Things are really cooking in Graford!
New businesses are opening up, and here’s the low down.
Story by Michelle Ince | Photos by Erika Carter
Chris and Debbie Key, owners of Mimi and Pops. The new meat market and deli in downtown Graford, features barbeque, fresh meat, smoked meats, and produce.
Things are really cooking in Graford, with two new restaurants open for business.
One of them is Mimi and Pops, a meat market and deli in downtown Graford that’s owned and operated by Chris and Debbie Key. The business features barbecue, fresh meat, smoked meats and produce. There’s also a lunch menu available, and the shop can smoke briskets for private orders, too, as long as the staff is notified a week in advance.
The Keys moved to Graford from Weatherford, where they owned Teel’s Custom Meats for nine years. In 2021, the couple bought land in Graford after falling in love with the area. The Keys built a home and settled into the country life, as did their son Brandon and his family, who did the same thing.
But then the couple decided that they wanted to own a business in their new community, too. Their son polled the community on Facebook pages, and identified a business opportunity for fresh meats and produce.
The Keys say that business is picking up every week, and they’re operating two smokers just to meet the demand for smoked items.
“That’s really our biggest sellers,” Debbie Key said, including brisket, German sausage, meat sticks, jerky and much more.
Customers can keep up with the business on Facebook, where the Keys post about newly added items. Debbie Keys also said that anyone who has a suggestion or a request just needs to let them know.
“We’re here for the community,” she said.
Janet Lopez runs and operates Josefina’s Mexican Restaurant in Graford.
Another restaurant that opened next door to Mimi and Pops is helping increase the foot traffic to both businesses. Josefina’s Mexican Restaurant is also located in downtown Graford, and customers are raving about the amazing food on the menu.
“Josefina’s is, hands down, delicious,” said Carolyn Mahaney. “The prices are right on, and the quantity is enough to take home leftovers.”
The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The menu ranges from traditional dishes such as tacos and enchiladas to specialties such as molcajete. Margaritas and other drinks are also available, as are daily specials, and the number for to-go orders is (940) 659-8008.
