A Bunch Of Hullabaloo

All the fuss was about Hullabaloo Diner!  In my last post I shared with you that my man Dan and I would be moving Miss T to college. She’s all settled in now, a full-fledged college student.  Making friends, attending classes, checking out the boys, doing homework, finding her way to the rec center regularly, and trying out cafeteria food.  I discovered that the week leading up to her move was more emotional than the move itself.  Oh, there were tears at the final goodbye but I’d exhausted most of them the entire week before.  The anticipation of her move was greater than the real live relocation.  Movin’ on….

Finding ourselves in need of making the adjustment to “empty nesters” my hubby and I decided to take a little road trip to and through the hill country of Texas.  If you’ve never been to Texas, the hill country is one of the most enchanting areas in our great big state.  Rolling hills, crystal clear streams and ice-cold rivers, flanked by giant cypress and oak trees flow past sprawling ranches complete with Texas Longhorns.  White-tail deer peer  from the cover of mesquite trees, cowboys in beat up pick up trucks roll down the country roads, always tipping their hats to the ladies.  Cafes serving chicken-fried steak and Tex-Mex sprinkle town squares, packed with tourists and regulars.  I could sing the praises of this magnificent landscape till the cows come home, however I’ll move on, but not before sharing some images of my home state.

Now, doesn’t that beckon you to visit the Lone Star State?  Come stay awhile and you can visit the Hullabaloo Diner.  It is what all the fuss is about.

We regularly watch the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  Dan keeps a running list of the joints that appeal to us or are in areas where we might travel.  On the list was Hullabaloo Diner in Wellborn, Texas.  A hop, skip and a jump from College Station, home to Texas A&M University, (not where you would find Miss T)  You can check out their website here: http://www.hullabaloodiner.com  Pretty much on the way from east Texas (where you will find Miss T) to the hill country.  We headed west on a Saturday morning with the historic diner as our lunch destination.

We passed by several old country churches, which are always a photo op for us.

Trinity Chapel Church

Stopped at the cemetery where Sam Houston, the 7th governor of Texas is buried.  At this cemetery in Huntsville I discovered in the adjoining plot about a dozen headstones with the surname Gay, etched on the surface.  My maiden name the same but as best I know these are not my relatives.  Interesting, none the less.

A possible relation.

And you can bet if a bee is buzzing around I’ll hear her and take a photo too.

Huntsville town square bee on a Lantana

We rambled along back roads and around 2 o’clock in the afternoon found ourselves pulling into a dusty drive at the Hullabaloo Diner.

Hullabaloo Diner carries quite a history

The place was jammin’ to the mellow sounds of a saxophone player out back, under a covered deck where cold beer was served.  We treated ourselves to a couple of cold ones,  stretched our legs and kicked back to wait for a seat in the diner.

Ice cold brew and mellow music – a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon

A visit to powder my nose included a pass by the pie kitchen.  Look what I saw sitting on the counter all fluffy and mouth-watering.

Coconut Cream and Chocolate Pie waiting to be sliced and eaten

We weren’t in any hurry to hear our name called as the sax player was thoroughly entertaining and the beer refreshing.  Upon hearing our name we made our way into the compact diner car and were given an ideal seat at the counter.

Ceiling fans – a must for hot Texas summers

The “Pie” menu on the blackboard above my head kept calling my name but we’d come for the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches.  We each ordered a Philly with grilled mushrooms and vowed to take pie to go.

Yes, Please!

Our sandwiches were flavorful, tender, and filling.  The rings and fries fresh and crisp, not greasy!  Our bellies full, we would not leave without a slice of Key Lime pie as well as a slice of NY Cheesecake.  When I noticed that the cheesecake is shipped in from the Carnegie Deli in NYC, I had to have it.  Traditional New York cheesecake, there is none better.  The colossal slices of each made for some scrumptious mid-night snacking later that evening.  I’m only sorry I didn’t order one of each pie offered.  A good reason to make another trip to the Hullabaloo!

Crisp onion rings a perfect accompaniment to my Philly Cheese Steak

Fries for my man Dan

I have much more to share with you about our Texas Hill Country road trip.  In future posts look forward to reading about the Texas wineries we visited, the B&B where we spent our anniversary night and my newest creation, Honey Vanilla Strawberry Jam, made with the last of summers strawberries.  Now, I wish to hear about your plans to explore Texas and pay a visit to Hullabaloo Diner.

Enjoy!