The drive from El Paso to Beaumont on the I-10 is a long one. According to Google maps it is 830 miles and just under 12 hours of driving. That means El Paso is actually closer to Los Angeles than it is to the other side of Texas!
So, unless you are breaking the speed limit or you're a superhuman, odds are that you're going to have to take a break at some point during the drive. No one, however, wants to stop at a gas station to grab a bag of peanuts. A road trip is, after all, about embracing the journey and stumbling upon those hidden gems in the small towns along the way.
We made you a handy map you can download for yourself!
So where should you stop? From Asian to Cajun, the I-10 is well-stocked with opportunities for a fill up. Here are just 15 of our favorite places.
El Paso: L&J Cafe
3622 E Missouri Ave
From Yelp: "Thing is if I wanted really good Mexican food I would just turn to my grandma...L & J's remains to be one of the authentic Mexican restaurants that I will continue to visit besides my grandma's."
You may as well make your first stop on the I-10 a good one.
El Paso: Crave Kitchen and Bar
300 Cincinnati Ave
https://www.instagram.com/p/2FBW7iEWxX/?taken-at=762215
From Yelp: "Try their mac and cheese(if u like spicy). Oh and their sangria. The sweet potato fries are also my favorite, I also love the shrimps!!"
So basically we know everything here is good.
Fort Stockton: BienVenidos
405 W Dickinson Blvd
From Yelp: "Corona steak tacos. I can't express their deliciousness. Try them and you will see. Love this place."
Apparently, here it's all about the Corona steak tacos.
Ozona: Wagon Wheel BBQ
1908 Ave E
https://www.instagram.com/p/tdxOAfgZ8Y/?taken-at=247777287
From Yelp: "Absolutely the best brisket ever...tender and moist and seasoned well! All the sides were so delicious! We were so impressed, we ordered more food to go when we left."
This family-run BBQ joint will make that drive on the I-10 that much more bearable.
Junction: Lum's Bar-B-Que
2031 Main St.
From Yelp: "Absolutely delicious meats and sides all prepared and served with friendly Texas cheer. Unable to decide, we were offered samples of the different meats."
Hospitality is part of the charm, folks.
Kerrville: Grape Juice
623 Water St
From Yelp: "Their wine and craft beer selection is sure to please the most discriminating palate. The food is PHENOMENAL with Viking size portions, fresh made ingredients and a unique selection of various dishes."
Even in the small towns off the I-10, you can get high class wine bars.
Comfort: High's Cafe & Store
726 High St
From Yelp: "Whenever you pass through Comfort, this is one of the places you should stop. I actually had a voucher from staying at Hotel Faust for a free breakfast. I would have gone anyway."
This is that small town gem where you can eat as healthfully or as poorly as you wish.
Boerne: Bear Moon Bakery
401 S Main St
From Yelp: "Delicious!!!!! You can smell the bakery from a block away and it's heavenly. Their coffee is smooth and bold. My daughter and I come every Tuesday."
Clearly there's something to be said for cooking familiar meals consistently well.
San Antonio: The Grill at Leon Springs
24116 IH-10 West
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQRZGUVBKB5/?taken-at=6162944
From Yelp: "My boyfriend and I usually talk a fair amount over food. But at The Grill, we were silent, but for good reason - the food."
Enough said.
San Antonio: Garcia's Mexican Food
842 Fredericksburg Rd
From Yelp: "Place deserves five stars based solely on the brisket tacos (with guacamole) and the potato and egg taco. The other stuff on the menu is pretty awesome too, by the way."
This place makes legendary tacos in San Antonio. Good thing the I-10 takes you directly there.
Seguin: Tavern On the Creek
320 West Nolte St
From Yelp: "I'm a huge fan of restaurants that focus on locally sourced food. I love that Tavern tells you what farms, ranches, dairies produce the food the cook. The tomato basil soup was perfectly flavored and so fresh it tasted like a vine picked summer tomato."
With beautiful scenery and local fare, what more could you ask for during a pit stop on an I-10 road trip?
Luling: City Market
633 E Davis St
From Yelp: ""The walk-in smoke room is legend and is something every Texan should experience at least once in their life."
If simple small town bbq in mass quantities is your thing, this is a can't-miss restaurant. Even Condé Nast thinks so.
Katy: The Original Marini's Empanada House
3522 S Mason Rd
From Yelp: "Summary- Great empanadas made fresh."
With traditional and inventive varieties that are so good, you may have to get some to go for snack later.
Houston: Goode Barbecue Company
8911 Katy Fwy
From Yelp: "We always love eating here. They have a great patio and some inside seating as well. My husband's favorite is the turkey sandwich in the jalapeño bread. I like the stuffed potato. They have wonderful sides and the best desserts around!"
Making meat-loving Texans seek out vegetarian food is quite a feat. Oxheart has managed it, and you'll have to taste it to find out why.
Beaumont: Floyd's Cajun Seafood and Texas Steakhouse
2290 Interstate 10 S
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJLDGOGgGvQ/?tagged=floydscajunseafoodandsteakhouse
From Yelp: "Up next was the crab bisque and it was to die for, I mean give me a gallon bucket and a straw, make your tongue slap your face kinda good!"
You just wouldn't expect Cajun food west of the Louisiana border to be this good.
