Sundown at Granada-3520 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 (214) 823-8305-Live bands in a big space with lots of areas including a (gag) farm to table restaurant
Bryan Street Tavern -4315 Bryan St, Dallas, TX, 75204-Hard to find show info but a few decent shows and a “punk/funk/No wave” dj night every wed
The Church-Big mega club with connections to the long running lizard lounge –
Located in It’ll Do Club 4322 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Eats-
Dunston’s Steak House-8526 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 752355423 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209- steakhouse since the 50s, now there is a second location-Cheap!
Maple and Motor-4810 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219 (214) 522-4400-Kinda hipstery looking but you can’t argue with the amazing looking Cheeseburgers with bacon and Jalapeno and the tasty onion rings.
Off Site Kitchen-331 Singleton Blvd, Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75212 (214) 741-2226-Huge burger joint with inexpensive burgers. Get the Murph Style. Many Burgers have a jalapeno and bacon relish.
Blues Burgers -1820 W Mockingbird Ln, Ste 44 Dallas, TX 75235 (214) 750-9100-Looks like a chain but its a standalone. Great onion rings. Fried pies for deserts. Supposedly nearby to Ruths Tamale House which may or may not exist, but if it does you should get tamales.
Dutch’s Hamburgers -3009 S University Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76109 (817) 927-5522-Burgers and great rings near TCU
Charley’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers-4616 Granbury Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76133 (817) 924-8611-window for paper wrapped burger and giagantic onion rings.
Record stores Good Records-9026 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218-Occasional instore performances too Spinster Records– 408 N Bishop Ave #102, Dallas, TX 75208-owners of the ladylove lounge where employees of the store spin.
Other Eats-
Babes Chicken Dinner house is a regional chain where everything is served family style and there are unlimited sides on things like mashed potatoes.
Keller’s-Old-school drive-in with burgers and car hops and local car scene folks: 6537 Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75231 (214) 368-1209 You can actually drink beer in your car. Get a number 5.
Sonny Bryans is a favorite local bbq chain.
Highland Park Soda Fountain – from 1912, malts, grilled cheese, Frito pie: 3229 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205 Open daily til 5 or 6
Kincaid’s, 4901 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, 817-732-2881
charred 1/2 lb burgers inside a giant bun.
Lockhart Smokehouse BBQ -Counter-serve joint dishing up Central Texas-style smoked meats on butcher paper: 400 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208 Le Madeline-cheap french bistro chain that is excellent.
Sol’s Taco Lounge -2626 Commerce St., Dallas 214-651-7657
Cafe Brazil – Deep Ellum and other locations-2815 Elm St., Dallas 214-747-2730
Pecan Lodge – 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226 Closed Mondays, Only open til 3 pm for lunch most days but dinner on Friday and Saturday- (214) 748-8900-Brisket, Ribs and a meat stuffed Sweet Potato. Joe T Garcias-2201 North Commerce, Fort Worth, (817) 626-4356, all you can eat tex mex. One of the best. Sushi Nights -2604 Main St., Dallas 214-752-0100 Angelos bbq, 2533 WHITE SETTLEMENT ROAD, FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76107
PHONE (817) 332-0357, OPEN 11:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M., MONDAY THRU SATURDAY CLOSED SUNDAYS
Kubys Sausage House and Factory-6601 Snider Plaza, Dallas, TX 75205
(214)363-2231, Retail mart with restaurant which serves dinner only Friday and Saturday, open for lunch and brunch daily. German food and you can get the sausage plate sampling many of the house made product.
Tolbert’s Restaurant -Historic chili specialist-423 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 421-4888
Bartleys BBQ-Old but doesn’t look it bbq that is more for ribs and “pork tenderloin” than Brisket.-413 E Northwest Hwy, Grapevine, TX 76051 (817) 481-3212
Abilene, TX
Eats-
Lytle Land And Cattle -1150 E S 11th St, Abilene, TX 79602
(325) 677-1925-Steak house
Alpine, TX
Eats-
Reata-Fancy sort of restaurant with great steaks, a great burger, a chocolate bread pudding “tamale” for dessert and a James Dean Statue. 203 N 5th St, Alpine, TX 79830
(432) 837-9232 Also a Fort Worth Branch.
