Macaroni Festival

Victoria, Texas: Shopping, Eating Out and the Macaroni Festival

Article by: © Maxine Sommers 2012

Victoria, Texas, smack-dab in the heart of the grandest State in the whole United States of America! - continues to age and improve like a fine old wine.

As you drive into the downtown area the rich history of the city is readily demonstrated by the stately "De Leon Plaza" at 100 N. Main Street. Originally called the "Plaza de la Constitucion" by Martin De Leon, the founder of Victoria, this section was included as part of an early 1830s survey of Victoria by Jose Carbajal, son-in-law-of De Leon.

As a gathering place, summer concert area, exposition site, and town center, De Leon Plaza continues to serve the people of Victoria today as it has for many generations. The Plaza demonstrates the rich heritage of the city and its founder.

In downtown Victoria, grand turn-of-the-century buildings have been restored and refurbished and now house professional office space. One fine example is the Welder building, which demonstrates an interesting historical presence in a modern environment.

Throughout the city, choice examples of historic architecture form an impressive contrast to the city's up-to-date shopping malls, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and outstanding educational opportunities.

There are several appealing restaurants on Victoria's Main Street. My first stop was The Rosebud Fountain and Grill. It is a delightful café, situated in a splendid 1910 vintage building that once housed an old-time pharmacy. The proprietor, Jerry Ebensberger, has managed to capture the essence of the early 1900s by restoring some of the artifacts from that period - a large Coca-Cola sign adorns most of the left wall - an old-fashioned fountain graces the back right section. Vivid colors enhance the bright eclectic mix of old and new. The kitchen, with its shinny stainless steel appliances, produces old-fashioned, yum-yum-good burgers, salads, homemade soups and pastries.

The Taquerria Victoria, 209 S. Main, offers a wide assortment of menu items in a small intimate setting. Whether you choose Chicken Ranchero, spicy Tortilla Soup or Fettuccini Alfredo you will be pleased to discover all are a celebration of robust flavors.

Fossati's Delicatessen-"the oldest delicatessen in Texas"- at 302 S. Main Street, conducts business in a historical-landmark building. Constructed in 1895, the building is one of the oldest commercial structures in Victoria. It presents a proud face with not one, not two, but three double front doors with multi-light transoms - a fascinating turn-of-the-century structure, which entitles each guest to bask in a genuine bit of Texas history.

Victoria is an antique shoppers paradise - start on Rio Grande Street. Plan plenty of time because there are hundreds of items and furnishings to examine in several stores. I was intrigued by the treasures in The Antique Trading Company, 401 E. Rio Grande. The proprietors have filled the store with a fascinating selection of art glass, furniture and kitchen collectibles. They also specialize in vintage hats and accessories and have a space devoted to "Shabby Chic" apparel.

Additional Rio Grande Street antique stores are: Blue Moon Antique Mall, 1520 E. Rio Grande; Antiques and More, 805 Rio Grande; Touch of Past Antiques, 607 E. Rio Grande; The Homestead, 106 W. Rio Grande; and Wildwood Antiques #2, 601 Rio Grande-each establishment offers a tantalizing array of riches.

For the dedicated mall-shopper the Whispering Creek Center, corner of N. Ben Jordan and E. Red River, awaits your pleasure. Constructed in 1994, this is Victoria's premier up-scale shopping mecca. I visited the following stores:

• Cricket and Company is filled with stylish ladies clothing, shoes and accessories. An elegant shop - (bring your checkbook) - you won't leave without buying a new hot-fashion.
• Town and Country Gifts: Truly a big-city emporium with an extensive selection of fine gifts items-crystal, china, table linens, decorative items and gourmet foods. You name it, they have it.

While I was touring through the center I stopped at Bennigan's Grill & Tavern. The menu stated, "What is nearest the heart, is nearest the mouth." Well, okay-time for lunch! I ordered the Ultimate Texas Nachos to begin my meal. When they were served I realized the Nachos were a whole meal in themselves-chips piled mountain-high with piping-hot beef, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream and jalapenos. Excellent. The menu also offered various soups, Kilkenney's Country Chicken Salad, Tavern Shrimp, Riley's Ribeye, Oh, Baby "Back Ribs," as well as a variety of St. Paddy's Sandwiches. If you are in the market for desserts: Death by Chocolate or Abbey's Apple Sizzler are outstanding. To complement the meal the Auld Sod favorite, Irish Coffee, begs to be tasted. One sip: excellent, superior, better-than-best, oh-wow-good.

Victoria is a town steeped in Texas traditions, it has a big heart, friendly people and a bang-up assortment of places to visit. To top all this a bodacious Macaroni Fest will be held on November 9-10, 2002.

The festival will celebrate the Italian built "Macaroni Railroad" that came tooting into the city in the late 1800s. The event will feature celebrations of Victoria's multifaceted ethnic heritage, will exhibit fine arts and crafts, present a variety of demonstrations, introduce live entertainment that will cause you to sit up and take notice, and - of all things - hold a Macaroni Cook-off. Only in Texas-don't miss it!

Macaroni Festival Dates, Location and Further Information

The Macaroni Festival usually takes place in November. For other great Victorian festivals check out http://www.victoriatexasonline.com/

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