Let's Eat ~ Reba's

 

    Right on the Hopkins County line is Reba's, located at 1004 Hwy 154, Yantis, Texas, a little bit of homestyle cooking to feed the soul.  Tara and Steve have built their business from the ground up focusing on creating dishes from family recipes to bring people together to enjoy a good meal in a comfortable setting with quick service.  Named after her Grandmother, Reba's strives to help others. 

    The goal behind Reba's is more than just feeding the public.  Eventually they want to help disadvantaged, single parent families get back on their feet.  Reba was a women who worked up to three jobs while trying to raise a family and keep her children fed.  She did this while working in the food service industry after her husband passed away early in their marriage.  Tara took her grandmother's work ethic to heart and wants to help mother's and father's who are alone re-enter the workforce with help from other local restaurant owners and develop a ranch where the children can be cared for and tutored while also helping the parent gain workforce skills.  With a future for growth, Reba's is more than just a place to drop in for breakfast or lunch but also a place with a mission to help those who in need.

    As a former school teacher Tara witnessed first hand the impact of a broken home in the students.  Her desire to start a ranch and help these families begins with the children in mind.  The restaurant is a stepping stone to reach their ultimate goal of purchasing a ranch and impacting the lives of local families in need. 

    Reba's is open six days a week.  The dining room is open weekdays from 8 a. m. to 4 p. m. and Saturday from 7 a. m. - 2 p. m.  While their take away and bakery options are open until 7 p. m. on weekdays and 2 p. m. on Saturday.  While it might seem like a bit of a drive, Reba's offers quick service and weekly specials.  There is plenty of time to head out there and back on your lunch break. Enjoy the whole menu and specials all day.  Two breakfast specials, and four lunch specials come out each week along with their regular menu.  

    All their bakery items are made from scratch.  Which also includes special services such as wedding and birthday cakes.  Sugar cookies, breads and fried pies fill their case daily and you don't want to miss out.  At least ten fried pie options are on the menu each day, with a monthly special to tempt your taste buds.  This months special is a snickerdoodle fried pie.  The flaky, crust melts in your mouth upon first taste.  You won't want to miss this treat on your visit. 

    On your way out after enjoying breakfast or lunch, be sure to grab a pre-made dinner.  Their take and bake options are great for those busy  nights of sports and dance.  Or just because you don't feel like cooking, let Reba's do the cooking, all you have to do is heat, serve and enjoy. 

    Not only can you enjoy their cooking at their brick and mortar store, you can have them come to you for your next event.  Since Reba's started out as a food truck, they can cater at your location.  Their food truck helped to grow their inside location while remodeling.  Be sure to call and ask about catering your next function.

    No matter if you dine in, order out or pick up a take and bake be sure to tip.  The tip jar at Reba's goes to help feed people in need.  Tara pays her workers a daily wage so that the tips can be given back to the community.  No matter what you should always tip, but at Reba's its even more important and impactful.  

    We hope that you will take a trip out to Reba's to enjoy some homecooked meals for breakfast or lunch.  Tara and her staff are ready with a smile and conversation for when you stop by next.  

    

    

Travel East Texas ~ Cooper

 

    Just fifteen minutes North of Sulphur Springs and The Oaks bed and breakfast lies the bedroom community of Cooper, Texas.  The best part about Cooper is the State Park.  Before you hit the park be sure to pop downtown and grab a cup of coffee or cappuccino from Vetch.  Vetch is a cute coffee shop with a little bit of a farmers market vibe going on.  They offer fresh veggies and meat from local farmers along with condiments and other items for purchase along side your caffeine option of choice. 

    There are just a few places to drop in for other shopping with in the square.  A little boutique called Rosie and Co, right off the square and an antique shop.  I would have missed Rosie's had they not set out mannequins on the sidewalk.  Rosie & Co, has lots of great options and styles that fit the season.  The Antique shop has a great selection of items that you could spend  hours browsing through to find exactly what you want.