Alvin, TX (check info in case of Hurricane Harvey Damage)
Eats-
Malt N Burger -25330 W Hwy 6, Alvin, TX 77511 (281) 331-7955-Old timey stand alone burger joint
Arlington, TX-(Dallas suburb)
Bars-
Caves Lounge-Cave Themed Dive Bar-Pretty appropriate for trashy travel- 900 W Division St , Arlington, Texas 76012 (817) 460-5510 while here you can try out the nearby Sunshine Lounge at 902 W Division St, Arlington, TX 76012
Tiki Bar-
4 Kahunas-506 East Division Street Suite 160 South side of the building, facing, E Front St, Arlington, TX 76011-Circa 2018 tiki bar in a weird location in Arlington
Eats-J. Gilligans Bar and Grill-400 East Abram, Arlington, TX-Inventors of a nacho variation, the “irish nacho” made with potatoes instead of Tortillas.
Atascocita, TX (north of Houston)
Eats –Tin Roof BBQ -Atascocita Plaza, 18918 Town Center Blvd, Atascocita, TX 77346
CLosed Monday, Lunch only on Sunday (281) 852-5577-Gigantic stuffed meat potatoes.
Stomp’s Burger Joint -3107 Hwy 146, Bacliff, TX 77518 (281) 339-0785-Bunches of burgers and amazing onion rings in a western style restaurant. plus Enchalada dip Open 7 days
Bastrop, TX
Attraction, Eats, Lodging
The Gas Station – 1073 TX-304, Bastrop, TX 78602 : (512) 321-7297-The texas chainsaw massacre gas station, restored as a hotel and bbq restauarant.
Blessing, Texas (greater Houston)
Eats-
Blessing Hotel Coffee Shop
128 10th St.
Blessing, Texas 77419
Phone: 361-588-6623 Breakfast and lunch only til 2 pm
Bryan, TX
Eats-
Joe’s Place-9376 E State Hwy 21,Bryan, TX 77808 (979) 589-2693-Dive bar with tasty burgers, onion rings and shoestring potatoes.
Burnet, TX
Eats-
Bill’s Burgers, Wings & Things – 306 W Polk St, Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 234-8216 Amazing Frito pie, burgers and Rings.
Byron, TX
Eats-Sodolaks Beefmasters Restaurant -?3500 Hwy 21 E, Bryan, TX 77808 Closed
Sunday (979) 778-4999-Roadtrip stop with steaks and chicken fried bacon, plus legendary meatloaf
Carmine, Texas
Eats-
JW’s Steakhouse
122 S Haupttstrasse St.
Carmine, Texas 78932
Chicken fried steak, awesome onion rings
Centerville, TX
Eats-Woody’s Smokehouse- 947 St Marys St, Centerville, TX 75833-Open Daily (903) 536-9663 General store with lots of jerky, sausage, beef sticks, hams and cheeses plus burgers and bbq sandwiches and meats. plus fresh squeezed OJ
Chappell Hill, TX (between Houston and Austin)
Eats-
Chappell Hill Bakery and Deli-8900 Hwy 290 E, Chappell Hill, TX 77426
Phone: (979) 836-0910 Chopped Beef sandwiches, amazing mac and cheese and tons of sweet kolaches, plus full service bbq cafe
College Station, TX
Eats-
Hullabaloo Diner – 15045 FM 2154, College Station, TX 77845 (979) 690-3002-Classic Diner-philly cheesesteaks, sausage peppers and onions, near texas a&m, meatloaf with marinara in a diner car from NY
Owl Drug Store-312 S Commercial Ave, Coleman, TX 76834 325-625-2178-Soda fountain with great burgers since 1927
Corpus Christi, TX (check info in case of changes from Hurricane Harvey)
Venues-
House of Rock-Address: 511 Starr St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401-
Catch all venue for lots of events going on 18 years as of this writing, including a punk rock flea market.
Eats-
Frank’s Spaghetti House-2724 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX 78408-361-882-0075-Vintage red sauce italian joint.
