Hays City Store

This small town diner is a refreshing change. The manger came by our table and made us feel welcome. The menu is a delightful assortment of country style home favorites. You can’t go wrong with the southern shrimp and grits. My husband had the home style bacon burger with onion rings. They cooked it just as he requested, medium rare. Loved the music and you have the option to dine inside or out. There’s a large oak tree that shades the dinner tables outside. Overall, the place is a real southern gem!!!

We’ve been here once before and it was just okay. Today we went there and sat 10 minutes waiting while waitresses walked past us to wait on tables. I guess we were invisible as not even an acknowledgement we were there. Took our business elsewhere.

I am really glad this restaurant is open. This was our first visit and it was, mostly, very very good. The entrance thing is somewhat confusing in that the door by all of the outside seating is not the «actual» entrance, it is further down the front of the building where the hostess is.
The booths by the open kitchen were very loud with all of the kitchen activities going on.
My wife’s fish tacos had four bones. Need better prep.
The gumbo needed just a little more salt, but was very good. Would have liked to have some Tabasco.
Other than that, very good meal and will be returning again and again. Owner seems to be fully involved in the operation. Our waitress was sweet and was very well trained, always asking before taking away any plate. Both our meals were very good. Very good drinks and really nice beer and wine selection.
I expect this place will become a hays county staple.

Last night: started with chips and salsa which everyone enjoyed. Fresh not too spicy but very flavorful red salsa and an AWESOME roasted tomatillo salsa! And the chips were incredible! The bacon and blue cheese burger is the best burger I’ve ever eaten! The onion rings were hot and fresh made with an amazing light and crispy batter! The fresh cut French fries were great as usual but a bit too salty on this visit. The grilled fish tacos came topped with a tasty crunchy homemade slaw that everyone enjoyed. The pulled pork bbq sandwich was a perfect mix of sweet spice and savory. The chicken fried steak was so tender you could cut it with a fork. Finally last night we also had the tortilla soup which had the freshest tasting mix of broth and spice of any tortilla soup I’ve had! I have been here several times and have yet to find any dish that isn’t exceptionally well prepared. Keep up the good work Hays City Store! I’ll see you soon!

Fast service, super nice staff and yummy food. Had a great burger here today along with a live oak hefe on draft. Their beer selection was great and the food was awesome. This was my first time here but I would stop in again for sure. They had a great brunch menu I would like to try.

The old Hays City Store served it’s community well. Gas, groceries, and even a decent breakfast for the middle of nowhere Hays County. Once closed, I had mixed feelings about it becoming a full fledged restaurant. I give them props for dreaming big; perhaps using a full bar to ignite the dream. Listen carefully future eateries; don’t open without one.
The owners themselves sporting different restaurant backgrounds. Wife Tamra coming from Salty Sow which I regard as one of the best spots in Austin. Travis coming from local Tex-​Mex spot Flores which I completely loath for near everything. Happily, a fantastic family collaboration follows on my recent visits to HCS!
Inconsistencies were noticed in the first visits and dealt with quickly. Queso that was served in a cold cast iron skillet causing the cheese to congeal before it was even served. Skillets are now waiting under the heated pass eager for hot cheese. A kids chicken strip meal that was one price; then a higher price on a later visit. Water under the double crossing bridges on Onion Creek!
The hand formed burgers with onion rings has been an amazing pairing. Generous charcuterie plate, sweet chipotle wings, and crispy chicken fried steak. I’m especially partial to the King Ranch chili relleno when it comes out of the salamander with gooey cheese versus my first offering that was a crispy and unfortunately a overcooked mess. You’ve got your wings HCS!
Now, run with it and send anything back for a redo that doesn’t meet your standards at the pass. Finding the right combination of chefs is tough; recent visits have seen brilliance and I appreciate the strict standards. You’ve got a gem that might turn into an eventual destination in our wedding capital of Texas county. Best dishes!

I can’t believe it took me three months to find this true local gem. The food is incredible so let’s get that straight right up front. Never have I eaten chicken wings so good and I’m from NY (we know a few things about buffalo wings considering). Not only is the wing sauce scratch made, but they smoke the wings before they fry. The layers of flavor are really something else. Also, the wings are huge. If you can put down a dozen wings from other chain restaurants in the area, you’re in for a challenge here. But don’t worry, these wings aren’t just better and bigger, they’re cheaper too. The queso, an Austin staple, is as good as you’ll find. For brunch, you need to get the chicken fried steak and eggs. It’s perfect, that’s all you need to know. Ok, they also put bacon in the gravy and that’s important too.
Beers galore. Great local on tap selection and a great array of bottles and cans. You’re covered whether you want a cool refreshing bud lite or some crazy bitter hipster approved IPA. The bar staff are very attentive and as friendly as you’d expect at a cozy family run business. The Bloody Mary here is easily top 5 I have ever had. They even infuse they own chili pepper vodka!
All in all, the food and ambiance really make this place a «go to» for anyone in the area looking for great meal and a good time.

