TLDR: Charming and very kid-friendly restaurant with delicious comfort food and friendly service…read more What a pleasant surprise! Came here on a whim and loved it. First of all, it's very kid-friendly! Almost every family that walked in had small children. They have high chairs, crayons/coloring pages, and a kids menu. The kids menu deserves a kudos! Usually, I expect bare minimum but they really invested effort into the food. The grilled cheese came on big fluffy buttery pieces of bread and was something I'd expect to receive from the main menu. The chicken tenders were big and juicy and delicious too. Kids devoured their grilled cheeses (to be fair, they've never met a grilled cheese they didn't like but that's what makes the restaurant's above-and-beyond effort more admirable). I enjoyed my food as well. I got the chicken-friend steak. I rarely eat fried food -- this was worth it. Delicious. Also the show-stealer was the Brussels sprouts side! Fantastic. Perfectly browned and crisped (not overdone/too blackened like many places do). Mashed potato side was tasty too. Finally, the service was excellent. Super nice and attentive staff. Parking is very easy -- free lot next door.

This is the absolute cutest little diner - a hidden gem! The dining room and gardens surrounding…read morethe building lend old world charm, making you feel like you're eating at Grandma & Grandpa's cabin. My husband had a cheeseburger and I had the chicken salad sandwich. Both were yummy! Our server, Kelly, was helpful and attentive. We will definitely eat here again when we pass through Bastrop!

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.

One of my favs in Bastrop. Always friendly, quick service and great catfish! It's decorated with…read morecatfish, fisherman photos and everything else you'd expect from a small Texas town (although growing and not so small any longer). It is hit or miss with lines. Typically busier during the church crowd window on Sundays. Upon entry, someone will seat you so be patient and kind. There is both indoor and outdoor seating available. Ordered the fried catfish platter. Plenty of food. The catfish is battered and fried to perfection. Always my go to when craving catfish.

This place has amazing service, first of all…read more Kate was our server and she is a 10 out of 10. Very attentive and hospitable. We came in there with 13 kids and she handled our party like a boss. -- Definitely recommend requesting her if you visit! Our food was hot and delicious! The soft baked pretzels were perfectly salted and had a divine buttery flavor and soft texture. The hummus is something we're still talking about! The flavor was phenomenal! Nice and bold on the garlic & full bodied with the tahini forward flavor. And the texture was very fresh and authentic to Lebanese style. Wonderful experience!

I've been here several times. Usually after a late day at work…read more It's always filled but never full. Plenty of seating inside or on the patio (but the music can be loud). Service is efficient and nice. Full bar. Pretty good cocktails. I've really become a fan of the chicken fried chicken. Shrimp &grits is the bomb. Burgers are all pretty good as well. Prices are awesome! Unlike ATX, this place has good food, good beer, good cocktails, good people, and it doesn't break the bank!

Maxine's is the best place in Bastrop to get a meal! The breakfast is fantastic and hits every…read moretime! Make sure to save room for all the homemade desserts!

This place is amazing! It's located in the heart of Bastrop in the downtown area and parking is a…read morelittle tricky if it busy. When you arrive inside you get a southern homey vibe and are greeted with smiles. I then noticed on the wall that they were known for their breakfast. So I was ecstatic to try it out. When seated I scanned over the menu and decided to try the Chicken Fried Steak breakfast plate. When the food arrived I was shocked! The portions were huge and the biscuit was so soft and delicious and the potatoes were crispy and delectable! The eggs were fluffy and the entire overall experience was phenomenal! I highly recommend this place and even the price was decent! So if you are in the area and want a good meal, stop bye!

You gotta live Fitties, this is my go-to grab a brisket sandwich spot off the 71. Not real easy to…read morefind the first time but well worth it . Always greeted with a smile and good service. Good ole Texas BBQ.

J.O. came out to greet me when I pulled up to let me know they're drive-through only. He said I…read morecould come in but they might put me to work. I ordered the brisket sandwich combo with potato salad and unsweetened tea. He said it was the best brisket sandwich for miles around and he wasn't just whistling Dixie. Between the terrific brisket, the price and J.O.s sparkling personality I'm glad I fought this local spot.

