I have just had the onion rings of my life. OF MY LIFE. Actually, they came with Keith’s order (a side of beef, ground and shaped into something resembling a Goliath-burger). I wouldn’t have dared order onion rings for myself but what you eat off somebody else’s plate is cancelled out calorically by the exertion you use to reach across the table. No brainer.
Actually I didn’t want to stop and eat. I was anxious to get on home to AJ and the babies and just wanted to get something to-go and eat it in the truck. Keith said, “Lizabeth, there’s some kind of award-winning little cafe in Junction that I been dying to try ever since we got some land this direction. Whataya say we get a bite there?” I pouted half a second then felt my stomach growl. “Are you sure you’re not talking about a barbeque joint? Junction can do some barbeque. For the life of me, Honey, I’m trying to picture an award-winning cafe there.” He swore (not the bad-language kind) and declared. Even knew what side of the road it was on.
Lo and behold. We pulled up in a diagonal parking space outside a restaurant called “Isaacks” (hear that really loud. It was a Texas-size sign. One of our Siestas, Holly, just reminded me of the best part of the signage: underneath the name in bold letters is “Air-conditioned.” A make-or-breaker in Texas.) Clearly the restaurant has been there since Abraham courted Sarai and probably wooed her right there at the soda bar. That was before the Law when Abraham didn’t have to worry about kosher. Because I don’t think it’s kosher. I don’t know for sure. You can bet your last dollar it still has its original charm though. I didn’t see a single sign of a remodel in at least 50 years. Why fix somethin’ that ain’t broke? That’s what my Papaw used to ask.
Sho –nuff. (Also my Papaw) Right there at the check-out counter hanging just above the jumbo jar of super bubble was the plaque: “Texas Monthly: The 40 Best Small-town Cafes 2008.” I was beside myself. I do love me some culture about better than anybody you know. I knew we were in for a treat.
“Help yourself,” chirped Miss Helen, waving us to any spot we liked. She’s been waiting tables there since 1967. Yes, of course, I asked. Are you kidding me? You know how much I love all manner of women. And I’ve just got to say, the woman could still wear a mean pair of blue jeans. I told her so. Even tucked in her shirt. She was sassy. It was one of those kinds of restaurants with a lot of taxidermy on the wall. I wouldn’t have been a big surprised if Miss Helen shot ‘em and stuffed ‘em herself.
She handed us a couple of large, tri-fold menus with the heavy clear plastic covers so the proprietor can change out the menu when he has a special. Only I don’t think they’ve done much changing-out in a while. But let me be clear: some things don’t need changing.
Like Isaacks.
I got the Mexican dinner. Miss Helen said they made their chili gravy from scratch. That did it. I slapped the thing shut and handed it back like a woman who knew what she wanted. Keith first had a mind to get chicken fried chicken since Miss Helen told us it was one of the local favorites. I couldn’t have been happier. Knew I’d get to share. Then at the very last split-second, he threw a curve ball. “The hamburger and the onion rings.” Miss Helen jotted it down, nodded, and scurried into the kitchen for a refill of tea.
I was baffled. “You got a hamburger?”
“Yep.”
“Instead of their famous chicken fried chicken?”
“Yep.”
“Are you out of your mind? Or watching your figure?”
“They batter their own onion rings here. Homemade it says.”
And I am telling you as I live and breathe that, fifteen minutes later when Miss Helen emerged from the kitchen, it was like a beam of light from Heaven shone all around that 9-inch-high plate of golden battered, deep-fried onion rings. It was a sight to behold. I nearly put my hand over my heart. I think my eyes watered. Never, I said N-E-V-E-R, IN ALL MY LIFE have I ever tasted an onion ring that good.
The onion rings of my life.
I’ll be dadgum.
Surely you don’t think that could wait till I get home.
Come on and tell me the best kept little café-secret in your neck of the woods. Keith and I are road warriors, remember? We go WAY out of our way for a darn good meal.
