While there are several delicious BBQ joints in Lockhart, Kreuz Market is a Lockhart legacy, dating back to 1900. Yes, there will likely be a line for the cafeteria-style restaurant, and, no, they will not give you forks or sauce — so don’t even bother asking. Get the pork chop.

Family-owned and operated, La Cantera offers homestyle Mexican cooking just like abuela used to make. Pick up some of Doña Mari’s famous homemade tortillas on your way out. 

The Pearl is a no-frills live music venue. Grab a cold one and enjoy the show. 

One of the first of the new wave of Lockhart hotspots, Loop & Lil’s Pizza calls itself the “Oldest Best Friend Owned Pizzeria in Lockhart.” Serving family-style hand-tossed pizza pies, along with hot sandwiches, and a full bar, Loop & Lil’s has been one of the town’s de facto meeting spots since it opened in 2015. 

Housed in a former bank vault below the 1898 Brock Building, Wilcox’s Little Trouble opened right before quarantine shut them back down in 2020. But, now, the former Justine’s chef is churning out out-of-the-box culinary creations with German/Mexican influences and a cheeky flair. Don’t skip the TX tartare.

Opened out of necessity during the pandemic, the Chaparral Coffee owners knew they needed to start selling much more than coffee to survive. After creating a grocery/market in Martindale, they followed suit in Lockhart, where they sell fancy tinned fish, house-made pimento cheese, natural wine, and more. 

This spring, Nickel City co-owner Travis Tober teamed up with sommelier Kaye Askins to open up a small but mighty wine and book store just off the square. With roughly 150 bottles to choose from, you can enjoy in the store or take your loot to go. Make sure to pet Askins’ dog Chicken before you leave. 

Foreign & Domestic co-owners and chefs opened this casual cafe in 2020, offering sandwiches, salads, and larger plates of pasta, chicken fried steak, roasted chicken, and seasonal pies. Of course, they also serve Foreign & Domestic’s famous gruyere popovers. 

Open daily from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., it seems like all of Lockhart passes through these doors at least once a day. Toasts, sandwiches, beer, and wine complement the robust java menu. 

Prepare to smell like smoke after leaving this establishment. Smitty’s and Kreuz are always mentioned in the same breath due to a long-ago landlord dispute between the two barbecue families. Much like visiting Philly, where it’s unfair not to try both Pat’s and Geno’s warring cheesesteaks, sample both Lockhart barbecue legends. Do not skip the smoked prime rib. 

For those looking for the vibe of Nickel City, look no further than Old Pal. There’s an agave- and whiskey-focused cocktail menu coupled with free-range fried chicken, mouth-watering burgers, hearty salads, fish and chips, and other modern takes on traditional bar grub — but the brightest star is the Whata-Frozen cocktail, made with bourbon, Montenegro, and Dr. Pepper. Save room for pie.