TEXAS
“THIS STARTED OUT AS SOMETHING TO DO BETWEEN GETTING LAID OFF,”
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Ron Janow tells me at the covered picnic tables along the side of his joint. He takes a sip of his favorite beverage.
“I worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a track laborer. The work was seasonal, which gave me a lot of downtime to do other things. I helped my dad. He was the Pearl Beer distributor for Colorado County. I also managed a country-rock band called ‘South Fork.’ You have to remember, this was the early ’80s.”
During one of Ron’s layoffs, an old girlfriend from high school, Denice Austin, also found herself out of work. She had been laid off from Texas Instruments in Houston.
“Her family had a grocery store which had been in the family since the turn of the century, among other businesses around town. They sold a homemade sausage, which we started to smoke and sell on Saturdays.”
Eagle Lake is an old town just west of Houston. It used to be on the main road, until I-10 bypassed them in the early 80s. They still are on a major truck route, which has kept the town afloat.
Things were going so well that Ron and Denice made it official, got married, expanded their barbecue operation, and moved to an old Texaco station that her parents owned. Over the years, they added on to the old gas station, and today they are open for business three and a half days per week, but they do so much catering, they often work seven.
“Between me and my wife, someone is always here. Our son and daughter help out. They’re in high school and we’re always taking them around to some activity. They are real involved in the FFA. They started with rabbits and last year, our son was a grand champion in goats and our daughter, a grand champion in lambs.” (Image 152)
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When Ron is not at his joint or hauling kids around, he can be found recharging his battery on one of the nearby lakes or bays—fishing.
“I just love to hit the lake, but I miss my old fishing buddy, Jerry Fink. He got me into fishing and really helped me out big time. He also got me started in the corporate catering by landing me my first couple of clients.”
DENICE JANOW’S AUSTIN’S BBQ MACARONI SALAD
Cook macaroni according to package directions; rinse and strain with cold water. Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Let set in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. (Image 153)
Image 153: Austin’s BBQ & Catering 507 East Main Street • Eagle Lake, TX 77434 • (979)234-5250