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Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Local Patios to Enjoy this Spring

Have you been outside lately? The days are longer, the mornings are perfectly crisp, and the days are getting warmer. Although spring officially starts on March 20th, we’d say the season is in full swing — and this is prime patio weather. If you’re looking for a good patio to kick back and enjoy a bite or a refreshing drink in Kyle, consider checking out these local spots. 

 

Aviator Pizza: With an array of sandwiches, an impressive 50-beer draft selection, and specialty pizzas that are meant to be shared, it’s no surprise this pizzeria has multiple locations in the Hill Country. Head down to the Kyle location at 856 Kohlers Crossing and you’ll find several picnic tables under the pizzeria’s porch that are perfect for catching up with friends and enjoying some delicious pizza. 

 

The pizza joint’s owners have been making pizzas for over three decades, and use fresh ingredients, so you know whatever you order is going to taste great. 

 

Casa Garcia’s: A bowl of queso or chips and guac is pretty tasty wherever you eat it, but it seems to taste just a little bit better when enjoyed on a patio. Make your way to the Kyle location of this local chain at 5401 S. FM 1626 and grab a seat on the outdoor patio next time you have a craving for great Mexican food. 

 

The restaurant first opened its doors in 1999 and has become a staple in the area, serving up dishes like fajitas, chimichangas, enchiladas, and chicken mole. When paired with a margarita and the warm breeze of a spring day, outdoor dining doesn’t get much better. 

 

The Shady Llama: This spot might not be within the Kyle city limits, but if you’re looking for a unique bar where the locals might just nuzzle up to you, it’s worth the 20-minute drive to Wimberly. The outdoor beer and wine garden is a fantastic place to spend the afternoon with friends, and meet a few new friends of the four-legged variety (six llamas and two miniature donkeys call the bar home).

 

The bar offers a range of local craft brews on tap as well as several wines and non-alcoholic beverages, should you bring along the kiddos. Whether you choose to grab a seat at the outdoor bar, one of the patio tables, or by the fire pit, there isn’t a bad seat in the house when the sun starts to set over the Hill Country horizon. 

 

The Railhouse: Great food? Check. Cold drinks? Check. Live music? Check. The Railhouse is the sort of place where you’re bound to find a good time, no matter what night you stop by. The bar and music venue has a large outdoor space with picnic tables and plenty of room to get up and dance, or just sit back with a tasty drink and take in the scene. 

 

Something is happening nearly every night of the week, whether it be a band playing, a DJ, or a game of trivia. And with two food trucks on site, a delicious bite to eat is mere steps away from the patio area. 

 

Sometimes, the best place to enjoy patio weather though is right in your own backyard. The homes in the master-planned Crosswinds community were designed with comfortable living in mind and many feature spacious outdoor patios. Plus, as a resident of Crosswinds, you’ll have access to amenities for every season with walking trails, a community pool, parks, and picnic tables! Reach out to us to learn more and to start the journey to your dream home. 

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Kyle Texas

Hays City Store in Nearby Driftwood

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.

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Lifestyle

Kyle, Texas Restaurant Inventive Program

Did you know the Kyle Economic Development Department has a restaurant incentive program? It’s a new program from the city to entice new restaurants to open in Kyle. The program has been in effect for a little over 18 months.

City Council wanted to make the city more attractive to restaurants because the population has exploded to the point that they need more food options to match the growth.

What Is the Kyle Restaurant Incentive Program?

Taking advantage of Kyle’s restaurant incentive program means the restaurant will receive a 100% sales and property tax rebate. The program is capped at three years. They’ll also receive funding provided by a Chapter 380 development agreement with the city.

What the Chapter 380 agreement does is allow cities or counties to provide incentives to commercial or retail projects to spur economic development. The restaurant business is challenging during this time, especially for new ones. With a three-year cap, it should be enough to help the business get up and running long enough to solidify before the cap ends.

Restaurants Coming to Kyle Thanks to the Restaurant Incentive Program

Z’Tejas Southwest Grill is the first restaurant to take advantage of the new program. Z’Tejas serves southwestern food such as tacos, southwestern classics like fajitas and enchiladas, soups, salads, and desserts. They have a kid’s menu available. 

Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 pm daily. Their drinks menu includes agave drinks, cocktails, tequila flights, wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks. They’re open for brunch on the weekends from 9 am to 2 pm.