    The dining options are very few, just the coffee shop and Tejano's Tex-Mex.  Tejano's was a popular stop for all the locals who happend to be downtown.  But make sure they remember you are there, otherwise you have to ask to be served.  I was suprised to see that they had a guacmole enchilada with a spinach enchilada option on the lunch menu.  It's always nice to be able to order food and not have to make changes to fit your needs.  I will say downtown Cooper does have a super cute, walking book "tour" to read while wandering around the square.  A children's book has been placed around the square on little podiums and made to be protected from the weather.  It's a cute way to keep readers engaged and provide a creative way to exercise while reading. 

    Cooper Lake State Park is the perfect spot to spend the day.  Pack a pinic lunch and hit the trails.  The State Park has great hiking trails and shore line for all your outdoor needs.  Plus the park is always hosting events that are fun for the whole family.  Be sure to check out their website for more information on activities and adventures you can have while staying with us at The Oaks bed and breakfast, while exploring the outdoors.  Grab a fishing pole, binoculars and lunch and spend the day exploring Cooper Lake State Park.  

Let's Eat ~ Foster's Place

 

    Foster's Place located at 15244 SH-11, Pickton, TX, is a long standing local restaurant that has seen it's fair share of regular customers and those that stop in for a pint and a burger.  Foster's currently has hours, Saturday 11 a. m. - 10 p. m., Sunday 11 a. m. - 9:30 p. m., and Monday 4 p. m. - 9 p. m.  Bring the whole family or just your friends to enjoy a meal or live music, most weekends on Saturday night.  The spring and summer are get times to visit as well, with their outdoor dining options, and a great stage to see those who come out to play some tunes.

    The core menu at Foster's is made up of pizza, wings and burgers.  You can select your pizza from an option they have put together or build your own.  Same with the burgers, they have three selected options or you can build your own.  All of their beef comes from local butcher, Rail 19 and much of their produce also comes from local growers.  Foster's strives to use, people in the community to provide the freshest ingredients for their customers. 

    Along with the core menu Art has created daily specials that will be a little more creative and fun for your dining experience.  These daily specials are always changing so it makes each visit worth the time.  We had a poblano chicken mac and cheese, which was from the specials menu and it was delicious. You could taste the peppers and the cream sauce on the mac and cheese was just perfect.  

    We also enjoyed Foster's Fries as our starter, that are made from a special cut potato so diners can experience the softness of the potato with a bit of crisp on the end.  Plus the homemade Foster's seasoning on the fries makes them just perfect.  The seasoning can be purchased at Foster's or at Lander's Creek in Sulphur Springs.  You might want to pick some up to place in some stockings for this holiday season. 

    That's not all you can get from Foster's.  If you enjoy craft beer, this is the stop for you.  They regularly do a nightly beer special and they feature a wide variety of choices from around the state.  The fun does not stop there, they can customize a pack to go home with you at the end of the night mix and match the beers you tried or bring  home something new.  Either way you will no be disappointed with your choices in restaurant or at home.  

  Foster's also happens to carry a large variety of whiskey for the whiskey lover in your house.  If you want something a little stronger for your visit and have a designated driver, be sure to try something new when you stop in.  We have sent guests down there for that reason alone, and they enjoyed their entire visit.  Art and his staff are attentive and ready to help answer any questions you might have.  Art loves to visit with his guests and will probably stop by your table when  you stop in for a bite to eat.  Be sure to check their Facebook page for Holiday hours, since the big days this year are on the weekends.  After the holiday's for sure plan your next night out for lunch or dinner to Foster's, or on your next stay while at The Oaks.  

Travel East Texas ~ Pittsburg

 

    This month we stopped down in Pittsburg, Texas for a little visit and a robotics competition.  Pittsburg is best know for being the base of operations for Pilgrim's Pride chickens.  The adventure does not stop there, in September the downtown streets are taken over with the Pioneer Days event.  An open air market with food vendors and artisans from all over the state.  The City of Pittsburg, has many more exciting events scheduled throughout the year and can be found on the city website.

    For our visit I wanted to be able to find some good coffee to start our day and followed our Siri suggested stop and discovered that they might have coffee items but not really coffee to drink.  The shopkeeper at The Bleu Hen Country Market was still very helpful and friendly, and directed us to a new, open that very day, coffee stop.  So after picking up some cute Christmas ornaments we made our way to the coffee stop.

