Buddy's Drive In in Andrews got a great deal of attention when former co-owner Bonnie Duncan disappeared in March of this year. We were all very worried. (See Bonnie Duncan vanished, feared dead, found safe for the story with links.)
Too often the case of a missing woman does not have a happy ending, but she turned up a few days later alive, well, dazed and confused in Daly City, California. There was never any published explanation, so I'm speculating that it was a simple case of an overdose on fried food.
Anyway the episode ended well. And today there was no shortage of customers in Buddy's. The place filled up quickly, and the parking lot was overflowing. They used to say that a way to select a restaurant was to look for one with lots of trucks parked outside. If pickup trucks count, then Buddy's gets the nod.
Buddy's is famous for its battered fried steak fingers, and it's a huge serving. They dominate the plate, but if you look hard enough there's a tiny little lettuce salad hidden under there. It's a balanced meal about like a sledge hammer is balanced. But it was very tasty.
The price for the steak finger meal is $7.50, and it's a lot of food. It's too much for some, and they've probably been asked so many times that they've printed in bold letters on the menu that they will not sell half orders. It's all or none at Buddy's.
Bonnie Duncan is currently living in another city, and the new owners, Mary Anderson and Kelsey Robertson (Bonnie's nephew) are now running the restaurant. It's located at 106 E. Broadway, Andrews, Texas. Call 432-523-4890 for reservations.
Vegans might want to try elsewhere. If you don't enjoy emerging from lunch with a greasy film on your teeth, then perhaps Meatless Meat might be more to your liking.
We were there on the way to Ruidoso over Labor Day. Good to see it back open even if my Cardiologist has ordered me to stay away.
I had a hamburger...rather normally sized.
Posted by: Wallace-Midland, Texas | December 01, 2005 at 10:25 PM
The very first time (many years ago) I stopped at Buddy's I was traveling to Odessa on business. It was lunch and the place was full. After just a moment of looking around an older couple waved me over and offered to share their booth. I accepted and had a chance to visit while our meal was being prepared. I too had grown up in a small town like Andrews and had the distinct feeling that this was like my hometown. I was right for the people were friendly and spoke easily. When my food came, the couple stayed at the table until I finished. We left together and I paid their tab. After I re-located to Lubbock, I've had occasion to stop many times and see this couple as well as a number of other local people to the point that some thought I had moved to Andrews. Oh, and all the things I have eaten there have been very good, including the steak fingers. Highly recommeneded and not just for the food.
Posted by: Terry T. | January 11, 2011 at 01:23 PM