RIO VISTA
PROFILE THE PRICKLY PEAR
STORY BY MATT SMITH PHOTO BY MONICA FARAM
Tasty Tucked Away Treasure
Uncommon location equals uncommonly good food at Rio Vista’s Prickly Pear
L
ocated at 4001 Texas 174 in Rio
Vista (population 969), The
Prickly Pear hardly seems a
poised-for-success location. But four
years in, the locally-owned restaurant
is going gangbusters and attracting
attention far beyond its tiny Johnson
County town.
Owners Bart and Melody Peugh
cite customer service and quality food
for their success. Both credit their
passion for cooking to their mothers
and grandmothers. Melody Peugh
operated a catering business before
opening the restaurant. Bart Peugh’s
family-owned and operated Peugh’s
Country Sausage for 50 years.
“Country food, good old down-
home cooking,” is how Melody Peugh
describes Prickly Pear’s fare, all of
which is scratch and custom made.
Entree options range from plate-
covering chicken fried steak, rib
eyes, salmon, hand-breaded calf fries,
chicken — or shrimp — alfredo and
more. Sides include mac and cheese,
mashed potatoes, corn, okra, green
beans, turnip greens, salads and other
options. Yeast rolls and jalapeño
cornbread made daily are a hit with
customers as are the restaurant’s
choices of appetizers, burgers,
sandwiches and baskets.
Daily specials keep the dining
experience delectable variety wise.
Though the Peughs occasionally mix
things up, Tuesdays usually feature
pot roast or smoked chicken while
Wednesday customers have a choice
8
T H E T E X A S F O O D IE
“Country food, good old down-home cooking.”
of beef or chicken enchiladas or
meatloaf. Thursdays are pig days at
the Pear involving tough decisions
over choosing ribs or 2-inch smoked
pork chops. All-you-can-eat catfish
features on Friday as does the hot-
boiled shrimp platter weighing in at
a pound. Saturday’s special is rib-eye
steak with a skewer of grilled shrimp.
Sunday offers three specials: smoked turkey
with dressing, brisket or pork chops. Best
come early cause the seats fill fast, Melody
Peugh warned.
The Prickly Pear is open Wednesday
through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and
Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. .
For information call 817-556-0252 or visit
The Prickly Pear’s Facebook page.