People who hadn't heard the news came to stand in line for a home-cooked lunch at Dot's Place on Wednesday.
Instead of finding the traditional long line, they found Dot's destroyed by fire. The restaurant, in Northern Travis County, was destroyed overnight Tuesday.
"We always come here. We had our hearts set on getting a piece of sweet potato pie, liver and onions, greens and the down-home cooking that I'm used to. I don't know what I'm going to do now," patron Troy Shelton said.
Dot Hewitt doesn't know what to do either. She let her insurance lapse and the fire destroyed more than she can afford to fix. Her dream that began 23-years ago may be over.
"I just started with an itty-bitty building and it grew. It grew real fast up until this point," Hewitt said.
Hewitt doesn't know when, if ever, she'll be able to cook in her kitchen again or see the long lines of people waiting to eat her food. But she hopes, along with her customers, that it will be soon.
"A lot of love goes into that food. A lot of love. I just don't throw things together and say here it is," Hewitt said.
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Dot's burns
Without insurance, it will be difficult to rebuild the beloved eatery.
 
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That love is not lost on Dot's regular customers, especially since she is the only cook in the kitchen.
"This place was the best place to eat. I started coming in the '80s and Dot was working then and she was probably working yesterday," patron Charles Reasonover said.
Hewitt was working the night before the fire and now her family is working. Regulars came by Wednesday with hugs, encouragement, and what seems to be the beginning of a fundraising effort.
"I feel loved," Hewitt said.
Some people suggest getting some lumber and having a barn raising.
Dot likes the idea and says if they build it, she will cook.
"I know I'm going to be cooking somewhere. I like to cook. If not here, somewhere," Hewitt said.
This isn't the only trouble Dot Hewitt has on her plate. She recently got out of the hospital after having knee surgery. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
