When I was a student at Forney Jr. High School in the early ‘60s, we played sports against a few teams that represented towns that had no high schools—Elmo, Sunnyvale, and Rowlett are three I especially remember.
And I remember that when we were told that we were going to play against RAWLET, as many of the “old-timers” pronounced it then, we laughed because we had never heard of them. Well, I don’t remember if we won all the games, half of the games, or only a few, but I do remember that RAWLETT had a player who was bigger than any of us. His last name was Shortnacy (I think.), and he was hard to handle in football, basketball, and track!
Well, as we all know now, Rowlett has certainly grown and modernized, as have many of the “olden days” small towns, Forney included! However, I seldom hear of Forney folks touting the attributes of Rowlett businesses and seldom even hear of anyone travelling to or from Rowlett for shopping or business. I do know of some, including my Mother, who have been treated by some of their doctors and in their medical facilities.
Well, to “cut to the chase,” as someone famous often said, Vivian and I now go to Rowlett to see Grandson Luke Themer play his first organized basketball games in a league that is sponsored by the YMCA that I believe operates out of Rockwall. On Saturday, he scored his first goal, and was he ever thrilled! The 1st graders do not score too often!
After the game and “congratulations” and “goodbyes,” Viv asked if I wanted to go home and eat something there or go to try an “eating place,” called Cruzitos Mexican Restaurant, we had passed while going to the elementary school gymnasium that the YMCA uses for the league. Being the kind and dutiful husband that I am, I answered, “Whatever you would like to do, Dear!” So, you guessed it—we ate at Cruzitos, and to be honest about the situation, I was tired from “food pantry” work early that morning and ambivalent about the whole situation!
It was nearing 5:00 p. m. as we entered through the main entrance and saw probably five customers in the whole dining area and one more at the bar/takeout counter. I was starting to be a little skeptical, when our waiter took our drink orders and then returned with chips and spicy salsa and some type of bean dip/salsa. We had not made up our menu minds, so he politely said to “take your time, and I will return when you have been able to see our offerings.”
We almost forgot to study the food selections, because we sampled the chips and salsas and then sampled some more and then some more! I could have made my whole meal of the early appetizer! I decided that my wife was a genius, as shown by her choice of restaurants! As we finally discussed the menu offerings, we decided that this restaurant was not a traditional Tex-Mex, as we so like, but actually a casual authentic Mexican food establishment (Leon Guanajuato Style) with some other offerings. They all sounded interesting, so Vivian chose Tostada de Ceviche and added a beef enchilada. I settled upon Cruzitos’s Fajita (Yes, the spelling and apostrophe are correct, and the restaurant had them exactly right on its window and in the menu!) with corn tortillas and all the accompaniments. As usual in most Mexican restaurants, margaritas are featured, and we each had one small frozen one. Everything came out steaming, fresh, and excellently presented, with our waiter (Lee) paying special attention to see if everything looked right. Several times, he came back to replenish chips and salsas, serve butter for the tortillas, and bring a small container for the few spoonfuls of seafood that Viv just could not finish, even with my help.
Enough about our excellent waiter (Ask for Lee if you dine at Cruzitos.) and on to closing remarks about the food. Their specialty is BEEF fajita(s,) but when I asked about “chicken,” he said, “Of course,” and brought out the best ones I think I have ever had. In addition, the peppers, onions, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole were large portions and not over or under cooked as is so often the case. The vegetables were sizzling but not greasy or soft, and the charro beans were seasoned just right and had bits of meat with them. The rice was plump and did not have that “funny” taste that so often happens! And I did not have to ask for more corn tortillas (even though Lee did offer), because six came with the first portions and were hot but not soggy or tough.
Vivian’s ceviche was “distinctively fresh and tasty— completely all-around excellent,” and the enchilada was “stuffed with wonderful beef inside a tortilla that was just right!”
When Lee noticed that we had finished, he inquired whether or not we needed anything else and how we liked the food, before returning with a small “to go” container and the bill. (I refuse to call a bill a “check!)
On the way to the car, I took more notice of the décor and the Christmas decorations inside and out and made a mental note to try the sampler platter and the tacos next time and “return to this place again, and again.” It is a WINNER!
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