Peppers became Joe's Crab Shack many years ago...but is now a Saltgrass Steakhouse. I've always liked the River Pub.
Haven't been in a few years but the outlet malls are not bad. The river is nice. Make sure to hit up the Grist Mill in Gruene for dinner. http://www.gristmillrestaurant.com/
Haven't been to San Marvelous in a few years, but I like going to the tap room. Tons of different beers on tap, and pretty good food. I hear the bars there are open until 2am now, so thats kinda cool.
Probably regurgitating what has already been said, but: -River -Mall -Grin's -Alvin Ord's -Pizza Classics
This thread is full of nostalgia... Is Valentinos pizza still around? OST liquor? Balcones massage? Anyone out there do time in Harris Hall?
i think it's a saltgrass steakhouse now... gross. hit up thai thai cafe for some EXCELLENT and very cheap thai food, tap room for a burger, wings, and a ton of good beer, palmers for a nice meal, little arkansas for some primo relaxing on the blanco river, san marcos river pub some some decent eats right on the river, cheatam street warehouse for some good texas country and bluegrass, showdown for a damn fine bloody mary, triple crown for some stiff drinks and the occassional kick ass band, sundance record for a cool indie record store, j's bistro for some drinks and jazz... those were the spots we frequented when i was there.
1. River: The Guadalupe flows right through San Marcos and if you just want to lay out or just swim, Sewell Park at the intersection of Aqaurena and Sessoms might be your bet, that is assuming you don't mind being surrounded by twenty-somethings. If you want to actually float though, the best way is to go to Don's Fish Camp which is about ten minutes south on highway 80. It's 15 per person bucks which covers tube, parking, and a bus ride back. Better than Rockin R IMHO. 2. Shopping: The Outlets are enough to take two or three weeks to cover, but nobody in their right mind would spend this amount of time there. It will definitely drive you crazy so budget your time here wisely. If you are shopping for the misses, or even for finer things for yourself, the Prime Outlet has the higher end designer stores and the Tanger Outlet (the rest) is worth only the Nike and Adidas outlets if you ask me. 3. Food: San Marcos "must-haves" include Thai Thai on N LBJ, Valentino's Pizza on the square, Spud Ranch on Aquarena Springs. I take alot of visitors to the San Marcos River Pub & Grill on Cheatham, has a great view of the river (and FYI, overlooks the only river hangout in san marcos that allows alcohol). Herbert's is still there too, and many around here are fond of it. If you are looking for a classier dinner restaurant, try Palmer's on Hutchison. There are alot more of these types of places in New Braunfels. It's really only about ten minutes west down I-35, very do-able. Here the Gristmill is fantastic, and last night I just tried the Huisache Grill for the first time. Amazing, get the duck. 4. Nightlife: The bars ARE now open to 2 AM, which is a godsend. 12 was brutal. The square encompasses just about every drinking hole in town. J's Bistro has a live piano band and is the place to go if you are older and want to consort with college kids as little as possible (even though if this is true you shouldn't be in San Marcos at all). ADVICE park behind the banks, not around the square and be careful of cops when the bars get out. They run a pretty nice DUI racket around Hays County so be safe, careful and make sure you don't have to come back in a couple months. Sean Patrick's Irish Pub has good food until 9, and a decent drinking atmosphere at night. Nephew's and Bar One-Four-One are college kid hangouts if that's what you are looking for. Overall, you picked probably the best time of year to visit. Right between Spring and Summer 1 semesters which means less traffic/college-crazies and great swimming weather. You should have a very pleasant visit. Feel free to ask throw any questions you have my way.
Does anyone know which nights are piano bar nights with Taxi at Jay's Bistro? I haven't been there, but I know Taxi and he's hilarious and I've heard that show is pretty good.
if you're looking to avoid the twenty-something, college crowd, do not go to don's. although shipwreck is right, this is definitely the best time of year to go so the college crowd will be greatly diminished. man, to think i remember frequenting don's when it was nothing more than a camping spot where the hippies in the old school bus would sell their hand-blown pipes, special brownies, and mushrooms. damn.. the good ol' days!
i know it was **** pizza, but i do kinda miss the 16" from pizza classic where you could get unlimited toppings for $5.99. that would keep me fed for a week!