OH. I LOVE onion rings!!
ok, so if you make it to Baltimore, you must venture into Little Italy and have a Canoli at Vaccaro’s.
it is my “they will surely serve this in heaven” food.
Is “dadgum” a word?!? LOL! What did that do to your spellcheck??
I dont live in Texas anymore but for your sake and because I wish sometimes I still did, I will recommend the shack in Edom Tx. Great food and cute shops near by. However, if you ever get to Mississippi you have to try Leatha’s BBq. She use to be Out of the way but shut down a few years ago then moved to the “big city” of Hattiesburg. It really is the best bbq Ive ever eaten and I am a Texas girl. Get the pork ribs and coleslaw.
BETHMOORE! Oh I hope you actually read this –
We have a tradition that after the last session of a Beth Moore study, we get together for dinner the next week on that same day.
Well, we just finished the Esther study last week, so tonight we went out to dinner. Only four of us could make it, but here’s the coolest part…
When we ordered, I ordered chicken parm, the lady next to me ordered eggplant. When the one across from her ordered chicken parm, and the fourth had said earlier that she intended to order eggplant, she looked at me and exclaimed – WE’RE CHIASTIC!!
The waitress snickered at us, but knew what we meant because she said, “well, I guess I don’t have to ask you what you want.”
Then a little while later we noticed that our clothes were chiastic also – two in black and two in floral print.
Chiastic dinner after Esther, what a God moment!!
That was a fantastic study.
Thanks Beth!
Dixie Barbeque in Jonesboro, Illinois. That’s the place where pigs have willingly laid down their lives for the pleasure of spending their last moment on earth swimming in their homemade sauce. Their slaw is the best and I must say they’ve got a mean onion ring goin’ on. Everytime I visit back home, that’s where I insist on going. Bless the Lord and pass the sauce!!
Redeemed,
You crack me up. When you said those fried green tomatoes make you want to “slap your grandma,” I about died.
When we lived in AR. we invited our music minister and his family over for an Italian feast. He’s a minister in MS now. He kept saying “this lasagna’s so good,it makes you want to slap your grandma.” I mean he said it all night.
I thought I’d heard it all growing-up in WV, but that was new for me and my hubby. You just brought back some wonderful memories.
Thanks girl!
Country Boys Barbeque in a tiny town in Washington state called Cashmere. The BEST barbeque I have ever had, and it even has a bronze pig outside in the front. Good cornbread, too. But one caution: their fries aren’t fries at all, but actually homemade potato chips. They call them fries, heaven only knows why, but they are clearly chips–and you get a big pile of them.
The original family-owned-and-
operated Johnny’s Lunch is located in Jamestown, NY, in the southwestern corner of the state. While you can buy other items to eat there, its specialty is Johnny’s hots–hot dogs liberally spread with a super-secret, much-loved sauce whose recipe is over 70 years old. Johnny’s is now being franchised in the Midwest, and plans are afoot for covering the country with over 1000 of these diners. You heard it here first!
I’ve got half a mind to make a list of these wonderful places to eat and go on a diner-to-diner road trip across the U.S.!
Jan in Bemus Point, NY
If you ever find yourself in Dayton, Texas stop by the Branding Iron. They have the best fried green tomatoes and the best onion rings, chicken fried chicken and chicken fried steak. It’s only about 45 minutes from your area of town. Try it.
Also, Humble City Cafe in Humble, Texas. Food is good, but it’s worth the drive to catch the owner there. He will sing a good old Baptist hymnal song and God Bless America for you. Love the man.
My husband and I would rather eat at a diner than any 4 or 5 star restaurant. PERIOD.
Our personal favorite is the Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas. You cannot go wrong with a restaurant that has been in business since 1933. Mile high meringue pies, cream gravy that would make a leather shoe taste good, and bottomless coffee and iced tea. Heaven.
“596 friendly people and one old sorehead” is about the funniest thing I’ve ever read.
My favorite breakfast place is The Burning Bush in Gatlinburg, TN. The breakfast smoothie is to die for.
