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Where to Eat on the Road in Eater Texas, Updated

by Eric Sandler
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by Eric Sandler

Between spring break, SXSW and the start of bluebonnet season, there's lots of reasons to be traveling the various highways and farm to market roads between Houston, Austin and Dallas. In collaboration with the Eater editors in Austin and Dallas, here are a few suggestions for places to stop along the Eater Texas Triangle. Obviously, we've included all the really big Buc-ee's, because life on the road just isn't the same without perfectly clean restrooms and more jerky than any one person should consume.

Got a favorite that you feel has been slighted? Feel free to drop a note in the comments or send an email. There's always next year.


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Cool & Hot

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930 East 8th Street
Dallas, TX 75203
It's a taco stand with sno-cones and ice cream. Hence, Cool & Hot. Your car will be messy and meaty after a stop here, but it's totally worth it.

2. Hoots Honky Tonk

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1187 Farm-To-Market Road 3391 East
Burleson, TX 76028
(817) 478-9004
(817) 478-9004
Hoots honky-tonk and its sister restaurant, Hollers (yes, really) feels like Fort Worth used to feel, before Fort Worth was all fancified.

3. Catfish Plantation

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814 Water Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
(972) 937-9468
(972) 937-9468
Visit Website
An especially fun time if you're toting kids, the Catfish Plantation is Waxahachie's premiere haunted restaurant. The ghosts are unpredictable, but the food's more than reliable.

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4. Bubba's BBQ

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North Interstate Highway 45
Ennis, TX 75119
If you're on your way out of or into Dallas and want a hearty meal that'll do your meat-cravings right, stop no further than Bubba's, the easiest highway-accessible barbecue in the area.

5. Sam's Restaurant

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Interstate 45
Fairfield, TX 75840
(903) 389-7267
(903) 389-7267
Visit Website
It's a buffet full of country favorites grandma-style. You may need a nap (just snooze in the car), afterwards.

6. Woody's Smokehouse

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947 Saint Marys Street
Centerville, TX 75833
(903) 536-9663
(903) 536-9663
Woody's is "the jerky capital of the world" and jerky is "the official food of road trips."

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7. Buc-ee's

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205 Interstate 45
Madisonville, TX 77864
(979) 238-6390
(979) 238-6390
Visit Website
Looking to make a stop between Houston and Dallas? Buc-ee's has you covered with spotless bathrooms, a huge selection of snacks and a small area to walk dogs.

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8. Atkinsons Farm

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3217 Spring Cypress Road
Spring, TX 77388
Pick up some fresh vegetables or fruit in or out of town. The Atkinson Farms market in Spring just opened March 1st for the spring growing season and is open 7 days a week.

9. Wrangler Steakhouse

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8731 Highway 6
Navasota, TX 77868
(936) 870-3401
(936) 870-3401
A steakhouse and bar on the side of Texas 6 in Navasota, Wrangler is a haven for road trippers making the slog from College Station. Smoke inside and get the "small" chicken fried steak that's the size of an Aggie ego.

10. Chappel Hill Bakery & Deli

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8900 Highway 290 E
Chappell Hill, TX 77426
(979) 836-0910
(979) 836-0910
Visit Website
In the morning, travelers stop for Chappel Hill's first class kolaches. Later in the day, it's all about the wood smoked barbecue. Either way, the huge Blue Bell selection is always a good idea.

11. Blue Bell Creameries

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1101 South Blue Bell Road
Brenham, TX 77833
(800) 327-8135
(800) 327-8135
If you're driving in during the week, you must stop at Blue Bell for a tour (and tasting). The tour lasts 45 minutes and you're rewarded with ice cream at the end. However, they do not give tours on the weekends. You have been warned.

12. Fargo's Pit BBQ

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720 N Texas Avenue
Bryan, TX 77801
(979) 778-3662
(979) 778-3662
One of only four barbecue restaurants to earn six stars from BBQ Snob Daniel Vaughn, Fargo's serves top grade brisket, ribs and sausage. Even the chicken is worth trying.

13. Royer's Round Top Cafe

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105 Main Street
Round Top, TX 78954
979-249-3611
979-249-3611
Texas' pie mecca not only makes damn good pie, they also turn out a mean steak and rack of lamb.

14. Hruska's

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109 SH 71
Ellinger, TX 78938
(979) 378-2333
(979) 378-2333
A surprisingly large assortment of Czech pastries inside a Chevron gas station. Try not to leave without grabbing a couple sausage kolaches.

15. Rohan Meadery

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6002 Farm to Market Road 3233
La Grange, TX 78945
(979) 249-5652
(979) 249-5652
Visit Website
So, what is mead? It's honey wine. This family-owned and run meadery is open to visitors Fri - Sun., perfect for weekend road trippers on the way to or home from Austin.

