With its December issue, the folks at Texas Monthly have proven once again their state map cuts off before it gets to West Texas. The cover story in the latest issue "The 40 Best Small Town Cafes" has nary a mention of any pie and cheeseburger joints out here in The Great Lost West.
The magazine's "Team Cafe" did manage to get as far west as Snyder, where Mrs. Kathy's Southern Comforts is mentioned, and Sweetwater's Allen Family Style Meals also garnered a nod.
Junction and Lampasas received mention but they're more Hill Country West than West Texas.
So the magazine's shunning of our region begs the question: What small town West Texas cafes deserve to be on the list? I'd definitely include Stanton Drug (left), The Drug Store in Fort Davis (above) and Buddy's in Andrews, and my guess is there would be a couple of pretty good places in Alpine and Marfa as well. And if ever I've seen a best-looking small town cafe (even though I've never been inside) it would have to be the diner in downtown Sterling City.
So, help me out here ... what small town West Texas diners/cafes did Texas Monthly leave off?
Can we count two of our own? Bob's Better (THE BEST) Burger, and of course, Grahams Pharmacy!
Posted by: Mama Dinka | Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Cindi ... that's the beauty of making our own contest: we can make out own rules. Although TM's guidelines say only in towns under 25,000 and they have to have a pie box and a big-haired waitress. (We may not have any of those out here :) )
Posted by: Jimmy | Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 06:19 AM
Draw a line from Eagle Pass, through San Angelo, up to Lubbock: If you live west of that line, Texas Monthly doesn't know you exist.
Posted by: John Boyd | Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 01:04 PM
City Cafe in Sterling City was once known for making the state's biggest pancakes. That should have been worth a mention.
Posted by: John Boyd | Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Coyote Cafe in Gail, Texas. It's like a time warp; back to 1960 when you walk in the door.
Posted by: craig | Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 02:58 PM
I agree on Coyote Cafe. Just don't look for anything that can't be fried.
Posted by: DJ | Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 04:16 PM
It doesn't have a pie box, but Sarah's in Fort Stockton is great! Why don't we start a West Texas Monthly magazine?
Posted by: Sharon Crozier | Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 03:24 PM