And my favorite lunch place is in Columbia, SC. Carolina Cafe and Catering. Their bagels are amazing, and they have a sweet and spicy mustard that will make you want to push your granny in the fire.
And you can’t go wrong eating anywhere in Charleston, SC. So long as they have hush puppies.
Calvin’s -downtown Augusta Georgia has the best all-you-can-eat Southern fixins and all for 5 dollars. I almost cried over the love that God must have for me while eating there.
Well… I’m a little late reading the blog…. so I noticed that Leslie beat me to the punch with R.V.’s and the Lunch Box in Gilbert. Believe everything she says… it’s true!
I believe my 17-year-old son would give the Lunch Box 10 stars out of 5 for their hamburgers. He says, they’re the best hamburgers any where (trust him… he eats them wherever he goes).
You can’t get much better than the catfish at R.V.’s!
The best eatin’s North of the Mason/Dixen Line is my house. My beloved makes the best, I am talking about THE BEST ribs any where any time… doors always open.
Beth, I second the recommendation for the Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, TX. All i have to say is – PIE, PIE, PIE! Love you sis!
That was great! There is a place in Jacksonville, AL called “The Rocket” It’s the best barbecue I have ever had. You can also get 2 big cheeseburgers and fries for like $5.00. My family loves it!
If you like “country cookin'”, here in Zebulon, NC you might want to stop on by McLean’s on Gannon Avenue. They have the best Chocholate Cream pie you have ever put in your mouth! Yes, it is topped with whip cream and bits of shaved chocolate to top it off and the crust? Yum, Yum.
Renee
NC
It’s not in my neck of the woods but rather in the neck of the woods where my husband grew up. “The Bean Barn” in Greeneville, TN! It was even featured in Southern Living Magazine a few years back. They have a very small menu: burgers, beans and cornbread, and beef stew with sweet tea that is to die for. A few odd, assorted tables and booths are crammed in amongst all sorts of antique boxes, bottles and signs. My kids love to go there – they eat those cheeseburgers and crinkle fries like there is no tomorrow!
the best barbecue EVER.
“Joe Cotton’s Bar B Q”
we’ve been going there since i was a kid…
(lots of famous people haven eaten there.)
in Robstown, outside of Corpus Christi, TX.
Worth the short detour if you are ever on your way to Padre Island.
They serve brisket, sausage, bread, onions and pickles all on big sheets of wax paper.
no plates!
(the beans are in a bowl:)
and for some reason my favorite part is the crock of spreadable cheddar and crackers they bring out first?!
i crave it and i live WAY too far from it all:)
looks like you will need some kind of handbook or guide to keep track of all these places to try.
yum!
The Bean Pot Restaurant, exit 322 off of I-40 in Crossville, TN. We just camped there this weekend, but we’re familiar with the area and still had never eaten there before. We drove up and my husband said, “You want to eat at a gas station?!” because the restaurant is housed within a convenience store. The food was great, the service was good, and our kids loved looking around inside the place. Definitely has some character!
The Bean Pot Restaurant, exit 322 off of I-40 in Crossville, TN. We drove up and my husband said, “You want to eat at a gas station?!” because the restaurant is housed within a convenience store. The food was great, the service was good, and our kids loved looking around inside the place. Definitely has some character!
well….it’s not a little road side cafe, but the onion rings at the Varsity in downtown Atlanta are absolutely worth the calories. And you can visit Melissa too……
I love this story!!! I L-O-V-E me some good ONION RINGS!! I usually only order them at little diners, like the one you mentioned, becuase they are sooo much better and BIGGER than the fast food joint onion rings.. but I do get soo excited when I recieve my french fry from Burger King and there is one or two little onion rings “accidently” hinden in my fries. Accideently.. maybe but I believe they are a gift from God himself!! J/K
I oh so appreciate your story telling Beth!! My dad is an excellent story teller .. and loves a good onion ring too!! I’m forwarding your story to him right now!!
