2 Best Restaurants in Bandera, The Hill Country

Locals and visitors alike flock to Brick's for country cooking with a view. The restaurant itself has a humble interior, but it's the patio overlooking the Medina River that wins everyone's heart. It's a great spot to start with a mason-jar drink while you wait for a table to sample the simple but well-done menu, with comforting classics like a crispy Jager Schnitzel with mushroom sauce and braised cabbage, homemade meatballs, and smashed potatoes.

This is John Wayne country, and the patrons of The O.S.T. (Old Spanish Trail) don't let you forget it, thanks to an entire wall covered with photos and memorabilia of the Duke. Authentic Tex-Mex and hearty American plates are served (and have been since 1921), including a Texas-sized chicken-fried steak that covers the entire plate.