Watson's Ranch Supply Store. It reminded me of a country general store, with everything from feed to western shirts.  It was nice to know we could stop, eat and shop at this Mom and Pop operation. Owners Johnny and Stella Watson, were busy at work when we entered. They first opened their store in 1982. The bbq (and donuts) came along later. Not For Sale There was plenty of stuff that wasn't for sale. A few displayed dolls and lots of license plates!  A trip to the restroom gave me a peek at a work space, that seemed to involve present wrapping. I think?  Some furry paws looked ready to pounce from above. BBQ in Back In the back corner of the store, we found the order window. surrounded by (once again) more signs and words!  The word WELCOME was the most noticeable of all the words. If we'd taken a seat at the cozy booth beneath the gun, we could have added names to the wall.  Actually, I doubt there was room for one more name. Food Options We studied the chalkboard for a bit.  There was also a display of food pictures, that showed even more options.  Along with BBQ pics, I spotted some donuts and some people. The crew that smokes the meat? Stella We were narrowing down food decisions, when Stella's head suddenly appeared in the window. She apologized for her brief disappearance. She'd been working the cash register in the store.
Stella asked if it was our first time, then happily gave us the lowdown. Time to Eat! The long table right in front of the window was open. We took seats and moments later, Johnny appeared with our food. Quick!  Johnny handed over our heavy plates, along with apologies. "Sorry about the heat in here. We're having some problems with our air-conditioner." We assured him we were fine. And we were. We weren't running around serving customers. Where's the Beef? What was I thinking when I snapped this food photo, with no meat in sight? You can see the big sugar cookie, slaw, macaroni salad and sauces.  Don ordered 2 meats, brisket and pulled pork. But his meat was hidden in foil, beneath his bread! Top 50 BBQ List! I don't have close up photos of the brisket or pulled port, but the mesquite smoked meat was pretty amazing.  Heidi and Jamie were especially impressed. They'd been excited about moving back to Texas, where they could once again enjoy amazing BBQ. But here we were eating mouthwatering BBQ at a Ranch store in New Mexico! Turns out Watson's BBQ is well known. It was ranked 35th (by Yelp) out of the top 50 BBQ places in the U.S.! First Brisket There were a lot of firsts for this 2-year-old on our road trip. Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, first ice cream cone even.  This was Charlie's first brisket and she approved. She especially liked the sauce. Good Folks As we ate our road trip dining feast, I absorbed some more of the nearby wall decor. I'm not sure about Bob, but I'm guessing he was a well-loved local, who possibly shared words of wisdom now and then.  I also absorbed a few nearby conversations. The Watsons may have been rushing to help with food orders and merchandise sales, but they managed to chat with customers, as if they had all the time in the world. It was clear that locals and travelers were welcomed with warmth and respect. What lovely people. Out Back After finishing up, I had to at least take a peek at the "dining yard" before we got on the road.  I was amused by all the rusty collections.  I could picture a group of Route 66 motorcycle riders, making use of the red picnic tables.  I wondered about the decorated wagon. Maybe used in an annual parade?  Cattle pens? Was that another whimsical sign, or do they sell pens for cattle? It's a ranch store after all.  I didn't peek in the outhouse to see if it was real.  I was so amused by the fun clutter that I forgot to even look to see where the meat smoking occurred! I did see some kind of grain dispenser that was not a decoration.  By the time I dashed around to the front parking lot, Charlie was ready to sit down and have another meal. She eventually said good-bye to the cows and we were off!  We headed back on the road feeling full and satisfied.
Nothing better than sharing a memorable dining adventure with family, while on the road! |
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
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