Gluten-free Travel: Texas Hill Country
When you think of Texas, great food doesn’t always come to mind, especially when you’re out in the more rural areas. Chicken fried steak and barbecue are usually the staples, but sometimes, just sometimes, you get lucky and stumble upon something unexpected. That’s exactly what happened on a recent trip to Brownwood, Texas.
We toyed with the idea of stopping in Fredericksburg—an area known for its wineries and great dining options. But then, I remembered hearing about Hill Top Cafe for years and never making the stop. So, we decided to drive the extra 20 miles up Highway 87.
Tucked on top of a hill (the name says it all) in what used to be an old gas station, Hill Top Cafe has the kind of vibe that screams “Texas honky tonk.” Inside, the walls are lined with posters advertising past and upcoming concerts by some of Texas’s best-known artists. The owner, it turns out, has a background in the music industry, which gives the place a unique, lively feel.
The day we visited, the menu featured an unexpected surprise: a solid lineup of Greek dishes. According to the website, Aunt Alice is the culinary mastermind behind the Greek offerings, and she definitely knew what she was doing.
We kicked things off with a Greek platter, complete with hummus that was so good I’m now skeptical of anything I find in a grocery store. For a gluten-free option, the waitress recommended the Greek shrimp dish, which came with Greek-style okra cooked in a tangy, tomato-based sauce—just the kind of dish you wouldn’t expect in this neck of the woods.
Of course, Hill Top Cafe also serves your standard American fare—burgers, hot dogs, and the like. But if you’re in the mood for something a little different, this spot is a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere.
Next stop: Lucille and Mabel’s Kitchen and Libations in Brownwood. My friends had recommended it, and it didn’t disappoint. The place had a rustic charm but with a sophistication that caught me off guard. Think cozy, but elevated. The impressive bar had daily infusions, and that day’s special drink was an autumnal apple margarita—sweet, tart, and perfect for the season.
For starters, we went with The Little Italy salad. It was a fresh, flavorful mix of Italian meats and vegetables—light yet satisfying. Both my friend and I, who are gluten-free, ordered the Red Snapper Fish Collar, which was lightly battered in cornstarch and cooked to perfection. I snuck a bite of my husband’s dish—four fillets, each topped with a different sauce. The pepper sauce was divine.
As we ate, I noticed some other patrons chatting about how far they’d traveled to get there. My gut told me that we had uncovered something special—a rare gem of Texas culinary excellence in an otherwise unassuming small town.
Lucille and Mabel’s isn’t even listed on https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/ yet, but it’s definitely worth seeking out.
The moral of the story? Don’t let the remoteness of a place keep you from exploring. You never know when you’ll find a culinary treasure where you least expect it. Keep on traveling—you might just discover a new favorite spot.
