Gone But Not Forgotten in San Antonio! - Part I (Houston: studio, ceiling)

[49 Olds]

Pool Halls – 1961 the movie the Hustler played at the Bandera drive in. Our group became interested in pool. Some of the guys bought breakdown sticks to emulate Fast Eddy Felson. I never did. Slop player. Our first hall to play was Fredericksburg rd. and Zarzamora, sw corner. A hole in the wall pool hall with a few tables. Another pool hall opened in 1961 on east side of West Avenue just south of Olmos drive in a strip center. It was a large operation with many pool and snooker tables. We called it Pops which was the owners nickname. I spent many Saturdays playing pool after home chores. Pops held tournaments. I accidently won once. We were average kids looking for a place in life. Try most everything until something fits.

[*mud*]

Originally Posted by 49 Olds

Pool Halls – 1961 the movie the Hustler played at the Bandera drive in.
Our group became interested in pool.
Some of the guys bought breakdown sticks to emulate Fast Eddy Felson.
I never did. Slop player.
Our first hall to play was Fredericksburg rd. and Zarzamora, sw corner.
A hole in the wall pool hall with a few tables.
Another pool hall opened in 1961 on east side of West Avenue
just south of Olmos drive in a strip center.
It was a large operation with many pool and snooker tables.
We called it Pops which was the owners nickname.
I spent many Saturdays playing pool after home chores.
Pops held tournaments. I accidently won once.
We were average kids looking for a place in life.
Try most everything until something fits.

Olds, first pool hall I remember was in the 1950s.
In the basement of the Labor Temple on North Street.
All of the trades had their business offices there.
The Labor Temple was bulldozed when HemisFair was built.

We would go there once a month on a Saturday morning
when my dad went in to pay his union dues.
Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local #178.

My brother and I were pretty young, probably 8-10 years old.
Last thing I remember always seeing, as we left the office
to explore the area, was Ben Merz pouring a dark liquid
from a big bottle into what I later came to know as shot glasses.

We always headed for the basement to fool around at the pool tables.

An all time favorite for the regulation size tables,
although not a pool hall, was Casbeers.
They also had the added bonus of some of the best enchiladas
I have ever eaten in San Antonio, before or since.

Then, of course, we can't leave out Danny's Pool Hall,
over there on North Main. A real dive.

mud

[49 Olds]

mudpuddle- you mentioned Casbeers enchiladas. For years I heard they were the absolute best and the little ol lady took her time but it was worth the wait. My son and I finally passed a meal at the Blanco and tried Casbeers. This was about 2004. The little ol lady was not there and some guy prepared the enchies. We were both totally disappointed. I hope it was just an off day. The club was getting ready for a SAC music festival or band night. I think I am a good judge of enchies since we use to own a TexMexican restaurant in another country.

Have you tried the enchiladas lately?
I am willing to sacrifice myself for the love of enchiladas.

[*mud*]

Originally Posted by 49 Olds

mudpuddle- you mentioned Casbeers enchiladas.
For years I heard they were the absolute best
and the little ol lady took her time but it was worth the wait.
My son and I finally passed a meal at the Blanco and tried Casbeers.
This was about 2004. The little ol lady was not there
and some guy prepared the enchies. We were both totally disappointed.
I hope it was just an off day.
The club was getting ready for a SAC music festival or band night.
I think I am a good judge of enchies since we use to own
a TexMexican restaurant in another country.

Have you tried the enchiladas lately?
I am willing to sacrifice myself for the love of enchiladas.

Olds, I have eaten the enchiladas at CasBeers for over 40 years.

I still eat in there occasionally. Sometimes having the enchiladas.

The new owners say they are using the same recipe.

Maybe so, but in my book they are now passable at best.

For many years I considered them as some of the best in SATx.

mud

[gy2020]

Hey Mud and Olds. I use to eat enchiladas at Scholtz Beer Garden in Austin. They were my all time favorite. They have taken Scholtz and made it over into a Sports Bar. No more enchiladas. Food is not nearly as good. And the atmosphere of Scholtz is gone. It was opened in 1863 and I helped celebrate the centennial in 1963. Time changes everything.

[49 Olds]

Franks Café – Fredricksburg road across from Lighthouse courts, (reference picture of Lighthouse courts on postcard) beside the old Sigmore service station.
In back was Shaffers (sp) garage.

The only way west out of San Antonio was on Highway 87 thru Balcones Heights.
You can read about Balcones Heights being a speed trap at

http://www.balconesheights.org/newhistory.pdf

This link was provided by mudpuddle, his post # 2543

In the 1950’s Balcones police went beyond a speed trap and made sure the traveling public vehicles were up on their inspections, headlights, taillights and wiper blades. You know how often those items went out back then. Your choice was to go to Shaffers garage or “else”. The chief of police also made it possible not to have to go to court for speeding tickets. He would “help” you by taking the cash and taking care of the ticket for you. I know from personal experience living next to Balcones Heights.
http://C:%5CA%20My%20Documents%5CAB%20Storage%20File%5CSi gmore,%20Franks,%20Shaffers.JPG (broken link)

[49 Olds]

file:///c:/windows/TEMP/moz-screenshot.jpg (broken link)I tried to insert image of Franks cafe with "full path" but it failed.

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by 49 Olds

file:///c:/windows/TEMP/moz-screenshot.jpg (broken link)I tried to insert image of Franks cafe with "full path" but it failed.

The path needs to be a URL, not a file on your computer. Post it to a free web-based photo host such as Photobucket or ImageShack and it will give you a URL to post in this thread...

Cheers! M2

[49 Olds]

majormadmax-thanks for the FT info.

[49 Olds]

Repost with pic

Franks Café – Fredricksburg road across from Lighthouse courts, (reference picture of Lighthouse courts on postcard) beside the old Sigmore service station.
In back was Shaffers (sp) garage.

The only way west out of San Antonio was on Highway 87 thru Balcones Heights.
You can read about Balcones Heights being a speed trap at

http://www.balconesheights.org/newhistory.pdf

This link was provided by mudpuddle, his post # 2543

In the 1950’s Balcones police went beyond a speed trap and made sure the traveling public vehicles were up on their inspections, headlights, taillights and wiper blades. You know how often those items went out back then. Your choice was to go to Shaffers garage or “else”. The chief of police also made it possible not to have to go to court for speeding tickets. He would “help” you by taking the cash and taking care of the ticket for you. I know from personal experience living next to Balcones Heights.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg82/49RakedOlds/SigmoreFranksShaffers.jpg (broken link)