close
close

houdoebrabant

NL News 2024

    • barbecue, tacos and fancy dishes
    powertid

    barbecue, tacos and fancy dishes

    Vaseline Posted on

    play

    If you haven’t visited the charming village of Wimberley (40 miles southwest of Austin) in a few years, you probably won’t recognize any of its dining and drinking establishments.

    A city that once had no stoplights and just a handful of restaurants is now home to more than a dozen options for eating and drinking. The scene is growing, and with it comes greater pressure on natural resources, increased traffic and housing prices. But the high-quality new dining options that come with the changes are welcomed by this foodie.

    The city my parents first visited in the 1950s, and where my family has had a home for nearly 30 years, is still my favorite in Texas, my spiritual home. And it keeps getting better without losing its soul.

    Below are the best options for eating and drinking in Wimberley, whether you’re planning a day trip or staying at one of the resorts, camps, inns, or AirBnB rentals now dotting the area. I’ve also included a list at the bottom of some of the favorite dishes from this food critic who has spent countless days and nights in Wimberley over the past 49 years.

    White Brew

    Named for the river that runs through town, this community gathering place is primarily a coffee shop, but it also serves fresh sandwiches, salads, prepared meals and smoothies, along with homemade pastries and (my weakness) cake pops. There’s a farmers market behind the store on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 14200 RR 12. 512-842-3400, blancobrew.com.

    Chill’s on the Creek

    Bar favorites (Buffalo chicken sandwich), seafood (from gumbo to charred mahi) and country classics (chicken-fried steak) are at the heart of this restaurant on the banks of Cypress Creek. 14004 RR 12. 512-847-6060, chillsonthecreek.com.

    Communal pizza and beer garden

    Husband and wife team Michael and Morgan Mekuly opened the restaurant and bar a stone’s throw from the city’s central square in 2018. Serving up plump, charred pies with toppings ranging from pepperoni to candied garlic to hot honey, the restaurant has become a scene staple, with adults sipping cold beers and kids of all ages climbing on the courtyard’s adventure net and play equipment. The owners plan to open Tex-Mex restaurant Nada Mucho across the street in the coming months. 111 Old Kyle Road, #330. 512-858-6756, communitybeergarden.com.

    Creekhouse Kitchen & Bar

    This restaurant, which extends from the bar through large garage doors to a sprawling patio overlooking Cypress Creek, is one of the newest additions to the restaurant scene, and one of the best. There are healthy, cleverly composed bowls with flavor combinations that draw on Mexican and Mediterranean playbooks, salads like roasted and pickled beets that don’t feel like vegetarian lip service, and great sandwiches, including a chicken-breast-bacon-and-brie offering. The owners plan to open Tex-Mex BBQ restaurant Neon Armadillo at the Junction (where RR 12 and FM 32 meet) in 2025. 14015 RR 12. 512-722-3394, creekhousewtx.com.

    Hildee’s

    Houston chef Ryan Hildebrand moved to the Hill Country a few years ago, and while he and his partners closed their original restaurant on the edge of town, Hildee’s has found new life just off Wimberley Square. A fancier one, too. The vibe at the new spot combines rich Art Deco elements with upscale Hill Country flair and flavor. There’s still a killer burger with tomato jam, but there are also more refined options like the scallops and polenta and grilled bavette served with salsa macha. 13900 RR 12. 512-222-9904, hildees.com.

    Jobell Café & Bistro

    As you drive into town from Austin (northbound), Jobell is the first restaurant you’ll see. Tucked away from the road in a small grove of trees, it’s worth a stop. New York City transplant David Bober’s restaurant is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year (which equates to 20 years in a city with a more robust dining scene), and it owes its longevity to polite service and the big bistro flavors delivered in dishes like smoked duck breast, roasted bone marrow, and grain-stuffed acorn squash. 16920 RR 12. 512-847-5700, jobellcafe.com.

    JP’s Wimberley BBQ

    Justin Pearson has a long history in the Central Texas barbecue business. His grandfather, Floyd Wilhelm, once owned Chisholm Trail in Lockhart, and he’s been running San Marcos BBQ since 2014. He opened his eponymous spot earlier this year with similar branding to his San Marcos restaurant in Wimberley, at a River Road address that’s been home to a variety of eateries (from Tex-Mex to barbecue to seafood) over the past decade. In addition to his popular brisket and pepper jack cheese-stuffed pork and beef sausages, you’ll also find smash burgers at the newest addition to the Wimberley barbecue scene, 500 River Road. Instagram.com/wimberleybbq.

    Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ

    Kelly Evers closed his Creekside Cookers on River Road during the pandemic and moved his operation to a trailer with less space but a better view of RR 12. The former schoolteacher and coach feels right at home in the smaller operation he started a decade ago, and it shows in the tender brisket and pork ribs and some of the best turkey sandwiches in the Hill Country. On weekends, there are chicken wings and pork belly specials that are nicely complemented by the apple-pecan cole slaw. 14306 Ranch Rd 12. 512-947-1609, khcbbq.com.

