For the best bites in town, look no further than our ultimate guide to eating in historic Hico, Texas.
Whether you’re just passing through, or here for a weekend getaway, there are plenty of good food options in historic Hico, Texas. From a brisket sandwich on a homemade roll that had Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn raving. Or a burger that Texas Monthly called one of the best in the state. We walk you through our favorite bites in town, hope you’re hungry.
Two Clay Birds Farm & Garden Market
BEST BITE: Chicken Salad and Pimento Cheese Sandwich
Strolling through the doors at Two Clay Birds in Hico, Texas is like taking a step back in time. A time when people grew their own food, and relationships and community were made around the dinner table, eating good food and sipping on sweet tea. The owners, Kevin and Holly Stahnke, bake their own bread in-house, a rarity these days. In fact, they grow most of the produce for the restaurant and market in their family garden. But if they can’t grow it, they rely on local farmers to provide them with the freshest ingredients around. The Chicken Salad Pimento Cheese sandwich is a stand out here, but let’s be honest, everything is good. Made with homemade pecan sourdough loaf, the sandwich comes with chicken salad and pimento cheese, both of which are made in-house. Then the sandwich is grilled on the sandwich press, melting everything together nicely. The sandwich comes with a side and drink, too. Sides usually include the option of a salad made from fresh garden ingredients, or a homemade soup. And you can’t go wrong with the fresh brewed tea, or grab a specialty drink from the fridge. For something sweet, the homemade cinnamon rolls can’t be missed. On our most recent visit, they were serving a delicious sweet potato pound cake. After lunch, walk over to the garden market stocked with Texas honeys, organic teas, spices, all-natural soil supplements, and other nostalgic farm-to-table items.
- 708 2nd Street, Hico, TX 76457
- www.twoclaybirds.com
- 512-914-9406
Po Campo BBQ
BEST BITE: Smoked Turkey and Smoked Mac and Cheese
“The buns are made in house at @pocampobbq in Hico, and they’re like giant yeast rolls. They make any sandwich better. Solid BBQ across the board. Loved the smoked turkey.”
Daniel Vaughn
BBQ Editor, Texas Monthly
Po Campo BBQ in historic Hico, Texas is the real deal. From brisket, ribs, sausage and turkey to banana pudding and homemade buns. TexasMonthly BBQ editor Daniel Vaughn said this of Po Campo, “The buns are made in house at @pocampobbq in Hico, and they’re like giant yeast rolls. They make any sandwich better. Solid BBQ across the board. Loved the smoked turkey.”
That’s pretty high praise coming from one of Texas’ foremost BBQ experts. While we agree with his opinion, we also have to recommend the smoked mac n cheese, smoked over indirect heat in the off set smoker, making it creamy and smoky. They also offer crowd favorite specialty menu items like Breeto Pie—A Frito Pie with beans, chopped brisket, cheese, sour cream, bbq sauce, and jalapenos. Also on offer is a brisket stuffed baked potato, brisket nachos, and specialty menu items like Indian Fry Bread with brisket, queso, sour cream and jalapenos. And if you have room, don’t skip out on the homemade desserts, including peach or blueberry cobbler and banana pudding.
Read more about what Daniel Vaughn of Texas Monthly had to say about Po Campo BBQ.
- 610 N. 2nd Street, Hico, TX 76457
- www.pocampobbq.com
- 254-978-5007
Brisket Nachos
at Po Campo BBQ
Homemade Rolls
at Po Campo BBQ
Smoked Mac N Cheese
at Po Campo BBQ
Indian Fry Bread
at Po Campo BBQ
Pita Place Deli
BEST BITE: Philly Cheesesteak
With Homemade Desserts and lunch specials weekly, it’s hard to pick just one favorite bite from Pita Place Deli. Staple menu items include delicious burgers, sandwiches, and more. But if we have to pick just one, it would be the Philly Cheesesteak. With grilled peppers and onions, melty cheese, and perfectly seasoned beef, you just can’t go wrong!
