Where to begin?
Growing up in SoCal there are a number of Fast Food Chains, and a few one-shots, that are close to a religion for natives.
Wienerschnitzel is one of them.
I fled the state for Houston in 2012 so, after 7 yrs...when I learned there was one just recently opened in New Caney....
One problem...It was in New Caney...and I don't drive...and Houston Metro only has a Park & Ride route to Kingwood.
I ride a bike, though! And it is only 11 1/2 miles from the lot to get my fix!
Hello, everyone! The Mad Houstonian, here!
Anyone out there? SOMEONE saw one of my old recipe posts, recently, and left a comment to thank me for it, hee, hee!
This week I was on vacation. I HAD planned a trip to Austin for a day of walking, but the adventure fell through when Flixbus cancelled their bus for that morning.
That left this idea.
Wednesday morning, bright and early, from SW Houston, I headed downtown, to a street corner bus stop near the Transit Center, to catch the bus to the boonies.
The Park & Ride Lot, in the Kingwood part of the far flung city of Houston, to the north, is in a commnity of high-end homes, condos and apts, along narrow, busy streets with lots and lots of trees, and some walking/biking trails tossed in for good measure.
Pedaling along 2 lane roadsI soon found myself outside of Houston City limits, about to head out Old Hwy 59 ( aka Loop 494 ) toward the rural towns of Porter & New Caney.
At this gas station, a few blocks from the nearly parallel 59 Frwy, I found myself chatting with the grizzled old man working there whose co-worker took this pic for me.
It turned out that he once owned a home in Pomona, where I grew up, a long time ago.
Small world.
I had encountered a spandex-clad lady on a bike who was having second thoughts about these narrow, heavily trafficed, roads, since there was little in the way of sidewalks along some stretches before getting to this point.
She asked if she could follow me, until I turned, and I said sure....but her courage gave out after just a few blocks and she turned back without a word. I have no idea if she ever made it to where she was going.
I was wearing one of my 3 Feet Please shirts and it was a good thing, too! Narrow roads with motorists barely able to move more to my left, even if they had been so inclined...and few were.
At least there was no honking, or yelling out car windows,the whole day.
So, leaving the gas station behind I set out.
Lots of undeveloped land.
Lots of trees...even groves of them!
With a railroad track often hidden to my right.
Lots of narrower than narrow paved roads heading off,God knows where, into this, on either side of the road.
Small businesses, schools, churches, etc, along the highway, with trailer parks, and homes glimpsed down the side roads, and USPS trucks venturing down those roads.
I encountered construction workers along one stretch and, stopping to ask one if I was headed in the right direction for my turn, I discovered another guy with ties to the Inland Empire!
I soon found myself pedalling through Porter, near its border with New Caney, and passing a small private cemetery.
White Oak Cemetery, next to a small bayou and the railroad track, was founded in 1905.
A Google Search found plenty of genealogist and Find a Grave activity, but no official website for the place.
It was founded in 1905 and you must have ancestors planted here in order for you to also get a spot when the time comes.
There were flowers on some graves and there were also American Flags on a number of them, too, and what appeared to be a recent burial, as well.
I continued on my way.
It took me 90 minutes to travel 11 1/2 miles....but I finally arrived at a little strip mall, along the Eastex Frwy (59 Frwy) Frontage Road, next to a Walmart.
To say I was excited at the sight of the place and the menu would be an understatement, hee, hee!
Not the familiar shack with a walk-up window and outdoor only seating, but I was not complaining!
I'd been without for 7 years!
7 long years without! To say I was happy would be a major understate, hee, hee! Hallelujiah!!!!
So, how did I get the above 2 pics?
The owner of the SUV took them for me...as the employees gaped in amusement out the window, from inside the joint.
It turned out an employee was apparently from the Inland Empire.
Small world.
7 very long years...Just LOOK at that menu, will you!
Praise the Lord and where the hell's my wallet!
Plenty of seating inside, a friendly staff, and clean restrooms.
Oh, and that menu! All the favorites I remember...slathered in Chili almost as good as that found at Original Tommy's (Another one of those Religious Experiences I mentioned earlier)...and, lest I forget, my favorite....the Polish Sandwich!
$15 later I camped out at a table, one happy camper!
The food was all as good as I remember from the Chili Dog & Chili Burger, the Corn Dog, and Polish Sandwich, even the Chili Fries, and I told the staff so.
I didn't notice until after I got home but, judging by the discount they gave me ($3.27), I must have got the large Chili Fries for free.
Word is that more outposts will eventually open in the Houston Area...hopefully closer to where I live...time will tell.
Family owned and in business for 58 years this SoCal institution is now in 10 states....and Guam.
The Cycling Dude put in 23 miles of bike riding and 7 miles of walking over the whole day and got home tired, but happy.
You are one mad Macedonian! I'm so glad the food was as good as you remembered! :)
Posted by: Marian Allen | August 25, 2019 at 08:05 AM
I am so impressed you biked that far to eat there- it has to be good :)
Posted by: Ellen Pilch | September 02, 2019 at 09:19 PM
Loved this Kiril. So happy that you got your hot dog fix.
Posted by: Barbara | July 16, 2020 at 09:10 PM