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.

There are plenty of better BBQ's than this in California, Nevada and elsewhere, not to mention TX-…read morebut I heard it's the best in town here. I had the brisket, it seemed kind of dry, not the melt-in-your-mouth quality I was hoping for. They ask for a tip checkout but I'm not sure why- they didn't deliver or pick up anything. That all being said, the food was pretty good- not fantastic- but worth a try and better than fast food in any case. The staff was upbeat and friendly and the building was stylish in a western way.

Great stop for a solid burger and friendly service with a small town feel. Tried the burger of the…read moremonth which reminded me of a "fat Elvis" with the peanut butter, pickles and habenero jam. You can get a choice of different buns which is cool. I was looking forward to the onion rings and they did not disappoint. I enjoy that type of breading and I think they used red onions instead of white. Got the recommended queso and it was tasty as well. Not sure how long this place has been around but barely saw the sign outside. Hope they are able to to stick around awhile and cater to travelers passing through. Will definitely stop by if I'm in the area and want a bite to eat.

Could not have asked for a better burger! I don't know how to explain it but that meat..not fatty…read morebut pure Texas beef. Meaty and the bun and condiments topped it off. So glad we stopped here! We were greeted right off the bat. It was nice to have a Texas welcome.

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.

"Stopped at the Subway inside the Pilot in Junction, TX today and had one of the best customer…read moreservice experiences on our entire trip. BOBBY was incredibly friendly, patient, and welcoming from the moment we walked up to the counter. She listened carefully to our order, made our sandwiches exactly the way we wanted, and checked in with us to be sure everything looked right before wrapping them up. ​ Even though it was a busy travel day, Bobby stayed cheerful, efficient, and kind, and it honestly made our stop here a bright spot. The line moved quickly, the prep area looked clean, and our sandwiches were fresh and well put together. In a world where good service is getting rare, Bobby truly stood out. Thank you, Bobby, for taking such great care of us at the Subway in the Pilot Travel Center in Junction, Texas!"

Bad attitude from both of the workers! Neither of them want to be there. You guys can make an…read moreeffort in understanding people's accents and not being that rude !

Met a friend here for lunch, and had the chicken-fried steak. Good for the price and the service…read morewas impeccable!

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!

Oh my! This was the best brisket I've had in a long time! I don't normally leave reviews, but the…read morefood was so good that I had to. I read some previous reviews that didn't seem fair to this restaurant. My husband and I ordered one pound of brisket and a half-pound of sausage, and both were absolutely delicious! The brisket was incredibly tender and juicy. The sausage was also full of flavor. I'm so glad we chose this place over the surrounding fast-food restaurants. We'll definitely be back!

$16 for a chopped beef sandwich? I expected BBQ that would knock my boots off... instead, I got a…read moresandwich that tasted like the meat took a wrong turn and ended up in the oven instead of the smoker. No mesquite smoke flavor, no seasoning, no depth.... just plain, bland beef, very dry beef!! Good BBQ should have that smoky, slow-cooked flavor that makes you want another bite! For that price, I expected quality and flavor. Unfortunately, this sandwich didn't deliver.

Closed on a Wednesday despite hours listed online, no sign or hours listed at the bar. Ah, well.read more

From the owner: Lone Star Bar is a locally owned, Texas-themed bar in Junction built around community, connection,…read moreand a true small-town atmosphere. More than just a place to grab a drink, it’s a gathering spot where locals come together to unwind, celebrate, and support one another. With a welcoming, laid-back environment, Lone Star offers bottled beer, friendly service, and a strong sense of hometown pride. The bar is known for its lively weekly events, including pool tournaments, themed nights, and game day watch parties that bring people together and keep the energy high. From supporting local teams to hosting community events, Lone Star Bar & Grill has become a staple in Junction for entertainment and social connection. As an owner-operated business, every detail is driven by passion, resilience, and a commitment to creating a space where everyone feels at home. Lone Star continues to grow as a hub for good times, great people, and lasting memories.

We ordered ALL the things - mozzarella sticks, wings, and cheese bread - for appetizers. For lunch,…read morewe had the whole hog sandwich, 7" pizzas, and a 16 oz steak with sides. Oh, and an order of fries! It was all so good! They have definitely earned this high rating!!

Order takeout and got the individual pizza with toppings of green peppers,onion, olives and…read moremushrooms. Loved the thin crust. VERY quick service. Recommend if you are in the area!

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?

It's a McDonald's attached to the busiest gas station in Junction…read more The drive-thru can get full but moves quickly. We ordered inside at the clean counter with friendly staff. We got two double cheeseburgers and a large unsweetened tea. The fresh-brewed tea was perfect with lots of ice. The burgers were consistent McDonald's neatly packed into a bag. The buns were not crushed and had just the right amount of everything. A great all-around experience.

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