A charming place! A must in Driftwood. My favorite is breakfast but any time of the day is a perfect time for this café as they have it all … My favorite stop in Driftwood. Try the shrimp and grits ;)

Really a fun experience every time. I am so glad that this place is in my neighborhood.

Just a drive by the parking lot on any given day should be a clue this place is doing Hill Country roadhouse right. Great wine list, great beer selection, TV’s above the bar, relaxing picnic area outside with adirondack chairs and a big screen TV out there too. Plus a separate play area for kids.
Eclectic menu, you can go from Tex Mex to cheese and charcuterie and plenty of burgers, sammies & salads in between. We met several friends for happy hour/​dinner. Hubby and friend had the fried shrimp plate – one had fries, one had onion rings. Both said all of it was delish.
I had fish tacos that were really good. Big filets of blackened redfish with very good pickled cabbage, tiny shredded carrots and cream on corn tortillas. The tortillas were a little tough, I would have like them a bit softer or steamed a bit. They were great with a Twisted X Lager.
One friend had a big bowl of tortilla soup, another had a salad and both cleaned their plates & said they were great. They also said the Mexican martini, greyhound and wine were good.
There were no desserts on the menu, but we drank our dessert.
A couple other friends had checked it out right after they opened and had criticisms, but I think they’ve hit their stride now. They are fully packed every night.
Thank you Hays City Store for getting a local roadhouse right. Can’t wait to go back!

Hays has continued to amaze us for months now! Our family eats here quite regularly and we actually will find ourselves asking how they can make such a wide variety of dishes that are all delicious! In addition to the good food, the team is awesome at taking care of the customers. Margaritas are terrific and always save room for one of their desserts!

We were in the area for the weekend and online reviews led us to this café. It was everything the reviews said and more. The unpretentious store front conceals a gem of a restaurant and bar inside. The outside seating would be wonderful in nice weather. Great food, very friendly staff and prompt service. Will DEFINITELY return!

This was a tale of two cities. Or, a tale of two restaurants. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Oh, wait — I meant: it was the best of restaurants, it was the worst of service. It was extremely hard to give out 5-​stars, but I seriously enjoyed the outing even without the waitress.
My wife and I have been planning to visit for quite a while. We finally had a date-​night and decided to try it out. We went early, 5:30-ish and the parking lot was already filling. This is a very popular place for good reason. The side/​back parking was filled with what I thought were staff vehicles. I thought — that many staff? Yep, and they needed it. They were hopping, busy and active all night long.
The restaurant appears to have been a strip mall in some part of its past. But, the seating was good and well appointed for a café/​average restaurant. There was a bar along one part of a wall and a horseshoe seating around the cooks. My son always likes that. Outside was a ton of seating. Unfortunately, a cold snap nixed it.
We came directly up to the hostess and three groups were right on our heels into the door. The hostess asked «booth» or «table», we said booth and they took us to one where the poor busboy looked at us as he madly started clearing the table. That was awkward. On either side of that experience, it was uncomfortable: us for waiting, he likely felt the same as we stood there looking at him work. I wish they would have just waited to seat us until the table was cleared. A little amateur on the hostess, but I don’t think she cared. It was likely routine for her.
As soon, I kid you not, as soon as our butts hit the benches the waitress asked us for our drink order. Seriously? They have a cocktail and wine menu and she thinks we had time to even pick it up. I should have looked behind me. I have this vision of her standing behind us while we stood behind the busboy waiting for the table to be cleared.
We politely asked her to come back. I think she sprinted to the bar and back. Things weren’t looking so well. My wife ordered a glass of wine and I went old school with an old fashioned. She wanted to know if we wanted to place our dinner order. I think she was on some sort of meth. Actually, she was nice, just perhaps way over caffeinated.
The drink was great. By the time it came, we settled on the chips and guacamole. It was really good. Probably prepped ahead of time, but it was awesome. I wanted the pork special (some sort of Spanish dish that I couldn’t pronounce with tamale cakes) but my wife ordered it. I was blocked out of the move, so I went with the Trucker’s enchiladas.
The place was moving. Lots of staff very active. The cooks knew their business and were professional. I was very impressed with the obvious manager who was doing «Management by Walking Around». He was everywhere doing a lot. Later in the meal, he came by to ask how things were. That usually only irritates me as I know they don’t care. This guy seemed to actually mean it and want to know his «usual customers» so it had a more neighborhood feel. I liked that.
The food came and it was very good. Well done to the chefs. I should lose that politeness vice and ordered before my wife! Wow, she scored with the better meal. Mine was very good. Great sides and the enchiladas were solid home cooking and just a little more spicy than I wanted. In a good way, it pushed me out of my comfort zone. Most chili heads wouldn’t even taste it. I can’t wait to return and sample more of the menu.
Our hyper frenetic waitress came by to ask for dessert orders. We were stuffed, so true to form the check immediately appeared and she started to clear our table. Maybe that manager is too on top of things or she wanted to move on to her next tip.

