AROUND TOWN

by Camy Reynolds and Ann Marie Kennon photos by Camy Reynolds and Breianna Schneider

"No Bad Days" at The Granary

If you have to choose just one place to eat a great meal, you may as well pick a spot that offers several great options. The Granary, so named for the grain bin planned for the property, is the home of The Bar at The Granary featuring John Mueller Joint Barbecue. The location is open and serving up a medley of refreshments and barbecue, hosts several food trucks to satisfy a variety of cravings, and will soon offer live music and other fun events.

Coming from diverse professional backgrounds, owners and friends Scott and Misty Murrah, and Lynn and Cari Springfield shared a vision for a family-friendly venue that offered all of their favorite things: good food, good drinks, and good people. The Murrahs and the Springfields wanted to offer opportunities for local families and chefs to share their talents through food with the community of Jarrell, which is how the food truck park came to fruition.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

The entrepreneurial group started out at another location, "but," Scott says, "as COVID continued to force changes, we found we didn't have enough space, or customers, to sustain the business. Fortunately, I am a consultant for the City of Jarrell, so when this property went up for sale, we were ready to make it happen.” He points out that the location is easily accessed from I-35, close to the city center, and central to a great deal of construction in business and residential areas. "The growth in Jarrell is unmatched anywhere else."

After closing the sale in July 2020, they began transforming the grounds into an outdoor venue for up to 200 socially-distanced customers, complete with a barn wood and tin building refurbished with material donated by the Catholic church in Corn Hill, which lends a rich texture of local history to every meal.

The namesake grain bin planned for the property, procured from a local farm, will be on the site soon to help customers identify The Granary from IH-35.

WHAT'LL YOU HAVE?

The Bar at The Granary has soft drinks, beer on tap, a variety of craft and domestic beer, ciders, wine, and margaritas. More options, such as meads, spirits, mixed drinks, and late-night bar food will be added soon.

John Mueller Joint features barbecue icon John's signature brisket, handmade sausage, beef ribs, pork ribs, turkey breast, and specialty items. He is currently open Friday to Sunday, 11am until sold out, with plans to extend those hours in the near future. The Granary owners became friends with John after enjoying his food in another Austin location, and they are pleased that he has chosen to bring his legendary food to Jarrell.

There are four trucks on the site this month, with two more planned in the coming months. The Social Grounds is a family-owned coffee trailer that is open every day. PopPops Southern Fixin's; Cajun gumbo bowl and chicken and waffles with bourbon sauce. 'Nuff said.

Curb Food Truck blends Texan and Asian flavors in specialties like Kimchi pork belly fries, and crispy tempura salmon tacos. El Almendro is the newest addition to the park, and brings authentic Caribbean food.

Lynn says the food trucks were chosen for their variety

and reputation, and are permanently parked; they will not leave for other events. The group also plans to have additional pop-up trailers from time to time to add even more variety (and serendipity) to their offerings.

Food truck hours are set by their owners and may change depending on weather or holidays. Diners will find one or more trucks open every day at the park and can keep up with news and special events on The Granary's Facebook and Instagram pages.

FACEBOOK/THEGRANARYTX @THEGRANARYTX

JOHN MUELLER IS BACK!

An Austin legend has come to share his culinary delights with the good people of Jarrell.

John Mueller has been working in the barbecue business since he was six years old. His family tree includes some of the biggest names in Texas barbecue and he worked on and off for the family business for many years. He has been on the cover of Texas Monthly three times and often been featured on television, “I’ve probably been interviewed 4,000 times.” His colorful past is well known to many, as is his nickname, The Dark Prince of Barbecue, which, at this point in his life, is great branding and makes for curious customers.

"People call me the Dark Prince because I'm kind of sarcastic and not everyone gets me. I really do love my customers and I love interacting with them and talking at the tables."

With so many people new to Jarrell every day, and Central Texas in general, his reputation need go no further than the smokey slab of tender brisket they walk away eating.

"I was always going to be whatever my daddy was," Mueller says. "And he was a barbecue man."