    

    Lala Pops, starts out as an ice cream shop that has just recently added coffee service.  They had a very small pastry container with a few offerings.  There was not any signage for the coffee shop portion, so I walked into the ice cream shop and was directed to the right spot.  Fortunately the buildings are connected and that makes it easier for patrons to swap between the two.  The coffee was tasty and the service was friendly, hopefully they will figure out their atmosphere and offerings quickly. To me it seemed a little scattered but that could have been first day jitters.

    For lunch it was suggested we try the Samoan based restaurant, but she could not remember the name so we just walked around downtown until we found a spot that looked good.  As luck would have it we managed to pick the recommend restaurant.  Madeline Cafe, was very delicious and reflected the Samoan tastes and feel within the restaurant as well as on the menu.  Now the menu is not dedicated to Samoan based foods, because as good business owners they realize that they are located in East Texas and need to offer food that the locals would eat who might not be adventurous.  

    I wish we had, had time to visit Los Pinos Ranch and do some wine tasting but this trip did not afford us that opportunity.  Since we have had their wine before we were sad to miss out but knew that we could come back at any point and take a visit.  Los Pinos is on the East Texas wine trail and by staying at The Oaks bed and breakfast you can easily visit the multiple wineries on the trail and use The Oaks as your home base.  Be sure to check winery websites for hours of operation so you don't arrive and not be able to do a tasting.

    We did enjoy our time in Pittsburg and we are sure to be back again soon.  Until then, we hope you can make the visit while you are in Sulphur Springs and staying at The Oaks.  Until next year, when we find new towns to visit and share our adventures with you.  

Travel East Texas ~ Gilmer

 

    As you take the back roads on your journey through East Texas, while traveling East and little South of Sulphur Springs, you will eventually run into the town of Gilmer, Texas.  Gilmer is best known for it's annual celebration The East Texas Yamboree. 

    We did not hit up Gilmer during their celebration but rather as they were getting ready for the big event.  The Yamboree happens to fall on the same weekend as the Hopkins County Stew Festival, so the choices guests have to make for which amazing event they are going to attend is a tough one.  Their festival is a week long celebration with events every day following up to the big event on Saturday.  Be sure to check out the website to find the items you want to participate in. 

    Besides the Yamboree, Gilmer is the county seat for Upsur County, and boasts a large downtown, square.  This is where we focused our adventure in Gilmer.  We walked along the square, had cheesecake bites at Dana's Cheesecake and window shopped the local stores.

    Many of the stores were featuring previous dresses of the young ladies who participated in the Yamboree pageant.  These dresses are beautiful to look at, not sure if I would want to wear all that beading.  

    There are a few restaurants located in Downtown Gilmer, for guests to dine at, and of course many places for people to shop and browse throughout different stores.  One of our favorite stops, was the Brickstreet Art Gallery.  A mix use space, that houses offices for local businesses that utilizes the hallway for displaying art.  A great use of space and a wonderful way to bring customers in to see who else is in the building.

    

    Downtown even features an Upshur County museum, that takes visitors back in time when the county and city were first established.  At one point the museum building housed the Post Office and has since been refurbished into the county museum.  

    There is plenty to keep you busy for the day, in Gilmer on your next visit to The Oaks bed and breakfast.  We hope you have a few good ideas of where to explore next.  

Let's Eat ~ Plain and Fancy

     

    This week we dined at Plain and Fancy, located at 120 Main Street, right on the square in Sulphur Springs.  Plain and Fancy has been a Sulphur Springs tradition for over twenty-five years.  With sit down, call in and delivery options available to customers, there is no excuse for missing breakfast or lunch from Plain and Fancy.

    Plain and Fancy is open six days a week from 7:30 a. m. - 4 p. m. Monday thru Friday and Saturday from 10 a. m. - 4 p. m.  Their menu is simple and satisfying for each visit.  With a variety of sandwiches and salads to select from.  Today I enjoyed a tuna salad sandwich, with chips and a pickle.  

    Other guests enjoyed an egg salad, salad or a salad medley plate.  I even took lunch to one of my kids and ordered from the kid menu.  We were both surprised that the turkey roll up did not have a tortilla, and that it was just turkey and cheese.  His lunch did come with, chips, drink, pickle and the infamous "Sparkle Cookie." The kids meal is a good value for the price.

