D-Ray's Burgers and Dogs San Angelo, Texas UPDATED!

As is our usual custom on Sunday after Church (at least when we have some money) we went out to eat. Today I had the bright idea of going out to a place that's new to San Angelo and also new to me. I don't think it's been open for very long but I'm glad that D-Ray's is here in town. D-Ray's is located on South Chadbourne in an old Dairy Queen location that had previously housed Nuttin' But Wings and a couple of other lesser known restaurants. The last time we were in this building under the previous proprietors (NBW) you could smell the restrooms from the side door we walked in. Today our schnozzes were greeted with a soliloquy of sweet scents. D-Ray's takes cleanliness seriously. It smelled clean and the floors and windows were very clean (not that it stopped a young lady from cleaning more.) We were greeted quickly as we came in by the smiling owner and workers. I had studied the menu a bit before I came in because we had received a few of them where I work and I was curious. The prices looked low enough for a family on a budget so that was a nice plus. I noticed as we walked in that there were classic car models made of cardboard on each table holding the salt, pepper, and ketchup packets. They were all different colors. Here's one:

There's was also some 50s and 60s music playing and I noticed there was a flat screen TV at one end of the dining area where the sound was coming from showing the name of the group that was playing. It was the Ronettes by the way. We ordered the usual meals that we'd get at a burger place. Jonah had chicken strips and fries and Kandra tried a bite and said they were, "AMAZING." The rest of us had burgers. OK I couldn't help myself I had to have the Double D's Combo which is a Double Cheese Burger and an order of tater tots. I ordered a large so I didn't have to say: Gimme Some Of Your Tots like this guy did: http://emedia.entertonement.com/audio/000/035/209/35209.mp3
Here's a picture of my Double Cheeseburger and my tots:

Kandra was gushing over the melted cheese on her burger. The food came out piping hot and they know how to put together a good burger. Toasted buns always make a burger taste better and so does a patty that's nice and juicy. I noticed Jared's burger dripping and I was thinking a messy burger is a tasty burger. There were 4 TVs in D-Rays. One playing the game, 2 others playing other stuff and the one with the satellite radio music. Plenty of options to keep everyone occupied. I think Jonah really liked his kid's meal too. Kid's get their meal in a classic car meal box.
The most expensive thing on the menu is the Double D's Combo at $6.49. Everything else there is very inexpensive. They also serve breakfast and have some great weekend hours to accommodate your late night tummy rumblings. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday they have a 24 hour schedule. Sunday through Wednesday they are open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. They serve breakfast sandwiches and burritos which is definitely a plus and you can get it from 11:00 pm to 11:00 am Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Hot dogs and corn dogs made from 100% beef franks are also available. Service here is top notch and we were asked if we needed refills at least 4 times and they came and picked up the garbage as we were finishing. I thoroughly enjoyed the food and only heard one complaint from Jared. He wanted a double or triple burger! He likes to eat! I'd have to say that I'd definitely recommend D-Ray's as a great place to eat. D-Ray's is in an area that needs an economic boost and hopefully it will spark some more interest in other properties nearby for more business. Thanks D-Ray's for a great lunch today! We are sending our friends!

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!

Check out their website: http://www.draysburgersanddogs.com/

Joe Cotten's, Robstown Texas BURNED DOWN

The last time I blogged about a restaurant I was not very impressed with service or food quality. I was out of town. Last week I found myself on the road again and I was pleasantly surprised by Joe Cotten's in Robstown. Joe Cotten's ends up on all kinds of BBQ lists and must eat at places in all kinds of publications and websites every year. I had heard from many people and from one person in particular that Cotten's was the best BBQ ever. Based on those types of glowing reviews and the fact that we were on a trip to Corpus Christi for a church conference I practically begged my pastor to take us to eat there. I was very excited as we drove up and I saw the big sign and the rustic look of the place. I was thinking to myself this place could be the real deal, Holyfield. With wooden porch swings and a faded wood exterior I was definitely feeling the kinda vibe you can only get from this type of place which is BBQ Buzz. When you walk in and see plenty of locals eating there you know it's well worth it. Just an FYI, this place only takes cash. ATM is right in the doorway as you walk in which is totally out of place in this throwback to the old school type of place. Saddles, barbed wire, old metal soda and gasoline signs abound in here and give it a certain charm that you don't see in most places today. Atmosphere here plays into the whole BBQ theme. I just wish I had taken more pictures of all the interesting antique items they had on the walls. There is no menu here. WHAT? NO MENU? I wasn't really that worried but some people might be. Our waiter came out and told us what was available. Dressed in a black bow tie, a maroon jacket, and black pants it would seem totally out of place but it definitely adds to the quirkiness of this place in a good way. There was a 12.99 special with 3 meats. OF COURSE I had that, right after we had some of the cheese and crackers they offered as an appetizer. Spreadable, yellow cheese, and a "delightful selection of gourmet crackers," I think. LOL. I had a link of sausage, a pork rib, and some of the tastiest brisket I've had in a while. All of this was served on a sheet of butcher paper with a few slices of onion, a tomato, a radish, and a pickle if I remember correctly. I had a bowl of beans and let me tell you this place knows how to make beans! Right before the meal came out around the corner came a guy I used to go to school with. WOW, it's a small world. I hadn't seen him since around 1997. He manages Joe Cotten's and I'd have to say he's doing a great job. Brisket was very tender, by the way, and flavorful. The sauce was more like a salsa but was an interesting addition to say the least. I liked the sausage and the ribs but the star of this meal was the brisket. It so nice to discover that after I had eaten up the first big slice of brisket the waiter offered me another one. VERY NICE! How much? Nothing extra! Even nicer! After all the cheese, meat, and beans I noticed they gave the young man in our entourage an ice cream. Kids get ice cream free. Being the big kid I am I had to have some but of course I had to pay for it. Strawberry ice cream cone with a cherry on top. The waiter even brought out some extra cherries for the ladies. We had a great time and the meal was enhanced even more due to the wonderful company I had to share it with. I'd definitely eat here again as service, food flavor and cost, as well as the atmosphere were all to my liking. Joe Cotten's is old school that's way too cool. This is definitely a place you will want to visit when you are around this area!