I was craving "Cracker Barrel" food. But Cracker Barrel sucks now. Soooo…read moreHam BONZ Soul food is comforting home cooking for hungry people. Can't write more. Food is here. Mm Nom nom mmmm

A few things were excellent: collard greens, peach cobbler and the "southern smoothered" gravy…read more I'll come again to try the yams as a side. And they only provide one small cornbread muffin, but it's very tastey. The pork chop was prepared well, but it's hard to remove gristly edges when it's all buried under the gravy. It could have been a better cut of meat, and that would have helped. There are certainly nicer porkchops available for purchase at Costco (and even HEB) if they want to upgrade the quality of ingredients. There are limited beverage options. They were out of coffee so I had unsweet tea, which was nice. The staff seemed to have something unusual going on. Maybe someone hadn't shown up for their shift or maybe they were training someone. But from greeting to seating to taking my order to checkout, it was just awkward. I don't expect it's normally that way. Lunch special was $12.99. Other meals were in the $20+ range. White meat chicken isn't available on the lunch menu, only dark. But even on the regular menu, it's dark meat only unless you pay a $4.95 upgrade. So basically, this creates a large (2X) price between different variations on a fried chicken meal, which fine, I guess, but for me, it's a strange pricing strategy that I haven't seen anywhere else. But mostly, to me, it feels like I'm eating in a city rec center with a staff of community volunteers. Friendly enough, and tasty enough, but not quite restauranty enough. I haven't given up on it, but I'm not quite sold yet. Wishing them well. I like having a soul food restaurant in town.

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!

This restaurant is really laid-back so you don't have to dress up. It's good For small…read moreget-togethers with Friends or family dinner. The leading is good. All the servers and hosts are welcoming.. It's exactly what you would picture in a small town. The food was very good the portion size bigger than average. the taste of the food was delicious. They served from burgers to the Friday special prime rib to seafood and all was delicious.. I'm glad we came here the night before our volunteer.. the price average for dinner. I definitely would recommend coming and next time in I'm in Bastrop. I'll be sure to come back here.

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!

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!

Minus one star for cleanliness. Read on…read more Very good breakfast. Popular! Tons of people. We only had about a 20 minute wait at 9am-ish on Mother's Day. That's fine because it allowed us a bit of time to check out downtown Bastrop. Once seated, service was American cafe classic. Very friendly and full of memorabilia on the walls and decore. The evening cleaning crew left us an upside down dead . . . Yup, you guessed it. We told the server, they might want to clean it up before seating the next guest at that table. Rule of restaurant opening is to sweep before the doors are opened. We will probably be back because it's still a great place for breakfast. CritDicks

Stopped by on the way to Austin located on the side of the road down a path in a trailer…read more Immediately I was greeted by a friendly smile. I ordered the Lucy special since I'm on a diet it's a lean brisket sandwich with a side of potato salad. The potato salad was so good it was flavorful and was glad I made that choice. The lean brisket sandwich was incredible even though it was lean it had so much flavor that I didn't even notice it was lean. Definitely coming back next time.

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.

An interesting and fulfilling lunchtime experience…read more Our first dining destination in Bastrop. Great food. Great service. Great people. Great cat. Great ambiance and atmosphere outside along the Colorado River. I would like to experience more of this establishment and music venue. I've got a feeling I'm not alone on that one. CritDicks

This is a chill spot by the river! I would recommend this spot if you want to take a walk on the…read moreriver afterwards! We went during Christmas time and did the stroll and then got a bite and it worked out perfectly. There is indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of room/tables. We have only tried the pizza here but we're pleased with the different options and taste! We got a large pizza for our family of four (2 kids) and had leftovers so it's a good size too..

Love coming here for a quick drink! The place is located in downtown Bastrop and parking is decent…read moreunless it's busy. When walking in you get an old-school bar vibe and they have a good beer selection. They have samples to try out of you are unsure and if you want an amazing bartender, look for Yvonne! Great personality and phenomenal service!

Love that they are veteran owned and support local Feed the Need charity by ordering their burgers!…read moreIf you like your burgers cooked a little more thorough, make sure to ask as they come usually cooked medium-ish. I absolutely LOVE the garlic fries, soooo flavorful and yummy! The Reuben rolls are amazing as well!

I've come to the realization there's two sides of Ol' Rooster. Yes, I can fancy up breakfast with…read moreexotic ingredients like arugula and balsamic drizzle over poached eggs. Then, there's Country Bumpkin me that fancies biscuits and gravy and an old fashioned greasy spoon morning after drinking. I can't count how many times I've passed Texas Grill. That includes being a passenger headed to mom's brothers place in Winchester circa early 80's to bypassing Bastrop on the way to Houston in the last ten years. Thing is, I'm dating a country girl these days who swears by their coffee and jelly options. We dined recently on a Saturday morning; heading south afterwards to the stock show in San Antonio. Place is similar to diners across 'Murica; counter seating along with a large dining area. Buffet area is for lunch; straight forward menu for breakfast. Veggie basket on the lunch menu was comical; mushrooms are a vegetable? Breakfast review: One egg ordered with soft bacon, crispy hash browns and a biscuit. I was even offered a bowl of gravy AND an extra biscuit if I was still hungry. WELL, I wasn't. Egg was cooked to order. Taters took up half the dang plate! Bacon was perfect. Smothered that damn biscuit and dumped half the shaker of pepper on it....Well done y'all.

Regardless of the glowing commentary found on TripAdvisor or other tourist-driven platforms, I…read morewould encourage readers to approach such praise with a healthy degree of skepticism. While the restaurant presents itself as charming at first glance, the illusion quickly fades upon closer inspection. The facilities are notably dated, with restrooms that feel neglected rather than merely "vintage." Unfortunately, the food follows suit. The chicken arrived undercooked to the point of being unacceptable, the salads were devoid of flavor, and the mashed potatoes--if one dares to try them--proved equally disappointing. I found myself seated at the counter, making pleasant conversation with a delightful young waitress, which, regrettably, became the highlight of the entire experience. Any lingering amusement, however, was quickly diminished by a particularly persistent fly that seemed intent on joining me for dinner. In short, an establishment that relies far too heavily on appearance and reputation, while neglecting the fundamentals that truly matter.