Terrific pics! Only once, while living in Texas, was a toilet something other than, 'just a toilet'.
I made the journey, a few times, to Terlingua, Texas, for the Championship Chili Cook-off. The ghost town, only once per year for the chili lovers of the world, became a thriving place to be in the Big Bend Country.
They had teams who competed for top honors. The teams had themes! One such, one year, adopted a medical doctor persona and before you tasted their chili, you succumbed to a hilarious physical that they subjected you to, including laying on the examination table in gown while you tasted their spicy concoction. But a 'plumbing themed' band of low-waisted overall-wearers, served their chili out of a steaming hot (but promised to be a brand new only-used-for-the-occasion) toilet!!
If memory serves; they won that year. Frank X. Tolbert usually gained that honor!!
Terrific pics! Only once, while living in Texas, was a toilet something other than, 'just a toilet'.
I made the journey, a few times, to Terlingua, Texas, for the Championship Chili Cook-off. The ghost town, only once per year for the chili lovers of the world, became a thriving place to be in the Big Bend Country.
They had teams who competed for top honors. The teams had themes! One such, one year, adopted a medical doctor persona and before you tasted their chili, you succumbed to a hilarious physical that they subjected you to, including laying on the examination table in gown while you tasted their spicy concoction. But a 'plumbing themed' band of low-waisted overall-wearers, served their chili out of a steaming hot (but promised to be a brand new only-used-for-the-occasion) toilet!!
If memory serves; they won that year. Frank X. Tolbert usually gained that honor!!
Thanks Tony.......and thanks especially for the well-told tale
Here`s a chili powder recipe based upon Alton Brown`s recipe......usually mix it up whilst I`m clad in overalls
roast peppers..de-stem/de-seed..350° / 5min
3 negro/pasilla
3 cascabel
3 arbol
2 chipotles
1 habenero
2 T whole cumin seeds
medium nonstick saute pan/cast iron skillet med-hi....or roast,as above
Cook, moving the pan around constantly, until you begin to smell the
cumin toasting, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside and cool
Oh YES! ALL; my favorite spices!! And that's a hellava cat!!
That Terlingua Championship Chili Cook-off was a spectacle. The previously forgotten ghost town came alive each year when hundreds of people made the long pilgrimage from modern cities to attend the weekend chili-eating and beer drinking bash.
One year I recall seeing Carroll Shelby there, a well-known aficionado of chili himself!
My home was on the highest point in Johnson County in Joshua, TX, directly on the Old Chisholm Trail. But I worked out of Dallas. When there, many times for lunch, we frequented the Frank X. Tolbert Chili Parlor. He featured a “Bowl of Red” but a few of us preferred his “Chili Pie” with lots of melted cheese. Apparently it also fueled members of the Dallas Cowboys as we always saw them there enjoying the spicy finery. And, yes, it is true; there are no beans in Texas Chili!
that story makes my mouth water!!!!.....all those like minded people, and the beer fueled mingling amidst the heady aroma of smoky peppers and seared meat.............Nirvana !!
Toledo,where I did a 35 year stretch starting back in `51,had a reputation as a chili town.....the neatest place to go for a bowl of red had to be Tony Packo`s.....but the little Mom `n`Pop shops that stayed open until 4 or so,and always had a couple pool tables in back, would often surprise you with an amazing bowl
Willie Shoemaker had heard rumors that a village gathering of grateful customers was afoot to celebrate his 5000th shoe repair service to the small community of Sedentary Shores, where not much ever happened and people were easily impressed. Willie now rued his decision years ago to introduce a numerical customer ticket dispenser. Hearing the very loud music of a marching band in the distance the socially awkward and thrifty cobbler began to panic; realizing that all the hoopla must be for him and that, God forbid, he may have to buy a few rounds in appreciation. In desperation he called up Cole Porter, his trusted friend employed at the local hotel. Cole agreed to bundle up a change of clothes for Willie, grab his International pickup and boat and deliver them to him post haste. Just as the band rounded the bend near Willie's shop the distinctive white and black International could be seen speeding away, raising a cloud of dust. As the music died down, the now frustrated band drum major was the first to spot the "Gone Fishin' " sign taped to the shop door.
that story makes my mouth water!!!!.....all those like minded people, and the beer fueled mingling amidst the heady aroma of smoky peppers and seared meat.............Nirvana !!
Toledo,where I did a 35 year stretch starting back in `51,had a reputation as a chili town.....the neatest place to go for a bowl of red had to be Tony Packo`s.....but the little Mom `n`Pop shops that stayed open until 4 or so,and always had a couple pool tables in back, would often surprise you with an amazing bowl
Willie Shoemaker had heard rumors that a village gathering of grateful customers was afoot to celebrate his 5000th shoe repair service to the small community of Sedentary Shores, where not much ever happened and people were easily impressed. Willie now rued his decision years ago to introduce a numerical customer ticket dispenser. Hearing the very loud music of a marching band in the distance the socially awkward and thrifty cobbler began to panic; realizing that all the hoopla must be for him and that, God forbid, he may have to buy a few rounds in appreciation. In desperation he called up Cole Porter, his trusted friend employed at the local hotel. Cole agreed to bundle up a change of clothes for Willie, grab his International pickup and boat and deliver them to him post haste. Just as the band rounded the bend near Willie's shop the distinctive white and black International could be seen speeding away, raising a cloud of dust. As the music died down, the now frustrated band drum major was the first to spot the "Gone Fishin' " sign taped to the shop door.
Willie Shoemaker had heard rumors that a village gathering of grateful customers was afoot to celebrate his 5000th shoe repair service to the small community of Sedentary Shores, where not much ever happened and people were easily impressed. Willie now rued his decision years ago to introduce a numerical customer ticket dispenser. Hearing the very loud music of a marching band in the distance the socially awkward and thrifty cobbler began to panic; realizing that all the hoopla must be for him and that, God forbid, he may have to buy a few rounds in appreciation. In desperation he called up Cole Porter, his trusted friend employed at the local hotel. Cole agreed to bundle up a change of clothes for Willie, grab his International pickup and boat and deliver them to him post haste. Just as the band rounded the bend near Willie's shop the distinctive white and black International could be seen speeding away, raising a cloud of dust. As the music died down, the now frustrated band drum major was the first to spot the "Gone Fishin' " sign taped to the shop door.
Your story? I LOVE it Jack!!
me too buckaroo !!!!! fine writing Capn Jack !!! (Willie Shoemaker 🤪 )
@john-barry Just got the red/black "Speedway" version on ebay. Price was not too bad. I would have preferred the white/black one but....the accessories with this one are pretty cool...literally.
@john-barry Just got the red/black "Speedway" version on ebay. Price was not too bad. I would have preferred the white/black one but....the accessories with this one are pretty cool...literally.
I have that one as well....you can sometimes find them by the livery they wear
this one,with my favorite Fat Man,is my latest in that model...just the single barrel as an accessory but the truck is ideal for smugglers
Nice truck and pics! That fat man looks like a deep thinker. I don't think that Sheriff Buford would want to mess with him on a dark backroad moonshine check.
Btw...I'm thinking of removing the door and rear cab decals on mine; I think it might look better that way.
Nice truck and pics! That fat man looks like a deep thinker. I don't think that Sheriff Buford would want to mess with him on a dark backroad moonshine check.
Btw...I'm thinking of removing the door and rear cab decals on mine; I think it might look better that way.
LOVE it Jack!!