Oh and to answer your question.. one of my favorite burger joints is Omega Burger in Bellflower, California. It’s a small Mom and Pop resturant in a not SO nice area of town but everyone is like family in there and they have the BEST charboiled burgers.. yunmmy!!
With Love,
jaNell Adams
Long Beach, CA
I really hope that I don’t offend anyone one here, but I am sure I will… If you want real bar-b-que you need to be in Tennessee. There is a stretch on highway 100 right outside Henderson (not Hendersonville, mind you) that is known as the bar-b-que capitol of the world. If you don’t have a gps and are afraid of getting off the ‘beaten trail’ then go to Martin’s bbq in Nolensville, TN (right outside Nashville). Pat (Martin) was trained by the old gentlemen that work on hwy 100. You will have some great food and Pat himself is an old soul that you could spend hours on end listening to. The redneck taco was written up recently in a food mag. Tell him Holly sent you!!
Beth, you need to come on up to north Texas and join us for dinner at Babe’s in Sanger (just a bit north of Dallas….actually, it’s probably closer to Oklahoma than Dallas, but who wants to split hairs?) Talk about COMFORT FOOD — chicken fried steak, fried catfish, creamed corn or mashed potatoes just like your Grandma would make, and of course, the official drink of Texas — sweet tea. They also have made-from-scratch biscuits that you can smother with sorghum syrup — who needs dessert? But if you do leave room for it (we never do!), there are plenty of homemade pies to choose from. Come on up and we’ll treat you for dinner!
Love you, Sistah!
Lisa
If you have not been to THE Varsity while visiting Melissa and Colin in Atlanta, it is a must do!! I mean sure the dogs and “rangs” (as in onion rings) are gut bombs but once in a while you have to forsake those calories and go for it! Let us know when you decide to indulge next time you’re on this side of the map and I’m sure some of us siestas will meet you there!! 🙂
Beth I don’t know when you’ll make it to NEPA (Northeastern PA)but right off of I81, before you get to Wilkes-Barre (“Wooks-Bear” if you’re a local)there’s a little town called Nuangola (named after an Indian Princess)where my folks have set up shop. They make THE BEST pork barbeque sandwich, the traditional coal-cracker sandwich from the days when anthracite was mined here. Nothing like a pork bbq and a chocolate milk to satisfy the hungry workers! Lean tender pork sliced thin and served on a lightly toasted soft roll with a special blend (secret) homemade relish. No bbq sauce! I know you Southerners don’t get it, nor do our neighbors from the city (that’s NYC) but this pork has no red sauce – it’s that sweet and tangy relish that makes it special. When you get to town just ask for ‘Porky Paluck’s All Natural Pork Barbeque.’ It’s a small town, we’re between the lake and the firehall, you’ll find us!
Nana’s Kitchen is in the Rocky Creek Store at the corner of FM 1948 and Longpoint…technically Burton, Texas, but 5 minutes off HWY 36 NW of Brenham…turn just before Somerville on FM 1948…Our cabin for Somervlle Lake is behind the store…as close as you can get to Rocky Creek Park…Friday nights, Nana makes great all you can eat fried catfish with the most wonderful from scratch hushpuppies. The other days her onion rings also from scratch with her BLT or hamburgers are hard to beat. (forget going Mon, Tues..not cooking those days.) You can also take FM 1948 from 290 near Burton.
Two places we’ve lived, poles apart (and that’s not far from the truth!)have THE BEST in two categories. First is the Hilltop Motel in L’Anse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, for the most INCREDIBLE cinnamon rolls on the planet, dinner-plate sized. You always had to take orders when anyone learned you were going through L’Anse. Much as I hated the 250 inches of snow a year on our front walk, I dearly loved those cinnamon rolls. Second is anything on the menu at Rancho de Tia Rosa, just down the street from us here in Mesa, Arizona, though the salmon tacos with mango salsa are my particular favorite. You can’t walk away without buying a pint of their green salsa, either. And totally off the subject, Beth, as a missionary mom,I want to write you a letter about your encouraging and God-breathed devotional “Voices of the Faithful.” Dear Sister, how I’d love to share with you the experience I had last year in Thailand, helping with child care for one of our “kids'” “company” conferences, surrounded by 180 m-s from all over the world singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” in Chinese. I still cry when I think of those lives that proved the truth of that song!
