Today, Dennis, Kathy, Trista (their granddaughter) and we drove to Jack and Vickie's place near De Leon for a short visit.  We had hoped to see Jack, but he had gone into town before we got there.  Vickie fixed us a plate of stuffed peppers for a snack that were addicting. She puts cheese, a small strip of chicken, a piece of turkey bacon on a half of a seeded jalapeno pepper, and then bakes them in the oven.  Very tasty with a slight kick of heat.  We also, got to see Jack's Mustang that he had restored.  The paint color and finish was excellent! A very, very nice car (even if it is a Ford! LOL).

The five of us then drove back toward Rising Star to have dinner at Cook's Fish Barn.  Whenever we are in the Brownwood area, we try to go to this place for our catfish fix, and are never let down.   The ambiance may not be the best, but the food is.  This is one of those places where folks go to eat and eat a lot - not for a dining experience or to be waited on, but they do have live entertainment in the evenings.  While fried catfish is their specialty, they also offer chicken strips, and steaks.  We cannot comment on anything other than their catfish as that is why we go there.  You walk in, pay for your meal, get your styrofoam plate and drink, find a table, and then hit the all-you-can-eat food and salad bar.  The catfish is always fresh out of the fryer.  They offer all the Texas basics: fries, slaw, potato salad, iceberg lettuce, hush puppies, salad dressings, sides like sliced onions and peppers, cherry peppers, etc. and cocktail sauce, and tarter sauce. This is a must do place if you are in this area!  Just remember, they are only open Friday and Saturday evening.