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16. Weikel's Store and Bakery

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W Street Highway 71
La Grange, TX 78945
(979) 968-9413
(979) 968-9413
Visit Website
The kolaches in this La Grange shop certainly aren't healthy (the dough is made with lard!) but they're worth stopping for. Every time.

17. City Meat Market

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101 West Austin Street
Giddings, TX 78942
(979) 542-2740
(979) 542-2740
This place is all meat market in the front, and old-school barbecue joint in the back. Food is served cafeteria-style on butcher paper here, and the pickles come whole instead of sliced.

18. Buc-ee's

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1273 Highway 71 w
Bastrop, TX 78602
(979) 238-6390
(979) 238-6390
Visit Website
This brand new, utterly massive new Buc-ee's on the road between Houston and Austin doesn't mess with the familiar formula. That means the world's cleanest, most spacious restrooms and enough jerky to supply the entire Oregon Trail.

19. City Market

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633 East Davis Street
Luling, TX 78648
(830) 875-9019
(830) 875-9019
Yep, more BBQ (ZOMG!). As with all "real" barbecue stops between Houston and Austin, you best get here early before they run out, because when it's gone, you're shit out of luck for the day.

20. Buc-ee's

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2760 South Interstate 35
New Braunfels, TX 78130
It's a Buc-ee's the size of an HEB. The bathrooms are spacious and pristine. Grab an armload of their near-infinite varieties of beef jerky, hard candies and pickled items.

21. Cooper's Old-Time Pit BBQ

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1125 Route 337 Loop
New Braunfels, TX 78130
The Cooper's outpost in New Braunfels describes itself as a "carbon-copy of the mothership Llano restaurant," meaning you can get some of Texas finest smoked meats without an hour's detour off I35.

22. Grist Mill River Restaurant & Bar

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1287 Gruene Rd
Gruene, TX 78130
(830) 625-0684
(830) 625-0684
Visit Website
The Grist Mill serves up generously portioned all-American fare -- think burgers, ribs, and steak, plus killer giant onion rings -- in a historic old building that was once the boiler room of a cotton mill. Bonus: It's perched on the banks of the Guadalupe, so the patio views are oh-so-picturesque.

23. Monument Cafe

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500 South Austin Avenue
Georgetown, TX 78626
Guy Fieri and Matthew McConaughey stopped here on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but don't let that dissuade you from loading up on this retro-style diner's comforting greasy spoon offerings.

24. Stagecoach Inn Restaurant

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401 North Main Street
Salado, TX 76571
If you're needing something a little more packin' on your journey than a bag of jerky, stop at the historic Stagecoach Inn, just like Jesse James did. Home-cooked food, no menus, just right.

25. Robertson's Hams

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1420 North Robertson Road
Salado, TX 76571
(254) 947-5562
(254) 947-5562
Visit Website
Need to pick up some pickled what-nots in a jar? Some salad dressing for Gran? A giant pile of meat sandwich? Robertson's has it.

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26. Schoepf's BBQ

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702 East Central Avenue
Belton, TX 76513
(254) 939-1151
(254) 939-1151
Sure, lots of barbecue places have meat by the pound, but how many also serve venison sausage? Schoepf's has free live music on Thursday nights, too, which doesn't hurt.

27. Michna's Bar-B-Q

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2803 Franklin Avenue
Waco, TX 76710
There are two things you should consider in addition to Michna's badass link sausage: Frito pie and butter beans (not necessarily together). Also, if you need to cater a banquet while you're stopping through, they've got you covered.

28. Vitek's BBQ

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1600 Speight Avenue
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 752-7591
(254) 752-7591
Visit Website
Vitek's BBQ is home of the "Gut Pak", an unholy concoction of Fritos, chopped beef, sausage, cheese, beans, onions, jalapenos, and bread -- guaranteed to put you into a food coma all the way home.

29. Elite Circle Grill

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2132 South Valley Mills Drive
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 754-4941
(254) 754-4941
The Elite Cafe (or whatever it's calling itself post-remodel) isn't fine dining, but eating Elvis' beloved toasted peanut butter and banana sandwich in the same place he used to is a "do at least once" kind of event. Fair warning: So is mastering that traffic circle out front.

30. Health Camp

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2601 Circle Rd
Waco, TX
(254) 752-2081
(254) 752-2081
Visit Website
Don't let the name fool you. This restaurant serves tater tots, onion rings and a wide variety of milkshakes. The prices are right, too; a cheeseburger with fries and a shake is only $9.

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31. Czech Stop Grocery & Deli

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105 North College Avenue
Oglesby, TX 76561
(254) 826-4161
(254) 826-4161
Visit Website
Easily the most popular stop on the trip between Austin and Dallas, the Czech Stop is where you stock up on kolache, pickled eggs, beef jerky, sausage ...

32. Gerik's Ole Czech bakery

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511 West Oak Street
West, TX 76691
254-826-3309
254-826-3309
Gerik's generously sized cinnamon rolls are a standout, even in kolache-saturated West, Texas.