Beth when you come to Pittsburgh in June you should bring Keith and the two of you drive 2 hours south to a little called Bridgeport WV. There you will find two wonderful family restaurants, Gourmet Cafe with their delicious Hoagies the steak, chicken, meatballs, or sausage with home made peppers melt in your mouth. They also have many other items like the steak Giovanni, woah!!! There is also The Parkette it is a mom and pop’s place now run by the children. they have the most out of this world onion rings made right there on the premises. Yummy You would be in for a treat.
I graduated from Mississippi State University in December, and during my two-and-a-half-year stint there, I indulged in some really great food (which is why I am now dieting in preparation for my upcoming wedding.) Anyhow, allow me to let you in on the absolute best of Starkville, MS.
1. The Little Dooey. Odd name, for sure, but the barbecue is INSANE. The meat is juicy and tender on its own, but the sauce – you’ll want to drink the sauce. Seriously. Coupled with delicious side dishes like homemade corn salad (my personal favorite) and amazing garlic toast, let’s just say you won’t be disappointed, my friends.
2. Stromboli’s. A local Italian eatery that, from the outside, looks like a place women should not be alone. A shack, if you will. But the inside holds the most amazing pizza, calzones, and of course, stromboli, known to man. We have an Old Venice pizza company in Starkville as well. It is located in downtown Starkville on a well-lit and amiable-looking street, all safe and clean. Good food. Good service. But to me, there is no contest. Give me the scary shack with the chef that’s behind the counter cracking jokes and the booths covered in crayon mark-autographs of customers past and present attesting to the goodness that is Stromboli’s.
Oddly enough, you can also write on the walls at Little Dooey. Maybe I love both places so much because I can embrace my inner graffiti artist while stuffing my face.
thankfully I was not discouraged when your telephone operator hung up on me. I prayed my ministry would continue and God has Blessed the coverage. The Lord works in mysterious ways…wish you could have participated with me.
Bill in New Jersey
in Highland Park, Dallas, TX there is a drug store that serves grilled pate sandwiches.
Amazing stuff.
Beth –
I know you like Jackson Hole. Have you ever been to “Jedediah’s House of Sourdough”? BEST pancakes ever!! Although not much of a secret. Usually have to wait to get in, but it’s worth it!
The Boat House in Northwest Austin has the best fried geen tomamtoes you’ll ever eat. It’s nothing fancy, but wonderful unheathy food! 🙂
amber
I am SO in love with this post! It sounds so homey! (and I am from the same small town that you are from, Beth!) So now…if you are ever traveling through Asheville, N C…drive just a little south to Papa’s and Beer! They have the BEST Mexican food you have ever eaten! And I learned to love Mexican food in New Mexico AND Tex Mex in Texas. This really is the best and gets all kinds of awards and great reviews! Love your blog!
Somewhere on the trip between Houston, Texas and Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Land of Enchantment is a hole in the wall, taxidermy galore, dimly lit (on purpose so you can’t see the. . . well, we don’t have to go there) restaurant in Carizozo New Mexico, just 30 miles north of Ruidoso called the Outpost. You would NEVER chose the Outpost by its outward appearance and would probably never enter at all if you opened the door and attempted to peer inside because it is so dark that you aren’t sure if it is safe or not. I just know that everyone that has ever eaten at the Outpost went there because it was recommended to to them, but no matter what day of the week you go there, or what time of the day you go, there are always “normal” looking folks, along with the “other” folks eating at the Outpost because they have the absolute best green chili cheese burgers known to man. We live in Ruidoso because we are loved by God, but once a month we exchange that “certain look” with each other and just know that it is time to make the drive off this mountain down to Carizozo and have a green chili cheese burger at the Outpost. There is none like it and, like I mentioned earlier, it IS on the way (sorta) between Houston and Jackson!