    I have always loved how they will display student art throughout the year from the various schools in the district.  I feel that is a great way to give back to the community and celebrate those young artists with their art on display at a local restaurant.  

    Plain and Fancy will also be more than happy to cater your event.  Be sure to reach out if you need food for your group. Sandi will help you curate a menu that all your guests are apt to enjoy.  Check out Plain and Fancy the next you are staying at the Oaks while in Sulphur Springs.  

Travel East Texas ~ Commerce, Texas

 

    Commerce, Texas is probably best known for being the home of Texas A & M at Commerce University's campus.  That is not all Commerce has to offer a visitor.  While there are great adventures that await visitors on campus, such as rock wall climbing or high adventure ropes course be sure to meander downtown to explore the shops and dining options that the city has to offer.

sometimes you run into friends. 

    Start your visit at Mugs, with a great cup of coffee.   They happen to serve coffee from the same roaster we get our coffee, so it it 100% approved by The Oaks.  Addison Coffee roasters does such an amazing job with their coffee, that we are always happy to see it served locally.  Mugs has a great atmosphere in their shop, if you are wanting to meet up with friends, get some work done, or just hang out.  Their location and tasty beverages will sure to keep you company.  They even have  a cute, fresh cut flower bouquet area set up for people wanting to freshen up their homes with flowers.

    As you make your way around the shops, be sure to check out The Shop. This adorably curated shop, has over twenty different vendors selling their goods in one place.  You can be sure to find a gift for everyone on your list, from here.  The owner of the space also has her items on display and for sale as well, which makes The Shop a perfect stop for exploring new items for your house or a gift.  

   

 Need something a little sweet along your journey be sure to stop in the sweet shop, Too Good Treats.  They offer gourmet popcorn, candy, ice cream and more.  This might be the perfect place to hit up after you eat lunch at Laredos.  A little bit of Tex-Mex then on to dessert.  

    As you continue your way around downtown, walking off lunch and dessert there are several cute antique shops to check out and see what hidden gems you can discover.  You never know if the perfect item is waiting for you in the next shop you visit.

    For a little bit of night life entertainment there are a couple of options for you to try.  Our favorite now, is Cork and Brew.  Craft beer options, or a wide variety of wine to choose from.  They offer small bites to eat and even have a giant pretzel that is worth the visit.  Don't forget about bingo.  Come play a few games will enjoying your favorite beverage.  

    If you want a little more variety in your drinks be sure to check out either The Spot or Little Bit Country.  Both have a night life to offer any visitor you just have to decide what you are looking to do and how you want to be entertained. 

    If you are looking for more family entertainment, you can always check out The Northeast Texas Children's museum.  The children's museum is hours of fun geared towards children age 3-8 years of age.  Their admission is reasonably priced and fun for kids to learn and explore.  

    Commerce is a great place to visit and discover, with family and friends, there is something to do there for everyone.  So if you are in town for Parents weekend, checking out your Alma mater or just visiting for the day.  Be sure to explore a little more and find your new favorite activity in Commerce.  

Travel East Texas ~ Paris

 

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    About forty minutes north of Sulphur Springs, is the city of Paris, Texas.  We made the journey north to check out their downtown and of course visit the "Texas Eifel Tower."  We made a few stops around the downtown area to check out what shops to venture into and what kind of food offerings they have for visitors.  

    Downtown Paris has a good variety of shops to choose from when visiting.  Antique shops, Olive Paris, an Art and Wine shop, along with a grouping of boutiques.  The length of your stay can depend upon how much you want to explore and what you are looking for in your treasure hunt.  The antique shops we stopped into are delineated into vendor booths, so an assortment of items can be found, if you have the time to look and browse for that special item.  

    Olive Paris, is a great stop to consider to find artesian olive oils and balsamic vinegars.  You can taste before you buy so you are able to find exactly what you want and for what dish you want to cook up.  They also have a range of items for the bar b que master in your family.  With Father's Day rapidly approaching a great gift can be found here.

