I Love You East Texas

08/16/2026

Oh. My. Lawdy.
This was such a good idea.
Like, the best idea I’ve had in a looooong time.
So good.
Already looking forward to the next visit.
Hopefully on prime rib night.
Such a terrific meal.

Appetizers - an eggplant bruschetta, and pork tenderloin bites wrapped in bacon, with a - get this- maple aoli dipping sauce. So good. Yes, I had to combine them.

The Tuscan stuffed chicken breast. Stuffed with 7 cheeses, spinach, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Absolutely marvelous. Best thing I’ve eaten in a minute.
Just absolutely fantastic.

Also in attendance, a pork chop and chicken fried steak, for the ol hussies with me.

Everyone was very pleased.
I sacrificed chocolate for dessert to get the cinnamon bread pudding, because bread pudding is mi madre’s favorite thing.

This was just absolutely fantastic.
And service was excellent.
Imma be dreaming about that stuffed chicken breast.

Edom Log Cabin, Edom, Tx.

07/31/2026

Took mi madre on a “working lunch” today, to meet an old friend (and my long time, long suffering editor), and catch up and talk about how we’re going to Hallmark the f**k out of Henderson county.

We went to Slice Pizza Co. Seven Points.
Was absolutely blown away.
A giant slice of meat lovers, and a side for $10 buckaroos?
And it’s this f**king delicious?
Shut the front door, hot damn.
A brilliant marrying of carnivorous flavor.
That fudge brownie with the peanut butter flourish?
No, I did not wait until after the food arrived.
Sometimes, you just have to be brave, and eat dessert as the appetizer.
It’s hard, but you can do it.
I believe in you.
Cheese sticks - phenomenal.
All you have to do is look at the pic, and you can tell.
But the real star of the show, for me, was the toasted ravioli.
I might be willing to take the 30 minute drive from Athens to Seven Points just for it.
Crispy toasted pockets of soft, sensual, luxurious, flat out seductive, garlicky ricotta.
It’s like, if crab rangoon was a savory Italian princess.
I just want to lay in bed, eating these with mid 1960’s vintage Sophia Lauren.
Am I a sexist, misogynistic dinosaur and relic of the Cold War?
Is that really such a bad thing?
But, I digress.
Amazing food.
Super friendly and attentive staff.
Absolutely recommend.
12/10, you want to put this in your face.
Your tongue deserves to be loved.
And you deserve to love yourself.
And if you love yourself, you eat as well as you can.

Be love, my dudes.
ZTFU

07/31/2026

Been feeming for some pizza, and realized, despite being the short end of the month, I could surely scrap up enough to try famous pizza from the new Casey’s across from Brinson in Athens.

Not gonna lie.
My first bite, I was thinking, eh, not bad, but, like, it’s just gas station pizza. Maybe the Fat Electrician lied to me.
And then I kept eating as I drove home.
Meandering through town, taking the side streets, chewing slow and deliberate like someone that actually has a flavor palette.
The dough’s a little bit chewier than I usually prefer, but in fairness, that might be the ear infection tightening my jaw up.
Also, I don’t know how long these sat in the warmer.
The sauce though.
The more I ate, the more the sauce stood out. Not overpowering, but consistent, steady, slowly seeping into my conciousness and focusing my attention.
Easily the best gas station pizza I’ve ever had.
Less than $7 buckaroos for two slices of pizza and a sugar free rootbeer?
No contest.
I’m not only pleasantly surprised, hell, I’m impressed.
I’m looking forward to ordering a whole pizza and picking it up fresh.
What else has the Midwest been hiding from us?
That’s the question.

07/27/2026

Lunch with mi madre.
I was this close to getting poached eggs on top again, but decided to eat like I did as kid, for nostalgia points.
Is there a better chicken fried steak in this county?
If there is, it probably cost twice as much.
And those fries.
Perfection.
I should have asked for more gravy.
And the mashed potatoes and okra I stole from mi madre.
This meal makes me feel like it’s 1992.
A time when the world made a lot more sense.
I asked if they had fried pies.
They do not do fried pies.
I’m reasonably sure this is a terrible tragedy.
The Roost, on the square in Eustace, Tx.

07/23/2026

Two pool sessions today.
Farmer carry with the 50kb in between.

Appetizers for lunch w mi madre.

Crab Rangoon being the first dish to the table is like starting with dessert. Still hot, with a crisp crunch and pillowy warm softness of the cream cheese.
I did not need two eggrolls.
Yet, I ate two eggrolls.
I was stuffed by the time the shrimp toast came out.
I had forgotten about it.
Still, I forged ahead.
This is a semi regular lunch for reasons.
Good reasons.
You need these dishes in your mouth.
These flavors on your tongue.

07/18/2026

For lunch today, I had “The Cardinal,” from Shenanigan's Deli. I got to say, this really hit the spot. A cozy little local throwback spot, feels like stepping back into a simpler time. Already trying to decide which sandwich I’ll try next.

07/11/2026

At least once a month, mi madre just has to have the crawfish étouffée w catfish at Wade’s in Chandler.
Not gonna lie, it always hits the spot.
Maybe the perfect portion.
Just enough to feel full, satiated, without over eating.
And the hush puppies.
The hush puppies are dangerous.
I could eat them like candy.
I’m afraid I could just gorge on them by the bucketful.

Also, saw a man with a Kimber, hammer down, thumb break snap over the hammer, in an overbuilt leather holster. As a gun guy, I kind of wanted to cry. Like, what even is you doin, baby? Gun guys will understand.
And if they don’t, they’re why I cry.

Be love, my dudes.
ZTFU

07/10/2026

07/10/2026

Lunch was a couple of ribeye tacos from Tacos El Cholo.

Absolutely delicious.
Tender and flavorful.

I might go back for dinner.

They were parked behind Elder for lunch, and will be at Beal’s for dinner. In Athens, of course.