Mikeska's BBQ in Columbus, TX

Another Revisit!
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I'm on a roll! In a 3-day period, Don and I hit 2 memorable, Czech owned restaurants in 2 small, Texas towns. 

My last post was about Orsak's in Fayetteville. Both are curious places, with Czech family connections. 

My family connection is that I have good memories of visiting both with family. My mom, sister and I discovered both Orsak's and Mikeska's, 11 years ago. 

Columbus, TX

I had not been back to Mikeska's, until yesterday.  

It was before noon when Don and I approached the roadside wonder.  

No need to drive into historic downtown Columbus. The octagonal restaurant was conveniently located, right off the feeder, beside I-10...

... along with a windmill and a pump jack and a number of hard to miss signs.

Truck Parking
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We parked near the building, but there was a mighty big lot we could have used. 

Drive-Thru
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There were also drive-thru options. Jerry's original location didn't cater to the driving customers quite so easily. After doing business in downtown Columbus since 1956, he moved out near I-10 in 1986.

​The Grand Interior

Why would you want to pick up your BBQ from a window, when you could dine within 8 walls, beneath a skylight and a dangling, illuminated antler display?

And All Those Animals!
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Then of course, there are the critters that greet you when you walk in the door. Don marched up to get in line, but I moved slowly by the mounted creatures.

This Friend
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I'm not even sure what this beast is, but I remember him! He seemed very serious, but his "parted" horns kind of reminded me of my favorite, silly idol from childhood books. I loved Pippi Longstocking and her braids that curled upward! 

The large Pippi-Beast, shared one of the 8 walls with lots of birds, a few guns and a portrait of Jerry Mikeska. The long buffet table (used on Sundays) was partially blocking the gold, framed portrait of Jerry. 

It's a little hard to see Jerry's bowtie in my photo, but there were lots of other photos covering the walls. I didn't find an image of Mr. Jerry, when he wasn't wearing a snappy bowtie!

Photos of Jerry
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There might have been as many photos of Jerry as there were stuffed animals, on those walls. ​I think there were more than 200 animals.

There were photos of Jerry with presidents and governors, red-hatted ladies and gals in sparkly costumes. There were also photos of Jerry and his brothers.

The Bros

There were a few yellowed news articles that gave me some history on the Mikeska family. 

​Jerry's parents immigrated from Czechoslovakia through Galveston, in the late 1800's

Here is Jerry (in his tie) along with 3 of his 5 brothers. All 6 ended up in the BBQ biz. In our 20 years in Texas, we've pretty much heard the names of all... Rudy, Mike, Clem, Maurice, Louis and Jerry. They all worked in different towns, with different specialties. Jerry... he doesn't like garlic. That's what I learned.

Question Time

​After Don and I got our food, I looked up and saw no line. I wandered over to ask a few questions, but the guys in red, were all pretty young and not really up for chit chat.

I was tempted to ask if Mr. Jerry was in his office. I had read somewhere that he is in his 90's, but still comes into work. Instead I asked if Jerry was the hunter of all the wild game that was on display. "No, he's just a collector."  The young man did crack a smile when I asked what it was like to have all those eyes watching him work every day. He had no answer, but he laughed.

Bears 
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I noticed a few bears wearing some clothes. That reminded me, that something was missing. I remembered that when Jennifer and Mom and I came to dine, we were greeted by a pair of polar bears, one wearing a tie.

I went up and asked the young guy at the counter, what happened to the polar bears with the baskets. He said they were still around, they just weren't on display. Hmm? I missed those sweet bears, who held baskets of mints. I remember Mom was pretty amused and Jennifer held our Miss Copeless doll, in the photo. She happened to be the mascot, that traveled with us on our road trip.

Creepy?
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Maybe I should have been more bothered by all these eyes looking out towards the dining tables. Some looked a bit fierce and others, just silly... like the squirrel with the raccoon tail, or the rabbit with antlers. 

​Chowing on Meat

Maybe I would have enjoyed my pork ribs more, if I hadn't been surrounded by furry animals. I'm one of those people who really likes the sides more than the meat anyway. Maybe I should have ordered just sides. But, when in Rome...

This photo is not very appetizing, but my spinach and buttery-soft potatoes were yummy. The pea salad was packed with creamy calories and soft-sweet peas. My ribs were actually better as leftovers, when they were reheated at home... away from the gaze of animals.

Finishing Up

Don ordered the chopped beef sandwich, which was actually very good. No need for sauce.

We lingered a bit, absorbing the decor and wondering about the other diners, who all seemed to be regulars. I kept wishing Jerry would just walk out. 

No Signs of Jerry
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We never saw Jerry, but when I got home I dug out photos from 2008. What do you know! I spotted Jerry in his white shirt and black bowtie.

Mom

And I spotted Mom in another photo. There she sat, wearing her favorite knit hat, with llamas. In the image, she looks like she's studying an animal or two. 

The chairs have changed, but the tables look the same. I had to smile when I realized that Mom was sitting at the very same table where Don and I sat. 

Sweet memories of Mom enjoying our curious dining adventure. I'm glad to have shared another Mikeska's experience, with Don.