After eating a tiny blueberry muffin, I responded "mo cake" so that my grandmother, GaGa, would give me another one.
I was 3 and less verbose than I am now. Though I'm not sure I communicate any better. GaGa gave me another tiny blueberry muffin.
The place was 50 Yard Line steakhouse in Lubbock, Texas. It was and is one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world. Few places of any kind make me feel more nostalgic, and not just because it is decorated with pictures of former Texas Tech Red Raider legends. Imagine the Texas Sports Hall of Fame with a fabulous steakhouse inside of it, only it mainly features Texas Tech, which is good enough for me.
I returned there this weekend as I visited and dined with my grandfather, Odell Lowe. GaGa went home a few months ago, so it was just my granddad and me. This time, as has been the case for many years now, I fetched my own tiny blueberry muffins. I still thought "mo cake" after I ate each one.
The 50 Yard Line is the place where I learned to appreciate well-prepared beef alongside my grandfather, who has been a cattle rancher all his life. I'm lucky, obviously. We each ate 6-ounce filets. I chose the I-back which was a marinated version. The worcester and horse radish marinate gave the filet a finished and flavorful quality. I didn't need steak sauce, but if there's one thing I've learned from my granddad it's that a good steak does not require steak sauce.
Thinking today about the 50 Yard Line and how a similar restaurant would fit in Waco a few possibilities came to mind.
How about Mulkey's Steak and Seafood? What better way for Lady Bears' coach Kim Mulkey to showcase both her Louisiana heritage and her teams' accomplishments? Featured menu item: the Britney Griner grinder.
Does Grant Teaff's Meat and Potatoes Diner sound good? It does to me. Because of Teaff's association with the golden age of Baylor football and the American Football Coaches Association, the decoration possibilities are virtually endless. Featured menu item: worm.
And my final suggestion, maybe Scott Drew's Have An Awesome Day Cafe? Every hostess, waiter and waitress would have to display Drew's signature enthusiasm. Featured menu items: Ekpe Udoh Curry, LaceDarius Donuts.
So there you go, Baylor athletics heroes. I'll give you the idea for free. Make it happen.
