The Back Porch Story

From Bulldogs to The Back Porch: The Crowell Family's Royse City Story

Long before Royse City became the bustling community it is today, the Crowell family was putting down roots. Across five generations, our family's story has intertwined with the town's cotton fields, football Friday nights, and local businesses. Today, that legacy of hard work and hometown pride culminates in James Cooper Crowell's newest chapter: The Back Porch Bar & Grill.

A Foundation Built on the Land and the Gridiron

The story begins with Bob Crowell, who spent 50 years running the local cotton gin—the heartbeat of the Blackland Prairie's farming community. But Bob was also a local legend under the Friday night lights. As an All-District lineman on the Bulldogs' very first district championship team in 1930, he turned down a scholarship to Texas Tech to stay home and raise a family. Bob lived to see his legacy honored: at age 100 in 2013, he performed a ceremonial coin toss, and at 104, he was inducted into the inaugural Royse City ISD Athletic Hall of Fame.

His son, Bobby Crowell, picked up the mantle. Bobby played during the Bulldogs' historic 39-game win streak, lettering in basketball, baseball, and track before competing at Tyler Junior College and East Texas State University. In 2021—91 years after his father's championship—Bobby joined his dad in the Hall of Fame. Now well into his eighties, Bobby remains a force in the community, actively pursuing land development, staying involved in Cowboy Church, and supporting his family's ventures.

Growing Alongside Royse City

Bobby's sons took that same drive and applied it to building up the local community:

• Robert John Crowell (the oldest) built a career as a landman and developer with ventures spanning oil, agriculture, and aviation across Texas.
• Matt Crowell took the family's athletic grit to Kansas State University for Division I football, later focusing on real estate and local ventures like The Storage Spot.
• Scott Crowell has run Crowell Real Estate since 1986, while also operating familiar automotive staples, including a long-running car wash and a former oil-and-lube shop.

The next generation continues this entrepreneurial and athletic spirit. Rowdy Crowell manages Royse City Tire, earning city leadership recognition for his community contributions. Mackenzie Crowell has taken her career ambitions out west to California, while Sam Crowell played baseball at UT Arlington and now develops young players as an instructor in East Dallas.

Reviving a Family Tradition

For Cooper Crowell, the paths of athletics, business, and family have converged in a deeply personal way. A multi-sport athlete at Royse City High School (football, basketball, baseball, golf, powerlifting, and track), Cooper went on to play football at East Texas Baptist University. Today, alongside raising three young daughters, he shapes the next generation of athletes as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wylie East.

But Cooper is also building something of his own, backed by the support of his father, two uncles, and grandfather. The Back Porch Bar & Grill sits at the exact County Road 2584 address where Cooper's late grandmother, Marty, once ran Crowells Fish Camp alongside Bobby and Robert John. By opening The Back Porch on this very same property, Cooper is honoring Marty's memory and giving a beloved family hospitality tradition a fresh, modern expression.

Welcome to The Back Porch

Cooper can usually be found right at the grill, perfecting the smashburgers that form the heart of his menu. His vision is simple: serve great food, make everyone feel welcome, and give them a reason to return.

Whether you are a lifelong resident seeking a familiar connection or new to Royse City and looking to make memories, there is a seat waiting for you:

• The View: Relax on our beautiful patio overlooking a tranquil 10-acre lake.
• The Menu: Dig into our signature smashburgers, familiar hometown favorites, or a show-stopping tomahawk pork chop.
• The Vibe: Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night with friends and family.

From Bob's half-century at the cotton gin to Cooper's smashburgers on the lake, the Crowell family has always been proud to serve Royse City. Come hungry, bring the people you enjoy, and make yourself at home.