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1. Cool & Hot

930 East 8th Street, Dallas, TX 75203
It's a taco stand with sno-cones and ice cream. Hence, Cool & Hot. Your car will be messy and meaty after a stop here, but it's totally worth it.
930 East 8th Street
Dallas, TX 75203

2. Hoots Honky Tonk

1187 Farm-To-Market Road 3391 East, Burleson, TX 76028
Hoots honky-tonk and its sister restaurant, Hollers (yes, really) feels like Fort Worth used to feel, before Fort Worth was all fancified.
1187 Farm-To-Market Road 3391 East
Burleson, TX 76028
(817) 478-9004

3. Catfish Plantation

814 Water Street, Waxahachie, TX 75165
An especially fun time if you're toting kids, the Catfish Plantation is Waxahachie's premiere haunted restaurant. The ghosts are unpredictable, but the food's more than reliable.
814 Water Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
(972) 937-9468
Visit Website

4. Bubba's BBQ

North Interstate Highway 45, Ennis, TX 75119
If you're on your way out of or into Dallas and want a hearty meal that'll do your meat-cravings right, stop no further than Bubba's, the easiest highway-accessible barbecue in the area.
North Interstate Highway 45
Ennis, TX 75119

5. Sam's Restaurant

Interstate 45, Fairfield, TX 75840
It's a buffet full of country favorites grandma-style. You may need a nap (just snooze in the car), afterwards.
Interstate 45
Fairfield, TX 75840
(903) 389-7267
Visit Website

6. Woody's Smokehouse

947 Saint Marys Street, Centerville, TX 75833
Woody's is "the jerky capital of the world" and jerky is "the official food of road trips."
947 Saint Marys Street
Centerville, TX 75833
(903) 536-9663

7. Buc-ee's

205 Interstate 45, Madisonville, TX 77864
Looking to make a stop between Houston and Dallas? Buc-ee's has you covered with spotless bathrooms, a huge selection of snacks and a small area to walk dogs.
205 Interstate 45
Madisonville, TX 77864
(979) 238-6390
Visit Website

8. Atkinsons Farm

3217 Spring Cypress Road, Spring, TX 77388
Pick up some fresh vegetables or fruit in or out of town. The Atkinson Farms market in Spring just opened March 1st for the spring growing season and is open 7 days a week.
3217 Spring Cypress Road
Spring, TX 77388

9. Wrangler Steakhouse

8731 Highway 6, Navasota, TX 77868
A steakhouse and bar on the side of Texas 6 in Navasota, Wrangler is a haven for road trippers making the slog from College Station. Smoke inside and get the "small" chicken fried steak that's the size of an Aggie ego.
8731 Highway 6
Navasota, TX 77868
(936) 870-3401

10. Chappel Hill Bakery & Deli

8900 Highway 290 E, Chappell Hill, TX 77426
In the morning, travelers stop for Chappel Hill's first class kolaches. Later in the day, it's all about the wood smoked barbecue. Either way, the huge Blue Bell selection is always a good idea.
8900 Highway 290 E
Chappell Hill, TX 77426
(979) 836-0910
Visit Website

11. Blue Bell Creameries

1101 South Blue Bell Road, Brenham, TX 77833
If you're driving in during the week, you must stop at Blue Bell for a tour (and tasting). The tour lasts 45 minutes and you're rewarded with ice cream at the end. However, they do not give tours on the weekends. You have been warned.
1101 South Blue Bell Road
Brenham, TX 77833
(800) 327-8135

12. Fargo's Pit BBQ

720 N Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77801
One of only four barbecue restaurants to earn six stars from BBQ Snob Daniel Vaughn, Fargo's serves top grade brisket, ribs and sausage. Even the chicken is worth trying.
720 N Texas Avenue
Bryan, TX 77801
(979) 778-3662

13. Royer's Round Top Cafe

105 Main Street, Round Top, TX 78954
Texas' pie mecca not only makes damn good pie, they also turn out a mean steak and rack of lamb.
105 Main Street
Round Top, TX 78954
979-249-3611

14. Hruska's

109 SH 71, Ellinger, TX 78938
A surprisingly large assortment of Czech pastries inside a Chevron gas station. Try not to leave without grabbing a couple sausage kolaches.
109 SH 71
Ellinger, TX 78938
(979) 378-2333

15. Rohan Meadery

6002 Farm to Market Road 3233, La Grange, TX 78945
So, what is mead? It's honey wine. This family-owned and run meadery is open to visitors Fri - Sun., perfect for weekend road trippers on the way to or home from Austin.
6002 Farm to Market Road 3233
La Grange, TX 78945
(979) 249-5652
Visit Website

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16. Weikel's Store and Bakery

W Street Highway 71, La Grange, TX 78945