Yee haw, my next major stop was in Amarillo, TX, at the Stockyard Cafe.
http://www.roadfood.com/R...iew/264/stockyard-cafe It's kind of hard to find, but soooo worth it for the CFS and outstanding cream gravy, real mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, and mega-sized sweet tea. I took the photo before smothering the steak with the gravy. It's different--I think they use a flattop griddle, rather than cooking it in a skillet or as some do--deep frying.
On Tuesdays when the auction house is running at full tilt, they have a shoe/boot shine service that can clean anything except man-made materials:
One other thing I appreciated about the Stockyard Cafe was that they brought out some water for my puppy while we waited outside the door to the restaurant.
Apparently zipping right through Oklahoma with no significant food stops, I headed for what's by far the most unusual pie experience I've ever had, thanks to Michael Stern and this Web site: the Family Pie Shop in DeValls, Arkansas.
http://www.roadfood.com/R...16-316/family-pie-shop My GPS failed to provide accurate directions (in fact, was miles short), but it got me close enough to call and find out the specific location. Since the building is behind a house, it's easy to miss! I'm sure some of you are familiar with it:
This was a leap of faith, as the building is time worn, and the interior more like my grandmother's old farm house in Tennessee with an eclectic mix of furnishings in a sitting room in front of the kitchen where all the pie action is.
It was so hot the day I was there, and here were these dear, old women baking their pies with heart, soul, and love.
The selection of pies varies, and most were sold out by the time I got there in late afternoon. Still, I got to try the delicious chocolate cream pie and their flaky and wonderfully spiced apricot fried pie.
I did not take any photos of the owner/baker or anything else there, as that was her preference. I'm glad others before me have taken some, though!
After this, I headed to Memphis, TN, with ribs on the brain. I had bookmarked a few places already, but when I got to the hotel I asked them where they recommended that would not be too hard to get to (the roads were a huge mess from construction). They sent me to Corky's.
This order was half dry, half wet--the dry being a new thing for me, which I loved. I'm not a connoisseur of ribs, but I definitely enjoyed these. They were flavorful and tender, and I ate them until I thought I would pop. I did not take up belly space on the side dishes, even though they were fine and included house-made potato chips. I so want to try some of the other places in town, too, but have no idea when that might be. This was a nice way to start for a rib newbie.
The next couple of days I spent with kinfolk in Chattanooga, TN, and we went back to the area where my grandma and grandpa had their farm near Chickamauga Lake. The power plant is there now, just a short distance from where their farm was--it was the Tennessee Valley Authority that bought up all the land in that area.
What I would give to be back in that time, and on that farm, and sitting at the dining table with my grandparents and cousins, eating their home-made sausage and hams and vegetables, helping pat home-churned butter into beautiful wooden molds, and outside shucking corn, feeding the chickens and pigs, and visiting with the cows, mules, and yard dogs. Good times.
Taking a break. Back soon!
<message edited by love2bake on Wed, 03/6/13 11:44 PM>