BBQ TO DIE FOR... Texas Chainsaw Massacre-Style…read more This is the actual gas station where the scene in the 1974 iconic cult movie was filmed. At one time it was facing ruin and had become in dire need of repair. Roy and Lisa Rose of Cleveland, Ohio stepped in and saved it. They restored the property, making it a sought after destination for horror buffs from all around the world. It's a horror film memorabilia shop with not just TCM items but other horror movies, shows, and characters as well. Think Michael Myers, Chucky, Vincent Price, The Crow, Troma productions, etc. The store is small but it's mighty and packed with lots of fun stuff. Definitely have to take your time browsing to take it all in. These items are all for sale as are other novelties like t-shirts, stickers, keychains, etc. They host a variety of horror-related events throughout the year with Halloween (of course) being its busiest time. There are a few adorable rental cabins onsite which make for the perfect get away, especially if attending one of their events. There are only a handful of cabins and they book up fast-FYI. There is an outdoor stage and a large outdoor covered picnic area with communal seating. The bbq really is to die for, it's absolutely delicious and filling. We shared a chopped beef sandwich and I couldn't even finish 1/4 of it. Generous and I mean generous beef piled between the buns. My boyfriend also had a side of potato salad and he said it was fresh and tasted homemade. I really liked the bbq, it was one of the best chopped beef sandwiches I've had in a long time. You order food at the register inside the store and you can get it for take away or to eat there. Once ordered, we sat down outside and had the sandwich within three minutes. It was piping hot and fresh from the first bite to the last. Every single employee was super friendly and fun to talk with. They all seem to really love being there and they helped to make it a stellar visit. Our Chucky (see costumed pics) aka Sir Benjamin Doolittle gives four paws up.

This place is SO awesome, definitely worth at least stopping by and checking out…read more My partner and I were looking for a spot for him to grab a bite to eat on our way to our cabin. Just happened yo stumble upon The Gas Station and decided to check it out. If you love horror films, you'll dig this place. They have so many cool things inside. Tons of rad horror toys and posters and just stuff! I had so much fun just checking everything out. We were quick to find out that it was also one of the filming locations of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The gentleman at the counter was so enthusiastic and informative! It was awesome hearing him geek out over stuff with my boyfriend. After we geeked out over everything, we ordered a brisket plate with a side of coleslaw and beans. Food came out pretty fast. They don't have a dining area inside, but out back they have some picnic tables. He dug into his plate on site. Everything was pretty darn good, especially for a place called 'The Gas Station' hah. Recommend checking out this spot whether you looking for a bite or looking for some cool horror stuff.

When you want just a good Texas BBQ, this place seemed to hit the mark. Price was very reasonable…read more 3 persons and 1 beer for lunch $54. Service was very prompt but the place filled up behind us, so I'm sure it slowed a bit. Good food in a great atmosphere. Smells like it tastes. . . Good! CritDicks

Went through the drive through and a half pound is 17.. that's almost terry blacks price and they…read morecan't even cut meat in a line. The Togo lady was like 50 and constantly asked for the order then would ask to hold on. Asked her for bbq sauce 2 times, she got annoyed. It came with no bbq sauce and no actual cuts of meat for 60$ for 2 people essentially?

Up until arrival my fellow cohorts of like minded and able bodied individuals and me had been at…read morethe Tesla giga factory for an alarming 6 hours. Trogging through paperwork and the sloth paced management team we were looking for both a change in scenery and pace and we found it at Barstop Roadhouse. Upon entry you're greeted by the crooning of Johnny Cash and the bustling kitchen working with precision accuracy to deliver and create meals worthy of the title "best burger in Barstop county for 18 consecutive years." We sat down and within seconds a server appeared with menus and a friendly smile. We scrounged the menu looking for a burger that would appease a hunger only equal to that of a Lovecraftian god. I chose the swiss mushroom burger an exception had to be made because as you all know I am deathly afraid of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions. I feared that taking these items off of the swiss mushroom burger would sully the appeal and flavor profile. Upon arrival of the burger all doubts where cast aside. THE BURGER The burger arrived bathed in a golden glow. Covered in button mushrooms and layered with delectable Swiss cheese these two ingredients elevated the burgers taste profile. The mushrooms added a deep umami flavor that was perfectly paired with the sweet tasting swiss. The buns where the ribbon in top, sweet sourdough bread conformed to the burger creating a warm pillow separating fingers and patty. To summarize this single mushroom Swiss burger turned a travesty into a celebration of life.

Very disappointed with their menu choices Not very many…read morechoices to choose from No chicken fried steak I mean this is Texas a state known for chicken fried steak No brown gravy, non mashed potatoes , their fried potatoes were French fries . and the one that lead me to give a bad review is the pricese on the menu were not very clear because the price for my 8 oz sirloin I thought was 16.95 Turned out to be 26.95 the 2 looked like a 1 and yes I was wearing my glasses so needless to say I will not be going back there again..

