Bandera Restaurants

When it was time to fill our stomachs, we headed to the understated OST restaurant with the faded sign jutting from the facade. OST stands for Old Spanish Trail. We found a large crowd waiting inside and instructions posted to "seat ourselves." We found the last table in the house, back in the second eating area. The tables and benches are as hearty as the food.

We bellied up to the all-you-can eat buffet, a steal of a price at $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for kids. Today the buffet offered frito pie, tacos, rice, beans, salad bar, fruit and banana pudding. The food was appetizing and satisfying. You can also order reasonably priced plates from the menu.

Saddle bar stools line one wall, tin ceilings and a gluttony of big-screen cowboy photos line the wood-paneled walls to round out the rustic atmosphere. We sat in the John Wayne corner trying to describe the legend to our kids -- finally we compared him to Indiana Jones and they understood immediately.

We topped off the meal across the street at the General Store with hand-dipped ice cream.

They also have malts, shakes, sundaes and a selection of candy.

Bar stools line the counter if you want to eat inside with the AC blowing.

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