Blanco Road Bar & Grill: scenic family fun

You ever get a hankering to get out there in the beautiful Texas Hill Country for a refreshing break from the inner city routine?

Some place where the natural surroundings are lovely and scenic, the mood relaxed and the people are old-fashioned Texas friendly?

Well, we got just the prescription and it's the new Blanco Road Bar & Grill in nearby Bulverde.

It's about 20 minutes north of downtown San Antonio but believe us, that is part of the charm. We highly suggest you go this route - take 281 North., left on Borgfield Rd., west to Blanco Rd., north to Bulverde.

As you and your party snake through the rolling hills with the tall mesquite, pine and oak trees, drive slowly and enjoy the view. You'll pass picturesque houses, tree-lined valleys, rustic ranches, the occasional horses and cattle herds, and other idyllic rural scenes.

You'll probably wonder why the heck you don't get out here and enjoy this natural Texas beauty more often.

With the same ol' same ol' of the big city behind you, this is the time to enjoy the magic and mystery of the Texas Hill Country.

The bar/restaurant is big, rustic, and nicely nestled in the romantic Texas Hill Country.

Some folks may recognize the place - for 17 years it was the old John Avila's J&L Country Store. Entrepreneur Bill Bassuk took it over in April and in keeping with his goal of establishing a more family-oriented fun place, he's made some improvements to the 4,500 square feet building. He's build a medium size dancehall and he says he will add on a picnic and children's games area in the back.

You can order breakfast tacos or salads, burgers and chicken fried steaks for lunch or dinner. Appetizers also available in the bar after the grill shuts down.

Happy hour offers the usual array. There's a wide array of domestic and imported beer and wines with more beer import choices to come shortly. Setups available.

Fun stuff includes a cool jukebox, video games, karaoke machine, four TVs, two pool tables, a dart game.

Besides the jukebox, the venue schedules a wide diversity of live Americana/country/Texas music bands. Example: Texas Scratch Band, Bobby Joe Harlow, Larry Sweeney, Mike Clancy, Slim Roberts and the Tx Weather Band, Deano & the Housejacks and Moreno Boys.

The clientele varies by time of day and day of the week. Working types and family at lunch and dinner. Rancheros, bikers, construction workers and office types for the after work happy hours. Late night folks include university students, singles, and party type.

Bottom line:

Just the drive through the scenic Hill Country is enough to get you in a good mood. The Blanco Road Bar & Grill is an original, rustic Texas jewel. It's a family restaurant, Texas roadhouse and dancehall all rolled into one. Like the Floore Country Store, Gruene Hall, and the Hanging Tree Saloon, the Blanco Road B&G is an authentic part of Central Texas's beauty and charm.

Details:

Blanco Road Bar & Grill, (830) 980-7427. 30690 Blanco Rd. Bulverde. http://www.blancoroadbarandgrill.com/

Open: 8 a.m.-midnight M-F; 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Sat; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Su. Grill: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. M-Thu; 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Su.