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Salado's famed Stagecoach Inn reopens restaurant after 2-year renovation

The Stagecoach Restaurant is open again after two years of renovations.

Photo courtesy of Stagecoach Inn

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.

Historical Stagecoach Inn restaurant 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.

Stagecoach Inn pool 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.

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Luxury hotel near DFW Airport unveils major refresh and new dining

Photo courtesy of Ricardo Marriott

House of Toro is the new chophouse at The Ricardo Marriott.

A longtime Westlake luxury hotel is ready to unveil a major renovation and rebrand to the public: The former Marriott Westlake has reopened as The Ricardo Marriott, named for famed Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the original designer of the hotel and its surrounding Solana Plaza.

According to a release, the 293-room property near DFW Airport recent underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that included several new dining concepts and social spaces, along with new design elements, guest room refurbishments, and a pool refresh.

Dallas-based Coury Hospitality led the overhaul of the Marriott, Bonvoy Collection hotel.

"The Ricardo Marriott represents an exciting new chapter for this property,” said Andrew Casperson, President of Coury Hospitality, in a statement. “This transformation goes beyond a renovation. It reflects an intentional effort to honor the building’s architectural significance while introducing a renewed identity that is bold, design-driven, and reflective of Westlake’s evolving character.”

The renovations aimed to honor and augment Legorreta's original, 1987 design for the building and its campus, featuring his signature bold geometry and vibrant colors. (Legorreta's other well-known local building is the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, which features similarly striking colors and shapes.)

"Legorreta’s architecture anchors the experience, creating a strong sense of arrival, while refreshed interiors introduce layered materials, contemporary furnishings and curated color that elevate the guest journey," says the release.

The centerpiece of the renovation are the food and beverage offerings:

A new restaurant called House of Toro Chophouse & Patio serves as the hotel’s signature chophouse.
Black Pearl Lounge offers cocktails, light bites, and tableside caviar service.
Solana Lounge & Kitchen provides all-day dining with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Café31 offers Lavazza coffees, fresh pastries, and grab-and-go options.

The hotel also features more than 15,000 square feet of updated meeting and event space, along with outdoor areas and a new-and-improved pool. The spaces are designed to accommodate a range of uses, from corporate meetings to weddings and social events, the release says.

The Ricardo Marriott is now open and welcoming guests, at 1301 Solana Boulevard, Building 3, Westlake.

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