Vick’s Famous Hamburgers – 4989 Ayers St, Corpus Christi, TX 78415 Daily10:30AM–10PM -Classic hamburgers since 1976. Amazing Onion Rings. Now multiple locations
Snapka’s Drive Inn -4760 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX 78408 (361) 883-2272-Classic Roadside drive in since 1948. Amazing Sign and onion rings
Crystal Beach, TX (Greater Houston)
Eats-Stingaree Restaurant & Bar: 1295 N Stingaree Rd, Crystal Beach, TX 77650 (409) 684-2731 Closed Monday and Tuesday-Sweet crab nachos, shrimp filled avacado, Stinger Balls. Pepper jack wrapped in crab meat wrapped in peppered bacon and your usual southern seafood
Denton, TX
Venues-
Andy’s Bar & Grill-122 N Locust St, Denton, TX 76201 (940) 301-3535-Bar, restaurant and music venue
About 30 miles north of Dallas lies the college town of Denton, home to the University of North Texas. Annually, they hold the 35 Denton festival
Alernative Art-Good/Bad Art Collective-120 Exposition, 940-591-1725
Nightclubs and bars Cool Beans-1210 West Hickory-940-382-7025-grunge vintage jukebox Dans Silver Leaf-103 N Industrial St-940-320-2000-great venue for local acts Hailey’s Club, 122 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX Lucky Lous-1207 West Hickory-Grown up frat boy bar
Best Indie venue-Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios-411 East Sycamore-940-387-7781-Bands like Quasi and Solex have played here. Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios. Lots of cool acts.Check out Local Acts Brave Combo, Budapest One and Corn Mo.Records- Recycled Books and Records-200 N. Locust-940-566-5688-Great selecion of hard to find discs.
Eats
Denton County Burger Company-113 West Hickory-940-383-1022 They make their burgers with shredded cheese on top.
Mazalan Restaurant-1928 N. Ruddell-940-566-1718-Mexican
El Matador-720 W. University-940-387-1137-more Mexican
Mr. Chopsticks-1120 W. Hickory-940-382-5437-unfortunately named chinese with cheap food.
Mr. Gattis Pizza on the Square-118 West Oak-940-383-0944-Pizza with live bands in a tiny basement. Ranchmans cafe-110 W Bailey , PO Box 117 , Ponder, Texas 76259 near denton, Cafe: 940-479-2221, chicken fried steak and more.
El Campo, TX
Eats-
Prasek’s Hillje Smokehouse – BBQ restaurant & meat counter, plus a bakery 29714 US-59, El Campo, TX 77437 (979) 543-8312-Mail order meats and sausages too.
Love Buzz– 3011 Pershing Dr, El Paso, Texas 79903 (915) 257-3118
Eats-
Cattleman’s Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch -3450 S Fabens Carlsbad Rd, Fabens, TX 79838-Good ribs and steaks cooked over mesquite. Actual horses and other critters out front. In Fabens outside El Paso. Only open for lunch on the weekends.
L & J Cafe -3622 E Missouri Ave, El Paso, TX 79903 (915) 566-8418-vintage old mexican joint, Spinach crab enchilladas and menudo. Also mini burgers.
Rosco’s Burger Inn-Burger Joint since 1955: 3829 Tompkins Rd, El Paso, TX 79930
Most Days 10:30AM–5PM, Friday and Saturday 10:30AM–8PM Sunday and Monday Closed (915) 564-9028
Elgin, TX-Near Austin
Eats
-Southside Market and BBQ-1212 Highway 290, Elgin, TX, famous for bbq sausage.
Sonny’s Place -1206 19th St, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 763-9602-GRILLED MUFFALATTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus heaping gumbo and great burgers in a classic leather booth wood paneled bar.
Gaidos Seafood Restaurant-Classy seafood restaurant, opened in 1911. 3828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Star Drug Store-510 23rd St, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 766-7719-Historic Drug Store lunch counter
Luling, TX
Eats-Luling City Market
633 East Davis Street
Luling, Texas 78648
Texas market style bbq, ribs, sausage, brisket. Theres one in houston with not good reviews
McAllen, TX (South of Corpus Christi on the Mexican Border
Lee’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment North Store – 5120 N 10th St, McAllen, TX 78504 Phone: (956) 630-5500 good burger at a lunch counter in an old pharmacy and tacos too! Classic fountain drinks.
Tioga, TX, about an hour north of Dallas.
Eats-Clark’s Outpost, 101 US 377, 940-437-2414 smoked brisket and fall-off-the-bone pork ribs garnished with a warm, sweet, peppery sauce. Sides, like corn on the cob deep-fried.
Giddings, TX
Eats-
City Meat Market: 101 W Austin St, Giddings, TX 78942 Closed Sunday (979) 542-2740-Lockhart style with few sides.
