Graduation Trifecta + BBQ

Emma (left), Annie (right), and me

Graduation Weekend

Last weekend, we celebrated a “graduation trifecta”. My daughter Anne Beatrice graduated from Baylor, my daughter Emma Grace graduated Waxahachie High School, and I graduated Texas A&M University School of Law.

My wife Heather wanted to do something special to mark this occasion, so she organized a small family gathering at Cyclone Corral BBQ in Burlington, Texas, about 13 miles east  of Temple.

We went down Saturday afternoon, and stopped at the Church of the Visitation in Westphalia. Westphalia is a small unincorporated community where everyone knows everyone. Heather had some connection with the church years ago, when she would come down from Waco. We met several parishioners, who were very curious about who we were and why we were there.  We wound up invited to the Memorial Day celebration later this month. I remember when many  small communities were like Westphalia. The visit was an opportunity to tell my kids about all the towns that were the same way in the late 70’s and early 80’s – Boerne, Bracken, Selma, Saint Hedwig, Seguin, Gonzales, etc.

 

Proceeding south, we arrived at Cyclone. Cyclone’s mailing address is Burlington, but Cyclone was actually the name of a small community. I believe the restaurant is the last commercial building not directly related to agriculture.  We pulled into a gravel lot, with a couple other vehicles.  We were shown to a large table on a huge covered patio. Cyclone has all you can eat barbeque, including brisket, ribs, and sausage, as well as the side dishes you would expect with such a feast. Beer costs a little extra, but is cold and goes down well on a warm day. After 30 minutes or so, I had to wander outside with the granddaughter. She’s at an age where sitting still is a bit limited. The empty parking lot was packed, and there was a line! It looked like everyone from the surrounding four counties showed up.

 

 

 

If you are anywhere around central Texas, I highly recommend finding this place (GPS recognizes the address). The website is www.cyclonecorralbbq.com. They open at 5:30 p.m. I have only one caveat for people who don’t remember Texas in the 70’s and 80’s. Cyclone has two cash registers. The registers don’t plug into the wall, and they are cash registers. This  was the best party ever!