The Old Country Store and the BEST Fried Chicken in the World

At mile marker thirty of the Natchez Trace Parkway, you get off on highway 522 and head toward Lormar, Mississippi. You go about a mile then take a right, About a mile further down on the right you come across an old, old building, kind of run down and not really very appealing. I’m pretty sure after 40 years of marriage that we wouldn’t have stopped had someone hadn’t told us about this place, The Old Country Store.

And old it is. The building itself is 130 years old. Believe me, it looks it, too and that’s why we probably wouldn’t have stopped. But we did. So, how did we get there? Wha tmade us stop? Well, while traveling up the Trace Parkway, which is gorgeous and well worth the trip, we stopped at one of the original Inns on the Trace. The Inns were actually called “Stands.” Mount Locust Stand was one of the first stands and the only surviving stand. It was restored and set up to show both what travelers on the Natchez trace saw and how the owners lived on the plantation/farm after the stand closed.

Ranger Rick, the Park Ranger, was very knowledgeable and friendly. When the tour was finished, Ranger Rick asked if we wanted a good place to eat lunch. I said, “Sure.” Ranger Rick directed us to The Old Country Store and told us it was “the best fried chicken you’ll ever taste.” So, off we went to Mr. D’s Old Country Store.

You have to climb steps or walk up a long wooden ramp, to get there. The hand rail was loose and wobbly. Everything needed at least two coats of paint. When we entered the door screeched and all the floor boards creaked but we were greeted warmly and told to sit anywhere. We were then welcomed to the buffet where the chicken was.

Let me tell you about the buffet. Everything was fresh made. There was nothing canned. Mr. D, Arthur Davis, cooks it all. I got a cucumber, onion and tomato salad. The old southern kind with vinegar and some other seasonings. Of course, I got the fried chicken but I also got one of Mr. D’s ribs. Then there was dirty rice, blackeyed peas (thick with ham and hulls); and cornbread stuffing. I also orderd sweet tea. I usually drink unsweetened but this was recommended.

We sat down, said grace and dug in. I went after that cucumber salad first. It was just right. I looked over at Mary just as she was taking her first bite of chicken. One bite and her eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. And even though it is impolite to talk with your mouth full, she let out a little moan and said, “Ohhh, this is good!”

Well, I couldn’t wait any longer then. And was she ever right. All it took was one bite and I was in taste bud heaven. I honestly have to say that this was THE BEST fried chicken I have ever ever ever tasted. And as a United Methodist minister I’ve had plenty of opportunity to eat my share of fried chicken. Sorry Mom. Sorry Mary. Thanks Mr. D.

Mr. D. says the recipe and cooking technique was passed from his grandmother to his mother and then on to him. When I get to heaven, I’m going to personally thank his grandmother for passing it on so the rest of us could share. The chicken was moist and succulent, not overcooked or undercooked but just right. The crust was crispy and the balance of seasonings (whatever they were) absolutely perfect.

I’ve got to tell you, Arthur Davis can fry chicken better than any old man from Kentucky, any old sailor with a squinky eye, and while I “know what good is” I just discovered what “great” is and it’s not cornflakes, it’s Arthur Davis’ fried chicken at The Old Country Store in Lormar, Mississippi. Thanks for the tip Ranger Rick.

To top off our visit, Mr. D. came out to greet us all. Without even asking, he autographed a flier for the place to Mary and I and gave it to us. And then he serenaded the whole place with “My grandma was a cornbread making queen.” Beautiful voice. He told the whole place, “Don’t feel sorry for the man in the kitchen, this ain’t a job, it’s a hobby.”

When we checked out I told Mr. D that I fully expected he would be the chief cook for Sunday Dinner when we all got to heaven. He laughed and said, “Well, my Mama’s got that job right now, but when I die, I’m gonna relieve her so she can finally rest.”

If you’re ever traveling along the Natchez Trace be sure to stop in Lormar, just off the Trace, and sample Arthur Davis’ heavenly fried chicken at The Old Country Store, You won’t be disappointed.

Laura Plantation, Louisiana: A Creole Plantation. Some Thoughts

Prior to becoming a state, Louisiana women had full equal rights, could own land and did the business. Laura Plantation was perfect example, for three generation women were the President (Presiding officer of the plantation) and they made beaucoups of money.