The incentive also brings P. Terry’s and Torchy’s to Kyle. P. Terry’s has been working to expand throughout central Texas. The burger chain plans to open a stand on I-35 between Kohlers Crossing and Kyle Crossing. Their buildings use a theme that’s called Googie Architecture, which is a futurist architecture influenced by the Space age, atomic age, and car culture.

And Torchy’s Tacos needs no introduction as the taco chain has been a fixture in Austin for a while now. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy Torchy’s without leaving Kyle.

Word on the street is that there are six more businesses that have expansion plans that will involve opting into the incentive! Meanwhile, check out these restaurants and give them a big Kyle welcome.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the new home builders in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Best Restaurants in and Near Kyle

Kyle may offer small-town living, but you will find no shortage of delicious restaurants that are sure to make your taste buds do a little dance. Texas small towns typically serve comfort food like chicken fried steak, BBQ, and burgers. Yes, you’ll find those in Kyle. Still, it also has cuisine you won’t find in many small towns.

kyle restaurants

Check out these favorite Kyle restaurants.

Texas Pie Company
202 W Center St, Kyle, TX 78640
texaspiecompany.com

Lest you think this is a bakery, not a restaurant, it’s both. Texas Pie Company’s menu consists of pies, casseroles, quiches, salads, and sandwiches. Many of the recipes come from Chef Julie Albertson’s grandmother that have been handed down through generations of her Texas family. Of course, like the name, they’re best known for handmade pies.

Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
575 E Fm 150, Kyle, TX 78640
garciassmtx.com

Founded in 1988, Curtis and Antonio Garcia’s family recipes have gained such a following that they have multiple locations including one in Kyle. Reviewers rave about their service and everything from cheese enchiladas and salsa to chili rellenos and breakfast tacos. That’s why it’s not surprising that people drive from other cities to this Mexican restaurant in Kyle.

Pho Thai Son Vietnamese Cuisine
5401 S. FM 1626 #370, Kyle, TX 78640
phothaison.com

You won’t believe what this Kyle restaurant serves: Vietnamese cuisine. Kyle residents can get their sushi and egg rolls fix from this authentic Vietnamese restaurant.

Thailai and Son Nguyen left Vietnam for greener pastures and worked in a tech company until they decided to start a business. That business is Pho Tai Son.

Milt’s Pit Barbecue
208 W Center St., Kyle, TX 78640
miltspitbbq.com

Texas is known for having some of the best BBQ in the U.S. with many being in Austin and nearby. For times you a gosh darn good brisket right in Kyle, Milt’s your place. With homemade sides and desserts, one reviewer says its BBQ heaven with its tender beef that melts in your mouth.

Customers laud its sweet tea, jalapeno sausage, pork ribs, and turkey at this quaint and homey place. The Kyle BBQ restaurant is also a stop at one visitor’s 10 days of Texas brisket in which he visited famous BBQ places. It’s definitely a hidden gem and it’s right in Kyle.

Ilario’s Italian Restaurant
5401 Fm 1626, Kyle, TX 78640-6038
ilarios.com

Here’s one place you don’t have to leave Texas for New York Style pizza. This Kyle Italian restaurant serves authentic fresh Italian cuisine with a Texas smile and large portions fitting for this great state. For those who eat a gluten-free diet, Ilario’s offers gluten-free pizza, pot roast, and spaghetti with meatballs.

Hays City Store and Ice House
8989 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
hayscitystoretx.com

Initially a gas station and convenience store, Hays City Store has morphed into a burgeoning full-service restaurant and bar. Featuring made-from-scratch Texas comfort food and hand-crafted cocktails, the restaurant has 40 beers on tap, five TVs for sports fans, and a wood-fired pizza oven.

Customers praise its chicken fried steak and you’ll find something for everyone with its house-ground burgers, hand-battered shrimp, fish tacos, and more. They even serve up hot towels for cleaning up after noshing on wings.

Sylver Spoon
6700 N I35, New Braunfels, TX 78130
sylverspoon.com

A trained culinary artist with foodservice experience, a theater artist with a restaurant background, and an actress as UT Austin directing graduate all have one thing in common. They’re sisters and proud founders of Sylver Spoon, the place for dinner and theater, or dinnertainment as they call it.

They’ve thought of everything. If you want to eat, but not see a show — you can do that. Need childcare? They offer it. Want to meet wine snobs with a five-course wine-pairing dinner? Ditto. They even have bingo and trivia.

Want more Kyle tips? Check these out!

Want to live in a community near all these restaurants that have you craving their food? Check out Crosswinds in Kyle with its swimming pool, playground, and planned nature trails at Windy Point amenity center.