Country Inn---Gone
This may not mean much to some of you Somerville folks, but it does to me.
The Country Inn was razed---torn down, erased.
The Country Inn when I first stepped through its door was what appeared to me to be a converted old two story house that had become a bar-grocery store-meat market-restaurant on the south end of town. Unfortunately I don't know the complete history of the business. If any of ya'll know, send me an email.
My knowledge starts with Newt…Newt Discher. It's my understanding that Newt opened a beer joint that turned into a grocery store, meat market, restaurant, and bar.
The bar ran down the south side of the building with a door at the west end which led outside to the detached restrooms a few feet away. Oh yeah, don't disturb the settin' hens.
The north wall was covered by shelves to the ceiling filled with canned goods. At the west end of the north wall there was a small meat market.
A couple of posts in the center of the room kept the residence on the second floor from crashing down into the business. The Dischers---Newt and Regina, and the four boys---Michael, David, Chris, and Jeff---lived on the second floor.
Regina was the waitress and bar keep. She was a bit of a wonder: she could take the orders when the place was packed full, never take a note, and deliver the orders to the right folks. Regina didn't smile much, but I suppose that doing her job well was enough.
Newt, on the other hand, was a wee bit cranky. I think slaving in a hot kitchen got on his last nerve sometimes. Some days Newt just refused to cook.
Hamburgers and steaks were Newt’s specialties. He served just about every kind and size of steak imaginable at a price about one-third of what you might find in another eatery, and, Lawd, they were tender and delicious and just about anyone could afford them. An aunt and uncle of mine from Louisiana once ordered a large steak. Not wanting to be wasteful, they took the big half which remained back to Louisiana with them.
The Country Inn was famous. I could go anywhere in Texas and mention Somerville, and folks would respond with “steakhouse.” I think the Bolshoi Ballet once dined there. Not surprised.
My fondest memories of the Country Inn were Newt and I drinking beers together after closing time. I think we solved most of the world's problems. I liked Newt.
Newt finally sold the joint and other folks owned and ran the place, and they did a good job too. It's hard to kill a business as well known and as well liked as the Country Inn, but a woman owner finally managed this trick.
It opened again under a couple of names and menus, but folks weren't going for it.
As I said, the passing of the Country Inn probably doesn't mean much to most folks, but it does to me.
enough
