Friday, March 31, 2000

Rip’s Diner in Eastland is worth the stop

By Glenn Dromgoole
Special to the Reporter-News

If you’ve made the trip from Abilene to Fort Worth in the past year, you have probably noticed a new diner at Exit 343 on I-20 in Eastland.

It’s definitely worth the stop, both for the food and the atmosphere.

Rip’s Diner is named for the legendary horned toad that was put in the Eastland County Courthouse cornerstore in 1897. When the courthouse was demolished in 1928 and the cornerstone opened, Ol’ Rip hopped out, apparently none the worse for wear.

The diner, built from a modular design and operated by Eastland natives Steve and Sandra Haines, offers typical diner fare, featuring daily specials, huge salads, burgers, sandwiches, a wide-ranging choice of appetizers and entrees, and scrumptious homemade desserts. The rolls, cornbread, buns, pies and cakes are all baked fresh on the premises.

The daily specials include chicken strips on Monday, sirloin steak on Tuesday, chicken fried steak on Wednesday, chicken enchiladas on Thursday, catfish on Friday, and brisket on Saturday.

On the Saturday when we were there, the restaurant also offered a Santa Fe chicken, which was flavorful and spicy, but my dinner companion was disappointed with the brisket, which could have been leaner. We loved the fresh salad and homemade veggies, especially the mashed potatoes and broccoli and rice casserole.

We topped it off with a slice of coconut cream pie, which was quite tasty, and the dessert specialty of the house, a Big Toad Brownie ($3.75) sinfully loaded with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and nuts. It would have been more than enough for both of us.

Photos, posters and newspaper articles about Eastland County history are displayed on the walls. The owners place a premium on cleanliness, especially the restrooms, which are scheduled for hourly inspection.

Service was prompt and friendly. The employees were knowledgeable about the menu and about the background of the diner and seemed to take pride in working there.

IF YOU GO ...

Rip’s Diner, at Exit 343 off I-20 in Eastland, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast selections are served until 11 a.m.

A Blue Plate Special is served at lunch Monday through Friday for $4.25. Most entrée prices are in the $5.95-$9.95 range.

Children’s menus are available. Seniors receive a 10 percent discount between 4 and 6:30 p.m. Phone (254) 629-3392.