You'll Never Leave Hungry From This Enormous Southern Food Buffet In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published July 25, 2019
×
Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
If there’s one thing we can all agree on here in Texas, it’s food: particularly the kind of food that takes us back to Sunday night childhood family dinners. Schobels, an unassuming roadside eatery in Columbus, offers exactly that in an all-you-can-eat setting. Come hungry, but rest-assured you won’t be leaving that way.
Conveniently located off I-10 between Houston and San Antonio, Schobels has been feeding weary travelers and road-tripping families for decades. Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior - the food more than makes up for it.
Upon walking in, an air of nostalgic warmth will immediately wash over you. The day's offerings are written on chalkboards behind the buffet line, establishing a laid-back charm that'll make leaving difficult.
Yes, that is an entire block of cheddar at the salad bar. We're firm believers that more is always better when it comes to cheese - a philosophy that chefs and waiters don't always understand. This method hands over control to the customer, letting you choose as much as you desire.
Load up a giant bowl of health with fresh greens, tomatoes, red onions, olives, hard-boiled eggs, and whatever else your heart desires. Savor every bite, using the light and crisp flavors as a palate cleanser before going to town on the buffet.
Far as the eye can see, buckets full of all your favorite down-home staples look, taste, and smell just like mom used to make. Things like chicken-fried steak, pot roast, and tons of green vegetables are cooked to perfection with flavors reminiscent of childhood Sunday night suppers.
Don't be surprised if your stomach and eyes aren't on the same page; it happens to the best of us. The buffet is only offered at lunchtime, closing at 2 p.m. so the restaurant has plenty of time to get ready for dinner. Pricing is $11.95/person, an absolute steal considering the sheer amount and quality of food you receive.
If buffets aren't your thing, the regular menu has plenty of mouthwatering options to choose from. German delicacies like schnitzel and sauerkraut pay homage to the area, while tried-and-true Southern classics such as fried catfish ensure nobody forgets what state they're dining in.
Just the desserts alone make Schobels worthy of a pilgrimage. Buttermilk pie is by far the crowd favorite, but other classics like red velvet cake deserve an honorable mention. Which plate would you grab?
Before heading out, stock up on some road munchies like candy and homemade gourmet popcorn. It's a win-win situation: you'll get a tasty snack and memento to remember the restaurant by all in one.
