THROWBACK EPISODE - This episode originally aired on PBS on November 3, 2012. Some of the locations may have changed. Check thedaytripper.com for the most up-to-date information.
This town calls itself the “Cowboy Capital of the World” and for good reason. Stephenville has more world-championship cowboys per capita than any other town on the planet. Yet, these aren’t just guys who wear hats, drive big trucks, and pretend to own horses -- these are the real deal.
Start your visit with a walk along the Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame right next to the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce. The plaques on this city block honor the men and women who have made an impact on the cowboy culture of Stephenville.
To meet a cowboy first hand, head to Chick Elms Grand Entry, a western store and rodeo shop started in the 1950 by walk-of-famer G.W. Lewallen and now run by rodeo champion Chick Elms. Pick yourself up a shiny pearl snap, and then head to catch the action at the rodeo.
Head Lone Star Arena to catch some of the horse-ropin’ and calf-bustin’ action. This facility is constantly hosting rodeos and riding events, and if you’re brave enough, you can even jump on a bull and try it yourself!
For a taste of Stephenville’s modern culture, check out the campus of Tarleton State University and pretend you’re a student. You can even cheer on the Tarleton Texans.
If you’ve worked up an appetite or need some caffeine to jump start the day, head to Beans and Franks, a coffee and hot dog bar serving house-roasted coffee and gourmet hot dogs. Warning: please consume these separately, as a coffee-hot dog pairing is not advisable. I recommend diving into the “Big Nasty”, a jalapeno sausage topped with chili, cheese and cayenne pepper. Woo-Doggy!
For a taste of Stephenville’s history, head to Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe, a town institution that’s been turning out delicious chicken-fried steaks since 1948. They’re so popular, they’ve even made the cover of Texas Monthly and may have invented the waffle fry…either way these fries are hand-cut, homemade and heavenly. Make sure to save room for a slice of pie.
For more fun and a sweet treat, I recommend heading up the road to Dublin, TX. It’s a little bit like Ireland…. OK, it’s nothing like Ireland, but you can make a very sweet visit to Dublin Bottling Works, the home of bottled Dr. Pepper. While these guys may no longer be pumping out this Texas original, they do have 7 other flavors and XXX Root Beer. Grab an old-fashioned soda at the soda shop and then wash that down with a root beer float. Mmm!
Another place to see in Dublin is the Ben Hogan Museum honoring a hometown golfer turned pro who is regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. While you’re here, keep your eye on the sky, as you might just see one of Dulbin’s other famous visitors….UFOs.
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