Billy B’s Sale Barn Cafe, 1401 East Highway 164 , Groesbeck, Texas 76642-The kind of joint this site exists for. Cafe in an old livestock barn with crazy good burgers.
Houston, TX
Eats-
Venues-
Scout Bar-18307 Egret Bay Blvd, Houston, TX 77058 -“Rockin’ spot for loud live music & drinks” (281) 335-0002
The Local weekly alternative paper is the Houston Press.
Houston has some unusual folk art around town. People decorate their own lawns with “art”. Check out The ORANGE SHOW. There is more art in the restored Row Houses on 2501 Holman Street. 713-526-7662.
Record Stores
Cactus-2930 South Shepard
All through Texas we would hit BBQ joints. I would always try the sausage hoping for a sublime taste sensation. I didn’t find good sausage until, ironically enough, we stopped at Goode Company BBQ for an amazing Jalapeno Sausage, tasty ribs and creamy cole slaw- 8911 Katy Fwy,Houston, TX 77024
Also you can try the bbq at Gumbeaux Restaurant, 2316 Southmore Boulevard , Houston (713) 520-9962-Call first as this is a catering truck and may have changed locations.
Thelma’s Barbecue- 1020 Live Oak St @ Lamar Houston TX 77003 713.228.2262-this is not texas bbq, but Louisiana style. Stick with the “sandwiches” which are more overflowing piles of meat dripping with sauce on a big bun you use to mop up the sauce. Don’t get the sweet tea and don’t try to get the a la carte stuff.
Other decent restaurants with multiple locations.Christians Tailgate and Hubcap Grill. Also Frenchys Chicken is a local chain with popeyes style taste and things like Boudin Balls.
Pizzitola’s BBQ-70-year old big brick pit -1703 Shepherd Drive Houston, TX 77007(713) 227-2283 famous for spare ribs
Beaver’s -6025 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057 (713) 714-4111-Fancy BBQ with good chicken, pork and brisket. They have bbq mac n cheese and brisket grilled cheese sandwiches.
Goode Company Seafood-2621 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77098 (713) 523-7154-Chain but this location is in a diner car. These guys have an empire but this is some solid seafood for great prices.
Hubcap Grill -1111 Prairie St , Houston, TX 77002 (713) 223-5885 Amazing burger place, also a location in Kemah
Hickory Hollow -101 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007 (713) 869-6300-More good chicken fried steak, amazing onion rings, good ribs and sausage.
The Original Kolache Shoppe -since 1956-5404 Telephone Rd, Houston, TX 77087 (713) 649-0711. Kolaches are Czech pastries often filled with meat but sweet a lot too. Here they have some mindblowing savory ones like a roast beef version with bacon an jalapeno.
Les Givral’s-2704 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006, 713-529-1736-Cheap Vietaname Banh Mis and Pho
Barbecue Inn-116 W Crosstimbers St, Houston, TX 77018 (713) 695-8112-Despite the name, this restaurant in known more for their chicken fried steak and fried chicken, though their BBQ ribs look pretty good. A time machine.
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium-705 Main St, Houston, TX 77002 (713) 228-9472-not normally the type of place I list but they have the Saucer Bratzel: pretzel covered with melted Swiss cheese, sliced beer bratwurst and green onions with side of spicy mustard,Loaded Rocket Tots…bacon, egg, cheeses, n green onion and Green Chili pork stew.
Lankford Grocery-88 Dennis St, Houston, TX 77006 (713) 522-9555-Great Burgers, only open til 3 pm. Since 1938
Yale Street Grill – 2100 Yale St, Houston, TX 77008 (713) 861-3113-old timey soda fountain grill. Breakfast and lunch only.
Angie’s Country Kitchen -11708 Hempstead Rd, Houston, TX 77092- (346) 226-2164-Super old rustic kolache and southern food joint. Breakfast and lunch only.
Hippo Burgers -Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken Wings, steak fries with Cajun seasoning in a formica stand alone joint in Northeast Houston-641 Wilson Rd, Humble, TX 77338 (281) 852-0333
The Original Ninfa’s– 2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003 (713) 228-1175-popularized the Fajita style as we know it today
Segari’s – 1503 Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77007 (713) 880-2470-Fancy Shrimp and gumbo joint which only uses the biggest shrimp. Not cheap. No prices on the menu
The Burger Joint : 2703 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006- (281) 974-2889 Not related to the NYC burger joint, this spot has shakes and chili cheese burgers. Open very late on weekends
Avalon Diner -2417 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098 (713) 527-8900-This is a chain but this is an old location in old pharmacy style. Get the burgers, onion rings, and chili and you can’t go wrong with ice cream.