I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the Storehouse Marker & Eatery. The food is farm to…read moretable and sourced locally here. Honestly you can taste the quality of the food by the taste! First time here and it will surely will not be my last. This place is now added fi my list of favorite places to eat at! The service is impeccable and the ambiance is really nice. Such a special dinner or a treat yourself to a fine quality meal! What I ordered: * the stuffed quail with curry sauce- 5/5 the best quail I've ever had ans the curry sauce stood up to any Thai restaurant curry! So freaking good! I was sad to hear this dish is being rotated off since they usually change their menu base on season. There will be another quail dish in place of this one but it will be different. Now I just gotta remember to come in September for this dish if it makes its way back on the menu. * fried okra- 5/5 like wow! It's light airy and everything to enjoy with the okra that you could possible have! The batter is seasoned and it paired so well with the sauce. I could eat a bucket of these! Highly recommend this ! * risotto- 5/5 my friend got this dish and she's vegetarian. She enjoyed it! * duck confit - 4/5 it good but not something I will repeatedly order! I love the pickled sides to eat with it. In my personal opinion I felt like it was missing something. The duck was moist. * Foccacia bread 5/5 a must order and do not skip! I bake sourdough Foccacia but mine is nothing compare to this one! Good lord how is this bread so freaking good! It's buttery and some how cheesey but it's Foccacia! Seriously the best Foccacia I've ever had in my life. Do I recommend this place? Hop in your vehicle and hurry up and head to this restaurant! The food is phenomenal and it's a little gem! It got Austin vibes and is such a great place to eat at! I can't wait to return to try the other items on the menu! Highly recommended!

I've been to Store House twice now and I can confidently say this is one of the better places I've…read moreeaten in Bastrop. My first visit was a couple weeks ago for dinner with my sister. I loved the whole experience. It's such a cute space and has that elevated feel without feeling overly fancy or uncomfortable. We started with the grilled focaccia and Watermelon on Fire, and both were excellent. The watermelon was one of those dishes that sounds a little questionable on paper but completely works once you taste it. Sweet, savory, a little spicy and really fresh. We also had the Texas quail, which was beautifully cooked and full of flavor. I had the blackberry bourbon cocktail and loved that too. What really stood out during dinner though was how personable the service was. We never felt rushed and our server actually engaged with us, which made an already good dinner feel even better. I went back this past Saturday for brunch with my sister, her husband and my fiancé. It was definitely a livelier experience with more people around, but still a really nice atmosphere for a Saturday brunch. The service was good and everything came out as expected, although it didn't have quite the same personal touch that I experienced during my first visit. Between the four of us we got to try quite a bit. The shrimp and grits were rich, buttery and seasoned really well. The smoky pork tostada was packed with flavor and the potatoes on the side were honestly some of my favorite bites on the table. The French toast and fried chicken was as good as it looked, with crispy chicken, fruit and just enough sweetness. The only thing I wasn't completely sold on was the biscuits and gravy. The gravy was brown, which threw me off because that's not what I normally expect from sausage gravy, and the biscuits were a little too dense for my preference. The flavor wasn't bad at all, it just wouldn't be my first choice the next time I go. Other than that, Store House has been a hit for me on both visits. The food feels thoughtful without trying too hard, the plates are beautiful, and the restaurant works just as well for a dinner with your sister as it does for brunch with a group. I'll definitely be back.

Great concept and we'll come back. We showed you on one of those special days when they offer Tom's…read moreBurgers, which are stuffed wagyu patties that are cooked on a smoker. Sides included, smoked corn, smoked mac and cheese, and horseradish-forward cole slaw. We liked all of it very much... with one exception, and it may not be typical. My "The Pretzle is the Goat" burger was not seasoned. I think they just forgot to hit the patty with salt and pepper, so all I tasted was the sweetness of the locally-baked (Tough Cookie) pretzle bun (which was not coated with salt like a pretzle but was still fresh and tasty), the sweetness of the carmelized onions and the sweetness ofv the goat cheese. So it wasn't very savory. Still... I expect that's not the norm for them and everyone else said at our table great things about their burgers. The menu varies a bit, depending on the day, but there are always great options here, until they start running out of things, like any good BBQ place, so get there early!

Lucked out being downtown when this one was open (side note: wish the Food Truck Court's website…read morehad hours listed for each truck.) The food was REALLY good. We got the pulled pork boat, brisket boat, hamburger and deviled eggs. The boat is beans (not spicy which was great!) with your choice of meat and topped with coleslaw. The brisket and pulled pork were really flavorful and not overly sweet. I didn't try the burger but he said it was really good. Also recommend the deviled eggs and definitely say yes to having them topped with bacon! We'll be back.

