THE BEST PLACES TO EAT WHILE VISITING GLEN ROSE, TEXAS
WHERE TO EAT IN GLEN ROSE, TEXAS
I’m a born and bred Glen Rosian so I absolutely felt like I needed to create a blog post on the best places to eat in this small Texas town. Glen Rose has a decent amount of restaurants for being a town with the population of 2400 people — which means you need someone who really knows the place to guide you through what’s great and what is absolutely not. Having grown up in Glen Rose, I would like to think I’m a Glen Rose connoisseur. There are lots of other places in Glen Rose, that won’t be mentioned however… be warned… Some may not have been mentioned for a reason because the food, service, quality or all three are MEH. Meh is a lighthearted way for me to say not good. Obviously there are new things popping up I’ve yet to try (not many though) but I’ll try and update this post as often as possible. In this post you’ll find the best places to go broken up in categories of Breakfast & Coffee, Lunch & Dinner, and finally Sweets & Treats.
BREAKFAST & COFFEE
GROUNDED COFFEE
Grounded Coffee is a relatively new coffee shop in Glen Rose that I would categorize as more of a coffee shop vibe than Crave. Crave being more of the bakery vibe. Grounded does however also serve food for lunch; they have a salad bar, soups, and sandwiches in addition to their baked goods on display at the counter. Because they are a newer coffee shop (2022) they were still perfecting their coffee and the appearance of their coffee (ie. latte art) it wasn’t an A+ experience but I fully believe they’ll get there and are on the right track more-so than any other typical coffee shops have been in Glen Rose. Not only that, the overall aesthetic of the place was so nice and comfy for meetings or even studying! I wish I would have had a place like this to study when I was in high school in Glen Rose.
LUNCH & DINNER
RIVERHOUSE GRILL
This is one of my all-time favorite family-owned restaurants to eat at in Glen Rose. When I say I’ve been here over 100 times I’m not exaggerating! Our family is Czech and so is the family that owns Riverhouse Grill so it makes it even more special when we visit to see close friends. I’ve experienced Riverhouse Grill for every time of day they serve meals: brunch, lunch, and dinner. I think my favorite is brunch but I’m a little biased as a self-designated brunch queen. The last couple of times I’ve been was for dinner and it was hella yum - we had truffle fries, baked salmon with a teriyaki glaze, grilled pork chop with a whiskey glaze, and ended with crème brûlée. For brunch, I highly recommend making a reservation and then also asking about the chicken and waffles… they’re so freaking good!
HAMMONDS BBQ
Hammond’s BBQ is a great spot for lunch after a long morning at Dinosaur Valley State Park or Fossil Rim! I actually worked at Hammond’s BBQ in high school as a server and cashier so I know all the secrets! The owners Larry and Judy are absolute sweethearts and put so much love into their BBQ business. Hammond’s has all the typical meats and sides such as sliced brisket, sausage, pulled pork, ribs, and then potato salad, coleslaw, fried okra, and all the other fried essentials. My go-to suggestion is to order a double meat plate with sliced brisket, turkey, or ribs with a side of potato salad, coleslaw, and fried okra with homemade ranch dressing if you’re wanting something heavy or looking to split. If you’re feeling a sandwich the pulled pork with a side of coleslaw is a great option as well as the stuffed baked potato with chopped brisket… it’s so yummy! Finally, be sure to get a slice of one of Judy’s homemade pies!! She makes them fresh every single day and they are so freaking good. We used to get off shift and buy a slice to bring home because we were obsessed — they were the only thing we had to buy there as an employee and we all did it A LOT! They also offer cobbler with ice cream which is delicious but the cobbler isn’t homemade and I’m telling you.. the pies are the way to go!
LA VIDA ITALIAN FOOD
If you’re looking to get your Italian food fix look no further than La Vita! I’m going to be honest, I was very skeptical at first… especially having lived in Houston where there is literally the best of every type of food and now I’m super spoiled also making me critical of food way more than I’ve ever been. Anyway, we got here early on a Friday at like 5:30 pm and barely got a table. That’s one thing about Glen Rose — there aren’t a ton of great places to eat so the really good ones end up being packed! Also, most places are pretty small which makes them even more packed. We ordered the cannelloni and lasagna and literally ate the entire thing it was so damn good. I don’t know what they put in this stuff but it is DELICIOUS! I mean even the places I love, I never finish my plate and here I ate every last bit. We ordered a slice of their cheesecake to-go and honestly it was average and I’ll definitely pass on that next time. Overall, this place was a 9/10!
LOCO COYOTE
Loco Coyote is a great place to go on the weekends because they have live music every single Saturday! It does get very busy though so if you can go on Thursday or Friday definitely do that over a weekend day! If you have to go on the weekend then get there when they open at 11:00 am or after the lunch rush around 2:00 pm. Thankfully, they do have a ton of space outside to enjoy a cold beer or cocktail if you have to wait for a table. I would categorize Loco Coyote as a place to go for good ole American food that’s sure to give you heartburn but it’s like worth it, ya know? The Jack Daniel’s BBQ Burger is a must! It’s packed with onion rings, fried pickles, cheese & sweet Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce — it will make you drool! Loco Coyote is about 25 min from Glen Rose right in the middle of the country so it’s sure to give you the small town Texas vibe.
LOS PRIMOS
If you’re looking for a place to grab Mexican food and margaritas the size of your head, look no further than Los Primos. This restaurant is definitely small-town Tex-Mex and the best Mexican food in Glen Rose. The building is pretty large and they have a great outdoor patio for cooler Texas evenings. I typically get the tortilla soup and house margarita on the rocks with salt but my parents love their enchiladas. The family who owns Los Primos are beyond sweet too and want all their customers to feel welcomed and happy when they leave. Be sure to ask about their specials because it seems like they’re really trying to step up their game with new flavors!
