When you grow up in a small town, you have reasons to visit other small towns. In East Texas, it’s usually because someone’s cousin lives there; you have to go check on the cows; it’s your job to maintain the oil pump; or when I was growing up, you just drove the back roads and somehow ended up there!
Jacksonville, Texas was home to Jacksonville Savings and Loan where my daddy got his very first and only home mortgage loan. It was also one of my top clients as an account representative in Big D back in the 90’s. I used to love visiting their corporate office because it felt so much like Kilgore. I also twirled a flag during the half time shows at football games on the field of the Tomato Bowl. Where are my band nerds?
That was the extent of my history in Jacksonville, until I decided to stop for lunch on the way back to San Antonio.
I vaguely remembered stopping by Ritual in our many travels back and forth to East Texas over the years. It involved take out, eating in the minivan and trying to keep the dogs out of our food!
Well let me tell you, Ritual needs to be witnessed inside the luncheonette for the ultimate experience. First of all, it is beautiful inside where you are surrounded by items like copper salt and pepper shakers, sterling silver flatware and the most delicate lighting. My daughter Savannah said,”I love these forks!” You know you have accomplished something in a restaurant when a 19 year-old notices such things! 
It is a small menu that features every single thing that “ladies who lunch” love, like grilled chicken Caesar salad, egg salad, pimento cheese, chicken salad and the ultimate potluck church item: deviled eggs!
But Ritual puts their dish on the pedestal it deserves AND serves them with truffle oil!
Sweet Jesus! Be still my heart. I think every single church lady I have ever known would appreciate this presentation.
My main dish was the avocado quinoa salad. It was a thing of beauty. At first, I thought it was too pretty to eat but I somehow managed.
Our service was impeccable with just the right amount of attention on this busy day before the July 4th celebrations. The server suggested the strawberry cake for dessert and we said yes to the dress, oh I mean cake! She quickly asked how many forks we would need. And that would be three please!
Let me tell you that this cake was DIVINE. We savored every single bite.
This is when I sit and wonder as I am waiting for the check, why haven’t I taken the time to stop and enjoy this place?
They even have an old fashioned soda fountain across the street!
So my friends, as you travel the many back roads of Texas and avoid Interstate 35 take a little time and enjoy this piece of small town East Texas.
It might just be our new ritual.
Stay Sassy Y’all.
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