Fitzgeralds-2706 White Oak – Houston, TX 77007 || 713 – 862 – 3838
notsuoH-314 Main St, Houston, TX 77002 2nd floor “speakeasy” with live music The Proletariet-903 Richmond, Houston, TX Rudyards-2010 Waugh Dr, Houston, Texas, “british pub” with a suprising diversity of bands showing up. Walters On Washington-4215 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 713-864-2727
Bombay Pizza Co.-914 Main St., Suite 105 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 654-4444-Hybrid Indian/Italian Pizza
Leonard’s Famous Burgers-1913 W Little York Rd, Houston, TX 77091 (713) 686-3555-tiny joint with no seating with classic old style burgers. Been there forever. Once you order it can take at least 20 minutes.
Clubs- Continental Club-Locations in Houston and Austin-The Houston location hosts the “Fistful of Soul Party” TRASH BAR TEXAS-313 1st. St. Humble, TX 77338 832.232.3403 Located in Humble, TX we are NE Houston’s newest and ONLY Punk Rock ‘n’ Roll Bar/Venue!! open Mon.- Sat. 6PM – 2AM and we are ROCKING and ready to ROCK you even more!! Trash Bar Texas is an “Icehouse,” so if you don’t like beer, then bring your own liquor and we’ll take of the rest with our set-ups!!
Hotels- Allen Park Inn, 2121 Allen Parkway, 713-521-9321-voted best value hotel for great location and reasonable rates.
Aside from all the national chains you can also try the quirkyRobin’s Nest Bed and Breakfast.
Beaumont, Texas (near Houston)
Clubs- Texas Rose-Club with live music 2013 South M L King Junior Parkway, Beaumont, Texas
Eats-
Willy Burger-5535 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77706 (409) 892-3400-Amazing smash style burger joint. get the onion rings. Eat in the airstream trailer. Another location in Katy.
Live Music-
The Logon Cafe -3805 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77706(409) 832-1529 cafe with live music
Ellinger, TX
Eats-
Hruskas Bakery, 109 TX-71 Ellinger, Texas 78938-Kolaches , pastries and good burgers at this roadside fancy stand.
Jefferson, TX
Museum-
Gone With the Wind Museum – 408 E Taylor St, Jefferson, TX 75657: (903) 665-1939 -Normally only open Thursday-Saturday. TUnfortunately the themed themed Bed and Breakfast next door has closed.
Junction, TX (Along the I-10 Corridor between San Antonio and El Paso)
Eats-Lum’s BBQ-2031 Main St, Junction, TX 76849 325-446-3541
Katy, TX
Eats-
Willy Burger -6191 Hwy Blvd Ste 101, Katy, TX 77494 (832) 437-4566-Amazing Mind blowing smash style burger joint. Get onion rings. Another Location in Beaumont
Southern BOI Cafe -109 Meadow Pkwy B, League City, TX 77573 (832) 864-3336-Charming little burger and shrimp and grits restauarant.
Leona, Texas
Eats-Leona General Store – 136 North Leona Blvd, TX-75, Leona, TX 75850 (903) 344-2202 Only open for dinner Thursday Friday and Saturday. Thursday is Catfish, Friday and Saturday is steak served with twice baked potatos. New meaning to limited menu. Roadtrip stop.
Lexington, TX (1 hour from Austin or so.)
Eats-
Snow’s BBQ, LLC. -516 Main St Lexington, TX 78947 (979) 773-4640-Only open Saturdays from 8 am til they sell out, plus Mail Order
Lockhart, TX
Considered by some as the BBQ Capital of the world.
Eats- Kreuz Market-619 N. Colorado St. , Lockhart, TX 512-398-2361
Blacks BBQ-215 North Main St, Lockhart, Texas 78644-Beef ribs and cheese filled sausages are recommended. Smittys BBQ-208 S Commerce St, Lockhart, TX 78644-they have a salad bar! and Stuffed baked potatoes.
