Though I grew up in rural Virginia, the majority of my family lived in upstate South Carolina and…read moreTattnall County, Georgia. The women in my family were superb cooks. Many of them had a specialty: one reliably fried her chicken juicy, crunchy, and golden-brown; another made buttermilk biscuits that were always flaky, layered, and tender, with a subtle, tangy flavor and a rich, buttery taste; yet another baked exceptionally delicate, intensely-flavored coconut cakes; etc. I was taught and encouraged by these ladies - my Meemaw and my aunts - to manage a kitchen, and, to this day, their influence abides. My father was a restaurant man, but at home, he, my grandfather, and my uncles, all of whom would've called themselves "traditional", mostly limited their culinary efforts to food they could prepare outside. From an early age, these men taught me to work with grills and smokers, which is to say that as soon as I was strong enough, I was put to work, hauling wood before a cook and clearing ashes afterwards. And that was as close as I got to cooking with the men, until one special day, when, at 10 years old, my Uncle Buddy allowed me to baste the hog as it spun on the spit. It was another three years before I was permitted to poke the fire. Cooking, for the men, was guided by custom and tradition, a set of rituals that they'd learned from their elders. They didn't prevent my participation because they didn't trust my talent; they just hadn't finished teaching me yet. But eventually, I earned my place by the fire, and, having proved myself capable, I was entrusted with special tasks of increasing importance: grilling meats (a throwaway - kid's play - in the men's eyes); making basting sauce - the "mop" - or what some call barbecue sauce; and, in my late teens, assisting with the butchery. In the decades that followed, I traveled the United States, trying dozens of local BBQ variants. I won't criticize the barbecue of places that don't do it well, but I will say that if you're going to make the stuff and charge money for it, maybe go see how it's done in Memphis and eastern North Carolina, where my favorite types of "Q" come from. Don't just light a fire and open for business; learn something first. At home, I've owned several smokers, and I've made and eaten a lot of a LOT of BBQ. I use pecan (or a pecan/cherry mix) when I want the taste of the thing I'm smoking to stand out, or when there's not much meat to the bite. Ribs, fish, and special dishes like pizza and involtini get the light smoke. I use hickory or oak when I want an old-school BBQ flavor, or when the cut I'm cooking is large enough that it won't smoke all the way through. Those woods make excellent pork shoulder, prime rib, and leg of lamb. The one wood I won't smoke with is mesquite. Never again. The few times I used it, my food tasted the way country air smells in the summer, when road crews get to resurfacing the County road. But I know that the problem is me, because one day, a while back, I ate outstanding mesquite-smoked BBQ at Lum's in Junction, TX. That morning, I'd left Luling for Van Horn, and, since I'd missed the more famous spots in the Houston area, I was set on finding a decent plate of BBQ before I left the state. Yelp and TripAdvisor said Lum's was a good choice, which gave me hope that the place would have what I wanted. I walked in, happy to note that Lum's was not so much a "restaurant" as a "dining hall," the sort of place that serves a basic menu to lots of people, quickly and without complication. You grab a tray, shuffle down the line, choosing from a meat (or two or three) and a couple of sides, a drink and maybe a sweet treat to finish. Park yourself in a comfortable chair at a heavy wooden table, and get to eatin'. The menu board offered brisket, turkey, pork ribs, pulled pork, pork loin, and sausage. There was chicken, too, but that's not why I was there. The sides included something called "Spicy Spaghetti" which, had I been sticking around, I'd definitely have tried, but pasta wasn't on my short-list of Things To Eat In Texas' Hill Country. I picked brisket (because Texas), pulled pork and ribs, and sides of potato and cucumber salads. My plate came with white bread. And with my feast, I drank sweet tea, as God intended. What did I miss? The spaghetti, and sausage, and pinto beans and mac 'n cheese. Next time. The meats were expertly done: tender, moist, not greasy, and they'd been handled carefully by the pit master, so that the seasoning hadn't been knocked off as they were shifted from smoker to service line. Before I left, I paid my respects to one of the owners and asked what sort of wood he uses, as I couldn't quite identify the smoky flavor. I was surprised when he said, "Mesquite... we're surrounded by it!" There was no acrid, creosote-y bitterness; instead, the flavor was smooth, savory, and delicious. Lum's showed me that mesquite can work. But not at my house; I just don't have the touch.

This spot was delicious! The ribs were some of the best I've ever had, and we loved the pulled…read morepork. The brisket was kind of dry and flavorless, and had a big strip of fat, but it was easy to just cut around. The sides were overall tasty, especially the beans, though all of them could have used a bit more salt. The BBQ sauces on the tables were great. The decor was cute too! They had a counter on the wall for how many likes they had on Facebook. We had fun following them and seeing it change! The guy behind the counter seemed a little cranky but he wasn't rude, the woman grabbing our sides and the girl who rang us up were super sweet. Overall it was a pleasant visit and tasty, and we would return!

The ABSOLUTELY VERY BEST BBQ !! Love their food! Great services, nice people, cute, clean place…read more We've eaten lotsa BBQ but this place is amazing!!

This is some really good food and the inside was pretty cool. The staff was really nice - the young…read moremen behind the counter had a chill attitude- patient with the customers that were staring at the menu a little longer than usual. I wanted some good BBQ and I got it!