They were so successful that at one time there were 69 slave cabins each which housed two families averaging 4 per family. That’s some 276 slaves. Not that I’m in favor of slavery, but that shows the size of the plantation, some 12,000 acres of fertile Mississippi bottom land and swamp.

That got me to thinking about a conversation I had with our youth during one of our Wednesday Night Bible Studies. We were talking about Abraham, Sarah and Hagar. First the youth were appalled that Abe had more than one wife. Second, as we talked about inequality of the patriarchal society and the few privileges and freedoms that women had, the girls were really appalled. They just couldn’t understand how or why society was that way, then. One of the young ladies was pretty perturbed.

I reminded them that, thankfully, the role of women has changed over the centuries. And it has changed significantly over my lifetime. That’s not to say that there isn’t still a long way to go to break down all of the inequalities.

I didn’t grow up in the church, so I didn’t have all that baggage of being told women had no place in leadership in the church. My experience with women in leadership was my mother. Mom was a strong independent woman who worked as a business administrator for a couple of different firms over the years taking on more responsibility with each job.

When I did accept Christ and get involved in the United Methodist Church, one of the first people I met was a retired Methodist Preacher by the name of Hazel Allen. After I answered the call to preach, Hazel became one my unofficial mentors, always checking on me; always praying for me and my ministry; always letting my home church know how we were doing. Hazel had gone into ministry after her husband, a Methodist preacher, died. I don’t think she was never in full connection but was an Associate Member of the Annual Conference. That didn’t stop here from being an excellent, gifted minister.

When I was in college, a number of the students I knew who were studying for ministry were women. There were already several ordained female clergy in the Missouri East Annual Conference when I was ordained Deacon in 1979. A seminary colleague was ordained Elder the same year I was, 1984. We’ve come a long way.

Regardless of how you feel about their politics, the last presidential race was an historical landmark. Not discounting President Obama being the first African American President ever elected, Hillary Clinton ran a hard race for that nomination as president (and nearly won.) While Sarah Palin ran as the Republican candidate for Vice President. Never before has this been possible. And no, I’m not forgetting Geraldine Ferraro but women in both parties at the same time is something new.

In Nashville, in a prominent Baptist church, I was invited to receive communion by the senior pastor who was being assisted by his female associate pastor, ordained the year before. Not only that but I was served communion by female deacons. That’s a big deal.

The world and leadership as many have known it is changing. There are many of my colleagues in ministry and women my age or older who fought the battle and have paved the road for the full equality of in ministry. There are those who paid a dear price who are no longer in ministry. The suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous treatment by churches, clergy and the system to make the ministry what it is today.

I’m not saying that there aren’t still large pockets of resistance. Nor am I saying that the fight is over. However, these fights seem more like skirmishes rather than full out battle.

I’m glad that the youth of my church are appalled at the notion of women not being equal. I’m thankful that I live in a time when I have to explain “that’s how it was,” NOT “how it is.” I’m thankful for people like Hazel Allen and others who were the pioneers who fought the good fight and persevered despite the personal cost. I probably should have done this along time ago. Thank you.

Roadfood Seafood Quest

One of the reasons we wanted to go to New Orleans was to eat the fresh seafood. Well, to be truthful, "I" love seafood, Mary likes it bot would rather have a hamburger but she is tolerant of my passions. Unfortunately with the BP debacle the fishing and seafood industry has been decimated and many of the small Seafood Restaurants and Markets are struggling or worse, have closed. We were able to find one place open on a Sunday night in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Neither one of us really wanted to drive around looking. I tried my Yelp app and it suggested a couple of places but when I called, no one answered. So, we headed down the street figuring we were going to have to settle for something other than seafood. Anything Cajun would have been OK, but hey, you're by the sea, you'ld like to have seafood.

We found a little place, a dive really, called Steamboat Bill's Inc. Steamboat Bill's is one of those neighborhood fish markets and restaurant all in one. You walk in and one side is the fish market where you would normally be able to order all kinds of fish. The other side was the restaurant with a walk up counter where you ordered just like in a deli.

It was obvious that they had been hit hard by the spill. The normally full fresh fish display case was empty. There were only a hand full of people in the place. I asked how bad they had been hurt and it was obvious from their reaction that it was more than just business which was hurting.

We were afraid they weren't going to have much to offer. But most items except crawfish, boiled shrimp, oysters and soft-shell crabs, were on the list. Mary ordered a cup of gumbo and the fried catfish fillets. She said it was the freshest catfish she'd ever tasted. I ordered the shrimp etouffe and a shrimp po' boy.