Llano, TX
Eats-Coopers old time pit bbq-505 W. Dallas, Llano, Texas Closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day 915-247-5713
Loyola Beach, Texas (Greater Corpus Christi)
King’s Inn-1116 East County 2270 Loyola Beach, Riviera, Texas 78379 361-297-5265, avacado salad and just a few seafood items with a unique tartar sauce. Closed Sunday and Monday
Lubbock, TX
Marfa, TX
Home to Light Artist Donald Judd, this town has a lot of his work all over the place, including an installation in an old army barracks. See his work at the Chinati Museum
Eats-
Convenience West-1411 W San Antonio St, Marfa, TX 79843-Texas style bbq, ie brisket etc
Hotels-Riata Inn, Highway 90, 915-729-3800-just outside of town
Medina, TX
Eats-
Love Creek Orchards and patio cafe-Great burgers and pies at this tourist stop. -14024 State Hwy 16 North, Medina, TX 78055, Medina, TX 78055
Melvin, TX
Eats-
Jacoby Feed & Seed-Seriously middle of nowhere Animal Feed Store with amazing burgers and onion rings. Now they opened a location in Austin. This is not even close to Austin- 101 N Main St, Melvin, TX 76858 (325) 286-4242
Finally I remember the Alamo. If you are in San Antonio, you will go there so just give in.
First of all, a half hour north of San Antonio is the town of New Braunfels, TX. It is home to two wonderful things. One is the most amazing waterpark ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE! Its called Schlitterbahn and its actually 3 waterparks, 2 of them share one parking lot while the other is a mile away. Schlitterbahninvented what is called a “watercoaster” which is a slide which shoots you uphill using water. They have these featured all over the two newer parks. The third park is most unusual. Its built on the side of a hill and takes advantage of the terrain and its location on a river. They have numerous “tube chutes” where you ride inner tubes through troughs of water which are sometimes gentle, sometimes rapids, all of them fun and relaxing and never boring. One of them runs an hour!! You must go here! MUST!!
Also in New Braunfels, is the New Braunfels Smokehouse, what else? A bbq place-New Braunfels Smokehouse (The Original), Corner of Hwy 46 & I-35 Phone (830) 625-2416 and nearby is the Gruene Hall-1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130, the oldest venue in Texas, old roadhouse style. Then there is also the Icehouse, the Texas version of the beer garden. Billy’s Ice House-1193 Loop 337,New Braunfels, TX 78130 (830) 629-8169http://www.billysice.com/
Back to San Antonio, they have a pretty decent amusement park Six Flags Fiesta Texas. It has a great tower drop ride and log flume and is built inside an old rock quarry. They have a wave pool in the shape of texas, but there is no way to see that to confirm it since its so far from anything with height.
Tip: Buy a six flags seasons pass, and you can visit 3 parks in texas for the price of one in the triangle of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.
They also have a SEA WORLD with a couple of good rollercoasters.
Eats-
I happened to be on a meat quest when I was on my Texas trip, so I had mucho BBQ but no mexican. So I ate at Rudy’s Country Store (various locations-one at 24152 W Ih 10 at: IH-10 and Boerne Stage Road-tel: (210) 698-2141. You order meat by the pound and put sauce on it yourself. The Pork Loin was bland and dry when I went but it was pretty good. Caution: Beware of overordering. Try things in quarter pound increments, for we wound up with two much food. No Frills here either.
I also hit a real sit down chain called the County Line BBQ-many locations in San Antonio. There was too much to choose from, but they have cheap good peel and eat shrimp, smoked prime rib yum and lots more in a less authentic but good atmosphere. Great baby backs. They had good looking desserts, but what-are you kidding me? I can only eat so much.
And for steak, I went to the Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse, 60 NE Loop 410 at: McCullough Ave-tel: (210) 342-4477 and many other locations statewide. Yummy Mesquite grilled steaks, served with amazing garlic mashed potatoes swimming in butter and texas toast points, which you are to dip in the butter atop the potatoes. Then they have the JACK DANIELS PIE which is not a pie at all but a caserole mess of chocolate chips and brownie, topped with jack daniels covered with chocolate chip cookie dough which is then baked then SMOTHERED in ice cream. Best when shared so you don’t pass out from the sugar rush.
Radicke’s Bluebonnet Grill, San Antonio
famous for its jalapeño fried chicken, burgers and chicken-fried steak.237 N Ww White Rd, San Antonio, TX 78219
Chris Madrid’s – 1900 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201 (210) 735-3552-Thin patty burger joint (temporarily operating til early 201 out of a food truck due to fire.)
