I happened upon your post as I was searching to see if there were any old pictures posted of the Del Rio Inn in Houston. Lena Murrel was my Aunt and she owned the Del Rio Inn and ran it until the early 70's until her brother Joe took over. I finally closed in 1975. Lena was murdered in Conroe that same year.
It made me smile to know someone still remembered her. She was a character for sure. I attached a picture of her and Mae Ethel ( her long time friend and employee)The baby is my son born in 1970. The picture was taken in the kitchen of the Del Rio Inn. I was living with her in Conroe when he was born, My husband was in the Air Force and I'll never forget that harried ride to the hospital in Houston. We had to go to Jacinto City but because she didn't want to go alone we made a detour to pick up her friend at the Del Rio Inn. she was so scared I was going to give birth in the back of her new Cadillac!
She was an angel here on earth.
My first job was working at the Del Rio Inn as a busboy around 1972 or 1973. Then I was a dishwasher, then the steam table. I worked there when Joe took the place over. My grandmother, Ruth, was a waitress there for many years and I was in and out of that restaurant from the time I was a young kid. I knew both Lena Murrel and her ex-husband, OC Murrel. Funny to run across this post after all these years. There were some fun characters that worked in that place.
Historic Houston Restaurants
in Historic Houston
Posted
My first job was working at the Del Rio Inn as a busboy around 1972 or 1973. Then I was a dishwasher, then the steam table. I worked there when Joe took the place over. My grandmother, Ruth, was a waitress there for many years and I was in and out of that restaurant from the time I was a young kid. I knew both Lena Murrel and her ex-husband, OC Murrel. Funny to run across this post after all these years. There were some fun characters that worked in that place.