Reader-submitted suggestions for places to eat, ride, sleep and visit.
Start at the intersection of FM 306 and
FM 3424 and travel east about two miles.
Just before Canyon Lake Resort, turn
right on Canyon Park Road. At the hill,
there is a sign pointing to the right
that reads “Marina and Restaurant.”
Turn right and go about 100 yards.
The road ends at Papa Docks.. With its
gorgeous view of the lake, awesome
sunsets, live music and homemade salsa,
it's worth finding.
Kimberly T.
Round Rock
A few days ago I was riding my KLR 650 Canyon Lake
in the Hill Country. Right where you enter
Kerrville at the intersection of Loop 98
and TX 27, there is a Cajun restaurant
called Jazz, right on the Guadalupe River.
I was hungry, and there was a Harley
parked in the front. So I parked and went
in. I liked the atmosphere, and it was nice
and cool inside (pushing 100 outside). I
walked up to the bar, where I usually like
to eat. When I mentioned I had ridden in
on my bike, the waitress replied, "Well, do
we have a deal for you!" It turned out that
the bike I saw parked outside belongs to
the owner, John Watson. They not only
have great Cajun food, but if you mention
that you are on a bike, you will get a
discount as well. John told me that if he
gets enough participation from riders,
he is looking to upgrade his parking for
bikers and have some reserved spaces
just for them. Nothing like finding another
biker friendly place to kick up your heels
and wet your whistle.
CHARLIE W.
Cresson
Westphalia is located off FM 320, about
13 miles east of Temple and about 6
miles south of Lott. With the Old Store
Restaurant on one side of FM 320, the
historic Catholic Church on the other,
you can't miss the town. The restaurant
in the Old Store has some great food,
but the big event is the second Sunday
of October each year, when the town
sponsors a picnic to raise money for their
school. They serve healthy portions of
country-style cooking and a glass of tea
for less than the price of two gallons of
gas. You will not be disappointed.
Nick N.
Austin
I took 'The Queen' down to Marble Falls for a couple of days of Hill Country riding. On our way back, we stopped at the Highlander Inn Restaurant for some breakfast. We were hosted by Mike Van Brocklin. The restaurant has an eye-poppin' buffet setup that can easily handle a group of riders. It's a great way to get a bunch in and out with fast food speed, but with a serious down home cookin' menu. You can see they cater to locals and passing through sportsmen because they also have a pretty amazing assortment of fishing & hunting gear for sale by the register. Stop by and fill 'yer belly and pick up a new reel for less than you'll pay at the sporting super-stores in the big city.
Scott C.
Justin
Here's a tip that I don't think anyone has mentioned before. All over the country, small communities have Volunteer Fire Departments. These VFDs sell barbecue as fund raisers. Not every weekend, but 2 to 4 times a year. The dates are usually set a year in advance, so do a little research and plan your Saturday ride for one of the best reasons to ride, barbecue.
Bill H.
Onalaska
We recently rolled through Alpine on a hot Sunday afternoon. Nothing was open. We thought we might have to resort to the dreaded convenience store plastic-embalmed food when we saw the lights on at La Trattoria, next to Sul Ross University. They were serving Sunday brunch, and the place was packed. The menu included lunch-y sandwiches as well as more formal plates like the portabella raviolis I ordered. The wait staff was overtaxed, but the food was great. It saved us from having to eat Doritos and corn nuts for lunch. They also serve those weird coffees we've all become addicted to. They had something I'd never seen—a 'White Coffee' which they say has 'double the caffeine.' You've been warned.
Val Asensio
Editor, RTM
After reading your magazine
and enjoying every word/minute of it,
our Chapter has taken several of your
suggested Top Texas Rides. Today we were honored
to have been escorted through the scenic hills and
curves of Bastrop State Park and Buescher
State Park. If you ever have the chance to
make a day’s ride, this is a super one! Adding to
the enjoyment of the day’s ride was stopping at
The Roadhouse and having one of their super
hamburgers. The group is the Temple Texas HOG
Chapter HOG, sponsoring dealership is Horny Toad
Harley Davidson. Again, love your magazine; it’s a
great aid and information for ALL bike riders. LOCATION: Bastrop & Buescher
State Parks:
Bastrop SP - TX 21 one mile E. of Bastrop
or via Buescher SP on PR 1.
