• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MJ and Hungryman

  • About
  • Blog
  • Feeding tips
  • Recipes
  • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Baby Led Weaning
  • Recipes
  • Feeding tips
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Baby Led Weaning
    • Recipes
    • Feeding tips
    • Resources
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    MJ & Hungryman » Texas Eats: The Road from Austin to Houston

    Texas Eats: The Road from Austin to Houston

    By Min On January 15, 2015, Updated April 4, 2020

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

    Share or Save It for Later!

    When I'm making that drive from Austin to Houston, I'm focused on one thing and one thing only - making it in the best time possible. I turn on my cruise control, start my playlist, and pray that there's nothing to slow or impede my progress. I've made the drive countless times now and rarely does it deviate from the routine. But somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, a question has always lingered..."What culinary adventures are hiding in these little roadside towns?"

    As MJ mentioned in an earlier post, we finally found the time to get away. Much needed time away. And by away, I'm talking 30 whole minutes outside of Austin in the quaint town of Bastrop. Now that might sound a little sad, but the resort was so hidden, it really felt like we were nowhere close to home. It also gave us the opportunity to linger along the road we had so frequently traveled and finally answer that little voice in my head...

    Las Fuentes

    For our first meal, we headed east on 71 to La Grange and dined at Las Fuentes Mexican Restaurant at the recommendation of a friend. MJ and I easily came to decide on the fajitas for two (quick decision...quite unusual for us, I know). Being as famished as I was, you can only imagine how incredibly thankful I was to see that huge platter of sizzling fajitas. A meal for two? There was enough food to feed a small army and at such a great price. I just don't know enough superlatives to describe how thoroughly we enjoyed our dining experience. But of note, that salsa though... BOTH of them! The warm red salsa and the chilled tomatillo salsa were two of the best I've ever had. Before we had even finished the meal, MJ and I were trying to figure out how we could come here on a regular basis.

    Las Fuentes

    Las Fuentes was going to be a tough act to follow, for sure, but there was still good food to be had on this trip. Next stop - Maxine's on Main. Recognized by Texas Monthly for having one of the best breakfasts in the state, Maxine's menu is filled with local favorites and diner classics, like migas, chicken fried steak and eggs, fried green tomatoes, chili, and on and on. I'm a late-riser in general, but when I'm on vacation, might as well just put a perpetual "do not disturb" sign on my face because I love to sleep. It took me such a long time to get going on this particular morning that we made it with only about ten minutes left of breakfast service. No joke. We even got a five minute warning from our waitress. MJ ordered the breakfast tacos with eggs, spinach, and avocado, while I chose the Texas Scramble - 2 eggs scrambled with bacon, home fried potatoes, onion, jalapeños, and topped with cheddar cheese. It was the perfect hearty meal to get our day started.

    Maxine's Cafe

    And since no road trip is complete without a burger, on our last night, we stopped by the Roadhouse Bastrop.

    Roadhouse Bastrop

    The little standalone was lit up like a neon beacon beckoning us to pull in. The smell of grilled meat wafting through the air was absolutely intoxicating as we walked across the parking lot. I had a feeling I was in for a treat. A member of Texas Monthly's famed "Best Burgers in Texas" list, Roadhouse has also been voted the best in Bastrop County 10 years in a row. As was the case with breakfast, we arrived in just the nick of time. Shortly after we put our names down on the wait list, a line quickly formed and would eventually spill out the door.

    Roadhouse Bastrop

    In all honesty, the award-winning Jalapeño Cream Cheese Burger did not call out to me initially. Just when I was about to order a standard cheeseburger, the voice of reason (aka MJ) convinced me that I HAD to try the burger from the list. To sum up my experience - a contender for my best burger of 2014. Sadly the photos don't do our meal justice. I had to contort my arm in all different angles to try to get the best light possible, and clearly that wasn't enough.

    Roadhouse BastropThe patty had a crisp char on the outside that was filled with tremendous flavor. The cream cheese was refreshing and tangy. It also helped cool off some of the heat from the slices of fresh jalapeño which provided a vibrant pop of their own. All this sandwiched between a sweet sourdough bun...I really couldn't ask for more. I was a little concerned regarding MJ's meal options, but was pleasantly surprised to find a vegetarian section, an assortment of chicken sandwiches as well as salad options on the menu. She went with Ann's Garden Salad - a mixture of romaine lettuce and baby spinach, fresh avocados, tomatoes, green bell peppers and onions, mixed cheeses topped with homemade croutons and served with a bold honey mustard dressing. It really was an impressive-sized salad filled with remarkably fresh vegetables. I think it surpassed even her expectations.

    With our bellies full (and happy) we made our way back to the resort just in time to enjoy s'mores by the fire pit. Rest, relaxation, and good food with my best friend...now that's what I call a vacation.

     

    « Healthy and Easy Breakfast Tips and Recipes
    Lightened-Up Mongolian Chicken »

    Share or Save It for Later!

    Share: [addtoany]

    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says

      January 21, 2015 at 3:40 am

      I'm forwarding this to my in-laws who make the drive between Houston and Austin oh-so-frequently! What a fun (and delicious) getaway you two had!

      Reply
      • Hungryman says

        January 21, 2015 at 7:56 pm

        It really was a good time. My only regret is not trying out more restaurants. Hopefully your in-laws will get a chance to enjoy some of this delicious food!

        Reply
    2. Courtney @ NeighborFood says

      January 15, 2015 at 4:07 pm

      I'm so glad I stopped over to read this post. I didn't realize you all wrote about dining out too! My hubby and I are visiting Austin in a few weeks, so I've been going through all your old reviews and trying to decide what will make the cut on our short visit! Any absolute MUSTS you can recommend?

      Reply
      • Hungryman says

        January 17, 2015 at 9:23 am

        Oh wow...where do I even begin... Let me shoot you an email as this may take a while 🙂

        Reply
    3. Liz says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:16 am

      Thank you for the nice recipes and pictures.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    HI!

    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    search

    Trending Now

    A close up shot of sliced yogurt muffin.

    Healthy Yogurt Muffins (So Moist)

    Baked oatmeal served in a white bowl with milk, sliced almonds, and peanut butter.

    Easy Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal

    A close up shot of spooned mug cake.A close up shot of spooned mug cake.

    Best Strawberry Almond Mug Cake (Gluten Free)

    a close up shot of date syrup in a glass jar.

    Homemade 2 Ingredient Date Syrup

    An overhead shot of baked oatmeal with slice on green spatula.

    One Pan Vegan Baked Apple Oatmeal

    overnight oats with sliced banana, ground walnuts in a bowl.

    Simple Banana Overnight Oats

    Is your baby 4-6 months old?

    Give your baby a head start on solids even before their first bite!
    I'M READY!

    Is your baby 6 months old and up?

    Learn all the secrets to starting solids safely while optimizing nutrition!
    I NEED IT NOW!

    Is your toddler becoming picky?

    Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!
    YES, PLEASE!

    popular feeding tips

    four plates showing chopped vegetables added to oatmeal, rice fingers, scrambled eggs, and toast roll-ups

    Vegetables for Babies (with 30+ Recipes)

    a four image collage showing best food sources of both soluble and insoluble fiber.

    Best High Fiber Foods for Babies and Kids

    a lunchbox with omelette strips, freeze dried strawberries, roasted orange and purple sweet potatoes.

    Vegetable Omelette for Babies

    a four image collage showing meal ideas for 8 month old baby.

    Top Foods for 8 Month Old Baby

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2022 MJ & Hungryman LLC · Privacy Policy | Contact

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT