Last week, I stopped off in Roanoke, Texas, to grab a quick bite to eat before I met with my host family in Keller, Texas. This was just one stop on my small town couchsurfing excursion. I like to make every trip an adventure, and can always find value in what some may feel is an ordinary place. Read the rest of this post about one of my small town trips where I discovered more than I bargained for and laid the ground work for future adventures. 
More About Roanoke, Texas
Located in Denton County, Roanoke is ten miles east of Denton, and the town has a huge personality despite its size. According to City-Data.com Roanoke has a population of 4,235, which is a 50% increase since 2000. According to Wikipedia, the main east-west road through town, State Highway 114 Business, was named “Byron Nelson Boulevard” in honor of the legendary golfer who resided in the community. Although, I live in Dallas, I like small Texas towns because I never want to deny my roots, and they all have something unique to offer, whether it be hole-in-the-wall restaurants, parks, unique consignment shops, or structural art.
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House
Babe’s is one of my favorite chicken fried steak places ever. They consistently win awards and seem to keep adding new restaurants all over North Texas with each year of its success. On this Roanoke detour, I had planned on eating at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, having many fond memories on several occasions there when I was in college. According to their website, on April 22, 1993, Paul and Mary Beth Vinyard opened the first Babe’s in Roanoke, Texas, in a warehouse building built in 1908. “Babe” is Mary Beth’s nick name; she developed the recipes so they named the restaurant Babe’s. Over the years they have developed a broader menu, including many of the items they now serve in the eight other Babe’s locations. From what I remember on my first visit circa 2001, you only had the main course choice of chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken, or catfish. They have since added several more main course items. What makes this place unique and they have always had is there all-you-can-eat sides and the way they serve them. They have a tasty house salad with a vinegar/oil dressing of the likes I’ve never had anywhere, biscuits with honey, corn off the cob, and homemade mashed-potatoes with skin, all served pass-around home-style for you and your party.
After seeing several people hanging out on the street complete with their BYOB coolers waiting for a table at Babe’s, I decided to head elsewhere and save Babe’s for another day where I would try one of their other locations in Garland, Carrollton, Frisco, Sanger, Burleson, Cedar Hill, or Granbury.
Twisted Root Hamburger Co. in Roanoke, Texas
While walking Roanoke’s unpaved dirt Oak Street (in essences their Main Street), I discovered there was a Twisted Root Hamburger Company location. I have been to the one in Deep Ellum several times. Just like the Twisted Root in Deep Ellum, the Roanoke location is packed during lunch and dinner. After this restaurant appeared on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, the relatively new Dallas burger joint’s popularity went off the charts. After seeing the long line, realizing how much time I had left and my wavering on hunger pangs, I ended up eating at a locally- owned Mexican restaurant called Tortilla Flats. This is where I took the last photo and shot a video (to be posted later). The atmosphere at Tortilla Flats was quite festive with pastel glass art and colorful patio furniture. I love the summer and everything which comes with it, so I always take the opportunity to sit on a patio if the temperature is more than 75 degrees outside. It may be awhile before I make it back to Roanoke, Texas, but I’m glad to have had the experience in the town of Roanoke, Texas, post-college. Make sure you check out their historic downtown if you are ever in the area!
