Five Food Stops For Your Texas Roadtrip
Discover > Best Of Texas > Five Food Stops For Your Texas Roadtrip
The weather in Texas is warming up rapidly as the summer months approach. And boy does that put a smile on my face! For me, this means road trip season is almost in reach. Being a large and beautifully diverse state, Texas is the perfect place to explore on four wheels. And this is made even sweeter by the fact that the Lone Star State doesn’t disappoint when it comes to roadside gastronomic gems.
Of course, Texas is filled to the brim with must-see sites, making it quite impossible to cover them all in one article. Nevertheless, here’s a quick guide to some of our favorite Texas attractions that have wonderful food stops in their vicinity.
Midpoint Cafe
Situated right on Route 66, Midpoint Cafe got its name from being precisely halfway between Chicago and Los Angeles. The cafe’s owner was even an inspiration for Pixar’s Cars, with the venue being visited by the filmmakers themselves. Unfortunately, the cafe is now closed, but it was once a bustling establishment that served fresh, small-town Texas pies. If you’re in the area and are looking for a quick bite to eat, check out Brent’s Cafe with its wide variety of menu items that are sure to delight even the pickiest of diners.
QuesterMark, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
More great pie makers across Texas, click here!
Tex Randall
Guarding the town of Canyon since 1959, this iconic 47-foot tall cowboy stands bold and proud. Originally built as a marketing prop for the now-closed Wheeler’s Western Store, this giant cowboy is here to stay, having grown into quite the local icon. A 17-minute drive from the famous statue is The Drunken Oyster, where you can expect to enjoy Cajun-inspired fare such as their seafood pasta. If you get the chance to visit, remember to peruse the restaurant’s Absinthe bar after tucking into one of their delicious dishes.
"TX Canyon Tex Randall 16468 Brannon" by Barbara Brannon is marked with CC BY 2.0.
Conoco Tower Station
The renowned Conoco Tower Station on Route 66 was first established back in 1936. Closed in the 1990s, it was eventually restored to its former glory and converted into a museum, gift shop, visitor center, and the chamber of commerce for Shamrock. Also, like the Midpoint Cafe, this attraction – and more specifically, the architecture of its iconic building – inspired a number of scenes in Cars. After visiting this spot, head along to Lubbock to check out the E&J Smokehouse. This restaurant serves up mouth-watering brisket tacos, grilled cheese sandwiches, and a wide variety of succulent grilled meats. (What wine goes well with grilled meats?) Brisket lover? Check this list of restaurants offering briskets worth trying for!
"Tower Station" by Steve Walser is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Dino Bob
If you’re up for seeing something a little quirky in Abilene, Texas, then Dino Bob has got you covered. This piece of installation art is quite the quizzical display, featuring a dinosaur nibbling on an orange VW Beetle! Conceptualized and built by artist Bob Wade, Dino Bob pays tribute to the 1988 children’s book “Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo”. Once you’ve finished saying hello to this friendly dinosaur, you can grab a bite to eat at Perini Ranch Steakhouse, only a short drive from the beloved dinosaur. At this family-owned restaurant, you’ll find quality food that has been loved by locals since the establishment’s opening in 1983.
"Dino Bob" by ccarlstead is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Big Spring State Park
If you’re out on the road and fancy stretching your legs in the great outdoors, Big Spring State Park should be your next stop. Featuring 382 acres of arid plains, you can hike around this gorgeous landscape and enjoy views of the Big Spring from atop the park’s 200-foot bluff. There are also other activities on offer, such as biking and visiting the Hangar 25 Air Museum. After a busy day at the park, make your way to Midland and check out Strawberry Fields Cafe. This eatery serves up organic food and a wide range of kombucha, which go perfectly with the cafe’s No Bull Burger.
From Texas State Parks
These five roadside destinations speak volumes about the history and culture of Texas – and with brilliant food stops nearby, they are all the more sweeter. So when you’re planning your Texas road trip, make sure to include these sites and restaurants on your list, so you can cap off good times with great food.
Craving seafoods after the trip? Check out these 8 Markets To Buy Fresh Seafood From in Texas!
Looking for the best steakhouse in Texas?
Beef Brisket (What wine goes well with beef brisket?) is an excellent food choice.