Food is absolutely amazing hand battered fish and shrimp everything cooked to order and fresh…read more Along with the entrees being very good their sides and sauces are just as good. Homemade coleslaw, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce. I never leave reviews on places but I had to give them their props because along with how awesome the food was their service matches the quality of food they put out. Mostly fried menu but all fried food on their menu comes with the option for grilled. If you're in bastrop looking for some really good quality food for a good price Paw Paws is where to go hands down. Thanks to the whole staff for the wonderful food and time we had.

I genuinely cannot believe I've never written a review for Paw-Paw's Catfish House because we have…read morebeen coming here for YEARS and I love this place so much. There are restaurants you try once because they're trendy... and then there are places like Paw-Paw's -- the kind that become part of your family's story over time. From the fried deviled eggs, to the seafood platters, to the chicken tenders, to the genuinely wonderful staff, there just isn't a better spot for this kind of old-school comfort food experience. And the staff? Always SO friendly and welcoming. Every single time we come in, it feels less like "customer service" and more like old friends excited you finally stopped by so they can catch up with you awhile. That kind of warmth cannot be faked, and it makes such a difference. Now let's discuss these fried deviled eggs. Because respectfully... who allowed them to be this good? You think deviled eggs have reached their final form and then Paw-Paw's comes in like, "Hold my beer." Crispy, crunchy, creamy, flavorful perfection. We start most meals with them because not ordering them would simply be poor decision making at this point. I usually get the chicken tender basket and LISTEN -- these aren't sad little freezer tenders pretending to be a meal. These tenders are literally as big as my hand. Juicy, tender, flavorful, cooked perfectly every time. My adult kids are obsessed with the seafood platter: three pieces of fried catfish and three jumbo fried shrimp with fries, pinto beans, slaw, hushpuppies, and homemade tartar or cocktail sauce. And when I say the catfish tastes CLEAN, my fellow seafood people will understand exactly what I mean. No muddy taste, no weirdness -- just fresh, crispy, perfectly fried fish done right. And the portions? Paw-Paw did NOT come to play. Nobody is leaving hungry unless that was a personal choice. What I love most, though, is the feeling of the place. The small-town care. The heart that clearly goes into the food. The old-school comfort vibe that feels increasingly rare these days. Places like this matter. And Paw-Paw's is absolutely one of them.

My wife and I had lunch today at Stem & Stone in Bastrop, Texas and you should go out of your way…read moreto give it a try! My wife had a Greek salad and I had a shredded pork sandwich with fries. We had a super cool server whose name is Janae. She was really attentive, friendly, and helpful, which made our visit even more pleasant. We were impressed by the number and range of menu options. The restaurant is relatively new, having opened in 2020 just before they (and we) were slammed by Covid 19. They also have a very nice bar, but I was driving today so I stuck with iced tea. :-) I hope you will visit Stem & Stone yourself. You'll be grateful to me for suggesting it.

Hadn't been in a while but decided to stop by Saturday for lunch with my family. Service was great,…read morefriendly and attentive. We all ordered different sandwiches, burgers and a salad and everyone was very happy either their meals. The salad was large and packed full of ingredients which is always appreciated. The burger was large and juicy and my son throughly enjoyed it. They were a little light on the fries as a side though. Overall, very happy with our food, prices and service and can't wait to go back and try their Sunday brunch.

NEIGHBORS KITCHEN & YARD -- BASTROP, TEXAS…read more It's currently approximately $197° in Texas and somehow Doug and I STILL walk into restaurants asking the same ridiculous question: "Can we sit outside?" At Neighbors Kitchen & Yard? YOU ABSOLUTELY WANT TO SIT OUTSIDE. Oh. My. Stars. Their multi-level outdoor space overlooks the Colorado River and has plenty of shade cloth, fans AND misters--which means even those of us determined to dine outdoors during the surface-of-the-sun portion of the Texas calendar can actually enjoy ourselves. Neighbors is located at The Crossing in Bastrop, which is a really cool little destination of its own with other businesses and shopping nearby. But let's get to the important stuff... BEER. CHEESE. DOGS. GREAT SERVICE. We happened to visit while they're trying out a Golden Hour special for September from 4-6 PM. Selected draft beers are $2 off, and appetizers--except wings--are also $2 off. Naturally... We considered it our responsibility to thoroughly investigate both specials. For research purposes, obviously. We tried FOUR different beers. Doug's winner was the Blonde. Mine? The BLUEBERRY BEER over ice. AWWEEEE SHITTTT. That was GOOD. Then came the food. OG Warm Cheese Dip Phenomenal. I would happily sit beside the Colorado River with that cheese dip and a beer and call it dinner. Doug ordered the Brussels sprouts. TO. DIE. FOR. Seriously, we were completely happy with everything we tried. But here's another thing that will get me every single time... They LOVE dogs. Not "we technically allow dogs." DOG FRIENDLY. Our pups were welcomed and immediately received two separate bowls of water. Little details like that tell me a lot about a place. And then there's Sadi, our server. SPECTACULAR. Friendly, attentive and one of those servers who helps turn a good outing into a place you're already talking about visiting again before you've even left. Great food. Great beer. Great specials. Fantastic service. Dogs genuinely welcomed. Beautiful Colorado River views. And an outdoor setup designed by people who apparently understand that some of us are stubborn enough to sit outside in Texas no matter WHAT. We LOVE it here. We will absolutely be back. Which brings us to... TW'S REAL PANTS RATING: -- 5 out of 5 Real Pants Would Doug and I leave the campground and put on real pants to come back? AWWEEEE SHITTTT... apparently we'd put them on in 197° weather. Neighbors didn't just earn all five pairs. They earned 'em with a river view, cold beer, warm cheese dip and water bowls for the dogs. That's how you knock our britches off. Portions were larger. We dove right in before pics.

