A Taste of Texas

Part of motorcycle touring is eating… the energy consumed requires hydration and good food! If you read my previous article “Adventuresome Accommodations,” you know I like the experience while on the road. With food, that means staying away from chain restaurants, doing a little research on biker-friendly restaurants, and potentially trying something new. Locally (Fort Worth, Texas area), we have a few favorites 45 minutes to no more than two hours ride away: Mary’s Cafe in Strawn, Woody’s in Mineral Wells, Sweetie Pie’s in Decatur, Jersey Lilly’s in Hico, Grumps in Granbury, and Loco Coyote in Glen Rose.

Mary’s Cafe in Strawn is known for the chicken-fried steak and also has a biker’s welcome sign. The parking is gravel, but the food is worth it. I am obsessed with the BLT, and from experience, one order of fries can be shared between two or more people! Trust me.

Woody’s Bar and Grill is a definite experience. We generally order outside and eat at the picnic tables, but the building itself is a must-see with shuffleboard and pool tables inside. Woody’s is a cash-only bar and grill and makes giant hamburgers! If in Mineral Wells, check out the numerous murals all over the town, try some Crazy Water (I recommend 2, but the hubs likes 3), and don’t forget to ride by the famous Baker Hotel, currently under renovation.

Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes is on the square in Decatur. It has street parking as well as a parking lot behind. Bikes are generally parked along the street. They have a variety of menu items, and their rolls are divine! How is the ribeye? We don’t know. I guess we should try it sometime… I am not a steak girl. If in Decatur, get a pic in front of the metal dice. It is on a list of don’t-miss biker photo opportunities.

Drive by Jersey Lilly’s in Hico, and you will probably see the bikes there and at the Koffee Kup across the street. Both are biker-friendly restaurants and offer a variety of choices. If you go to Koffee Kup, order a pie; however, if you don't like meringue, always look in the pie case before ordering!

Grump’s is another place known for their hamburgers. It is the #1 ranked restaurant in Granbury and claims to have the best burgers in Texas. Be aware, there is usually a line, but it moves pretty quickly. The cashier will let you know your burger will be ready in about 17 minutes, and we timed it - 17 minutes! Yes, Grump’s has been franchised and has other locations, but it is worth it, and you get peanuts while you wait!

Even on a beach vacation, we support Loco Coyote!

Last, but certainly not least, is Loco Coyote. The restaurant/bar is a biker’s haven. If coming from Granbury, the ride on Highway 51 is full of turns, rolling hills, and beautiful scenery. From the moment you ride up to Loco Coyote, the vast array of bikes parked in the grass makes a statement. Gravel parking is available too, but the preference for bikes is the shaded areas. There is a walk-up bar on one side and a restaurant on the other. The two are connected, but restaurant seating has to go through the right side. This is not a place

to go when in a hurry. You will most likely experience a wait to get a table and a wait to get your food, but the bar is always an option. The food portions are huge!

Although not local, any time we are near Marble Falls, we eat at the Bluebonnet Cafe. I was first introduced to this restaurant by a friend who never looked at the menu and simply said to the waitress, "Surprise me!" Breakfast is my favorite, but it is a country diner (also known for their pies), and you can’t go wrong. In addition, there are some excellent rides in the area. In my article "Texas Two Trip," I share information about a great road in the area. Also, don't forget Texas Park Road 4 as it is one of the top seven great rides in Texas.

Through a friend's recommendation, we discovered Red Bone Magic Brewing Company in Texarkana (Texas side). The restaurant boasts wood-fired pizzas, huge hamburgers on Hawaiian buns, and of course, signature craft beers with creative names such as Ale Yeah, State Line Strawberry Blonde, Sex in a Deer Stand, and more. The food menu items are all magic-themed for the owner, Roger. We met the married co-owners Roger and Debbie and they are fascinating.

If you read “Compromising Trips,” you are well aware I research everything. Sometimes it is in advance, and other times it is in the moment (literally on the back of the bike looking at Yelp reviews), but my rate of success is quite noteworthy. Research led to the great experiences of Nepenthe in Big Sur, California; Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California; Crossroads Cafe in Joshua Tree, California; Skyline Cafe in Mena, Arkansas; El Rancho in Gallup, New Mexico; Ozark Cafe in Jasper, Arkansas; and Coyote Bluff Cafe in Amarillo, Texas, to name a few!

This summer, our niece is performing in Texas, the outdoor musical, in Palo Duro Canyon. We will most definitely stop at the Big Texan in Amarillo, but will not participate in the 72 oz steak challenge! The challenge consists of eating a 72 oz steak, shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, and a buttered roll in an hour or less. If successful, the $72.00 meal is refunded. My question is how does one even get up from the table after that meal? That is a hard pass for me, even if I did eat steak!

Every state has its great restaurants, but not every restaurant is biker-friendly. If you have any recommendations from your area, please share them in the comments. We would love to add them to our ride-to-eat list.

The Blonde Backpack