Shrimp and grits are great, and the open concept of the building looks nice. Outside seating is a plus now that the weather has finally become nicer!
Good food served by professional yet really friendly servers. My waitress, Carry (sp?) was awesome! She helped us decide what to get, (always a good sign when the employees love the food). Super accommodating and wonderfully witty.
From Hays, Carry pointed us to the fun places to go around Wimberley. I would definitely suggest going downtown!
Anyway, I recommend hitting up Hays!

If you live in the Central Texas area, listen up, people! Wanna go on a cool ass day trip? No, I’m not talking about the K2 kind… Right outside of the Kyle/​Buda area is this little spot with a great patio and an awesome brunch. Try the chicken fried steak and eggs, ayyyyy papá, you won’t regret it. Great service, locally sourced ingredients, nice drinks, what more can you ask for? Some reviewer was complaining about the gumbo. We had the gumbo and it was just fine. You could tell it was homemade roux and fresh. Did I mention their chips and salsa? Some of the best chips I’ve had… I almost want to call them totopos. Props if you know what I’m talking about. ;)

I was in Kyle/​Wimberley for a visit and for dinner on a Friday night, my hosts took me to the Hays City Store. I had the Frito pie and homemade onion rings. Not healthy but delicious. The special for the evening was étouffée with shrimp and monk fish. It looked amazing, especially since we were in the Hill Country and not New Orleans. I had a bite and it was very tasty. Others at the table had a burger, chicken fried steak and chicken tenders. The HCS homerun was ordered for an appetizer. It included salsa rojo, salsa verde, queso and cold bean dip. Everyone enjoyed it even if the chips were a bit on the thick side. Best of all it was great to be able to have a nice meal and not have to drive into town. The is a regular stop for my family who lives in the area.

What a thrill to find this little foodie temple right down the road, located mid-​way between Kyle and Wimberley at the Driftwood cutoff. Like the eclectic neighborhood it serves, the menu reaches out in foodie Texan speak to offer cherished highlights from the native cuisine done up righteously. Healthy, tasty, better than memories of the long ago originals. Sort of artisan Texas under the old oak trees in a re-​purposed Hays County gas station, not all that far from the Salt Lick.
You can’t make this kind of magic without a real wizard behind the food sourcing curtain, and clearly, they’ve got that impressively handled. From the truly superlative Kilimanjaro organic, free-​trade, shade grown coffee to the hand-​crafted salsas to the excellent burgers and steaks — every item served simply vibrates with quality ingredients. All this foodie fun interpreted in chicken-​fried steak, grilled steak salad, creative sandwiches, real veggie sides and weekend brunches. A little of everything to please. Everything is prepared to order, as it should be.
Oh, did I forget the bar? Talk about a brew roll call that just doesn’t quit paired with a full artisan-​inspired bar you don’t need to drive to Austin for. Check out the happy hour specials. The drive to Hays City Store is rewarding from all directions and a worthy destination with almost any excuse!

Very cool spot. As a transplant to Texas, this is the stereotypical Texas dinner and country store. We went on Sunday afternoon and there was a band playing under the large oak trees with a nice crowd of family’s enjoying the great weather and tunes. We all enjoyed the burgers, cocktails and nice Texas beer selection. Our server was super polite and made the experience even better.
We’ll definitely be back as I want to try the fish tacos and probably take some out of towne’rs here.

Last time I was in the area, this place wall still a «country store/​gas station».
Now it is a pleasant café. We came in around 9 pm on a Saturday night, just after the main crowd.
The menu is not too large but has good variety.
My buddy enjoyed the best burger he has had so far on our ten day road trip from California to Texas. I enjoyed a lovely portion of blackened redfish with rice and salad. It was the perfect plate for me. Our server brought 3 draft beers to taste so that we could make our selections. She was great, and brought over the owner so that we could give him our direct feedback on the whole experience. We are sure to return.

Amazing burgers!!! Wow! The flavor, and quality of the thick meat patty, made exactly to order, with fresh hand cut quality ingredients!!! I ordered «medium» and got medium! That rarely happens. It is evident from the attention to detail, in preparation, to the variety of good menu items, that these owners, have a well thought out plan, to keep their patrons happy, for a long time!
As per other Unilocal reviews, I ordered the O-​rings, instead of the fries, and was very happy with the quality of them. Just the right amount of batter, and crispness. Very good flavor!
The male co-​owner, greeted us upon arrival, checked on us during the meal, making sure to introduce himself, and ensure we were well taken care of, and thanked us, for our visit, when leaving! He pointed out his wife, who was busy taking care of other customers.
The bar was neatly laid out, and had plenty of quality libations to offer. The craft beer list was not too shabby either!
I’m very much looking forward to a return visit, to try the owner recommended, chicken fried steak, which he stated was hand cut, and pan fried.