Outstanding service with a meal to match. This small diner…read morehas a the look and feel of a small town with the quality you cannot find in a big town. The care resonates with the staff a d carries over into the food. Even even dealing with a jokester dad who then turned into a Karen when the food came out. (not me but the family that came in after) the staff was still smiling and even had another waitress help. All smiles! And that's how we are leaving smiling and satisfied.

The hamburger was a simple cheeseburger with fried egg and it beat any burger I've had anywhere…read moreelse. The onion rings were perfect and better than anything I've ever had. The batter was crusty but the onions were still crisp. I have never had better! It's a small diner in a small town that shines! You have the hats on guys and the hats off guys. The owner is great! Friendly staff, quick and friendly and gosh darn they say "sugar" and "hon"! This was a great place!

If you have a hankering for classic Texas comfort food, Isaack's delivers!…read moreThe cozy dining room with its wood paneling makes you nostalgic for the house of your youth (yes, I'm Gen X). Your eyes do not deceive you... the salad bar is a clawfoot bathtub, and offers classic fresh fare. The comfort food is plentiful... chicken fried steak, burgers, chicken fried chicken, fried zucchini, onion rings... you get the idea. The service is friendly, efficient and the folks make you feel right at home. Save room for the pie... cheers!

Stopped in Junction TX bc there's a Best Western. I used Yelp to find this place and asked the…read moreclerk at the desk about it. James said he loved Isaack's! Local TExas place. Clean and comfortable. Heidi was an attentive server and friendly. My wife and I shared the Fried Catfish w onion rings. It was DELICIOUS!

This has got to be hands down the #1 spot in Junction for Good People, Great Food, and FUN!…read more Stopped in one night to ask about renting some Kayak's and paddling the river. Heck I figured with a name like this, how could I go wrong right? Man it didn't disappoint at all! There was a very nice lady named Janna who was working at the counter who got us off on the right path with not only a waitress to help us with some food and drink orders, but put connected us with a gentleman named Billy to get things started on the Kayak rentals. A lady named Cathe stopped by and asked us how were were doing and we struck up a conversation with her over the good live music that was playing as well as the quality of customer service we had received so far. Once our food arrived it didn't disappoint by any means either. The appetizers were piping hot and the SAMPLER is the way to go! As soon as I seen the "Hawg Dawg" on the menu I was sold! Bacon wrapped sausage, cradled in a green onion-cream cheese smeared toasted bun, topped w/grilled onions, shredded cheese, jalapenos... OH MY... this was phenomenal!! Kids' Stuff Small Burger was ordered for the youngster in my crew and it was very good tasting as the patty was handmade! Very generous portions for just $4.50! We also ordered the SHRIMP TACOS and requested to "load up on the Chipotle Sauce, and Pico"!! Not only did they make the Tacos as normal, but they also brought some on the side so we could add to our tacos as we desired! Brilliant idea by this staff, and awesome customer service. We finished off trying the Oreo Bombs and the Funnel Cake. This took us back to the state fair all over again! It's exactly what it tasted like and we almost put ourselves into a Food Coma! Whenever I am anywhere NEAR Junction I stop by here for the customer service alone! Janna, Billy, and Cathe are wonderful, and the Paddling trip down the River took us right at about 4 hours. Really amazing to have such a wonderful adventure of the River, Food, and People! This is a hidden gem in Texas for sure!

Great find! My husband and I stopped in here while traveling out to Big Bend, and loved it. Great…read moreservice from Jenny, and wonderful food from the cook. Relaxing atmosphere and good music playing. It was also great that they were conscious about keeping things sanitized, and only doing outdoor seating. Dogs allowed and water bowls outside. Only thing I would suggest: add hanging water-bags to deter flys on the patio. They were quite annoying. We will for sure drive out of our way to come here again.

Kept trying to call before 8 but got the busy signal. So I went in person a little after 8 and he…read moresaid pizzas closed. So def not open til 9 like the other reviews said. Or he just felt like closing early on a Friday.

Its truck stop pizza. Not a real pizza place. Major let down…read more I was really looking forward to some good pizza, not gas station food.

Do not come for lunch !!!! 6 people expedite food no one at…read morecounter ... Go somewhere else please!!!

Stopped in for breakfast. Place has a steady pace - even busy at times - VERY busy! Attached to a…read moregas station, so a good stop to get things done while traveling. Clean and most traffic seems to be to go. Order ahead ! My food was good and no complaints there

Great Customer Service, Fresh Food, Offers a welcoming atmosphere. They do make personal subway…read morepizzas.

Very friendly and fast service Could prob use another…read morestaff bit these here are hustling with a smile Not much competition here but Subway across the way in a gas station Free ample parking here on private lot with drive through Clean and would visit again

I love this place and we stop here every time we drive through. Great Ice Cream - standard DQ…read moremenu. The food and the employees are always polite, and efficient and never mess up the order. There is also a nice seating area in front of the story with benches and umbrellas. So, I'm able to enjoy my treat with the pups.

Pros: - There's a Subway sandwich shop inside!…read more- Friendly service at the Subway counter - Busy gas station so other people must like the gas here - Convenient location off Main Street and close to I-10 Cons: - Only 4 or 5 tables to sit at and one of them is handicapped

Delicious subway, the veggie sandwich was the best sandwich I've ever had! Crisp, delicious, if…read moreyou're looking for food, this is the place to stop?