Hullaballoo Diner featured in new film showing now in theaters

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – An Aggieland attraction has already appeared on popular TV shows and now it is a set for a movie.

“The Long Game” is a movie set in 1955 that follows five Mexican American caddies who are determined to learn how to play golf so they created a golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert.

The movie stars Dennis Quaid and others. One of the pivotal moments takes place at the Hullaballoo Diner in College Station.

“I got a call that they were looking for a diner in Texas and we are the only authentic diner in Texas,” co-owner Rich Risbon said.

Eric Schulte co-owns the diner with Risbon and said about 20 years ago he purchased the diner off eBay and transported it to College Station.

“That was quite an undertaking, but that was 2004 and at the time I had a little dessert shop called the Dessert Depot,” Schulte said. “It wasn’t quite cutting it. I knew I needed to bring a full menu in and my food supplier said I got a guy that just might be able to help you out. And he connected with Rich.”

Fast-forward to the movie. Risbon and Schulte said the crew sent an advanced team to disassemble the front and a window they planned to break. “Rich gave me a call and said, ‘Hey, you might wanna get over here, they’re going to take a window out and send a golf ball through it,” Schulte said.

The crew spent a full 24 hours at the diner filming. Schulte and Risbon got to meet some of the actors, including Quaid, while they were working.

“I just said, ‘Hey, I’m Eric Schulte. I’m the landlord here,’ and he and he looked at me and he said ‘I hope you’re ready for them to tear this place up’ and I said ‘Dennis, that’s why I’m here,’” Schulte said.

The Long Game is in theaters now.

This isn’t the first time Hullabaloo Diner has been featured nationwide. It’s been featured twice on the Food Network’s popular series Diners Drive-ins & Dives.

Currently, the diner is reserved for private and special events only.

The rest of the eatery is open Thursday and Friday evenings along with Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Risbon says they’d like to expand on those hours but need to hire more cooks first for the kitchen. Anyone with experience is welcome to apply!