With several family members and friends present in the District Courtroom Monday night, the Ellis County Commissioners recognized Doris Mitchell and the Uptown Café with a resolution of honor.

Mitchell and the Uptown Café were honored in the December 2008 edition of Texas Monthly magazine as one of the 40 best small town cafés in the state.

“I was so surprised when they called me to the front,” Mitchell said. “Commissioner Sims wanted to surprise me so my family told me they were honoring my son-in-law, Larry Eubank and that is why we were there.”

Mitchell and her staff are a legend in Ellis County. Visitors come from all over the county and the state to enjoy her chicken fried steak, home cooked vegetables and home made pies. The customers enjoy the antics of her daughter, Sandy Eubank, as she serves them. Several county politicians include the Uptown as one of their campaign trail stops.

“Anyone that has run for office knows that you must stop in at the Uptown Café if you want to win your election,” County Judge Chad Adams told those in attendance.

Since being recognized in Texas Monthly, several first time visitors have come to sample the Uptown food.

“Several people have come to eat with us for the first time since the article came out,” said Mitchell. “They read about us in the article and came down to check us out. So far all of them have said they would be back.”

The following is the resolution from the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court:

STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF ELLIS

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Doris Mitchell is a resident of Italy in Ellis County; and

WHEREAS, she is a lifelong resident of Ellis County; and

WHEREAS, she and her late husband, Champ, raised six children in Waxahachie; and

WHEREAS, she opened the Uptown Café in Italy in 1984; and

WHEREAS, she eventually moved the establishment to Waxahachie; and

WHEREAS, she moved the café back to Italy and into its current location at 129 W. Main Street in 1991; and

WHEREAS, she is a community and civic leader; and

WHEREAS, she continues to serve the residents of Italy and Ellis County; and

WHEREAS, the Uptown Café was featured in Texas Monthly magazine as one of The 40 Best Small Town Cafes in the December 2008 edition;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ellis County Commissioners Court wishes to honor Doris Mitchell for this accomplishment and the positive recognition it brings to Ellis County.

WITNESS our signatures this 26th day of January, 2009.