Longhorn Cafe -17625 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78232 (210) 492-0301-jalapeno burgers and great onion rings fast food joint since the mid 80s
Walk around Market Square (W. Commerce at Santa Rosa) for galleries, restaurants, bars and a Mexican market, where you can tacky souveniers.
The River Walk is a very touristy area, basically a canal with little cruise boats and tons of bars and restaurants. Its right across the street from the Alamo, so you can’t really miss it.
The best restaurant on the River Walk is said to be Boudro’s (421 E. Commerce, 210-224-8484)- a hybrid of New Orleans and Texas cooking, and always packed. Reasonably priced.
More Eats-
Burger Boy – 2323 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 735-1955-Classic burger joint in a midcentury building which looks similar to a Howard Johnsons Restaurant. A MUST
Rosario’s-910 S Alamo St-San Antonio, (210) 223-1806-said to have the best margarita, as well as the best mexican food in all of San Antonio.
Schilo’s Delicatessen -a historical landmark, and the best place for soup or homemade root beer. 424 E Commerce St. San Antonio, TX (210) 223-6692
Acapulco Drive-inn & Catering 609 S. Alamo St. San Antonio (210)224-2452-Cheap, outside beer joint with picnic tables and great chips and refried bean dip.
Liberty Bar-328 E. Josephine St. San Antonio (210)227-1187-Tasty, decor free southwestern food. CHEAP!! Local favorite. the Cove-606 W. Cypress Street , San Antonio , Texas , 78212 , 210-227-2683-fish tacos and awesome food and live music in a carwash
Magic Time Machine – 902 NE Interstate 410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78209- (210) 828-1470-Theme restaurant where staff dress as cartoon characters. Not sure how I feel about this.
Garcia’s Mexican Food-842 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201(210) 735-4525-Closed sunday and only open for breakfast and lunch til 230 pm. Combo plates and tacos and real BBQd meats. Cheap af.
T J’s Hamburgers-477 New Laredo Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78211 (210) 927-7331 Cheap burger joint with great onion rings. Get a quarter pounder. Nice Thick cut bacon.
Cured-306 Pearl Pkwy, Ste 101, San Antonio, TX 78215 (210) 314-3929-On here for Lunch only, served 11 am to 3 pm with delicious burgers, ice cream sandwiches and fancy house made cold cuts. Dinner gets pricey on all fronts and no ice cream sandwiches or burgers.
Nightlife
Nightlife centers around the River Walk. Lots of Bars, and it’s safe most hours of the night.
Dick’s Last Resort (406 Navarro, 210-224-0026) the River Walk is big with young tourists and conventioneers. They have live music on most nights.
Paper Tiger-2410 N. ST. MARY’S ST. SAN ANTONIO, TX. 78212
Market Square is also full of bars and “cantinas” and you can find great margaritas everywhere.
Also, St. Mary’s Strip (2400 North St, Mary’s near Hwy. 281) has a big selection of bars, nightclubs and restaurants and a ton of live music.
Live Music-
The Korova -107 E Martin St, San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 226-5070
Limelight -2718 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212(210) 735-7775 Touring national acts, including Punk shows. Til 2 am Jiggers-Loud Rock and Roll, live bands.1639 Babcock Rd. San Antonio, Texas 78229- Yelp says “great if you belong in the Klan” and “like the Jerry Springer show live” so use caution. TEN ELEVEN 1011 Avenue B San Antonio, TX 78215
The Mix-2423 North Saint Marys Street San Antonio, TX 78212-3737 – (210) 735-1313 -good place. mix of everything from Rockabilly stuff to punk and more
Hotels
–Hotel Havana -1015 Navarro St, San Antonio, TX 78205 Fancy Old Renovated Hotel with Latin snacks in the mini bar. Nice bar to drink in too. Ocho restaurant inside.
Art-
Blue Star Arts Complex-1420 S Alamo -San Antonio-Old warehouses converted to Galleries. Said to be the best in SA.Hotels-
Adams House Bed & Breakfast Inn-231 Adams St, San Antonio (210) 224-4791-Highly recommened hotel with rooms about 100 dollars. You may be able to get a AAA discount.Painted Lady -620 Broadway St. San Antonio (210)220-1092-another B&B with charm and a Liberace room. Hmmm.Adkins, TX (near San Antonio)eats-Texas Pride BBQ-Great texas style bbq in a huge compound
http://www.texaspridebbq.net/ 210-649-3730, 2980 E. Loop 1604
Adkins, TX
Big Texan Steak House and Motel, 7701 East I-40
Amarillo, Texas 79118, Main (800) 657-7177-home to the “free” 72 ounce steak, that is, free, if you eat it all, and the sides. Coyote Bluff-A bunch of different kinds of burgers including the Burger From Hell. 2417 S. Grand Street, Amarillo, TX 79103
Golden Light Cafe and Cantina-2906 SW 6th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79106-said by some to have the best burger (green chile burger natch) on old Route 66.