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.

Came on a Sunday afternoon with some friends after going to the state park. This was recommended by…read moresomeone since it was the location that Texas chainsaw massacre was filmed lol) when you go inside to order it feels like you're in a Halloween store if you're into that. You would never think this place sells decent barbecue. Honestly not half bad. They had just finished roasting chicken when we got there and the breast I was given was massive!!! I couldn't finish all of it lol. I also had the brisket which was super yummy! They have two bbq sauces- a regular and a ghost pepper one. I only tried the regular but my friends like the ghost pepper one. The sides were ok... I would opt for potato salad. Chili was meh. Overall not a bad experience. Food came out quick and the outdoor patio out back is nice enough, a lot of flies though.

My wife and I were in town from Houston for a weekend away. Stopped in early evening for a drink…read moreand a snack. Sat out on the patio full of fans keepin' in cool. Our server Dee had the personality and energy that would have us coming back as regulars if we were local. My Aggie hat drew the attention of what turned out to be the owner Justin. We proceeded to have a wonderful conversation on the state of college football while we waited for our pizza. Which was delicious! And a cherry on top for me, a little live music. Glad we got there early because they get busy. I can't see myself ever going to Bastrop and not stopping in.

This isn't just a place to grab lunch or dinner. It's an experience. Nestled behind Chestnut st in…read morehistoric Bastrop, overlooking the Colorado River, you will find the best meatball you've ever had in your life. I was with a large party and we were seated on an outdoor deck area that overlooks a lovely greenbelt and the Colorado river. I was uncertain about outdoor seating in June, but they had lots of fans that dispense a light mist to help cool the area. The drinks were excellent, I had a margarita on the rocks with tajin rim and it was tasty and refreshing. The food was fabulous! I highly recommend the meatballs. Everyone in our party could not get enough of them. I will be back to try the wings, they looked delish. Misty was our server and I am still in awe over her. She went out of her way to make sure everyone in our (very large) party was taken care of. There were dozens of us and I'm not even sure how she managed to do it but I realized afterwards, I never waited long for anything. Misty was always nearby and so kind and attentive. Im not sure how she took care of so many people at once, it was amazing, honestly. Ive never seen such efficiency and I don't know how she did it. I hope I'm lucky enough to see her again when I go back to sample those wings!

Hit up this place for a Saturday night of good food and music. 602 hit the note for both. We…read morestarted with a dirty martini, where there were choices on the vodka depending on your taste and budget. The beer selection has lots of familiar brews and some fun different ones. The bartender was great about explaining each. The dinner menu had some tried and true items, like the burger and fries. But, 602 is now leaning on its roots and culture with a mediterranean menu. Since I couldn't choose one, I decided on the mixed grill plate. Kafta, taouk, beef kabobs, hummus, tabouli and a side of garlic sauce. The burger is made with Wagu beef and was cooked perfect. It was everything it should have been. The mixed grill was nothing that I would have expected to find in Bastrop. The taste, the portions and just the offering of menu items that was not the usual that is easily found in this town. The garlic sauce was perfect to put over the meat. I did wish I had a little more and should have asked for a side. The hummus was fresh, and the portion size of that and the meal was extremely filling. The music outside was perfect after. 602 is a family run business who is true to their roots and also true to the grub that the locals look for, topped with great adult beverages!

Driving through Bastrop on our way to Burnet we were hungry and took a look at Yelp for some help…read morefinding a place in Bastrop. We decided on 602 and glad we did! We were greeted promptly and got us a table for two. After ordering a couple of drinks, a 602 Binary Brew for me and a nice cucumber cocktail for my wife, we took a look at the food menu and were surprised to see Lebanese food on there. Not expecting that we devised a plan to grab an appetizer and split an entree. Our waitress was helpful and had great suggestions. We went for an appetizer of dolmas and our entree was the mixed grill, a combo of beef kabob, chicken kabob, and a lamb kabob (kafta). All were excellent and we were pretty stoked that we stumbled across this gem.