Written by Amanda Coers – For the sixth year in a row, the Runaway Train Cafe in Brownwood will be offering a free hot lunch to the community on Christmas Day. Lunch will be served free of charge from noon to 3 p.m. and will consist of drinks, Frito Pie made with the Runaway Train’s well-loved chili, and Blue Bell ice cream for dessert. The Runaway Train Cafe is located at 3600 Stephen F. Austin Drive, across from the Brownwood Middle School.
The Runaway Train began their annual tradition in 2010. Owner Kim Bruton was spending Christmas with her husband Brent, a Brownwood Firefighter, while their children were visiting family. “There wasn’t much Christmas spirit without the kids,” explained Bruton. “Brent and I started thinking about others, different customers that come in, people who had been widowed, so many people who celebrate Christmas before or after the actual day and we wondered what they were doing.”
The couple decided to open The Runaway Train on Christmas Day and serve lunch to anyone who walked in the door. Initially, their heart was to help feed community members who might be struggling financially during the holiday season. But as visitors came year after year, it became clear the lunch was welcomed by a variety of diners.
“We were thinking people who couldn’t afford to eat a good meal would come out, but we have all different kinds of people who come out. I always joke we have more millionaires in here on Christmas Day than people might think,” said Bruton. She went on to say the Christmas Day lunch is enjoyed by people traveling through town to visit relatives, tired families needing a break from holiday cooking, and people from all walks of life and all ages.
“It’s more about fellowship,” said Bruton. “It’s a time to be together with family, and we are a family at the Train. Those customers are our family.”
Bruton also enjoys the opportunity to show her children another side of the holidays, when getting an abundance of gifts can distract from the heartfelt message of the season.
“For my kids, it’s been such a great way to show them it’s about serving, and not just what did I get for Christmas.”
Various members of the community come every year to help serve lunch at the Runaway Train on Christmas Day. As bowls of chips covered in chili and cheese are passed out and friendly smiles greet each person who walks through the door, the Brutons feel very much in the Christmas Spirit.
The family welcomes anyone in the Brownwood area to join them Christmas Day for lunch.
“It’s for everyone, it’s about us all being together,” said Bruton. “Nobody should be alone on Christmas.”
Below is a video from the 2015 Christmas Day Lunch at the Runaway Train.