Buescher SP - 2 miles NW of Smithville on TX
71, then N on FM 153 for .5 mile to PR 1.
The Roadhouse is on TX 21 just N of Bastrop
Barbara M.
Rosebud
Recently, I tok a ride from my home in San
Angelo to a small town 22 miles east called Eola
to eat at the Eola Schoolhouse Restaurant and
Bright Brewing. It’s an old schoolhouse listed on
the National Register of Historic Places, and the
owner is a one-man show, operating a restaurant,
brewing his own beer, and running a lodge, all in
Upcoming
Dec/Jan
Roadtrip:
Feuds, Forts &
Fords
Roadtrip:
Escape from
the Metroplex
Buyers’
Guide: Cool
gifts for
motorcycle
fanatics
G02: Cowgirl
Museum
the old schoolhouse.
His specialty is brisket,
and he serves great
burgers, chicken, fries,
and onion rings. The
food is definitely worth a
bike trip! The kitchen is
located in the first grade
classroom, and the
dining rooms are in the other classrooms. It has
a nice feel to it, rustic, with the menu written on
the chalkboard! It is extremely biker friendly, and
I believe it would be a very welcoming destination
for biker groups for a weekend ride.
Dominic G.
San Angelo
Having lived within a few miles of Texas 87
most of my 68 years, and for the last 15 I’ve seen
it from my kitchen window, I never tire of it either
on a bike or in a pickup truck with the windows
rolled down. I know you can’t stop at every road
house and greasy spoon on one trip, however
Fat Fred’s in Hemphill, local hang out and biker
breakfast meeting has good barbecue. Spanky’s
in Orange on Business 87 and Robert’s, a mile
west on Old US 90, both have excellent food.
The sad part of Texas 87 is the closed
section between Sabine Pass and High Island,
maybe one day we can ride it again.
JW G.
Orange
A GREAT RIDE DESTINATION IS THE Bluff Dale
Vineyards The owners, David and Theresa
Hayes are very friendly and encourage you
to bring your own picnic and enjoy one of the
best views of the countryside from their deck,
as you try their wines. The wines are great
and the company is excellent. Save room in
your saddlebags because you will want to
take some of their wines home with you. From
Granbury travel south on Hwy 377 toward
Stephenville, just prior to Bluffdale take a right
on CR 148 and go 2.5 miles.
JERRY H.
Weatherford.
MY FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT INCLUDE
Fishes & Loaves, located about 2.5 miles
NE of La Grange on State Highway 159
towards Brenham. Also, Mac’s Road House,
on the west side of La Grange, across from
McDonalds, is really good. Guadalajara located
in La Grange on TX 77 2 blocks north of the
railroad tracks on the left is also an excellent
place to eat. Other places worth mentioning
are Frank’s Place and Prause’s Meat Market on
the Square in La Grange, and La Marina on the
west side on TX 71 before the Ford dealership.
TOMMY M.
La Grange
THE TEXAS STAR COFFEE HOUSE IS ONE
block east of TX 16 in Kerrville. They have
plenty of space, clean restrooms, and of
course, great coffee!!
JOHN H.
Corpus Christi.
STAFFERS, THANKS FOR THE EXCELLENT
rag, your efforts are appreciated. Next time
you find yourself on a morning ride in the
Missouri City / Sugar Land Texas area give
Tornado Taco a try for breakfast tacos. The
sausage, potato, cheese, and egg is my
favorite. Tornado Taco is located at FM 2461
(Murphy Road) just North of Cartwright Road
in Missouri City, Texas.
DUB P.
Missouri City
WHILE DOING SOME SLEUTHING, I
uncovered a wonderful website about the
Panhandle Plains region. You might want
to pass it along to RTM readers who have a
fascination with these wide open spaces.
TOM WILEY
Wimberley
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