With work demands mounting, Deb called Friday wanting to get away for a short weekend. We both agreed a quiet weekend was in order. We found a wonderful B&B in Mineola Texas that was willing to rent us a room for one night (most want a two-night reservation don’t you know). It meets the Gotta-Stay standards of the newly established TMay82 Travel and Eats Blog Review.

Check out Munzesheimer Manor – Innkeepers Bob and Sherry Murray are a wonderful couple: full of life, conversation, and serve up a gourmet breakfast worthy of asking for seconds for their guests. The Manor is a retored century-old home done in an outstanding, authenic fashion. I was sold the minute I walked into the house – we were greated by the Murray’s blonde Scottie dog, sniffin’ and jumping up on my leg…just like Mackie (our Scottie) greets guests at our house. This could be a new home away from home – the hospitality sure makes it worth another trip back to Mineola.

Mineola is quiet and peaceful. Amtrak goes through town as do freight trains. At all times of the day and night, you hear the train whistle blow – it’s a comforting sound for a couple of city dwellers. Birds chirp, cardinals eat at the numerous feeders around the B&B, we stayed in the “Engineer’s” room in the cottage – it was fronted with a small porch and swing; inside was home to a claw-footed tub (which Deb took a full hour advantage of that luxury). All we needed was Andy and Barney Fife to come sit with us and life would have been really grand.

So half the blog title is explained. Now “Steer Butt”:

Upon arrival at Munzesheimer Manor, Sherry asked about our dinner plans. She recommended a lunch deli/dinner steakhouse restaurant downtown (a short 2 block walk from the B&B) or an Italian eatery about 20 minutes down the road. We chose the steakhouse and Sherry called and made reservations for us.  “Kitchens Hardware and Deli” is the place to go on Saturday night. Two retired-aged gentlemen played guitars while we enjoyed the evening. Here’s a robbed website writeup about it:

Kitchens Market, in downtown Mineola, offers mouth-watering steaks, every Friday and Saturday night, along with live music. Partner to the famous Kitchens Hardware & Deli, a turn-of-the-century hardware store (continuously open for over 100 years), Kitchens takes you back in time, and fills you up with wonderful deli sandwiches and blackberry cobbler. For lunch or dinner, the experience is not to be missed! BYOB available, with a small corkage fee.  BYOB  Reservations recommended, 903-569-2664.  Monday thru Saturday, lunch only.  Friday and Saturday night, dinner only.

Deb ordered a filet – I got the “Steer Butt”…that’s a true menu item gang and I have proof. With that kind of name, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I am here to say, it is the best butt I’ve ever tasted. Tender, juicy, plumb cut of tenderloin. Oh my! I don’t even remember my vegetable sides. I did have the blackberry cobbler ala mode – could not finish it because of the nice piece of butt I had before that.

Lousy picture I know (cell phone in dim light), but check out the 3rd menu listing under “Filet Mignon” and “Ribeye”. See I told you: “Steer Butt” is an actual menu selection.

A worthy trip with high marks for recommendations. Call Bob and Sherry for a weekend stay; they will book reservations at Kitchen’s for your very own piece of Steer Butt.

tm