Taylor Cafe (Texas Country Reporter) 

Vencil Mares passed away this weekend. This is a great tribute to him. Thanks for doing this one, Bob and crew!

This story brought a tear to my eye as it reminded me of my dad, Elisandro Martinez, also a WWII combat vet. Dad was in the Navy and served on an amphibious vessel called Landing Ship Medium (LSM # 47). His transport ship delivered marines onto the bloody beaches of Iwo Jima. He could never speak of it without breaking down. But I forced it out of him telling him, Dad if you don't tell me, your grandkids will never know your story. This was just after the movie Saving Private Ryan. He told me through his tears and I think it very cathartic for him. Later on our family went with him to a large reunion of veterans who gathered at the Nimitz Reunion in Fredericksburg Texas in 2005. The town held a parade in their honor. My dad got to ride on a flatbed truck along with other WWII vets. In 2010 at his memorial service I gave the eulogy where I told the mourners that my dad loved his country so much and that he always thanked us for making that reunion trip possible. Thank you for this post. May we never forget what these heroes sacrificed for us. Love you dad.

Rest in Peace Vencil. I'm sorry I never got to meet you. Thank you for your service to our country.

I went to the Taylor Cafe with my Grandpa Knox . I loved going there to shoot the breeze with him and his buddies. Then it was off to Ed’s Place till lunch time. Vencil was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. When he first met my wife in his office as she walked in he stood up and took off his hat and shook her hand. What a man!! Not only was he a war hero he was magic on the smoker! His sausage is still the best I have ever had! He is still a hero to me and a hometown legend in his own right. Taylor is my forever hometown and I am proud to have been born there!

you dont lock the doors and walk away just cause hes not around... you keep it open and let his legacy, his memory, and traditions live on in the atmosphere and the food for all to enjoy !!!!!!!!

Love this story, god bless and thanks for your service

A true American Hero. Vencil Mares, a fine example of what American Values and Morals should be. Thank you for sharing this rare video.

I would hope they would keep it open in his honor when he passes.

My Daddy used to go there in 1955-56. My sisters and I always go there every time we get together in Georgetown

I love Texas so much I’m crying right now! Every episode is so special!

I did go here all throughout high school. Yes....I'm a Taylor Duck!

Thank you For your Service Sir🇺🇸🫡✝️🕊🙏🏼❤️

What a wonderful story about that older gentleman is 92 years old and owns that little restaurant there in Taylor Texas one of the biggest barbecue Legends ever God go with him.

Love this place and love Vencil. Put a smile on my face every time I’d see him in there! Rest easy❤️

rest in peace fellow veteran and brother in arms! thank you for your service to this great country!

I lived in Taylor for a year. Vencil had decent sausage and brisket. A rather salty atmosphere.

We really miss the great food at Taylor Cafe, but mostly we miss Vencil. Texas BBQ Legend. He gave his all for his customers, after giving so much in WWII. Rest in Peace Mr Vencil.

The kind of history I enjoy the most. We must make sure this way of life in America is protected and preserved. To all our armed forces, Thank You. 🇺🇲

A brilliant mind and an amazing brisket. What more can you ask for in a restaurant?

Here is American Hero Vencil Mares Obituary Vencil Mares was born in the Cistern-Kovar area of Fayette County on November 10, 1923 to Stan and Lexie (Zimmerhanzel) Mares. He passed from this life on November 24, 2019 in Taylor. Vencil served bravely as a medic in the 102nd EVAC unit that landed in Normandy in the Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He earned the Bronze Star, an award for meritorious action, for serving in five battles. He never forgot those that were lost in combat. He was so very proud of his oldest great grandson that followed in his footsteps and is an Army medic, SPC Kyle Mares. He opened Taylor Café in 1948 and was an icon in the barbeque world. He has been featured in numerous publications, including Texas Monthly and was once featured in a Super Bowl Chevrolet truck commercial. Vencil was proud and honored to have recently received the Key to the City of Taylor along with the mayor’s proclamation of declaring November 10th, “Vencil Mares Day”. Vencil will be missed by all he has left behind, but all those that have gone before him - get ready, because the pits will be fired up in Heaven! Vencil was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred and Daniel Mares; and sister, Della Brosch. He is survived by his longtime friend and companion, Edith Remmel; son, Steve (Jan) Mares; daughters, Cynthia (Denny) Williams and Betty Carol Leinneweber; grandchildren, Tod (Tiffany) Mares, Stephanie Woo, Chari (Scott) Matthijetz, Blake (Erica) Leinneweber, and Misty (Wade) Ujehly; great grandchildren, Kyle (Katy), Cash and Caden Mares, Doliver Brilliant-Woo, Saphire Brilliant, Piper Ujhely, and Carter and Brendan Leinneweber. A service to celebrate Vencil’s life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Providence Funeral Home. Burial will take place at 11:00am on Monday, December 2, 2019 at St. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery in Cistern. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery Fund, PO Box 186, Flatonia, TX 78941 or American Legion Taylor Post, Graham T. Luhn, Taylor, TX 76574.

