Brenham, Texas; located merely an hour away from Aggieland, may not seem like a memorable day trip at first glance. However, a ways down Highways 6 and 105 sits a quaint little town that boasts much to do, including a delicious random airport diner and the original creamery of Texas’ most famous ice cream. Just make sure that if you’re going to make the short drive, leave with an empty stomach.
As you get close to Brenham city limits, you’ll veer off of Highway 105 onto FM 50. A couple miles down the two-lane road, you will see the sign for the Brenham Municipal Airport. Follow the signs until you actually reach the airport where the Southern Flyer Diner is situated on your left.
The 50s style diner has everything you could ever want in an old-time eatery. The jukebox welcomes you front-and-center. And the friendly waitresses, wearing poodle skirts, greet you as soon as you step through the door.
“The skirts themselves are extremely hot,” said Britney Robinson, waitress and Brenham resident. “Sometimes it gets pretty hectic and you can bump into a lot of people, but regardless it gets you a ton of attention.”
The stop at the small airport is frequented by townies and pilots whose stomachs have hit empty during their long trips. They make the stop because of the diner’s mouth-watering southern-style meals. The chicken-fried steak was wonderful, and the patty-melts will keep you coming back.
But it’s their burgers that give the Southern Flyer Diner its notoriety. Pilots call it the “100 dollar burger” because they tend to burn nearly $100 in gas to make the detour towards Brenham. And when the pilots do get their fill, it isn’t rare for them to take the waitresses, poodle skirts in tow, up to the skies.
Once you’ve finished your main course, it’s time to hop back onto Highway 105 and go into town. It’s time for a tour of the Blue Bell Creamery.
Situated on Blue Bell Lane, it’s pretty obvious that the city’s main attraction is the delectable ice-cream maker. The beginning of the tour starts in an old-style brick town building. At first, you’re greeted by three tour guides as they welcome you into the miniature movie theatre to show you a production on the history of Blue Bell.
Little Will, our four-year old co-tour guide, couldn’t stop smiling as he entered the hallowed doors and continually repeated, “Wow, it’s amazing!”
What started as the Brenham Creamery Company over 103 years ago has since morphed into Blue Bell Creameries. through the years, a couple of things have stayed constant: a quality product and a family-friendly atmosphere that is shared from the top of the company all the way down.
“My grandfather for about 30 years drove their 18-wheeler,” said Stacy Liere, tour-guide and Brenham resident. “A couple years ago, he passed away. We were really close, and it was hard on me. It’s my way of still having something in common with him and having a connection with him.”
Once the tour comes to an end, the real treat begins as you’re presented with a scoop of freshly-made Blue Bell Ice Cream. It’s the cherry on top of a full day of small town enjoyment.
And as Will put it, it really is amazing.