    Leaning Pear

    Rachel and Matthew Buchanan are as responsible as anyone in town for helping to create the modern Wimberley food scene. The couple opened their original restaurant (which still exists on the same 11-acre family property as the current Pear) in 2007, bringing fresh, seasonal flavors and artisanal craftsmanship to colorful salads, mouthwatering sandwiches (the corned beef Reuben is perhaps the town’s most iconic dish), and Hill Country-inspired entrees like chicken and grits. The move from the 19th-century building to the tall, bright modern space brought more diners, but the kitchen’s attention to detail and the cheerful service remained. 111 River Road, #110. 512-847-7327, leaningpear.com.

    The letting go

    There was a time when you had to go to restaurants, like private clubs, to drink alcohol in Wimberley. Those days are long gone, but you can still talk about it in the open-air space right across from the town square, while enjoying a cocktail and a pretty good cheeseburger. And while you’re there, raise a glass to owners Michael and Morgan Mekuly, who are also responsible for the good food and atmosphere at Community Pizza & Beer Garden and the soon-to-open Tex-Mex restaurant Nada Mucho. 13904 RR 12. theletgobar.com.

    Longleaf Craft Kitchen and Bar

    If you’re looking for a cocktail, this restaurant, named for the longleaf pines that color and support the building’s interior, is one of your best bets. You’ll also find upscale Hill Country fare like mushroom and apple stuffed quail with bourbon-glazed Brussels sprouts, a seared pork chop, and chicken liver mousse. 314 Wimberley Square. 512-842-3044, longleafwimberley.com.

    from Marco

    Tucked away from the square, this Italian restaurant serves longstanding red-sauce classics like chicken parm and spaghetti and meatballs. 303 Wimberley Square. 512-847-0742, marcoswimberley.com.

    Oldies Burgers & More

    While the straight-ahead burger is a solid choice at this casual spot, you can also order a variety of intense creations, like the Elvis, made with peanut butter, bacon and mayonnaise. And you’ll find country delicacies like hush puppies, corn nuggets and hot dogs that are harder to find elsewhere in the city. 411 FM 2325. 512-842-3363, oldieswimberley.com.

    Brewing house in rough

    The address says San Marcos, but this nature-focused brewery in a sprawling pastoral setting is just 7 miles from Wimberley Square. The hearty, pressed sourdough options, like pastrami and Swiss or beef and American roast, pair well with one of the brewery’s cave-aged beers, made with local yeasts. 680 Oakwood Loop. 512-667-7000, roughhousebrewing.com.

    The shadowy llama

    Located on the northern edge of town, this sprawling, tiered outdoor space with Hill Country views offers yard games for kids and adults, ample seating, a bar with a solid Central Texas tap selection, TVs with the games on, and yes, llamas (and donkeys). An on-site food truck has a small selection of sandwiches and snacks. 18325 RR 12. 512-539-7407, theshadyllama.com.

    Four-leaf clover tacos

    As the name suggests, this taqueria is located in the Diamond Shamrock gas station across from the (nice and unassuming) HEB, and it serves up some of the best tacos in town. The menu is extensive, with tacos ranging from basic breakfast fare to maximalist creations like a pork chop taco with grilled peppers, onions and queso. Order online to skip the line. 14410 RR 12. 512-847-5951, shamrocktacos.net.

    Wimberley Café

    Chicken fried steaks and pancakes served all day. What more could you want from a country cafe in the heart of the city? 101 Wimberley Square. 512-847-3333, wimberleycafe.com.

    Wimberley Inn

    The bar in the charmingly renovated Inn has the best cocktail menu in town, a strong selection of Central Texas beers and a dinner menu with everything from pulled pork tacos to spaghetti and meatballs. Weekend brunch is a country affair, with biscuits and gravy, hash and grits and peaches and cream French toast. RM200 3237, 512-847-3750, wimberleyinn.com.

    My favorite dishes in Wimberley:

    Community Pizza and Beer Garden: Illuminati pizza, with candied garlic, mozzarella, soppressata, sausage, gorgonzola, hot honey and serrano peppers

    Creekhouse Kitchen & Bar: Yardbird sandwich (chicken breast, bacon and brie) and WTX Power Bowl (spinach, quinoa, roasted chickpeas and sweet potatoes, marinated cucumbers and onions, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, Greek vinaigrette and dill tzatziki sauce) with chicken.

    Hildee’s: I only had the cheeseburger at the new version, so that’s my default answer. I’m looking forward to trying the steaks here though.

    Jobell Bistro & Café: Smoked duck breast with seasonal dishes.

    Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ: Texas turkey sandwich with arugula, pickled onions, and Alabama white sauce; and brisket.

    Leaning Pear: Corned Beef Rueben, Southern Clucker Sandwich (fried chicken with pimento cheese and white Alabama sauce) and Leaning Pear House Salad (pear, spiced pecans, goat cheese and shallot vinaigrette) with an extra crab cake.

    The letting go: Double cheeseburger and fries.

    Longleaf Craft Kitchen + Bar: Mushroom and apple stuffed quail with brussels sprouts glazed with maple syrup and bourbon.

    Shamrock Tacos: Texan Taco (fajita, grilled peppers, onions, Pepper Jack queso and potatoes).

    Wimberley Inn: Lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes.

    Vaseline
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like