DFW to Houston on 45

Ok, stuck doing the 4 hour drive this weekend. It gets old real fast. Was wondering if anyone knew of some fun places to stop along the way for a snack or something.

[texasredtop]

Don't pass up Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana. They have lots of good cookies, pies, etc. http://www.collinstreet.com/

As far as restaurants, Sam's is the only one I've ever eaten at and it's not always great. There is a Cafe Adobe on I-45 in Conroe or Spring that is good.

I know that you probably aren't going all the way to Fort Worth but we were up there for a hunting show in August and ate at Fred's. It was GREAT!!! http://fredstexascafe.com/

[bdwofford]

Try the Farmhouse in Huntsville. You will not be disappointed.

[vwgto]

Mt' Zion is more of a novelty, and you have to be careful on their hours. The food is decent, and it does add some interest to the trip. Just make sure your travel companions are ready. I know plenty of woman who would not step-foot in that place.....

[sarapeater]

anyone been to Mt Zion recently?

[sarapeater]

fyi: Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church BBQ
2601 Montgomery Rd
Huntsville, TX 77340
936-294-0884
Th, Fr, Sat 11a-7p

[Jaymes]

Actually, it's "New" Zion, rather than "Mt."

Not really important, of course, unless somebody is trying to look it up somewhere, in which case it might be difficult to find with the wrong name.

[Jaymes]

vwgto said: "I know plenty of women who would not step-foot in that place....." meaning New Zion BBQ.

I find this comment odd, to say the least. I am a 65-year-old single woman and I drive that route by myself all the time. I stop in at New Zion anytime I'm through there at lunchtime when they're open and never have had even the slightest hint of trouble. The restaurant is run by the church ladies, who don't seem particularly threatening to me. The barbecue may not be up with the top five in the state, but it is pretty darn good and the pies are terrific. I usually get a pie or two to go, to take home to my family.

What on earth is it that causes "plenty of women" you know to not "step foot in that place"?

And someone asked how to find it. It's easy. Take the Montgomery exit, go east about a mile, and look for the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. It's on the south side of the road. The BBQ restaurant is in the parking lot immediately east of the church.

The only tricky thing is that, as somebody else mentioned, their hours are limited so check before you go.

Went to Mt. Zion a few years ago, it was interesting to finally see the place everyone was talking about but found it nothing special.

Woody's Smokehouse at the Centerville exit is greatly expanded in recent years and I believe there's now a large facility on both the northbound and southbound side. Don't know if it's the same owner.

The jerky is really peppery so a bag of that makes the time on the road pass nicely. The bbq actually didn't look bad. The place is so brightly lit it's not especially charming as a restaurant, however.

[danhole]

Woody's has a variety of jerky and a lot of interesting pickles, relishes, and odd jams and jellies. It's a neat place to browse. I have never eaten their BBQ, so I have no comment on that.

[danhole]

Here is a link to Woody's, just so you can see the variety of stuff they have.

http://woodys-smokehouse.com/

Although it is a chain, the Texas Burger in Madisonville is worth a stop; it's clean, the employees are cheerful and friendly, and they have a great selection of Blue Bell. I don't particularly recommend any other Texas Burgers, though.

All up and down 45 you should find roadside stands for Cooper Farms. Stop at the main site in Fairfield if you don't see them anywhere else. The peaches we bought at their stand in Ennis (Kaufman/Italy exit)over Fourth of July weekend were some of the best I've ever eaten, and made marvelous ice cream and deep dish pie.

We always used to stop at the Hitchin Post just north of Huntsville when I was a kid. I haven't been there in 20 years, but it's still there, right outside one of the prison farms.

Also, one of my grandfathers was fond of the Corral Cafe in Madisonville (the Cafe is on the east side of I-45). Last time I went through Madisonville it looked like it was still there as well.

My grandmother was fond of a catfish place on the west side of I-45 in Madisonville. I don't know if it's still there. I believe it was called "The Lake" or something like that, because there's a big lake out back (I don't know if that's where the catfish come from...probably not).

1. Bubba's Bar-B-Q in Ennis.

2. Jim's Krispy Fried Chicken in Corsicana -- Anna Nicole got her start at this chain.

3. Go into Corsicana for pie at Collin Street Bakery.

4. (I've never been, but always heard about) Mt. Zion church barbecue in Huntsville.

[twinwillow]

I've eaten at Jim's Fried Chicken elsewhere and it's always been very good.

I've heard great things about Mt. Zion Church BBQ. That's where I'd stop.

There is a Shell gas station in Centervile I believe that has great german sausage. I don't know if they have a grill or anything though. I usually pick up a few pounds of the sausage though. It is basically a deli place. Lots of Jerky. Good store.

On the South side of Huntsville is Mount Zion BBQ next door to the Mount Zion Baptist Church. I can't tell you how tyo get there but I can drive to the place usually without a problem.

Don't get sucked in by Woody's Smokehouse in Centerville. Mediocre bbq and a real tourist trap.

The German Sausage is very good IMO.

[Jaymes]

The barbecue is indeed mediocre. But I like their smoked peppered bacon, and their hams and jerky are also good. In addition, they sell a lot of jarred items that are terrific - pickles, jams, preserves. My dad loves pickled eggs - the kind that come in the big jars that you used to get in neighborhood bars - and Woody's are good, so I always pick up a couple of jars of those.

I definitely think it's worth a stop.

[DFDubster]

I concur, the bbq is nothing to be desired. I did get some good jerky there, it's been awhile so I don't really remember which kind it was. Bubba's is good Q, not quite the lovely as the Austin area variety but solid nonetheless.

I've never had Mt. Zion, but if you drive through Huntsville during lunchtime, roll down your window...it smells amazing.

[twinwillow]

Ditto that!

There's a good Pilot Gas Stn outside of Huntsville. He he. I really don't stop when doing that drive. I suppose there might be something in the Corsicana area and then something as you approach Conroe, but very little in between.

TSG.

There is some chicken place 1/2 way that is supposed to be great.

Also rumored to have good bread.

But I can't remember the name.

I bet you are thinking about Sam's (no, not the Wal-Mart offshoot) in Fairfield. Their chicken and bread is very good. But must admit that it was not as good as usual the last time I went.

[donnaaries]

Tried Sam's this past weekend driving down to Houston, didn't think the chicken or the bread was that great. The only thing that was above cafeteria-grade food was the fried okra. Would not go back.

[GroovinGourmet]

I'd go back to Sam's in a nano-second. Hit the buffet for lunch in July and pretty much loved the whole spread, especially the coconut cream meringue pie that was still warm from the oven.