Sunday’s column: The Texas Tavern turns 83
Shot by Dan
The world-famous Texas Tavern turns 83 Wednesday. Normally this is a cause for the kind of celebration that marks the end of a world war. You probably have no idea how fitting that analogy is this time around.
Because behind the scenes, 2012 was a rough year for owner Matt Bullington. The geopolitical pressures swirling around the tiny diner on Church Avenue would have done in any lesser eatery. But once again the TT survived, and I can finally bring you the story.
It all revolved around its trademark dish, “chile.” That controversial stew is handcrafted from ground beef, pinto beans, corn starch and a list of exotic spices that’s more closely guarded than the secret flavoring for Coke.
The problem was the distinctive spelling of the menu item. I’ve written at least three columns about that. One in 2011 extolled it as the greatest chile in the Western Hemisphere. Last February, I broke the story about how Elvis ordered it for his last meal.
Those made it all the way to Washington, D.C., where they caught the attention of the ambassador of the South American country that bears the same name. He was not pleased.
“We got the call in March, it was really strange,” Bullington recalled. “This guy with an accent was on the phone. He wanted a quart, delivered to Washington that evening.
“Fortunately, my dad Jim was heading up there to give some cooking lessons to the White House chef.
“So I told the caller dad would drop it off at the Chilean embassy around 5 o’clock. The guy also wanted a takeout menu. I stuck it in the bag with the Styrofoam container and thought that was the end of it.”
He could not have been more wrong.
READ THE REST OF THIS COLUMN HERE.
February 10, 2013 - 1:01 AM
Dan
You and John Grisham should do a collaboration. I see a hell of a novel here. And Grisham’s latest is heavy on SWVA, Roanoke, Southside, and the Shenandoah V alley. Where the heck is Ripplemead anyway?
Congrat’s Dan, great article:
Since the most infamous numbers to come out of the 2012 election was 47%, ironic that this represents that class of people who patronize the T.T…..In Honor of this momentous occasion, Mayor David Bowers will issue a proclamation declaring Wednesday as T.T. Day and Making Matt Bullington Honor Mayor for the day. The proclamation will take the missing ” i ” that has upset the world and proclaim Roanoke’s new name as “Roanokie” as we are often called by customer service call centers when they pronounce our name back to us.
With Roanoke Homeless population making up the other 53% of its patronage, Joy Sylvester-Johnson, Director of the Rescue Mission will honor the T.T. with serving her meals for the thousands, 10 at a time, starting Wednesday.
To accommodate the back log of all those waiting to be served between the two Roanoke landmark institutions, Parks & REC is removing all the fencing around Elmwood Park for seating to make those comfortable in their time honored tradition.
Happy Berthday T.T.
Good one, Dan, but if Chile changes its name on April 1, then you’ve got to return that Texas Tavern shirt to me…
“Where the heck is Ripplemead anyway? “
From and old railroad man, between Pembroke and Narrows.
Very funny Dan.
Happy birthday to TT and their chile!!
Love it! We’ve all got our Texas Taverns around the US of A. The question is, which has the better sauce? Texas Tavern in Roanoke? Dallas Hot Weiners in Kingston, NY? Newburgh Lunch in Newburgh, NY?
I’ll have to stop at TT next time I am in Roanoke to “stir up the pot” so to speak.
Dan you pegged TT exactly right when you wrote tour article a few years ago. Yes I’ve ate there several times after nights of drinking but that’s the nastiest chile in Roanoke.
I meant “your” instead of tour. Change it for me Dan.
Yes, I`ve `eaten` there myself…very tasty !
Used to eat lunnch there in the early 70s while working for IRS A bowl with was about a quarter or so Made for a long afternoon in a two person cubicle
My sons and their friends absolutely love this place…it’s a must visit when in town and when guests visit. I’ve newer eaten there, but I’m told you can get a bowl with and a cheesy western for less than $5? The place fills a niche and its not supposed to be a fine dining niche. Congrats to them on their ongoing success.
Re: wayne goodman @ 1:53 am
Where the heck is Ripplemead anyway?
—————-
Go speeding out Rt 460 to WV and you’ll find out.
.
:-0
.
