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An old wooden picnic table holds a plate of ribs, beans, potato salad, and a red beer.
Ribs and a beer at Dale’s Essenhaus in Georgetown.
Dale’s Essenhause

Where to Eat on the Road in Between Dallas and Austin

The drive’s best barbecue, kolaches, burgers, and more

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Ribs and a beer at Dale’s Essenhaus in Georgetown.
| Dale’s Essenhause

Located just a few hours south of Dallas, Austin is a well-worn road trip destination. Whether in search of the city’s best eats, a trip to Austin City Limits, or looking to see the Longhorns play, Dallasites can find no shortage of reasons to hang out in Texas’ capitol city pretty much any time of year.

Upon arriving in Austin, the bounty of excellent food that awaits is endless. Driving along Interstate 35, the dining options aren’t quite as plentiful, but there are still plenty of spots for a solid lunch, dinner, or snack along the way during this three-hour drive.

Before making the drive, bookmark this guide to the best spots for kolaches, barbecue, burgers, and more between Dallas and Austin.

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Panza's Tapping Italy

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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.

Cork & Keg

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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.

Buffalo Creek BBQ

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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.

Czech Stop

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This legendary gas station in West, TX, is home to what many people consider to be Texas’ finest kolaches. Whether or not that is true, the apricot, blueberry, and peach topping tucked into the yeasty dough will undoubtedly keep you satisfied all the way down I-35. 

Slovacek's West

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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. 

Cafe Homestead

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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.

Magnolia Table

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Also operated by Chip and Joanna Gaines, this breakfast-and-lunch restaurant is a must for shiplap obsessives. Order Joanna’s famed buttermilk biscuits or caramel cornflake french toast in the morning, or try the burger made with Texas’s own 44 Farms beef for lunch. Note: there will be a wait, so this isn’t a stop for anyone in a hurry. 

Hierba Fresca Restaurant

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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.

Schoepf’s Old Time Pit BBQ

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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. 

Robertson’s Hams The Choppin' Block

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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. 

Dale's Essenhaus

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Stop for some classic dishes at Dale’s Essenhaus in Georgetown. There’s a Biergarten with a limited food menu outside, and inside find homecooked meals, including a fried catfish dinner, German pork schnitzel, and chicken fried steak.

Louie Mueller Barbecue

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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.

URBAN Eat.Drink

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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.

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Panza's Tapping Italy

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.

Cork & Keg

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.

Buffalo Creek BBQ

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.

Czech Stop

This legendary gas station in West, TX, is home to what many people consider to be Texas’ finest kolaches. Whether or not that is true, the apricot, blueberry, and peach topping tucked into the yeasty dough will undoubtedly keep you satisfied all the way down I-35. 

Slovacek's West

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. 

Cafe Homestead

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.

Magnolia Table

Also operated by Chip and Joanna Gaines, this breakfast-and-lunch restaurant is a must for shiplap obsessives. Order Joanna’s famed buttermilk biscuits or caramel cornflake french toast in the morning, or try the burger made with Texas’s own 44 Farms beef for lunch. Note: there will be a wait, so this isn’t a stop for anyone in a hurry. 

Hierba Fresca Restaurant

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.

Schoepf’s Old Time Pit BBQ

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. 

Robertson’s Hams The Choppin' Block

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. 

Dale's Essenhaus

Stop for some classic dishes at Dale’s Essenhaus in Georgetown. There’s a Biergarten with a limited food menu outside, and inside find homecooked meals, including a fried catfish dinner, German pork schnitzel, and chicken fried steak.

Louie Mueller Barbecue

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.

URBAN Eat.Drink

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.

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