Page 10 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2026 - Online Magazine

LOCAL HISTORY
ason Waters, executive chef and
owner of The Escondido Grill at
JSpirit Ranch, has close ties with
Furr’s and is excited to bring back
the flavors of the beloved cafeteria
to Lubbock.
In 1946, Roy Furr opened the first
Furr’s Cafeteria inside his grocery
store in Hobbs, New Mexico. Jason’s
great uncle and president of the
company, Cliff Andrews, helped
develop the recipes that became
Furr’s Cafeteria staples, and grew
the business from one location to 80
locations before his passing. Jason’s
grandfather, Harold Andrews,
started as a butcher in 1957 and
worked his way up, taking over as
president after Cliff’s passing. Many
The Olney Boys
by Dodie Bishop Grinnell
f you were fortunate enough to
live in Olney, Texas like I did
Ifrom the 1950s to the 1970s,
you were familiar with the “Olney
Boys” who worked for Furr’s. The
story began in 1947, when Clifford
Andrews returned from serving
in the Army and went to work for
Furr’s in Odessa. After becoming
manager, he recruited his brother
Harvey who had also just returned
from the Army. Clifford opened
a second location in Odessa and
started recruiting his nephews
as well as other young men from
Olney. Most of them worked
10 Lubbock Senior Link
Continuing the Furr’s Legacy
by Shawnna Waters
members of the Andrews
and Waters families
worked for the cafeteria
over the years to follow,
including Jason’s father,
Byron Waters, as General
Manager, and grandfather
Bill Waters as Training
Director.
includes not only smoked meats
The Furr family sold their company but also steaks, seafood, and
in 1980, and the cafeteria-style Southwest-inspired dishes. They
dining concept was redeveloped as also host private Furr’s dinners at
an all-you-can-eat buffet, leading to the restaurant, where a painting
the decline of the iconic restaurant. from the first cafeteria is proudly
The last Furr’s closed in 2021, but exhibited, and also from their food
the recipes live on in the hearts of truck on Thursdays in the Quarter
the Andrews and Waters families. 4 parking lot at Loop 289 and Slide
Rd.
In 2017, Jason and Shawnna Waters
opened E&J Smokehouse in the Jason is thrilled to honor Furr’s
old County Line building (with Cafeteria, the big extended “family”
which the family also has a history), of employees, and the countless
bringing their passion for authentic guests who loved it. Join him and
Texas barbecue to the community. his family to reminisce over the
In 2022, they rebranded as The original recipes you’ve loved and
Escondido Grill to better represent missed!
their expanded menu, which now
their way up to management. longtime friends.) The Andrews and
After Clifford’s death, his nephew
the Rues were just two of the Olney
Harold Andrews became vice families who were associated with
president and later president of the the company.
company. Ray and Kenneth Rue
were in management at the Furr’s Information was provided by Elbert
Andrews who was one of many
in Albuquerque, NM. (My family,
the Bishops, and the Rues were Andrews men who retired after many
wonderful years with Furr’s.
Front row, left to right: Guy Vawter, Harvey Andrews, Lavern
Vinson, Bill Andrews, Kenneth Rue, Fred Burrelson, Jim
Hale. Back row, left to right: Bill Smith, Keith Ward, Harold
Andrews, Truman Hobbs, Donald Dodson, Ray Rue.