Wayne Goodman….probably not a good idea for you to go a`traipsin` down in that part of the state….Guns galore, and they are not afraid to use them…Hey..don`t you know a favor when you see one ?
4.“Where the heck is Ripplemead anyway? “
From and old railroad man, between Pembroke and Narrows.
Comment by Art Hill — February 10, 2013 @ 5:33 am
10.Re: wayne goodman @ 1:53 am
Where the heck is Ripplemead anyway?
—————-
Go speeding out Rt 460 to WV and you’ll find out.
.
:-0
.
Comment by Dave Hicks — February 10, 2013 @ 10:27 am
Thanks guys! Forgot to note my sarcasm button. I DO know where Ripplemead is.And it is quite prominent in Grisham’s newest novel which I just finished reading. As are Roanoke, Radford, Winchester, Salem, and uranium mining. A good fast escape read especially when you get tired
of the Suzie’s,Heyfranks, AC’s, Leons and mikeo’s who also deal in fiction but much less skillfully.
It’s near the Ripplemead Bridge. HTH
Oh, so they shoot people just for driving through, awood?
Goldangit Dan, keep this up and you will have World Nut Daily and Faux News all over you to come work for them. Excellent fantastical story, just like they like it. Only they never bother to admit that at the end.
Dan, is your blog an officially sanctioned blog by the RT/Landmark? Are you paid to run and/or moderate this blog for the RT?
Sandi…Sure they love it, like they say, “There is no such thing as bad publicity….and this is all about cheap food,,,,,The new “Cook Out” has the best 1/2lb hamburger for $2.99….I counted 20+ cars waiting in the drive thru line..(Idiots)LOL
I had to share this – it looks like you caused an earthquake:
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – A 5.7 magnitude quake shook Chile’s central region on Sunday, causing buildings to sway in the capital of Santiago, but no injuries or major damage was reported.
Dan – you are so full of chile/chili! I’ll let you pick the spelling! Lots of fun, though.
Who are you, AC? The blog cops? Maybe it’s none of your friggen business what Dan gets paid for.
Who are you, AC? The blog cops? Maybe it’s none of your friggen business what Dan gets paid for.
Comment by Kristen — February 10, 2013 @ 7:38 pm
Yo, Kristen. I asked Dan a question that didn’t require your “friggen” input. Why don’t you consider posting an original thought or point of view occasionally? You add nothing to the dialogue here other than snide comments.
Nice article on the TT, a Roanoke landmark whether loathed or liked. At least they dont spell grease, greece.
way to go, AC…..you got it right!!!
“You add nothing to the dialogue…”
I’d talk. Your deficit blather is moronic.
AC, I know you get sad when I cite actual facts that show up your made-up nonsense for the crapola it is, but there’s no need to be rude. And worry about your own paycheck…there’s nothing worse than a nosy-body man sticking his nose in other people’s business. Embarrassing.
Probably would you, Gdad.
Dan, how far down this rabbit hole do we have to go? When will enough be enough? Cannot the Roanoke Times give these people a place to vent and sniff each other and leave us alone?
“sniff each other”
LOL. Ick, bad visual.
Has anyone else noticed, or is it just me ? The leftist party of `Tolerance` seems to be the LEAST tolerant of all. Don`t believe it ? Kick on back…Welcome, one and all, to the `Hypocritical Circus`. Just read #29 above(“leave us alone“)…She and her ilk can`t even stomach a rebuttal.
Pretty much what one would expect from awood.
applewood,
I don’t think it’s so much that she can’t “stomach a rebuttal.” It’s the fact that the so-called “rebuttals” are full of, to put it charitably, highly inaccurate information, which certain posters repeat here ad nauseum. Leon (who is still hoping hard that the Supreme Court will declare Obama ineligible to be president) is the reigning king of that on this blog. But you’re giving him a run for his money.
Maybe Sandi doesn”t care for posts that suggest people should be shot, awood. But then that’s what you consider a “rebuttal.”
Nothing you have ever offered here could be called anything more than trying to P in someone’s cheerios applewood, you do not know what “rebuttal” is IMO. And your post @ 9:03 am is very indicative or your level of decency too.