- 600 N 2nd Street, Hico, TX 76457
- 254-796-9826
Giovanni’s Italian
BEST BITE: Florentine Pizza
“My husband & I stopped on our way from Austin to Dallas and were delighted! The food was amazing. We chose the eggplant rollatini and the pasta trio (lasagna, manicotti & cannelloni). The salad was fresh & the rolls were hot & crispy."
Kathryn
A Reviewer from Yelp
Grab some authentic Italian food at Giovanni’s with dishes including homemade pastas, pizza, subs, salads, and fresh baked rolls. Everything at Giovanni’s is worth a try, but we recommend the Florentine Pizza. Topped with freshly cut tomatoes, spinach and garlic, the Florentine is a great go-to pizza. The crispy crust, melty cheese and brightness from the tomato sauce and fresh spinach strike a perfect balance of textures and flavors. And if you’re in a hurry, swing through the drive-thru and take your order to-go.
Here’s what Kathryn from Yelp had to say, “My husband & I stopped on our way from Austin to Dallas and were delighted! The food was amazing. We chose the eggplant rollatini and the pasta trio (lasagna, manicotti & cannelloni). The salad was fresh & the rolls were hot & crispy.”
- 601 2nd Street, Hico, TX 76457
- 254-796-2160
Hico Popcorn Works
BEST BITE: Kettle Corn
“Cute quaint little charmer of a store. You feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. The popcorn is fresh and delicious. There’s also samples which is wonderful because there’s so many to choose from! I settled on the kettle corn & it didn’t disappoint!”
Kelly W.
A Reviewer from Trip Advisor
A walk through historic downtown Hico isn’t complete without a stop at Hico Popcorn Works. Family owned and operated, Hico Popcorn Works pops, flavors and cooks their delicious popcorn in house. Along with popcorn, they also make fudge, pecan pralines, pecan brittle, chocolate dipped pretzels, and other tasty treats. With a huge selection of flavors, you can pick a favorite at the sample station, but you really can’t go wrong. We recommend the Kettle corn, it’s salty, crunchy, savory and a little bit sweet.
One fan from Trip Advisor gave it 5 stars saying, “Cute quaint little charmer of a store. You feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. The popcorn is fresh and delicious. There’s also samples which is wonderful because there’s so many to choose from! I settled on the kettle corn & it didn’t disappoint!”
Koffee Kup Family Restaurant
BEST BITE: Jalapeño Cream Cheese Burger
“We gave the Koffee Kup a nod in our best small-town cafes roundup last December, and if you want to know the truth of it, this entire best burger story came about because we couldn’t stop thinking (or yammering on and on) about this incredible burger and needed an excuse to return to Hico and eat another one. Seriously. It’s that good.”
Texas Monthly
From the August 2009 Article
“The 50 Greatest Hamburgers in Texas”
Most people come to the Koffee Kup Family Restaurant for the pie, and rightfully so. The Koffee Kup has over 16 flavors of handmade pie made fresh daily in their own kitchen. Baking is a specialty at the Koffee Kup. Donuts and breads are customer favorites, but it’s the pies that get people talking. The Koffee Kup offers everything from Coconut and Peanut Butter with tall Meringue to Black Forest and Banana Blueberry.
Although the pie gets most people in the door, it’s this specialty burger that has our vote for best bite. Order what Texas Monthly calls the No. 41 Best Burger in the State, The Jalapeño Cream Cheese Burger.
Here’s what Texas Monthly had to say about the burger. “We gave the Koffee Kup a nod in our best small-town cafes roundup last December, and if you want to know the truth of it, this entire best burger story came about because we couldn’t stop thinking (or yammering on and on) about this incredible burger and needed an excuse to return to Hico and eat another one. Seriously. It’s that good.” If that doesn’t get you to the Koffee Kup, I don’t know what will.
