Kyle Eats Archives - Crosswinds - NEWLY BUILT HOMES IN KYLE, TX

A good problem to have in the restaurant industry is the need to expand due to a high volume of customers from neighboring communities. That’s exactly the sort of good problem that Hays City Store & Ice House has found through its success.

Located in nearby Driftwood, this sports bar and diner is the perfect place to check out the next time you need a tasty bite and cold beer (they have over 50 on tap).

Hays City History

Although Hays City had a rough start in 1908, Hays City Store & Ice House wears the name proudly, and has proven successful. Fast forward about 80 years and Hays City Store opened as a gas station/mini-mart in the 1980s in what is now Driftwood, Texas. A decade later a luncheonette was added, and in 2015, the cafe expanded into a full-service breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurant. Not only was Texas comfort food on the table, but the menu now featured local beers and wine, as well as craft cocktails.

Business was so good for owners Tamra and Travis Tindol that they needed to expand their space in 2017. This also led to a tweak in the name, tagging on “Ice House” to go with the extra seating (both indoor and outdoor), draft bar, and wood-fire pizza oven.

Irresistible Eats and Drinks

Today, the restaurant is open seven days a week. The restaurant attracts hungry patrons from both Kyle and Wimberly, as well as Buda and Dripping Springs, so planning ahead and making a reservation isn’t a bad idea.

Once seated though, you’ll find no shortage of irresistible offerings on the menu like smoked wings with both sauces and dry rubs, chili cheese fries, fresh soups and salads, and mouth-watering entrée items. Prime rib is offered Thursday through Saturday and a variety of burgers with toppings such as bacon jam, goat cheese, and fried onions are sure to satisfy taste buds.

A great meal needs a great drink and patrons will find no shortage of libations to wash down their meal. As mentioned, there are over 50 beers on tap, but you can also choose from local wines and specialty small-batch bourbons. Swing by during the week and you’ll be treated to drink specials like discounted Mexican martinis, frozen hurricanes, and boozed-up milkshakes.

Nothing goes better with a good meal and tasty beverage than some live music and Hays City Store has a full music calendar that finds local artists taking the stage six out of seven nights a week.

Being less than 10 miles from Kyle, it’s easy to see why Hays City Store & Ice House is such a draw for residents in search of a great meal. It’s one of those local spots that really makes you appreciate all Kyle has to offer. If you’d like to find a home here, contact the Crosswinds team to learn more about our master-planned community.

Image from Hays City Store.

Musicians who play on the stage at the Railhouse (107 E. Center Street) stand and perform with a mural of Willie Nelson and the title to his iconic song “On The Road Again” behind them. It’s a fitting backdrop for this beloved bar in Kyle that has seen some rough spots on the road, but like Willie, it keeps on truckin’ to the delight of locals.

If you’ve never stepped foot in the Railhouse but you’re a fan of cold beer, tasty grub, and live music, then you need to check out this local joint asap!

The Railhouse is Alive and Kicking

The local establishment has been serving up tasty drinks and good times in Kyle for years, but like so many small businesses around the United States, it was hit hard by the pandemic. The bar had to close in 2020 because of Covid and related factors and the building sat empty for 18 months.

The Railhouse got a second chance, however, in September 2021 when Flip Lockhoof and Trevor Fletcher, two bar owners from Austin, bought the building and reopened it. The reopening was a success from the get-go, with the business owners telling the Hays Free-Press that they “fell in love with Kyle” and that the residents were incredibly welcoming to the new and improved version of the popular bar and music venue.

A Perfect Hangout Spot

Trevor and Flip said that with the new version, they wanted to create “the “best place to find delicious food, fantastic drinks, and great live entertainment in Kyle.” While it’s still very much a bar, they also set out to make it a family-friendly sort of place where parents could feel comfortable bringing their children during the day and early evening.

Stop in at the Railhouse and you can watch sporting events on several large televisions as well as enjoy shuffleboard and pool tables. If guests feel like simply enjoying some fresh air and good conversation, there’s also a fire pit in the back for those perfect fall nights.

Of course, a major draw is the venue’s live entertainment and events calendar. Most concerts are billed to accommodate around 500 people, but the owners told the Hays Free-Press they’ll occasionally book larger acts that can draw up to 2,000 people.

Customers can truly find a good time here seven days a week. Sunday through Thursday it’s open from 4 until midnight, and on Friday and Saturday nights the Railhouse stays hoppin’ until 2 AM. You’ll find something happening here just about every night too. Events span the entertainment gamut from trivia nights to DJs and Tejano dance nights, as well as both ticketed and free heavy metal, country, and rock concerts.

Grab Some Grub

Two food trucks can be found permanently parked just outside the bar and venue, so you’re never going to go hungry while enjoying a cold drink. Courson’s BBQ serves up ribs, smoked brisket, and Texas-made sausage, and if a burger or sandwich is what you’re after, then you can’t go wrong with strolling up to the Badass Foods truck.

The Railhouse is one of many top-notch, locally-owned restaurants that can be found right here in Kyle. If you’re looking for a new home near all the fun and entertainment, contact us to learn more about available homes in the Crosswinds community.

Image from The Railhouse.

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