Texas-style food – portions large enough to put on a few pounds

On many occasions, I have mentioned that women have always shown their affection for me by giving me food. Not always what I had in mind, but I took it.

I have finally come to the conclusion (at 84) that it will always be that way. Too late now, anyhow. That’s the way it was on my last trip to Texas.

In two weeks, I put on five pounds. It could’ve been more. Where did the five pounds come from? I’ve already mentioned the jumbo shrimp and tamales. Here’s a short list with more. From my daughter (in-law), who is a really good cook: chocolate chip cookies, butter cookies, Texas rib eye steaks, asparagus spears wrapped in thinly sliced rib eye steaks and all the fixin’s. Then she insisted we try the “best Chinese food in Texas” (take out): wonton soup, egg rolls, fried rice, sweet and sour pork, pepper steak and crispy noodles.

The dinner for three lasted three days. I don’t know if it was the best in Texas, but it was really good and Texas size. Tired of hearing about my food adventures in Texas? There’s more.

The places I was taken to in the Austin area were classic Texas casual: benches and picnic tables. No fancy tablecloths. As a matter of fact, no tablecloths at all. It reminded me of the restaurant at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California. Buena Park, I think.

The places we went to in Austin were a combination of tourist attraction and terrific food. The “best barbecue in Texas” was a place called The Salt Lick. I had to have my picture taken in front of The Salt Lick sign. Not unlike the Berry Farm, where you just had to have your picture taken with the plastic dance hall girls. As a matter of fact, while going through our suitcase of picture memories, I found a couple of such pictures of myself and best friend of long ago – Bob Gower. I sent them on to Bob, who is now 82.

Anyhow, the The Salt Lick barbecue was outstanding. I had brisket and ribs and two kinds of beans and coleslaw. More than I could eat, typical of Texas. The one really outstanding item we had a taste of was Erma Mae’s barbecued turkey. Really wonderful flavor and very moist. The service was good, too.

If you get to Austin, I highly recommend The Salt Lick. And I’m sure that someone will have your picture taken in front of The Salt Lick sign.

Texas is big on statues of cattle. The Tejas monument at the Texas capital was one and there was a similar one commemorating a famous cattle trail. I think we saw that on the day we went to the “best Mexican restaurant”: Dos Salsas. Picnic tables and great food –  enchilada, beans and rice. Again, more than I could eat. If you get to Austin, go there.

One last food comment. Both John Earl and Erma Mae are great cooks – both have been to chef school. They cook and eat three meals a day, all good. A couple of my five pounds came from their house.