“YOU’RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS, BUT I WON THIS PLACE IN A CARD GAME,”
says Buddy Ellis.
Like any good gambler, he told what sounded like a tall tale, but at the table, that was full of family and friends, who would chime in with an occasional, “Now, that’s true.” (Image 161)
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“I was working for the highway department at the time. Along with some money I saved up from the army, I had enough to start this place.
“My dad and uncle had worked at a couple of barbecue places in the area. They would run the place during the week and I would help out on the weekend. We opened May 16, 1958. Our first day sales was $28.75. Needless to say, I didn’t quit my day job.”
Buddy Ellis did eventually quit his day job, and the City Market has grown and expanded several times over the decades. “I’ve got about seventeen-eighteen people working here now. I don’t know what half of them do.” His sons help out with the cattle, chicken, oil and rent business.
Buddy doesn’t manage the market. That’s left to Joe Capello. Joe started when he was eight. Buddy spotted him unloading watermelons. “It was about a hundred degrees and those melons were nearly the size of him. I figured pushing a broom was more his speed.”
Growing up, Joe would live and go to school in the next town, but during the summer, he would live with the Ellises and work at City Market. Other than a hitch in Vietnam, City Market is the only place he has ever worked.
“When I got back, I got married and went to work. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do next, when Buddy told me to manage this place.” (Image 162)
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Joe wears a hard hat, but not as a result of an injury or accident.
“Buddy’s mother, Delma, gave this to me about thirty-five years ago. She always looked out for me. I have had the lining replaced a few times over the years.”
Buddy showed me around the place, pointing out campaign posters for the watermelon “Thump Queen.”
“That one over there is my granddaughter. It’ll be the worst thing for her to win it.”
Spoken like a true gambler. (Image 163)
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CITY MARKET’S COUNTRY-STYLE PORK SAUSAGE
Cut the butt into chunks. Mix all ingredients together and grind twice; first using a coarse chile plate and then using a finer sausage plate. Stuff in pork casings or just make into patties. (Image 164)
Image 164: City Market 633 E Davis Street • Luling, TX 78648 • (830)875-9019