RJ and I have been down to Fair Park many times over the years and we try to stop and eat at the Old Mill Inn located on the fairgrounds whenever we can. Recently we had a special occasion - our son was moving to Philadelphia for graduate school and we thought it would be fun to have a get-together down there. The food is always good and it's a place like few others. You walk into the Old Mill and it's like stepping back in time.The building itself has a lot of history.

"The Old Mill Inn was built as a flour mill for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. It was a large exhibit that featured a modern experimental flour mill, three model kitchens and a tea room.The theme of the architecture employed throughout The Old Mill Inn depicts the progress made during the  first 100 years of our Texas independence.  The exterior of the building is of ancient rustic design representative of a mill from 1836.  The roof which has overhead hand carved beams which German carpenters connected with wooden pegs, and all other woodwork, is built of old timbers.  The stones are laid after the manner employed by the masons of a century ago.  The fireplace in the down stairs dining area remains in its original state as it was in 1936. Ida Chitwood was the most famous demonstrator at the 1936 exhibit.  Ladies from all over North Texas could enter her model test kitchen and watch Ida work, showing off new cooking techniques.  A cookbook, featuring the Mill on the cover, was a favorite souvenir with 1936 housewives.  Many of Ida’s original recipes are now being used by The Old Mill Inn chef including her Southern Grill Cakes being served every Sunday. In later years the Old Mill became the Bordens Dairy Exhibit during each State Fair.  Youngsters took particular delight in going there to visit "Elsie" the cow, her husband “Elmer” (of glue fame), and their calf son, “Beauregard”.  Gail Borden, the dairy’s founder and whose name is engraved on the exterior frieze of the Hall of State, was an early Texas settler who invented condensed milk." from History of the Old Mill

The food offerings are all made from scratch - sandwiches, salads, burgers, chicken fried steaks & homemade desserts amongst them.Service is excellent and like a fine restaurant. Most of the staff has been there for years. They'll remember you on your next visit too! There were six of us on this last trip. We got a variety of items but the most popular item at the table was chicken fried steak. That came with two vegetables and plenty of rolls. it IS one of the things the Old Mill is noted for and it was good - a nice size steak with a fried-just-right crust. I added greens and mashed potatoes- both were scrumptious. Our son, being ever so health conscious, decided to have the Cobb Salad. I've gotten it before and knew it was also a great choice- lots of finely chopped ingredients- ham, eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, cheese and other goodies served with a vinaigrette dressing.

We were all pretty full after our meals but our waiter bent our arms and got us to order dessert. They make a mean coconut cream pie and chocolate cream pie. Two of us got those and one got our waiter's choice- peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

The Old Mill Inn also hosts a mystery dinner theater on Friday and Saturday evenings. You'll need to call and make reservations and we're told they often sell out. Sounds like a fun time.

Old  Mill Inn
Open year round 11am to 2:30pm Tuesday thru Sunday
The restaurant is easily accessible  through the Grand Ave entrance to the park (Gate 5) or the First Avenue entrance (near the Music Hall,Gate 4) and is located across from the Magnolia Lounge near the Big Tex Circle.

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