BILL: Travis Street Grille Revisited

A couple of months ago, when we still lived in Texoma, Melissa and I decided to go out to eat. We left out of Whitesboro, east on Highway 56. On the way, we passed the famous farm with hundreds of miniature horses on overgrazed, almost barren land. A couple of cows in a pen smaller than a one bedroom house with no grass, buried up to their knees in muck right outside a local business. The sides of the road are papered with plastic and litter from the many trash trucks which deliver their loads to the new dump just outside of Whitesboro. No one cares about the litter all over the road, or the trucks that spill their loads on the way. No one cares about the animals with no food. The sides of the highway are lined with trees hacked to the point which they looks as though they belong on an alien landscape. I guess this matches the trash along the road. It truly gives Texoma the alien image I have come to expect.


We finally make it into town and make it downtown to our restaurant of choice. Again entering into this interesting piece of Sherman history. Like I have said before the building itself is interesting to walk through. Player piano fills the atrium with music as the day just gains a lazy haze inside. There is no rush, no stress here. Kelly Restaurant upstairs does decent business. Clothing stores and knick knack shops line the lower level. The shoe shine boy waits patiently in his corner. But right inside the door is where we stop.


Home of the Travis Street Grille. The lobby displays the history of Sherman. From the now defunct baseball team to the shots of downtown before it was what it is today. But we are not here for the ambiance, so we quickly get into line. Our great friend Clarence comes out from behind the counter and greets each of us with a smile and a hug. The type of service one can get from a friendly place like this.

Everytime I walk in through the door, I am always hypnotized by the massive, juicy burgers served here. I get lost in the long list of different burgers offered. But today, I had a mission. A mission I wasn't going to fail. And that was to check out the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich. We placed our order and took our seat. It takes a little longer than it would running into a McDonald's or Jack In The Box, but believe me, it is worth the wait. During our wait, we got to spend quality time with Clarence and his family, looking at pictures of Clarence's younger days, and watching the crowd go by.

Our order arrived, Lissa's huge cheeseburger fixed exactly the way she likes. When you order extra mustard and pickles at most places, you get three to five pickles instead of the two to three which normally comes with the burger. Here, extra pickles got a layer which rivaled the burger itself. Mustard came where it was dripping off the burger. Exactly the way Lissa wishes other places would do. We got our huge basket of onion rings, and another huge basket of fried pickles. Like I said before, I hate pickles, but there is something almost addictive about the fried pickles sold at Travis Street Grille.


Over the many times I have entered this place, I have always gotten the burgers. Super-sized, juicy burgers with fresh trimmings, beautifully cooked. I have always been afraid of the sandwiches, because most places serve you a small sandwich, and I usually end up leaving the restaurant hungry. But I heard so many rave reviews of the Travis Street Grille's Philly Cheesesteak, I decided to try it out. I was completely surprised when the sandwich arrived. The bread was barely visible over the meat, onions, peppers, and mushrooms piled on top of the bun. The sandwich was almost impossible to pick up, but I managed a way. Every bite almost melting in my mouth. For the first time, a sandwich filled me up, and I was able to take home leftovers.


It has always been a great enjoyment to eat at the Travis Street Grille. I have never found anything that was half way done. There is nothing on the menu that isn't made with a lot of heart and passion. The family who runs this place really knows the best flavor combinations, and are willing to try anything. Daily specials prove this. It has always been a pleasure to go here to eat.


I think back to my last couple of trips to Galveston. Melissa and I took her parents down to Galveston to spend the day. Checking out the grounds and the Titanic exhibit at Moody Gardens. We went down the Seawall, which was crowded with swimmers and surfers. We tried to go eat at The Spot, which is another place known for it's burgers. The place was packed. No where to park in the surrounding three blocks. No where to sit. People hanging out over the railing.


I knew in moving here, we gained many new places to eat, but they do not come close to the bond we have with Clarence and the Travis Street Grille. They will always be the one thing I miss about Texoma, and the only thing I miss. I wish they could go along with us. I know they could turn that hungry crowd at the beach looking for places to eat into a small wonderland. Spread their happiness to the millions who cross the Seawall each year. "Seawall Boulevard Grille and Tiki Bar." I smell a small fortune, Clarence. There is a restaurant on the Seawall for sale.


I am sorry you are not going with us, Clarence, but you will be there in heart. And we wish you all the best. Keep the restaurant going strong. With food that good, you cannot fail anywhere. You and the Grille will be missed. You are a true friend.