I hope they keep this place going. God bless

I used to live in Rockport, Texas for many many yrs. Watching your video makes me hungry. I missed so much those tender watering mouth smoked bbque brisket.

it's 8am, and i'm crying. Vaya Con Dios

Dear god that was special, thank you

You find out things you aint gonna learn looking at the walls..... awesome quote...

Damn I hate to hear Mr. Mares passed away, we are losing are heroes that kept America safe and proud. My condolences to the Mares family, may God brighten your hearts and soul in this dimly lit time.

Well, the secret's out. After seeing the title of the book, I went and downloaded it and have a digital copy now lol

Thank you Mr Mares for your service of country

How sad to read he passed. RIP Great video

I Love All Your Videos. GOD BLESS Y'ALL. 😇🙏💖

Real heroes,veterans world and American legend

thank you mr vencil for your service

Hope I can order me a brisket on line. My mouth watered thru the whole video.

May he rest in peace. 🙏

God Bless our Veterans 🙏

LOVE TEXAS! I sure wish people in liberal land >Mass. Had the same passion for BBQand THEIR state as TEXANS HAVE! R I P MR Vencil.

Wow great interview

From Granger but been in his place many times...RIP V

Powerful episode. Thank you.

The book is still available for purchase. Nice show.

What a great story. Thank you.

Bless Vencil, may He rest in peace..

Very Nice! Thanks for sharing.

Glory the veterans day ,usa Heroes of the world

Looks great i do hope MR mares is still doing fine..Regards from Catalunya Spain..

What and awesome story. That B.B.Q. looked so good

Semper Fi, Vencil. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace.

These places are just as much about people as about food.

Sounds like he's a great man. And the barbecue looks delicious..

Got his autograph and a pic with him but dare I say, there plates were slim pickins, maybe enough for a child, RIP Vencil.

Texas ❤️🥺

Can we bring our own dishes? 🙏🏾 Yuuuuum

Boy, he sure was a handsome young man in his uniform. What a gentleman.

My family been going there for decades. Take my small boys to check out a bbq joint.

That looks so good!

The stories that he could tell.

So sad to hear of his passing an American Hero.

RIP Boss Man

RIP Sir !

I don't care about the BBQ, I just want to meet Vencil!!! To shake his hand would be my honor.

Wonderful

WoW!

🙏Vencil🙏

It's in All AMERICANS BLOOD - BBQ.......nuff said !

That’s good rain for that type food…

You think how time tested the methods are, the experience it takes to consistently deliver what it takes to stay afloat here how long a firm like this can reaffirm itself, well? Keep that book safe.

god loved him........ww2 vet....

He looks so young for 92.

How is that guy 92

It's cute that he keeps that book in a safe. I just found it on Amazon for $15. Gone are the days of trade secrets.

That book is no longer a secret.

American resources for sure

My uncle from NYC went there and a couple of locals followed him out and beat him within an inch of his life and robbed him of everything he had. Beat him so bad he was never the same. Never worked again. Never caught them guys either.

The book can be bought on ebay, I have eaten there twice. Great flavor and atmosphere it would be the best if they would trim fat a bit before smoking and before serving. Thanks for your service Vencil.

This has permanently closed now from what I’ve read

:3 thats meh grandpa that they talked to, not vencil, he just always gives me $5 when I see him, jim is, although he only gives meh a quarter. >:v oh well

Wearing an A&M Shirt in there? Sacrilege!

You can buy his secret book on ebay for $14 lol. Heller's Secrets of Meat Curing and Sausage Making.

DJ TRUMP REAL PATRIOT

What a SAD LIFE !!! lock up in one JOINT from SUN RISE to SUN SET , for the MAYORALTY of his LIFE, and only got OUT to go to WAR !!! NO THANKS !!! BUT I RESPECT HIM, HIS CHOICE !!!👌