"The way I see it," says owner John Kemper of the Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, "all our customers are celebrities." That attitude must be one of the reasons for the tremendous success of the 75-year-old establishment run by John and his wife, Belinda since 1981. The truth is that some of the Blue Bonnet's customers are a little more famous than others. George and Laura Bush, Willie Nelson, Roger Staubach, Darrell Royal and James Lovell are some of the better-known celebrities who have been spotted at the unpretentious blue building on Highway 281. But it's the lesser-known "celebrities" that keep the Blue Bonnet Cafe packed with guests, and it's not just a cheerful welcome that keeps them coming back time after time.

Down home Hill Country cooking is definitely one of the attractions. Hearty breakfasts are served every morning, beginning at 6 o'clock sharp. Country-style entrees and good vegetables (fried okra is the most popular), supplemented by delicious desserts (The Blue Bonnet sold almost 250 of its famous pies last Thanksgiving Day) make for satisfied customers, and prices are surprisingly affordable.The Blue Bonnet Cafe serves daily specials (chicken-fried steak, chicken and dumplings, pot roast, meat loaf, fried catfish; even liver and onions), from 6 a.m. to closing. Monday through Thursday, the Blue Bonnet is open until 8 p.m; Friday and Saturday til 9 p.m; Sunday just til 1:45.

And tradition has something to do with the Blue Bonnet's appeal. Only the oldest old-timers can remember a time when there wasn't a Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. Blue Bonnet employees tend to stay around for a while, and many of the "regulars" have built friendships with the staff. The Kempers are friendly and accessible, greeting customers and making sure that things run smoothly. To shorten waiting lines and accommodate more customers, the Blue Bonnet recently added an additional dining room with a seating capacity of 60. The Blue Bonnet seems poised for another 75 ye ...

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