The etouffe was very good. Nice and thick with plenty of that back of the throat pepper kick that you find in Cajun food. It wasn't too salty and it wasn't too hot. It was excellent. The shrimp po' boy was nearly as long as my forearm. And man was it loaded with shrimp. THEY DID NOT SCIMP ON THE SHRIMP. There was so much shrimp that when I picked up the first half to take my first bite, fried shrimp started falling out all over my plate.

And it was delicious. The shrimp was lightly battered, not so thick that you got mostly batter but just a light batter deep fried perfectly. The batter was crisp and crunchy. The shrimp was not overcooked but still tender and sweet. It's obvious they've done this awhile. (My guess is that it was probably either imported or fresh frozen but it was good.)

The po' boy was so big that after finishing 1/2, I simply opened the other half of the sandwich and just ate the shrimp.

If your'e ever in Lake Charles, Steamboat Bill's may not be the classiest place but the portions were great, the people friendly and the food was really good. They need our support. Who knows how long before they recover, if they ever do, so they also need our prayers.

Friends and a Cinnamon Roll

As you can see, I'm catching up on actually posting some blogs I'd written while driving (actually Mary is driving, I'm writing on my mini) but hadn't actually taken time to post yet.

We went to visit and worship with some good friends of ours. He is the Pastor of the United Methodist Church in Flatonia, Texas. We've known Rob and Sandra Clopton for years. I was their pastor in Arlington, saw their kids grow up, performed the wedding for their daughter Tracy and her husband Preston. And I had the privilege of being Rob's pastor when he answered the call to ministry. His job, prior to ministry, took him to the Southwest Texas Conference, but I was there through all the struggle with the call. It was a joy to be with them today.

Anyway, they insisted on taking us to lunch but I told them we were bringing dessert. After a great worship service and great lunch at the local eatery, we went back to the parsonage. I honestly had not looked in the bag from the time we bought the Cinnamon Roll until we took it out of the bag. Everybody had the same reaction. "Oh my God, it's huge." It was as big as your head. I kid you not. It weighed in at 3 1/2 pounds. Franken-Roll.

We couldn't wait to try it. It took Sandra awhile to figure out how to serve it. But eventually she cut some slices off of this thick heavy cinnamon roll and warmed them up in the microwave. It was absolutely heavenly. It was rich and warm with just the right amount of everything. Sandra cut what was left in half and we each have enough for at least two more desserts. As big as this thing is, I think you could possibly die if you tried to eat the whole thing. You have to wash it down with a little coffee or milk and that added to all the dough, well it probably wouldn't be pretty.

And lest you think I'm exagerating about the size of this thing, here's a picture of one of the waitstaff standing in front of the "Cinnamon Roll To Go stand." You can see her hand next to one of those delicious monstors, on the right hand side of the picture.

If you're ever in San Antonio, you have to go to Lulu's Bakery and Cafe located at 918 Main St., if for no other reason than to try one of the delicious Cinnamon Rolls. If you just can't wait you are able to order them online.

Lulu's Bakery and Cafe

Roadfood From Diner's Drive-in and Dives and Man vs Food

This past week, during the start of our vacation we ate at two awesome roadfood places. De Wese's Tip Top Cafe and Lulu's Bakery and Cafe. Tip Top was featured on Diner's Drive-ins and Dives and Lulu's was featured on Man versus Food. Both have been voted the best Chicken Fried Steak in San Antonio at different times from different people. It's vacation. I don't get to San Antonio very often. I love Guy Fieri and Adam Richmond's shows, so I put them to the test.

The first stop was Tip Top Cafe. It's been awhile but I think DDD featured Roast Pork with gravy on toast but also mentioned the Chicken Fried Steak. Anyway, that's what I ordered. Any place that advertises their CFS as the best needs to be put to the test. I remember going to a place that I had heard so many people rave about in Ft. Worth and ordering their CFS. It was supposed to be the best. Instead it was tough, greasy and seemed to me to be pre-formed and frozen. I was disappointed big time and won't go back to that place for any kind of food.

However, we were greeted warmly and seated in an old fashioned booth in a room with knotty pine walls. It was like being 14 or 15 again and going to the Dew-Cum-In Cafe with my Dad. Talk about Time Warp. The minute I saw the menu I knew what Mary would have. The Meatloaf plate. One of her favorites. I ordered the CFS.

