For Halloween, Burnet restaurant Texas Tea-Licious serves murder as main course
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
BURNET — Six year ago, when Liz and Trace Catlin decided to host a Halloween murder mystery party in their home, it just fell in with their love for the holiday.
“We’re all about Halloween,” Liz Catlin said. “One year, when my daughter was in the Army, we flew her home for Halloween, not Christmas. That’s how much we love Halloween.”
She wrote up the scripts for the first few murder mysteries, but when the number of guests grew (the past two years more than 40 people showed up), she opted to purchase murder mystery scripts. Now, the Catlins are moving the entire production from their home to their restaurant, Texas Tea-Licious, 216 S. Main St. on the courthouse square.
“After we bought the restaurant, we decide to move it here,” Catlin said. [box]IF YOU GO
WHAT: ‘Murder at the Deadwood Saloon’
WHEN: 6 p.m. Oct. 26
WHERE: Texas Tea-Licious, 216 S. Main St. in Burnet
COST: Cash or non-perishable food donations for local charities in addition to cost of meal
FOR MORE: Call (512) 756-7636; groups of eight or more should make reservations[/box]
On Oct. 26 at 6 p.m., Texas Tea-Licious is hosting “Murder at the Deadwood Saloon.”
“It’s a lot like the movie ‘Maverick,'” Catlin said.
The staff and actors will dress up in costumes as they take attendees along for the Wild West whodunit. And the great thing is patrons can even participate in the drama. As people come in, they can select a card from the host or hostess. On the card, they’ll find a sentence or two they will say during the murder mystery.
“The cards won’t have any effect on the ending, but it’s a great way for people to feel part of the show,” Catlin said.
Patrons can chose to participate or not. Either way, the show will develop around them for their enjoyment.
“The people who play the main characters will interact with the diners,” Catlin said. “They may sit down with you and ask you something. Plus, the actors will be calling out to each other across the room. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and you get to be a part of it.”
The restaurant is asking people to bring cash or non-perishable food donations. Everything visitors donate will go to a local charity such as the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center.
This is in addition to the cost of a meal.
Along with the murder mystery, Catlin said there will be other things going outside on the courthouse square for people to enjoy.
People can dress up in costume (it is considered a costume party) if they want, but the restaurant isn’t requiring it. And those who do are asked to remember it is a family event.
While the “Murder at Deadwood Saloon” comes to life in front of diners, Catlin said interactions with customers will be limited. But next year, she plans on unveiling a full, murder mystery with lots of chances for people to participate.
“We hope people come out and just have a lot of fun,” she said. “This is something we, as a family, really enjoy and hope others will, too.”
While people can show up at the door for the event, groups of eight or more are asked to call ahead and make reservations. Call Texas Tea-Licious at (512) 756-7636 for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com