    Tresors de Paris, is a unique stop, with art, wine, craft beer and of course bar b que items in store.  Their creativity in combining multiple different ways to attract a customer helps to bring in men and women alike who walk away with a package.

   
    We caught  Paris Bakery in the middle of transition from breakfast to lunch.  Prepared lunch sandwiches went into the bakery case as we were leaving after enjoying a cinnamon roll.  No coffee today but I'm sure their coffee would be worth the trip, I noticed a familiar coffee vendor, Addison Roasters, on one of the air pods for drip coffee.  

    We dropped into 107 to see what their menu looked like for a possible consideration for lunch.  While entirely indoors, they have brought the outside in, by creating a space more like an open patio, with clear roofing to give you that feeling of being outside while still remaining cool in the Texas heat.  Their menu had a lot of great options, for everyone, so bring your group and pull up a chair.  

    We did end up eat at Jaxx Gourmet Burgers, I know what you are thinking, why would you make that choice?  They had a portobello mushroom salad on the menu, no change or questions necessary for me to order, and my companion found a choice for himself, that he loved how they cooked, even if the portion was a little on the lite side.  They are obvisouly known for their burgers, stop in if that's the way you want to go.  We loved how they "framed" the t-shirts on the wall, with t-shirt frames, it added a quirky touch to the décor that guests will not soon forget.  

    The central part of the square is a green space, with a fountain in the middle, where people can meet to enjoy a visit, listen to concerts, or check out the farmers market.  The community theater is also downtown on the corner, and open for the season.  Be sure to check out their schedule to see what is coming up next.

    A trip to Paris, would not be complete without a visit to the "Texas Eifel Tower."  The tower is topped with a red cowboy hat and is located by the Veterans Memorial and Love Civic Center.  Be sure to make the stop, not only for the tower but to see and experience the memorial.  The Veterans Memorial is unique tribute to those who have served from Lamar County.  

    Until next time I hope you can find your way to Paris, and find a new treasure or two to bring home.  If nothing else, enjoy some good food and exploration with friends and family. 

Travel East Texas ~ Greenville

 

    Every downtown is a little different from the next.  From the shops, dining options and other businesses surrounding the area each downtown has something different to offer.  Greenville is among those cities who is continuing to improve their downtown and have realized that this area is a place of growth and could be a draw for visitors who want to get off the freeway and explore more of the local flavor. 

    Our stop this month for "Travel East Texas" is to Greenville to explore a little and get a feel for what there is to do in the downtown area.  Of course if you are looking for "corporate" restaurants and shopping look no further than the highway, but if you want to explore a little more of the local, small business scene then be sure to stop by downtown Greenville. 

    Greenville's downtown is unique in that it is not situated like a typical Texas city downtown with a square, but is rather a long strip, consisting of two main streets, which have a few shops, that are open at various times and a couple of restaurants.   

    Mary of Puddin Hill made the move downtown from off of the freeway, and now has a cute little shop with a wide variety of gifts and Texas themed items.  They feature items from the Sweet Shop in Mt. Pleasant, mini Bundt cakes and monster cookies.  Be sure to stop in and check out all their goodies.

   

     As you make your way around downtown be sure to check out the amazing mural art on the buildings.  It's not quite like Deep Ellum but it sure is making strides to bring art to a location where there is not any.  The murals are each unique and interesting to look at.  I think every downtown should have a few.

    Another unique stop is the Uptown Shopping Forum, where we found Cheesebrough and Campbell Specialty Chocolates.  Each of the amazing chocolate treats from their store are made by hand.  You can find chocolates shaped as tools for Father's Day, purses and heals for Mother's Day, and a few others that can fit that special person on  your list.  Be sure to check out all their offerings, and take a look at the other shops inside the Uptown Forum.

    For lunch we decided to eat home made pizza at Fatto A Mano, located right next door to where the Greenville Farmers Market is located.  They have a varied menu for pizza options.  But if you are not feeling like pizza be sure to check out their pasta and salad selections.  They have indoor and outdoor seating available.  The outside seating is covered and has cute herb gardens located close by so you know when your food has fresh ingredients.  

