Traveling the back roads of Central Texas to enjoy the scenery and possibly avoid some major traffic is seldom boring and often entertaining.  I like to think of myself as a healthy eater, but I try not to be a fanatic.   I don’t eat most meat, so I’ve been called vegetarian.  However, I don’t really fit into any typical classification.  The carnivores (meat eaters) don’t claim those of us who don’t eat beef in a state where raising beef for food and income is a primary means of survival.  The “vegetarian” crowd disavow any connection to me because I do eat fish, and while the term Pescetarian (people who abstain from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish) is probably the closest, no one wants to be labeled anything that has ‘pesky’ in the name.

On a recent trip from Austin to San Antonio for a haircut, my husband and I stopped in the little town of Blanco for lunch.  Avoiding Dairy Queen and Subway led us to the local café.  The place was packed, which seemed promising.  We were seated quickly and waited patiently to order.  About 15 minutes later, we were still waiting to be acknowledged and I already had one foot out of the booth when our waitress finally arrived to ask for our drink choices.

Glancing at the menu, it looked like there were at least a few meatless choices, so when the waitress returned, I asked a few questions.

First I asked, “I think I might like to try the vegetable soup.  That doesn’t have meat broth does it?”

“No, ma’am, I don’t think so, but I’d be glad to check on it for you.  I know it has carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and ground beef.”  She responded.

Frowning just a bit, I asked, “Can you tell me what the choices are for the vegetable plate?”

“Sure,” she said, “There are green beans, pinto beans, salad, or a baked potato.”

Not too bad, I’m thinking.  “What about the pinto beans?  Do they have ham in them?”

“Oh, yes!  They’re really good!”  She beamed.  Not nearly as excited as she was, I tried again.  “What about the green beans? “

“The greens beans don’t have ham …..   Just bacon.”  She is starting to glance around, like maybe I have way too many questions.

Thinking she was about to make a break for it to let me think things over, I plunged ahead.  “Okay, then forget the vegetable plate and bring me the baked potato.”

Smiling widely, she said, “Would you like bacon with that?”