Underwood Cafeteria

​
​Brownwood, Texas

Two years ago, Don and I drove through Brownwood, Texas and spotted this fine sign with an apron wearing cowboy and his bell. Check out the pant legs.
​
The sign was good enough all by itself, but it was connected to a family owned cafeteria. I have always wanted to add an iconic cafeteria to my list of dining adventures!

​Too bad we had just eaten lunch. 

Back in Brownwood
​

We had to go out of our way on another road trip to make sure we hit this one for a meal. It was a Sunday around noon, which was asking for trouble, with the after church crowd.

The bigger, orange sign pushed the smoked barb-b-q and Mama Underwood's fried chicken.

​I was hungry.

Follow the Cowboys
​

We parked in the full lot and followed a few cowboy hats inside.  

1946
​

This popular business began in the depression, when M.E. Underwood needed to find a better way to feed his family with 6 sons. He opened this take-home barb-b-q stand after first selling from the house. The Underwoods had a couple more sons and before long 30 dining rooms in Texas. The one we visited is the only one left.

Sunday Feast
​

Don and I immediately fell into line and began trying to figure out how this worked. It wasn't the cafeteria of my childhood, where you pay for each item. I was hoping the line would move slowly so I could decide, but the regulars wasted no time and kept things moving.

I snapped a few pics while I studied the wooden signs.  The woman behind me laughed. "First time?" Turns out it was her first time, too. 

We weren't the only out-of-towners.

"Always a Hot Plate at Underwoods"
​

They seemed to have plenty of those hot plates stacked up. But at one point the line halted when the supply of side bowls ran out. We only had a  couple minutes of tension, until some clean bowls were delivered. Whew!

Decision Made
​

It was time to decide. I ordered  a plate of Mama Underwood's fried chicken with all the sides, cobbler and iced tea I could handle, for $10.99. 

Barb-B-Q Ribs
​

Don went for the barb-b-q spare rib dinner, because someone had to order the well loved food that started the business. 

The Staff
​

The staff was friendly and efficient. I didn't want to slow things down by asking too many questions, but now I'm wondering if this chipper woman could be part of the Underwood family. The business is owned today by two of M.E. Underwoods grandsons.

Sides
​

I'm one of those people who likes the sides more than the meat.  I was glad the side bowls arrived so I could serve myself and fill them up with mashed potatoes and orange-y potato salad, coleslaw, corn, beans...

​Almost to the Good Stuff
​

Don juggled the silverware, while I loaded more food on my plate. I did not plan on leaving any empty spaces on my tray, like him.

Cobbler
​

A new tray of peach cobbler arrive just as I got ready to scoop. I asked the young man, which was best.  He said the cherry and and apple were his favorites, so I had one of each.

"Yum"
​

I just had to take a photo of the steaming hot rolls. After I snapped, a man that I'm guessing was an Underwood, laughed. "Caption: Yum!" He suggested.

​So I did.

My Full Tray
​

I'm almost a foot shorter than Don, so sometimes I need some extra food to help me grow. We unloaded our trays and dug in. (I made him carry one of my cobblers, to look less pig-ish)

Good-Bye
​

We feasted in the first of the 3 dining rooms. It was very entertaining watching the families file in, carrying their trays, loaded with dishes.  I was tempted to take a picture of couple in Sunday Best, studying their plates below a rifle on the wall. I've never seen such serious diners. I only braved one quick shot on my way out. It wasn't until I zoomed in later that I saw my "first timer" friend from the line.  She had spotted me with my cell phone and  stood to give me a thumbs up.