    Last but not least a great stop downtown is Landon Winery.  Sample a flight, have some antipasto or sit and enjoy a full glass and soak in the space.  Landon also has indoor and outdoor seating for your party.  It's a great spot to venture to with a group or a special date night.  Their staff is very knowledgeable about the wines they offer and are willing to help you find your favorite.  Of course you can join their wine club and have their wine delivered directly to your house, where available, or come to your closest location and pick up your bottles.  

    Of course Greenville, is not just located downtown.  There is more to see else where in town depending on what you are looking for.  Greenville use to boast, that they were the "Cotton Capital of Texas."  In honor of that proclamation they have the Audie Murphy Cotton Museum, which is fun for the whole family.  Step back in time to learn about the cotton industry and see the exhibits on cotton and the military in one location.  Start your day in Greenville at the museum and then wander downtown, for the evening.  

Let's Eat ~ Redneck Bar and Grill

 

    I feel like only in East Texas or somewhere in the South would you have a restaurant named Redneck Bar and Grill.  The restaurant's reputation lives up to its name and serves steak, chicken or fish smothered in a gravy or grilled.  

    Redneck is a great downtown dining experience if you are looking for large portions that will fill you up and make your taste buds water in anticipation of what to expect in your dining experience.  We often ask our guests who stay with us at The Oaks, what they want for dinner and direct them to the right options.  Never has anyone come away from Redneck disappointed.  

    In our last visit into Redneck, we both ordered a salad with steak or tuna as our protein option.  Maybe not the best option, for dining at Redneck but both meats were cooked to order and met our expectations. I would have liked the addition of a mixed lettuce selection rather than only iceberg, for a good quality salad.  

    All the other offerings are just what people would expect.  Top Sirloin cooked to your desired finish, smothered hamburger steak, or grilled chicken.  Daily specials are served anytime a patron desires that option.  For example one guest ordered a Risky Chicken, which is a grilled chicken covered in sautéed mushrooms, onions and swiss cheese.  A definite pleasure for the taste buds.

    Redneck also offers a variety of bar drinks, for their patrons to enjoy.  There is a good selection of beer and wine options as well for those who don't want to mix it up.  Since portions are so large they only offer plain cheese cake for dessert.  However, they encourage patrons who want something a little sweet, to walk around the corner to another local option, the Magic Scoop.  

    If you are in need of a space for a larger group event, Redneck has a semi private room available for those functions to utilize as well.  Call ahead and make sure it's available for your special occasion.  Be sure to stop in for lunch or dinner the next time you are downtown.

Let's Eat ~ Pacific Station

 

    If you have not yet been to Pacific Station while visiting or living in Sulphur Springs, then you are missing out.  They have some of the best Pacific style Mexican food in the state of Texas.  I would even say it might rival some local coastal towns in Mexico.  

    I took a group with me so we could have a variety of food to taste and enjoy when we made our stop at Backstory Brewery and Pacific Station.  Plus a lovely group of local bankers let me sneak photos of their food as well, to broaden our approach for choices.  

    A great starter if you plan to stay a while is the guacamole.  Fresh made, with home made chips, this guacamole is sure to make all avocado lovers rejoice.  It's nice and chunky, perfect for placing on those chips and devouring with a great beer.  

    Now comes the hard part, deciding what type of fish to enjoy.  The choices range from ceviche to whole fish.  Fried fish to grilled fish.  There is something for everyone to select from. We are really big fans of ceviche so we always order at least one of the options they have available.  

    The grilled tilapia is melt in your mouth delicious.  The seasoning and firmness of the fish is cooked just right, so it's not too dry but moist and delicious.

    What kind of Mexican dining experience would be complete without an option of tacos.  Fish tacos, shrimp taco and many more.  They each come with a choice of three, rice and sauce.  The homemade sauce really brings out the fish flavor. 

    If you are looking for a fried fish they have you covered.  The coconut fried shrimp is breaded and flavored just right.  The standard fried fish is well worth the wait for the time it might take to deep fry everything.  Finish it all off with some fries. 

    There are so many great choices on the menu that you could go everyday for a month and still not try it all.  Pair everything with a beer from the brewery, I'm sure they could help you come up with some amazing flavor combinations.  

    Pacific Station should absolutely be on your list for the next place to eat and drink.  Their food will not disappoint!