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October 27-28, 2023
Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶
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October 27-28, 2023
Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶

Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. If you would like to contribute to SFA’s oral history collections, please send your ideas for oral history along with your CV or Resume and a portfolio of prior oral history work to info@southernfoodways.org.

< Back to Oral History project: Texas BBQ

ORAL HISTORY

Christine LeClair

In 1988, after ten years in the insurance industry, Christine LeClair became a member of the wait staff at The Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas. In 2008, she still enjoys the flexible hours, the generous tips, and the laid-back atmosphere at the restaurant, but relishes the off days when she can spend time with her grandchildren. Over twenty years of employment, LeClair has witnessed several changes in the employees’ uniforms, major expansion of the dining areas, growth in on-site catering, and a general explosion in the popularity of The Salt Lick. Still, she maintains that the best way to serve her customers is essentially unchanged—you must be flexible, courteous, and honest.

Date of interview:
2007-06-08 00:00

Interviewer:
Melanie Haupt

Photographer:
Carly Kocurek

Download Transcript

“

"When I started working here, I hadn’t eaten here. I hadn’t been here before that. I just came in—had to get a job. So, I thought I want somewhere close. I’m tired of driving for an hour across town to get to work. So, I wanted somewhere close and this was the closest place to home out here…then, it was only open four days a week; it was only open Thursday through Sunday. It was kind of a weekend job, but it worked out well." - Christine LeClair

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