The historic Stagecoach Inn in the Central Texas town of Salado is once again welcoming guests to the dining room.
Stagecoach Restaurant, which has served breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1947, closed for two years for renovations, beginning in June 2023.
According to a release, Stagecoach has partnered with Monument Group (owners of Monument Cafe and El Monumento in nearby Georgetown) to "breathe new life into the celebrated restaurant." Both the space and the menu have been refreshed.
Guests can expect reimagined versions of old favorites, such as its famous hushpuppies, which were on the menu when it debuted nearly 80 years ago.
"The (famous) hushpuppies came into existence because of the need to buy time for [co-owner Dion Van Bibber] to run to the grocer and get the ingredients needed for each ticket as there was no menu, and guests ordered whatever dish they fancied at that moment," says a timeline on the inn's website.
The Stagecoach Inn's restaurant first opened its doors in 1947. Photo courtesy of Stagecoach Inn
The new menu also includes a creamy goat cheese dip, fried chicken salad, grilled bone-in pork chop with peach chutney, and seasonally-inspired and weekend-only dishes like prime rib. The Stagecoach Restaurant also features a bar with a wine, cocktail, and beer menu.
The Village of Salado, located just off Interstate 35 near Temple, is a popular stop for drivers from Dallas-Fort Worth to Austin. Its main street is dotted with charming boutiques and art galleries.
The Stagecoach Inn itself was established in 1860 as a hotel, welcoming wagon pioneers and folks pulling up in horse-drawn carriages. More than 160 years later, the Stagecoach Inn is the second-oldest continuously-operating hotel in Texas, and though the rooms have certainly been modernized and amenities like a pool and gift shop have been added in over the years, the bones of the building remain the same.
Even the newer amenities have a retro feel.Photo courtesy of Stagecoach Inn
“The Stagecoach established itself as a welcoming rest stop on the Chisholm Trail for weary travelers over 160 years ago and that southern hospitality continues today,” said Monument Group's Rusty Winkstern in the release. “We want to honor that legacy with genuine hospitality and crave-worthy food and drink, continuing the tradition as a community hub for visitors old and new.”
The Stagecoach Restaurant is at 416 S. Main Street, Salado. It's open for lunch and dinner Wednesdays through Sundays from 11:30 am-8 pm, first-come, first-served. Breakfast service is coming soon; currently only pastries, tacos, and coffee are offered.
