This Italian speciality shop on the courthouse square in Waxahachie is a nice place to pop in for a treat after you stretch your legs. Grab a freshly made pastry, from Amaretto cookies to canoli, and pack up a bottle of Italian olive oil or wine for the trip home.

For dinner on the drive back from Austin, Cork and Keg is a must-stop. Enjoy a charcuterie board, followed by a fig and Hamon flatbread, and finish it with pork shanks. Wednesday nights bring half-off bottles of wine.

The meats are hickory-smoked on site every day, and the daily specials often include a mini-plate of barbecue to help thwart the usual food coma for drivers who still have a way to go. The brisket is among its best dishes, order it on a sandwich or a plate.

Located across the highway from Czech Stop, Slovacek’s is the clutch move when it comes to pre-Austin road trip fare. The selection of pastries and snacks is broader than Slovacek’s nearby competitor, and the kolaches are solid. 

Miss the hubbub on 35 and slip off a few miles to try this rustic, longtime cafe instead. Diners can tour the farm and gardens that supply food to this eatery — now that’s a real know your farmer meal. Try the chicken fried steak or the coffee burger melt, which pairs a coffee-rubbed patty with Provolone cheese. The original location burned down and it is in a temporary location currently. Stopping there to support will help it rebuild.

A Caribbean restaurant in Killeen? Heck yes. Order up a plantain sandwich or a plates of pork, chicken, and skirt steak for a big apptetite. Don’t miss a side of yuca fries. Note: this spot is closed Sunday through Tuesday.

This old-school barbecue joint has earned raves from plenty of publications, but the food speaks for itself. Stick with traditional brisket and sausage, or try Schoepf’s brisket queso nachos. If someone in the car isn’t a beef fan, Shoepf’s also serves up a damn fine chicken salad sandwich on a croissant. 

Skip the sketchy convenience store sandwich in favor of a porcine lunch at Robertson’s. The sugar-cured hams prepared here grace countless holiday tables and taste equally delicious when sliced and slapped between two slices of bread. There’s also a decent selection of beef jerky, cheese, and plenty of snacks. 

It’s about 20 minutes out of the way, but do yourself a favor and make the detour to Taylor to try this legendary Hill Country barbecue joint. The gigantic smoked beef rib is a favorite, and the brisket can’t be beat. Note: Louie Mueller is closed Sunday through Tuesday.

If you have to pause somewhere before Austin, this spot in Round Rock has a rooftop patio with views of downtown that almost lets you see all the way to your destination. There’s live music most nights and a cocktail menu with signature drinks. Try the trout salad for something a little different or the hot honey chicken sandwich to spice things up.