Whistle Stop Cafe in Decataur, TX

Appealing Signs
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How could Don and I resist this little stone cafe? The neon window signs announced   "chili" and "Apple Pie"
​and the big red cafe sign had the best name! 

 
A Cafe and More
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​Don and I were headed on Highway 81, towards Colorado. We were actually keeping our eyes peeled for a "petrified gas station" that we'd read about.

I was eager to see the old wooden station that had been covered with a mosaic of petrified wood, years ago. It was a nice surprise to find a cluster of roadside buildings, beside the petrified Texaco station.

Lunchtime
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The cafe was crowded with locals at 11:45 on a Monday.  We waited a few minutes before a table opened.

Decor
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Once seated, I peeked at the menu, but spent a little more time peeking at the decor surrounding our table. Ruffly curtains and framed photos... and quite a nifty clock collection!

The People
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Don and I stood out in the crowd.  We were the only ones who bothered to look at the menu. One server welcomed her granddaughter and teased her son.  A man in a cowboy hat leaned over and talked to another table. I sort of felt like we'd crashed a private party.

​Daily Special
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It seemed like one of us should go for the daily special, so I got the chicken fried chicken, with salad, beans, mashed taters and salad.  The salad was oddly shredded.

The beans were sort of tasty with ham.  The potatoes were bland and the chicken...well? We'd been talking a lot about petrified wood.  Maybe that's why the only word that came to my mind when I took a bite, was the word, petrified. I'm not usually so negative. But Don's tunafish sandwich was good!

The Memorable Part
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I was sad the food hadn't been better.  I was disappointed that we hadn't been able to chat with any of the staff for more cafe history.  (It opened in 1927. That's all I learned) But I will never forget the wonderful petrified gas station and Motor Camp that stood nearby.  What a hoot!