This was our first visit to Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard. Sianna was our server and she was…read moreoutstanding!! We spent a couple of hours here (on a Saturday) because we were just chillin' and not in a hurry. The covered patio was perfect of a hot July day! We had an appetizer and a couple of Iron Bridge beers first. Then we ordered the Caprese Sandwich and a large pizza that was half "Gettin' figgy wit it" and half "Riverside Veggie". OMG! It was amazing! We also had the whiskey flight, an Old Pro and a Gold Rush. We completely loved everything that we ordered. And again, Sianna was such a great server. Very attentive and friendly without being over the top. We definitely will come back and ask for her next time we visit Bastrop. Great job guys! I can easily see why y'all are voted the best pizza! Thanks for such an amazing experience

I've gotten some hot dogs from this little hot dog stand a couple times. The hot dogs are…read moredelicious, hot, and he gives you whatever condiments you want! The frito pie is delicious! He has chips and drinks too. Always super nice and friendly! Great on a Sunday afternoon while bar hopping. Lots of options, bbq chili dog, basic dog, Chicago dog, sauerkraut dog... sometimes when I take my dog for a walk downtown I stop and get us both a hot dog. The owner cuts up the hot dog for my dog. He is wonderful! Please give Dugson Dogs a try! Family friendly and great quality! Love that Bastrop has its own hot dog stand!!!

Had the Ruben hotdog today and it was delicious.read more

It ain't a road trip without stopping at Buc-ee's!…read more Everything is good and huge here. The brisket sandwich is to die for. They have so many good snacks to keep you munching on the road: jerky, candied pecans and nuts, Beaver Chips, soda, slushies, and all kinds of coffee to keep you hydrated and awake. The restrooms are clean and huge, especially the ladies' restroom. No need to wait in a long line! They also have souvenirs and so many other things to browse. The staff are super friendly. Everyone seems so proud and happy to work here, which makes the experience even better. The gas station has tons of pumps, so you won't have to wait long to fill up. Honestly, Buc-ee's is my favorite stop, even when I don't need gas, I'll still stop here. They have everything for everyone. Food, snacks, drinks, shopping, clean restrooms, and a fun road trip experience. Wh0 doesn't like to visit Bucc-ee's ?

I have known about Buc-ee's for years, but I have never traveled to a state that has one nearby…read more Finally we visited the Lone Star State of Texas, specifically in Austin, but we had to travel to Bastrop, Texas for the nearest one to Austin. At first sight, it was so overwhelmingly large with three large covered gas pump areas. Upon going inside, it was definitely larger than any truck stop in California. I was told the first area to visit at Buc-ee's are the restrooms. Definitely well kept and much cleaner than any gas stations period that I have ever been to. I definitely did not go there just to check out the bathrooms, but for the many Buc-ee's logo'd souvenirs, snacks and especially barbecue seasonings and sauces. Their hot food area like hot Brisket sandwiches, sausage wrapped in a tortilla on a stick, brisket burritos, candied nuts, a wall of almost every fountain drink available, slushies, and so much more. I had to go through my list of items to pick up as well as items requested by friends and family. It felt like it was my first time at an amusement park or the toy store. I think we were short of two hours trying to make sure we got everything we came for. Just in case I missed anything or didn't get to try a sample of fudge, jerky, nuts, cookies, or whatever else, we had plans to go to San Antonio the following day and there would be a Buc-ee's on the way at New Braunfels. Sure enough, we made a quicker stop in the New Braunfels location just before San Antonio. It was a fun experience and definitely anytime I am passing by a Buc-ee's location, I am going in planned or not planned.