SIMPLE SIMON’S
If you’re craving pizza, there are about 3 pizza places in Glen Rose: Pizza Hut, Simple Simons, and… actually I think that’s it. Definitely go with Simple Simons! We’ve been getting pizza from there for as long as I can remember. Funny story about Simple Simons, when I was in middle school and my mom would go through the drive through my friends and I would beg to go with to see the cute guys that worked there.. haha we were such dorks but I still think about that when I get pizza there nowadays.
ROUGH CREEK LODGE
Rough Creek Lodge is the GEM of Glen Rose. Rough Creek Lodge isn't just a place to stay it’s truly a place to stay a while and experience. Rough Creek Lodge sits on 11,000 acres of Texas-style paradise. It’s filled with adventures for families, friends, lovers, groups, and even great for business retreats. Whether you're renting a room in the lodge, a cabin, or a home, you'll have access to some of the most amazing activities, food, and amenities in the Western Hemisphere.
I grew up going to Rough Creek Lodge for years since I was like 5 years old. Our family would go to Rough Creek for holidays like Easter brunch and easter egg hunting, special occasions like celebrating my high school graduation and then my college graduation, or honestly just for a fun staycation or meal. I feel like I truly have the inside scoop on Rough Creek because not only did I grow up going there with my friends and family, but I actually worked there as a babysitter at the Kids Ranch and then also lifeguarded at the family pool which has a full lazy river, waterslide, and hot tub! Y’all, this resort has it all.. from zip-lining, fishing, batting cages, s’mores, fossil hunting, axe throwing, hiking, to archery, and so much more. See all the activities available at Rough Creek Lodge here.
Okay, so when it comes to the food.. it’s unmatched! I’ve known the head chef Gerard Thompson since I was like 6 because 1) he’s been there forever and 2) I dated his son. So again, inside scoop on the food. Chef Gerard's culinary creations will astonish you. Skillfully prepared and rich in flavor and splendor, the cuisine at Rough Creek Lodge and Resort is unsurpassed. His menus are unique and absolutely delicious. We love going to Rough Creek for brunch and dinner the most. Lunch is good but it’s ranked last for me out of the three. Not to say it’s bad or anything, but the others are just that much better!
THE GREEN PICKLE
If you’re looking for a juicy burger right off the Glen Rose square then The Green Pickle is the place to go. In addition to burgers and fries they have chicken fried steaks, chicken sandwiches, and even banana pudding. The inside seating is fairly limited but they actually have a huge outdoor area in the back that’s pretty shady for those hot Texas days. I remember going to the Green Pickle once or even twice a week during the summers I was in high school because it was good food and honestly such a vibe. They change their menu fairly often so you can see what’s new on their Facebook page here.
STORIEBOOK CAFE
When I think of great sandwiches and a cool environment in Glen Rose, I immediately think of Storiebook Cafe. It’s the perfect place to meet up with friends, family, or even a cute little day date. They have daily specials that they post on their Facebook page every day here minus Sunday. My grandma and I love meeting up here and getting the half sandwich and cup of soup deal + splitting a dessert! What makes Storiebook Cafe unique is that the entire shop is a book store too! While you’re waiting for your food you can browse the numerous shelves in the cafe and see if anything sparks your interest.
TAYLOR’S TURN-N-BURN CAFE
Taylor’s Turn-N-Burn Cafe has a very special place in my heart because it was the very first place I worked! You may think I’m a little bit biased because of that but the food is truly amazing, y’all! The owner, Mary, and her family are seriously the sweetest people and you absolutely can taste the love she pours into her craft. It’s been years since I’ve worked there and I still dream about her burgers and chicken fingers! I don’t know what it is but the bun on the burger and then the breading on the chicken fingers just make them superior. Currently, Taylor’s Turn-N-Burn is operating out of the coolest food truck right outside of Grounded Coffee. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates on hours and menu.
SWEETS & TREATS
PIE PEDDLERS
Pie Peddlers holds such a special place in my heart because it was started by two best friends and one of them just so happened to be my kindergarten teacher and the other was my brother’s kindergarten teacher. I’m not sure about the other details and who all owned the business but I did know it was THE place to go for a slice of pie and a great time. Pie Peddlers has since been sold to its new owners who’ve kept it the same from what I’ve experienced. The pies still taste just as delicious with my favorite being the key lime… oh my freaking gosh y’all… I don’t know what’s in that damn pie but it’s amazing.
SNOW SHACK
The Snow Shack is the summer spot to stop at on a hot summer day at Big Rocks Park, hiking at Dino Valley, or spending the day at Fossil Rim! I’ve been going to this snow cone shack since it was literally a shack and burned down.. haha thankfully they rebuilt and added a mini golf course next to it. My favorite snow cone to get is a Silver Fox with cream but all of their snow cones are yum!
DAIRY QUEEN
Okay, I know it’s Dairy Queen but I swear to GAWD it’s the best damn Dairy Queen out there. There’s something about the Glen Rose Dairy Queen that just hits different. I have so many memories at this Dairy Queen it’s insane… From walking there in middle school to grabbing food there in high school during a track meet. Also, every time I go back home to Glen Rose I HAVE to grab a Blizzard at like 9:00pm with a family member, my husband, or my dog — they have pup cups!
Again, there are numerous places in Glen Rose to eat at but these are my favorites/ highest rated based on food, service, and quality of overall experience. Let me know what your favorites are after you visit!
XOXO
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