Dining on a Dollar: Spooning Has Never Been So Fun

Grayson Thomas, entertainment editor

Good eats and good drinks are calling your name at the Texas Café & Bar. 

After a short period of closure, Texas Café & Bar (The Original Spoon) re-opened its doors for public camaraderie at the beginning of this past summer. 

The Original Spoon was open from 1980 to 2004, when it came under new management after a fine and re-opened the popular Texas Café & Bar.  Even though it was going to be named something else, they decided not to mess with the good thing they had going and kept everything inside, including most of the menu, the same.  They scrubbed the joint clean and made just a few minor adjustments and improvements.

One of the most attractive features of The Spoon is the atmosphere.  Since it’s not a very big place, you know what’s going on all over the bar. Think about watching an episode of “Cheers.”  Now think of it this way: Cheers + Bar-B-Que = Texas Café & Bar. 

When you’re at The Spoon, most likely you’re in for a good time and some pretty decent food.  The Spoon is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The Spoon offers daily drink specials that appeal to the pocketbook everyday. 

During football games, they offer eight-inch sizzling, hot, hand-tossed, one-topping pizzas for $4.99 ($3.00 off).  The pizzas are one of the new items, offered in eight-inch and 16-inch, are the highlight of the menu. All of the specialty items such as the smoked jalapeño wraps, hot wings, nachos, soft tacos, and pizzas, are fantastic.  As far as pricing goes, it’s not a dollar menu, but you’ll get what you’re paying for, that’s for sure.

There’s usually always something going on at The Spoon.  If there happens to be a quiet night, they offer a free venue to the public for parties and gatherings.  On Tuesdays, they offer two tournament-style Texas Hold-Em poker games at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. On Wednesdays in November, the I-Ching-Aderos play, which is starting to stir things up mid-week. Every Thursday, they rock the house with some blues, and offer a variety of bands for your listening pleasure on Fridays and Saturdays. 

If blues are your thing, you have got to check out the band “Deep Purple” performing Thursday Night Blues at The Spoon all November.  It’s a rockin’ little blues band that was truly bringing down the house.  Not only do they play, but also they perform.  They’re not just one of those bands that stands up there invisible and sings a few songs. 

The Bass Guitarist played a hot little solo with his microphone stand instead of his hand.  The drummer (house band drummer Kevin Mackey) showed the crowd a little something to whistle about.  In mid-song all three of the guitarists flipped their guitars above their heads and played them upside down and backwards.  With the crowd-pleasing solos and a mixture of great songs that really got rowdy like “Johnny Be Good,” Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On,” and good ol’ songs like “Night time is the Right Time.” They also played some original songs by Stoney B., the lead guitarist.  Stoney B. is originally from Chicago by way of New Orleans, when he was brought to Lubbock after Katrina.  “This CD will give you an ear-gasm,” claims Stoney B. on the subject of his new released album. 

Unlike anywhere else in town, on Sunday nights, The Spoon is the place to be for belligerent fun.  The bar holds open jams from 10p.m. until they close that pulls a great crowd for enjoying some great, and (I’ll be honest) not so great, music. 

But it’s still a great time and is hosted by the house band.  On Nov. 18- Nov. 19 Elvis T. Busboy is breakin’ it down starting at 9 p.m. 

Get away from the hustle and bustle of those over grown bars and grills in town.  Grab some old blue jeans, and join your friends at the Texas Café & Bar (The Original Spoon).