2025-8-13 Dinner at The 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera TX

 This was a very busy day and we weren't done yet. We were off to the 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera. 

Every Wednesday they have an event where you bring your own meat, whatever kind you want. You buy a "set-up" from them which includes a huge baked potato with all the trimmings, a garden salad, a roll, and the plastic silverware. 

First we poked our heads into the main bar because Carolyn wanted to take some photos.

Then we went down to the next entrance which leads to the open area where the cooking and dancing occurs.

We made reservations the day before and came early as the later evening looked like a storm. So that's why things look a little empty here.

You can see why we were a little concerned about getting rained out.

First we found our reserved table which was right near the secondary stage. The band usually sets up on a big stage which is open to the elements but they decided to play it safe too.

They set up several huge charcoal grills and fire them up early. The look on my face is from the heat! They also have all the different seasonings that are popular as well as the tools to do the cooking. You cook your own.

This was right after we put our steaks on the grill. The guy to my right was cooking appetizers for his group first. Then he put the steaks on. Others also had pork chops, sausage, or chicken. No burgers as they would have fallen through the bars. Can you see the steak on the top left? It's called a tomahawk and was about 2 1/2 inches thick as well as huge.

Carolyn posed......I cooked! She also took pictures.

As you can see, we actually needed a second plate for the steaks! It was all delicious.

The band was very good and played a wide variety of music.

We figured we were very lucky our table was under cover as the sky kept getting blacker.

There was also a bar where you could order drinks in here. People bring their kids and the atmosphere is family oriented in case you wondered.

We had a great time. The food was wonderful. The band very good. If you are ever in Bandera on a Wednesday evening, you won't want to miss this. I have been there with two other groups and it's a fun time. And......we managed to get through the evening with only a few sprinkles although we could hear thunder when the band took a break.

Roses at the Bandera Rally

It's always fun heading out to a rally.....at least when the packing is done. And then picking up some last minute groceries and meeting up to head out.  My friend Mary Jane and I caravanned up to Bandera TX on Wednesday and got settled into our spots at Skyline Ranch RV Park.

The rally actually didn't start on Wednesday but some of us just like to get there early and stay as long as we can. Plus, we planned an evening at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar. On Wednesdays,, they fire up huge round grills filled with charcoal. You bring whatever kind of meet you want to grill and buy a side setup (baked potato, salad, roll) from them. It's a very popular event with winter Texans and RV groups. In addition to pickups, cars, and motorcycles, it is not at all unusual to see horses tied to the rails out front.

 We had quite a group of women having all kinds of fun there.

They had a great band. It's all outside so it got more crowded as it got a little cooler.

Thursday, we headed over to Camp Verde General Store for lunch.

Originally established in 1857, The store was first established  to offer goods and services to the soldiers stationed at Fort Verde which was a mile to the west. By the time the US Army closed the fort, the store and post office was a vital part of the community of pioneer ranchers in the area.

The great camel experiment began in 1854 when Secretary of War Jefferson Davis petitioned Congress for $30,000 to obtain camels for the Army for supply transport. 20 camels and 4 drivers were secured from Egypt. They arrived in late August 1856 with 40 more arriving the following spring. The fort was captured by the Confederacy in 1861 and recaptured by the Union in 1865. By then there were over 100 camels. The fort was deactivated in 1869 ending the great experiment and word is the camels were turned loose.

All I can say is that the Monte Cristo sandwich and homemade chips Mary Jane and I shared was huge and delicious. Brenda has the Pecan Cobbler...….scrumptious.

I can also vouch for the Peach Cobbler Mary Jane and I shared.  Sharing is good! Notice the chocolate camel décor on the desserts?

Sometimes a power failure at your site will make you move.....not a big deal when you have Roses to help you.

Saturday was a time of kayaking for some of the group. 

 

There was even a bunch of cowgirls during this rally.

Olivia is an intrepid fisherwoman.

About four rigs were christened by our president and the rest of the Roses.

We took time for the group photo. and after a fantastic potluck with tacos provided by the hosts and tons of sides by everyone else, we played a rousing game of Cowgirl Jeopardy. Unfortunately......no pictures of this fun event.

A few of the women left Sunday morning after a Hitchup breakfast but most of us just went and sat in the river. No better way to cool off on a hot Texas Spring day.

This really was a fantastic rally!

A Walking Tour of Bandera, TX, Dinner at O.S.T

Some of us went on a walking tour of Bandera on Friday afternoon.  Just stop in at the Visitor's Center and they will give you a map for the self-guided walking tour.  This is the 11th Street Cowboy Bar again where we cooked dinner on Wednesday night. The entrance to the semi-inside bar is on the far right but they can also open the entrance in the other building when they have big crowds.

You just never know what you will see in Bandera.  Looks like customers were enjoying the bar on Friday afternoon.

A typical Texas Hill Country style of house.

Next stop was the gothic style St Stanislaus Church which was built in 1876.

It doesn't matter what your religious preferences are, this church is a work of art.

We saw this huge rocking horse on a nearby porch so we had to get a picture.

The Methodist Church is a completely different style.

The Carmichael Mansion was built in 1890 by H.H. Carmichael.  It was actually started in Medina TX but an Indian raid so disturbed his wife that he moved it down river to Bandera.

And then there is the Bandera Courthouse built in 1890.  Courthouses are special buildings in Texas.

Closeup of the art in front of the Courthouse.

The courtyard in the Western Heritage Park shows the route of the Western Cattle Drive.

You can also take a close look at a lot of famous brands.

This was only a small portion of the sites we saw on the walking tour.  Friday night, we headed to the Old Spanish Trail (OST) restaurant.  They didn't have a buffet the night we were there but the covered wagon contained the salad bar.

The food was great.  They are well known for their Mexican food.

And their delicious chicken fried steak.

Chris and Gloria hopped on the saddles at the bar for a photo op.

We were full and tired when we headed back out to the Skyline Ranch RV Park.