Written by Ben Cox – Local family favorite Underwood’s Cafeteria will be featured in an upcoming issue of Texas Highways magazine.
The perennial favorite, who just had their annual United Way Day fundraiser yesterday afternoon, will be one of several “mom’n’pop” restaurants featured in a “comfort food” article in next months edition. Paul Underwood, co-owner and operator of the restaurant, says “it was a pretty nice honor to be selected by Texas Highways as part of the article.”
The term comfort food is new to the restaurant, according to Underwood. “It’s an old term, but it is relatively new to us. That’s really what we are. People come here to feel good and eat good food from tried and true recipes. I imagine all of the restaurants in the article will be like that.”
Photographer Eric Pohl takes pictures of Underwood’s food for Texas Highways magazine
Author Pam LeBlanc, who has written for the Austin American Statesman for over 20 years, chose Underwoods because of a family connection to the business. “My step mom went to Baylor, and when her dad would pick her up to come home after the semester was over, they’d always stop at Underwoods.”
It took a bit of time, but LeBlanc says once she sat down to a meal in the cafeteria, she understood what her step mother had been raving about for all those years. “I finally tried it six or seven years ago, and instantly fell in love. From the guy pushing the cart with drinks and dessert on it to the people that run the place, its the kind of place you just love to go.”
Photographer Eric Pohl, who came to take pictures for the article took pictures of the food and even got behind the scenes, “where all the magical smoky goodness happens.”
He was unable to resist the charms of Mama Underwoods recipes. “Paul was nice enough to feed us lunch, and I have to say, Mama Underwoods Fried Chicken was pretty amazing!”