If you ever visit Florence, Alabama, you must go to Newburn’s for fried catfish. It’s the best ever. It’s run by great Christian people who know how to cook fish. And they have pictures of Jesus and scripture on the wall! Love it!
If you’re ever at the Jersey Shore in the summertime, I’ll treat you to Holiday Snack Bar – been specializing in burgers since 1948. You sit at a counter around the perimeter and in the center are all the homemade cakes and pies daring you to have dessert. Prices are still reasonable (cash only) and adding to the charm is the fact that you have to walk outside and around back to use the restrooms! My usual is a Slamburger (onion rings are right on the burger!) and an ice cream sandwich made with huge homemade chocolate chip cookies!
Eleanor in Vero Beach, FL
(Yes, I still drive all the way to Jersey to go to the HSB!)
McKenzie’s BBQ and Burgers, in Conroe, is fantastic! Delicious! Incredible! There are not enough adjectives to describe this place! Google it and read some reviews. It has also been noted in Texas Monthly. Not too far from Houston, especially if you are going out to the lake. They have been voted best barbeque in Montgomery county 8 years in a row! http://www.mckenziesbarbeque.com
It’s owned by a precious Christian couple. They play KSBJ all of the time.
Oh, and next door is another darling Christian family who run Montgomery Bakehouse. Delicious desserts!
Stefanina’s in Wentzville or O’Fallon, MO – two locations. Family owned and operated. Italian Food. Love it all – pizza, pasta con broccoli, whatever! And I miss it, too.. cuz I live in Indianapolis now.
And Miss Beth – you have GOT to be the funniest woman on the planet. I thank God for you!!
Linda
I just finished Esther with two groups of ladies and loved it! But, I would prefer to do another study with the siestas this summer. I know that you can’t please everyone 🙂 and if you decide on Esther, I will participate.
Last summer, through the LPM blog, I met some great siestas in my state and have remained close friends. Thanks for the opportunity to get to know the LPM family, also!
Cheri
If you're ever in Texas driving on Ranch Road 470 between Bandera and Utopia (yes, Utopia) you MUST stop in Tarpley and eat at Mac & Ernie's. AH-mazing. My parents live in Utopia and every time we visit we HAVE to eat there at least once. I dream of it all the way from Goldsboro, NC.
I want me some onion rings NOW! I love Royers Round Top Cafe. Betcha you’ve been there!
i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Phil.4:13
burgers and billiards in graham, texas. the waitress (named Bucket) knows everybody’s name, they make their own killer chiplote sauce and sell it in bottles for 2.50. their burgers are the best i’ve ever tasted. there are pool tables there and a sign posted on the cash register that says: I hear that whenever Bucket isn’t here, some of you have been fighting and cussing. I expect you to to be a good character for your age group.
This place is priceless in every way.
i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. phil.4:13
NIV
Fran Kidwell
Winters, Texas
And for dessert…
A place called Wentworths, Route 10 Hamden CT. Best, and I mean the best homemade ice cream and hot fudge, esp. the Mounds ice cream!! I am in KY with the military, but every time we go back to CT, we are there. Yet, about 2 years ago, some Christians bought the small shop and they do not open on Sunday. did you think they went out of business, nope, they are still going strong, even without the Sunday revenue. Glory to God
Suzanne E’town ky
You know, I may just have to print out this whole blog/ comments and staple it into my Rand McNally!!
Beth,
Junction is a small town, for sure, and the population doesn’t change much over the years. But it’s about to change by an additional 2, my husband and me! We know about Isaak’s and the onion rings. Yum. When we get settled down there, maybe we’ll catch you cruising thru the next time you’re on your way home from your ranch.
I’ve written something on my blog regarding the upcomng move, my recent “nose job” and Esther. I wish you’d read it and see what God is doing in me as a result of studying the Word under your guidance. I can’t wait to find out what BEAUTIFUL work God has in store for us in Junction!