When they brought out the food, the poritons were Texas size. And as far as the CFS, if you want anything other than CFS and fries or mashed potatoes, it comes as an extra side.

The first thing I noticed was that the gravy was on the plate and the steak was laid in the gravy. (French style) That left the perfectly golden brown, skillet fried, CFS to shine in all of its glory. The next thing I noticed was after the first bite. I didn't really need a knife. The CFS was cut with a fork melt in your mouth tender. The breading wasn't overly thick like a lot of others I've eaten. Nor was it extemely heavy. It was just right, as babay Bear would say. It was excellent. A little black pepper was all it needed for my taste. I'd definitely go back for more. Be warned, if you go, they don't accept credit cards, just cash or checks.

The next night we went to Lulu's Bakery and Cafe. Their CFS also claimed to be the best in San Antonio. It certainly could lay claim to the biggest. They had three different sizes. There was the Deputy Special, the Sheriff's Special and the Chief's Special. I ordered the Deputy's Special, 16 ozs of Chicken Fried Steak.

The Sheriff's special is a double order 32 ozs and the Chief's Special is a garganuan 48 ozs of CFS smothered in Queso and jalepenos. I didn't see anyone eating it but one of the bubba's in the booth down from our table was working on the Sheriff's Special when we left. Don't know if he finished or not. Me, I left about 1/3 of my mashed potatoes and 1/2 of my fried Okra and just barely finsihed the CFS. One notable The dinner roll which came with the meal was more like a small loaf of bread, hot and fresh and sweet. I only had three small bites because I was stuffed.

This CFS was smothered in cream gravy like normal. I thought the gravy needed some salt and of course more black pepper. It too, was a huge portion, maybe a bit larger than the one at Tip Top. It had a really good flavor. The breading was crunchier and the steak a little thicker. It wasn't as tender, though, as the one at Tip Top but was still scrumptious. It was definitely right up there in taste.

I can see why both places have been listed as best CFS in San Antonio. I'd go back to Lulu's, too.

Now, one of the things we bought but didn't try until later when we could share it with some friends, was Lulu's 3 pound Cinnamon Roll. That's right 3 pounds. It's a monster. We saw several families of 4 to 8 working their way through one of these things. Three of the four families had to ask for doggie bags. They just couldn't finish it. If they use dough similar to their rolls, I can see why. It was very filling. We'll find out when we share it with our friends tomorrow.

Reflections On CTCYM Mission Trip

One of the incredible aspects of CTCYM is that through the earnest dedication and faithfulness of the Adult Leaders and the Youth Workers a little bit of the Kingdom of God is opened up on Earth. It may only be a glimpse, a week long glimpse covered in sweat and dirt and saw dust, but it is a glimpse of the glory that is yet to come.

Embodied in the Mission Trip is the fullness of United Methodist Wesleyan Theology. The Youth Groups all gather in a Living Center prepared just for them. Most, if not all of them, know absolutley nothing about the host church; the leaders who chose this church, why it was chosen, who would be preparing meals, where they would sleep, all of the details of simply "living." And yet, there it is, ready for us to "live in."

Then there are the clients and the work projects that each team will be doing. We don't know any of these people or their needs. But someone does. At least a year's worth of planning goes into the choosing of living centers, center leaders, work projects and all the other aspects of Mission Trip. It doesn't just happen.

God's prevenient grace is just like that. God goes before us to prepare the way. To make straight the paths, as Scripture says, to open our hearts and the hearts of the clients we will meet. To prepare the way. There is nowhere that we can go that God hasn't already been, making everything ready for whatever happens.

All of the projects, chores, and activities are how we live out the Grace of God in a physical way. The evening worship, the noon time devotionals, the evening activities and even the meals are all Means of God's Grace. They draw us closer to God and closer to each other. God's love and Grace are felt deeply in and through the giving of ourselves in Christian Service and in Christian Community.

The dedication to finishing the project, the projects themselves, the tears at the end with clients who began as strangers who we leave as friends and sometimes family, the tears as team members and leaders depart each others company, the lives that are changed are all part of the Sanctifying Grace of God. Each person on Mission Trip has been drawn close to the presence of God. They have seen a microcosm of what the Kingdom of God can and does look like. They have been used as instruments of God's Amazing Grace.

What a privilege it is to be used in this way. What a privilege it is to see God's hand at work in thelives and work of the Youth of the Central Texas Conference Youth Minitry Mission Trip.