

Billboard House Newest Eating
Establishment in Cumby
by: Bobby McDonald

The spacious main diningroom offers historic pieces of Hopkins County
and a pleasurable atmosphere.
Are you looking for a different dining experience in Hopkins County? Well, pack-up the friends and head for Cumby! The historic Billboard House Restaurant is Cumby and Hopkins County's newest eating establishment and it offers outstanding food and quality nighttime entertainment!
Joe Sauicer purchased the property several years ago and had rented the top of the building, located on the north side of I-30 in Cumby, as a billboard for the Southwest Dairy Museum, a few years back. But, meanwhile, beneath the sign, he's been remodeling, collecting antiques, and getting ready to open his restaurant. And, you won't be disappointed with the results!


Restaurant owner, Joe Sauicer, serves up some of his "mouth-watering"
fare from the buffet line.

Mouth-watering Certified Angus Beef brisket, that melts in your mouth, a variety of sausages, grilled and smoked chicken, spicy red beans, cole slaw with black beans, and almost any kind of great food is offered from the buffet line. Then, if you choose, to "wet your whistle" the full service bar is open for your pleasure.

Travel through the buffet line and select the meats, vegetables, and salads that you want, from a rich
assortment of tasty choices.
The food is outstanding, but the atmosphere is just as great. On the north wall of the dining room, is a historic quilt, pieced by Lorena Cumby, wife of Cumby's namesake, Robert "Bob" Cumby. Joe found the quilt in a trunk, in an old barn and has got it displayed for all to enjoy. Then, there's the clay cactuses, that made Joe famous as an authentic East Texas Potter, that are displayed on the mantle of the fireplace in the main dining hall.

A historic quilt pieced by Mrs. Lorena Cumby, graces the north wall of the Billboard House Restaurant.
Make your way to the bar area and you're immediately drawn to the long bar, that was the shuffleboard table at Ft. Hood, compliments of Cumby resident, Rebecca Cook. And on the south side is an old "Lone Star Feed" sign that is reminiscent of the country feed store in the 1950's and 1960's.


The historic bar area offers you another round of historic Hopkins County
treasures to enjoy.

Let your eyes travel above the bar and there is a collection of local branding irons. The third one from the right is none other than Ben K. Greene's own brand, of Wild Cow Tales and Horse Tradin' fame. Greene, a former Cumby resident and veterinarian gave the iron to Sauicer.

These clay cactus and the eagle obtained from an old barn at
Ladonia, Texas, are featured in the main diningroom.

If you haven't absorbed quite enough of the "local flavor," then it's time you made your way to the open air patio, where live music is being performed on both Friday and Saturday nights. Friday night featured Cumby's own, Johnny and Lou Ann Petty and Russell Caldwell, that presented a great show for patrons, as they were seated beneath the porch. The patio is designed from local "Lone Star" bricks, taken from historic buildings in downtown Cumby.


Johnny and Lou Ann Petty, above, and Russell Caldwell, below, all Cumby residents, provided
quality entertainment on Friday night.

Meanwhile, while the music plays, you can enjoy a game of "Billboard Ball" and test your skills on the patio. You'll just have to attend to get the rules!

It's called "billboard ball" and who knows, it may be the next Olympic sport,
begun right in the Western part of Hopkins County, at Cumby!!!!

But, you've got to "best" these two young men, who are already
practicing!!!
Make your way to Cumby for a unique and pleasurable dining experience, as Joe will meet you with a smile and offer all the great features of this new eating establishment! Hours are Friday and Saturday night, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and dinner is served through 9:00. The bar and the entertainment last "until!"

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