I would never tell you that Pulido's is the finest Mexican Food Restaurant in Texas – But I do eat there an average of four days a week if I am not out traveling the nation or the world doing travel writing or photography.

I was fortunate to have a father who was a Master Chef, and his DNA for fine taste buds was passed on to me and this has allowed me to savor fine food and enjoy it to the fullest! However, without a Latino in our bloodline, my taste buds have an addiction for Mexican Food, 6 days a week – Sunday is a fried chicken or chuck roast day!

Their manager, Francisco Ramos (picture to left), is one of the top Mexican Food restaurant managers I have ever known. He is there daily, greeting guest as they come in the door, his eyes scanning every waiter or waitress tray of food, watching the buss-girl that the tables are promptly cleaned and ready for the next customer, keeping an eye on the kitchen with a trip through there every ten minutes or so, and keeping a positive attitude with and among the employees! He pauses at a table every so often to make a personal visit with a customer, making each feel special!

The restaurant has an outstanding group of employees, and many have been with the company for many, many years. Among these is Armando (known as Chico) Ceballos, from Cuba. Chico has been with the company a total of 14 years. Many customers ask for him by name. He started waiting my table several years ago, and I could never find a better waiter. (Picture to right.)

The lovely and beautiful Janie Vasquerz (picture to left), if not waiting tables, is at the entrance as hostess. It is her great smile that makes the customers feel welcome as she leads them to their seating.

This restaurant is Tex-Mex all the way! Located on I-20 in Eastland, Texas on the east side of town, the sign sticks up above the Interstate to point you the way to the building located beside it. Opening in 1984, the establishment has been serving fine Tex-Mex food to Eastland County people and many travelers who take the exit off of I-20 for a Mexican Food delight! Can you believe it? There are lunch special at $4.95 - $5.95 and seniors can select from ten outstandingly delicious lunch specials for $4.25, and these are always available for Seniors! Most of the meals have the main entrée and beans and rice. Until recently they had one of the finest chicken fried steaks in the county, and many seniors come just for these! They still have the item, but it is no longer the “made from scratch” chicken fry. Perhaps this will change because there is always the “one” in the crowd who wants a good chicken fry steak. They do have a number of other non-Mexican dishes to choose from.

For those wanting larger than the senior's meal, or lunch specials, there are three pages of food choices (plus an Appetizers and Salads page) in addition to the lunch specials. Having eaten at Mexican Food restaurants over the nation, I believe that Pulido's has the best menu choices of Tex-Mex I know. There are fancier restaurants, there are more exotic Mexican food restaurants serving other than Tex-Mex, but when it comes to Tex-Mex my choice if Pulido's.

Pedro Pulido, Sr. started the business in 1966 (picture to right) and now there are Pulido's in Eastland, Brownwood, Stephenville, Mineral Wells, Weatherford, Arlington, and a number of Fort Worth locations.

If coming through Texas, come by the one in Eastland – if it is noon, I'll be at “my table” on the raised platform at the far back "table for two."  Happy Traveling

“To The Ends Of The Earth And Then Some.”
E-mail  travel questions to:  jones@photoandtravel.com