Texas Old-Time Restaurants & Cafes

Book excerpt: There are hundreds of restaurants in our state that have been around for more than twenty years. Some boast lots of atmosphere and a few gimmicks, like the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. Others are more refined and elegant, like the Green Pastures Restaurant in Austin. Many double as a community watering hole, where locals gather to drink coffee and discuss what’s happening around town. The Blue Bonnet in Marble Falls fits that bill. Large or small, fancy or plain, these restaurants share three things in common: long histories, established reputations, and loyal customers. Author Sheryl Smith-Rodgers scoured the state to find the best of these old-time restaurants and cafes, and then collected some of their tried-and-true Texas recipes, making this an excellent gift book, recipe source, and weekend travel guide.