The Flying Cow in Richmond, TX

Lured by the Sign

I must admit, I've been lured by many a sign, towards a dining adventure. Usually it's something a little more exciting, like a vintage neon sign.

But this sign definitely caught my eye, last March. I love cows and this sign showed me a cow, in a spaceship! 

Lots of Signs!

I followed!

I headed down Agnes Road past some lounging cows!

It said "Keep Going" beneath the arrow. I did as told.

​Where was this road going? 

After cow pastures, I suddenly spotted an RV park. Not a particularly attractive one. Then I saw some trucks and a building.

I spotted this building and I said. "Nope." I was on my way to a garden nursery, less than 10 miles from home. I had just followed the sign because I was curious. I wasn't hungry. This building by the RV Park did not lure me.

Back Again

​But I returned. This time I was with Don and we both were hungry.

The metal building looked huge. Where was the entrance?

We passed picnic tables and eventually found the door.

Don does not look thrilled in this photo. But he was actually pretty game.

First to Arrive

We arrived right after the burger restaurant opened.

Don and I both grinned. The place was huge and open and spotlessly clean.

What was the story about this burger barn with a cow theme?

More Signs

​The cow signs lured me initially. Now some important signs informed me. As we read the menu, a very nice young guy walked out from the kitchen area.

He had some explaining to do. Although there was a video playing nearby, that told us about our robot service.

Tap. Pour. Enjoy!

​The nice young guy took our order, but also made sure we noticed the self serve drink options.

We could serve ourselves some IPA if we wanted! But it was just after 11. A little early for that.

Shopping

We could also do some grocery shopping while we waited. 

There was a case of WAGYU sausages and freezers full of all kinds of beef.

If we got a little confused, we could just read one more sign, next to the freezer case.

Wodagyu Beef

I read that the beef was processed by master butchers and vacuum sealed. I could see that.

I read that the cows (that become the beef) roam freely on land and are given happy, stress free lives. I like that. Then I learned that Wodagyu cattle have the same genetics as the infamous Kobe beef raised in Japan. Then I tried not to look at that sweet image... with big cow eyes.

Seating

Don and I had the pick of the place, for seating. We could have taken a seat on an orange stool, by a cow shaped sign, with stuff to teach.

I could have learned from that labeled cow. I've seen images like this before, but I never tried to absorb the info. Where's the shank, or the flank located? I should know now, but I didn't want to remind myself.

I Love Cows

I really should be a vegetarian, because I love cows. I don't like to be reminded of where my burger meat comes from.  

So I studied the cow "art" that was cartoonish and whimsical. Look at that cow go! He's heading off in his flying saucer!

We took a seat not far from the neon cow, in his burger shaped flying saucer!

Buzzer Placement

​We were given a buzzer. That's nothing new.

But we had to make sure we placed our buzzer properly on our table corner.

Water Closet

Then I raced off to wash hands. Mostly I was lured by the bathroom sign with figures and a WC. This Texas barn restaurant wasn't where I'd expect to see the Water Closet term.

During my little hike back to the restroom, I passed about a million mailboxes. What was this all about? The RV park? I think there were showers somewhere too? This is one fancy RV Park restaurant, I guess!

Waiting Patiently

​I happily sipped from my Flying Cow paper cup, while we waited for food delivery.

I was getting very excited!

Delivery by Robot!

​Then I spotted our robot. I was fairly giddy!

While "You're So vain" played on the sound system, the glowing robot moved towards our buzzer.

"Food Is Here" blinked on the top. Another cartoonish cow, (standing on a burger) reminded us "Best Burgers in the Galaxy" from the decorated side.

Lunch for Two

If we'd been dining with a family of 6, it would have been a lot more fun.

Then all the trays would have been filled with orders! And the kiddos would have been squealing with delight. I had to do that part myself.

Yum!

Our order took up the top tray. Cheeseburgers, fries and some brisket tacos to take home with us. But before we got the food on the table, the sweet guy from the kitchen came running out and admitted he put the wrong food on the robot tray.

Human error. That's okay. The food was mighty good and more diners had arrived, so we had some good people watching while we ate. I kind of liked the music that filled the place, too!

Fun Time

We left happy. We headed out and wandered to our car, looking out towards the RVs.

If our young man from the kitchen hadn't been so busy, I would have asked about how this whole place got started!

Sweet Cows

I felt a little guilty as we passed the cows on our way out.

I didn't stress over my guilt too long. I spotted something interesting far beyond the cows. A roof...

Booth Public School

Don and I passed the cows and headed down FM 2759 and made a turned down Booth Road.

This school from 1912, just sat there in a field of wildflowers... as pretty as you please.

I looked behind the school and saw the cows we passed and thought, what an odd little adventure! We live just 5 or so miles from this school (for 25 years) and never knew it existed. We didn't know there were fields and cows and a Flying Cow burger restaurant over here either!

I'd say that was the best little close-to-home-dining-adventure I've ever had!
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UPDATE!

Flying Cow was not a one-hit-wonder! We've been back! Just as I guessed, it was twice the fun with a child. Our granddaughter had a mighty fine time with the Robot and the she much approved of the Mac-n-Cheese!

And it's always good fun to tease your grandparents and make them think you fell asleep while eating!

Good Times at Flying Cow!
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