The Select Theater is one of the oldest continually operated theaters in the state. 

As a recent transplant to East Texas, I enjoy exploring the area’s incredible small towns. In that spirit, I recently visited Mineola (population 4,686), which is located at the junction of highways 69 and 80 in Wood County.

Pulling into town on Highway 69 from the south, I notice the train depot, 115 E. Front St., and charming white gazebo nearby. The Texas Eagle, a passenger train, comes through on its way to Chicago.

At the Mineola Historical Museum, 114 N. Pacific St., I explore the 4,200 square feet of exhibits devoted to the people and events that have shaped the town.

Displays feature some of Mineola’s famous citizens, such as multiple Grammy-award winning country star Kasey Musgraves, and also the infamous. Bandits Bonnie and Clyde reportedly robbed a local shoe repair store and even had a meal or two at restaurants here!

After signing the museum’s guest book, I head to the historic downtown for a little retail therapy.

Merchants offer a warm welcome. Nicely decorated sidewalks entice shoppers into the stores. Red bricks accentuate the side streets of downtown, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Murals and public art pieces add pops of color and visual appeal.

It’s easy to pass the time by wandering through Mineola’s many shops. Antique lovers can hunt for treasures. There also are plenty of boutiques, specialty and resale shops. Finding unique items you didn’t even realize you needed is an irresistible way to spend time.

It’s close to lunchtime and I have worked up an appetite from shopping. My choice for lunch is the East Texas Burger Company, 126 E. Broad St.

Waitresses happily chat and customers slowly sip ice tea in this wood-paneled diner where everybody seems to know one another.

Consulting the menu board, I place my order at the counter, which has a sign proudly proclaiming the establishment as the oldest eatery in Mineola.

Brown paper napkins, suspended by thumbtacks, cover the walls. They flap in the breeze each time the doors open. My server, Tammy, explains, “People write their stories on those napkins. Sometimes they leave messages. Then we put them up.”

I read the messages on the napkins until my burger arrives. The cheeseburger is fresh, hot and delicious. The spicy fries have just the right amount of heat.

Tammy whizzes past, “Did you save room for dessert?” she asks.

Shaking my head, I settle the bill and cross the street to the Mineola Mercantile, 109 E. Broad St., where, among other things, fried pies are sold.

Entering, I follow my nose to the back of the store where two women are laughing and rolling dough.

“We just had a huge order,” explains Sandy, without taking a break from her task.

The pie case is only half full, and they’re working hard to replenish it.

“Are these the best fried pies in Mineola?” I inquire.

Sandy looks up from her task grinning from ear to ear, “They’re the best fried pies in East Texas.”

She’s not wrong. I haven’t eaten every fried pie in East Texas, but when I bite into this delicious pastry, it’s like I’ve never eaten pie before. A three-generation family recipe produces a thin, flaky crust with just the right amount of creamy fruit filling. If you can get one that’s still warm, you won’t regret it.

I notice a sign for Grand Oaks Vineyards Winery, 2455 County Road 2724, and decide to make the short mile and a half detour to check it out. A long, dirt drive winds through stands of pine until it gives way into a vineyard sitting atop a hill.

This small winery offers several red and a couple of white wines, all of which are available for tasting. Two of the red wines, the Estate Reserve Tempranillo and the Estate Reserve Mourvèdre, are grown, produced and aged onsite.

Plenty of seating is available in the tasting room, but patrons are encouraged to sit on the wrap-around porch or, when the weather is nice, among the vines. 

I next stop at the historic Select Theatre, 114 N. Johnson St., which Martha Hooks opened in 1920. For nearly a century, the theater has operated in downtown Mineola. Still showing first-run movies, the Select is also home to live theater and musical performances. 

Before leaving Mineola, I can’t resist a slice of cheesecake from Bryan’s Cheesecakes, 120 N. Johnson St. As the saying goes, there’s always room for dessert. Made in East Texas, Bryan’s offers a more traditional New York-style cheesecake in loads of gourmet options. White chocolate blueberry or salted-caramel apple, anyone?

Now that I am stuffed and satisfied, it’s time to end my visit. And there was still more to see, do and discover. 

Tami Brooks is a freelance writer based in Tyler. She enjoys exploring small towns in East Texas.