Green Chile Willy’s-13651 Interstate 27, Amarillo, TX 79119 (806) 622-2200-Cheap steakhouse and amazing green chile cheese fries.
K-N Root Beer Drive In-3900 Olsen Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79109(806) 355-4391-classic root beer and burger drive in. Since 1968
Live Music- The 806-2812 SW 6th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79106
Rockport, TX
Eats-
Steerburger Grill & Grub -4401 Hwy 35 S, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 450-6740-Trailer near a tiny fishing “resort”. Many great burgers. Soon to be a brick and mortar store after hurricane damage money comes in. Cheap and cooked over mesquite.
Rockwall, TX (Outside of Dallas(
Eats-
Boots Burger -701 Austin St, Rockwall, TX 75087 (972) 722-5802-Rustic Burger purveyors that have been selling out of a building near their home. Legit though.
Round Rock, TX(outside of Austin)
Eats
Round Rock Donuts-106 W Liberty, Round Rock, TX 78664, (512) 255-3629 www.roundrockdonuts.com
The Deadhorse-Rock bar-210 S Chadbourne St, San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 763-8335
Restaurant, bar and Museum-
Miss Hatties Restaurant and cathouse lounge-26 E Concho Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903 (325) 653-0570- Open daily. Also a bordello museum next door. Try Miss Hatties brothel burger Great onion rings!
San Leon, TX (Greater Houston)
Eats-
Gilhooley’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar – 222 9th St, San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-3813-Chargrilled oysters at a cool divey bar.
Seabrook, TX (Near Houston)
Eats-
Tookie’s Burgers -1202 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook, TX 77586 Most days 11AM–10PM (281) 942-9334
Shamrock, TX (route 66)
U-Drop Inn -Art deco Route 66 stop also known as Tower Station and Tower Café, built in 1936 in Shamrock since 1936- 1242 N Main St, Shamrock, TX 79079 (806) 256-2501
Record store-
Spinning Jennys House of Music-NEW record store!-201 E. 12th Street, Old Rt. 66
Shamrock, Texas, TX 79079 (806) 334-1100
Taylor, TX
Louis Mueller BBQ- 206 W Second Street, Taylor, TX 76574 famous for brisket and Jalapeno Sausage
Tyler, TX
Eats-
Local Mini Chain here with delicious burgers called Jucy’s Hamburgers
Waxahachie, TX (south of Dallas)
Attraction-
Munster Mansion – 3636 FM 813, Waxahachie, TX 75165-exact replica of the Munsters house.
Eats-
Oma’s Jiffy Burger- 403 Water St, Waxahachie, TX 75165 Daily 7AM–3 or 4PM
Sunday Closed (972) 937-9190-Lunch counter with frito pie and great burgers. Amazing place. Great onion rings
West, Tx
Eats-
The Czech Stop of West, Texas
-www.czechstop.net – 105 North College Avenue, West, TX – (254) 826-4161- Rest Stop along I-35, 75 miles south of Dallas. 15 miles north of Waco specializing in Kolaches, A pastry type. You can also stay nearby at the Czech INN, which is locally owned.
Labor Day weekend each year you can enjoy Westfest, an annual polka festival
Wichita Falls, Texas
Eats-
Pat’s Drive Inn -400 Scott Ave, Wichita Falls, TX 76301 (940) 322-3531-Roadhouse style burger joint with some chili burgers and tasty onion rings.
Vernon Burger-2330 Wilbarger St, Vernon, TX 76384 (940) 553-3111
Willie’s Place-3135 10th St, Wichita Falls, TX 76309 (940) 687-2271 Burgers and BBQ
Glass Kitchen -2614 Old Iowa Park Rd , Wichita Falls, TX 76306 (940) 322-6620-another 60 year old burger joint. Wichita Falls is loaded with vintage burger joints.
