Top 5: Road Trip Worth Texas Foods

What would you drive a day for? What food would entice you so much that you'd spend nearly $200 in gas to get? Well, that's what this is about.

[Note: While usually this article is a Top 8, the subjective nature of this article limits it to a simpler 5.]

Honorable Mention: Water Street Oyster Bar, Corpus Christi. Yeah, this place is perhaps the most over-rated on this list. Why is it still present? The seafood, when it's on, is that good. Had some killer mahi mahi a few years ago. The decor is quite nice as well.

5. Texas Barbecue, Small-town, Texas - That's right, you can only find this in small towns. Unless you crash some good ol' boys 'cue on the weekend. The pit is on the side or out back, cords of wood stacked up and visible, and the old ladies behind the counter don't give a shit about your fancy suit or iPhone. Best joint ever? Mount Zion in Huntsville, Texas. All you can eat lunch and service that will leave a smile tattooed on your face. And Dad, it ain't pulled, so you can order with confidence.

4. Mata's Cafe, Florsville, Texas - It's the smallest of Mexican food joints, but I've never left there feeling hungry or dissatisfied. Having them on speed dial is a testament to the tastiness of their food. While this isn't the only Mexican joint in town (there are four within two blocks of this place, a total of eight just within city limits), they offer great service and tasty food (namely, the food is awesome, the tortillas hot and tender, the tea cool, sweat and flavorful, and quick and personable service). But, what anyone has to understand is that the small hovel-looking Mexican joints are perhaps the best ones. Following my religious needs, if the Mexican joint ain't got a visible picture of Mary, you need to keep looking. If you have to ask, then you wouldn't understand. Sorry, that's how it is.

3. Blue Bell Ice Cream, Brenham, Texas - A lot of folks really go for Ben & Jerry's. I will admit they do it up really nice. Folks down here though, we are bred on that metallic rimmed container holding the frozen loveliness. The slogan is/was "We eat all we can, and sell the rest." It's not just a slogan; it's the real deal. Growing up in high school, we'd play cards and with the winnings buy ice cream for $.25 a pop; easy way to impress that cute girl (unless you lost). To this day, "We serve Blue Bell Ice Cream" always wins out. HEB's Creamy Creations is simply a distance second.

2. What-A-Burger, Corpus Christi, Texas - While you can find this chain in a great many towns across our nice state, it all started in the little town on the coast. The burgers are made the old fashioned fast food way, and served in pretty much the same fashion. A lot of small Mom & Pop joints do the same thing, perhaps a bit cheaper. Why here at #2? Because I can get Mom & Pop's goodness in over 700 locations across the southern United States.

1. Chicken fried steak, Non major chain, Texas - Read the previous article about my dad. It's just that good. Best ever? Growing up, it was K-Bob's in Brenham, Texas (no longer there). Currently, it's a tie between two local joints, but there's a plenty out there.

Well, that concludes the top. You probably have something to say about it. I welcome it.

Cheers,

Mert

20 Hours for CFS

What makes for road trip worthy food? How far would you drive?

A good time and all, I really enjoyed having my dad down for a few days. He got to finally meet his second grandson and reestablish with his first grandson and his son and daughter-in-law. Got to meet stepmom; she's a lovely person. Both got to see how much of a baller I am in this one-horse town. The constant "Hello"s coming from the throngs of young people seem to impress him (or annoy him and he just played it off).

To anyone who had to leave Texas, you can perhaps understand this. One of the most important details my dad really wanted to address on his road trip was allowing his new wife to taste Chicken Fried Steak.

Homesick Texan has the quote stating "Only a rank degenerate would drive 1,500 miles across Texas without eating a chicken-fried steak." —Larry McMurtry". Mr. McMurty had it right, and my dad knew it as well. No, we are not talking about breaded steak, not fried round steaks, but chicken fried steaks. Crispy batter that is nearly twice the size of the actual tenderized steak, cream gravy just makes everything else taste that much better dripping off the sides of the oversized crisped batter, and Texas toast that is...well, toasted in Texas.

After a few plans and subsequent changes, we chose a local joint in town, just within walking distance of our festival. The menu offered just the thing; the clincher was the final detail written verbatim: "IT'S REALLY BIG!" That was all it took. Twenty minutes later, my dad and his wife that golden nugget of deep fried goodness. The first thing my dad did after inhaling its aromatic taunts was to take a picture to immortalize the moment. I felt as if I was hosting the stereotypical Asian couple often portrayed in those stupid 80's flicks. Funniest moment was perhaps the waitress; she truly doubted that this couple drove twenty hours just for some chicken fried steak. Ah, the lack of faith among the unitiated and untested. Remember that next time you leave Texas (or your home state.)