Travel Texas ~ Spring, Texas

 

One might not think of Spring, Texas as a destination in itself, but Old Town Spring is a great stop to make when you're down south near Houston. We happened to have a couple of days to visit with our oldest, and I found a perfectly located bed and breakfast in Old Town Spring.

The August Inn is conveniently located right at the edge of the winding roads of Old Town Spring. With easy direct booking and being walking distance from all the shops and dining, August Inn is your perfect choice for overnight accommodations. They currently offer four rooms, all downstairs, with open space for guests to relax with a book or do a little work while visiting. Breakfast is typically served at 9:30 a.m., which depending on your schedule can work out well or seem a little late, the majority of the shops don't open until 11 a.m. or later. If you're having a casual vacation and not on a work schedule, breakfast that late might work out just fine. Our room was a lovely king room with a walk-in shower and lovely shades of blue throughout. The inn is located right next to the railroad tracks, so if you're a light sleeper, they provide earplugs to help with noise reduction. Little touches like that make each visit special.

Old Town Spring is a little village filled with everything from tiny buildings to old historic ones. Restaurants, bars, shops, and candy stores line the streets, the only thing missing seemed to be a bookshop. Quite a few of the buildings looked like they had been there for years, while others looked like outbuildings built to fit the space. Since it's summer and hot, the reprieve of walking into an air-conditioned space was lovely.

Dinner our first night was at a tapas bar, Mesón Sommelier, with amazing food and wine. I feel like we ate their entire menu, but thankfully we did not. Good food and conversation flowed well all evening; the highlights were the Cod Croquettes and the Tarta de Chocolate. Nothing went unfinished, and we even had to ask for more bread to help soak up all the amazing sauces. The interior of the restaurant looked like an airplane, with seating by old plane doors, a raised dais, and lounge-style furniture. Customers can also sit and enjoy drinks at the bar. If you only eat once while in Old Town Spring, make this your place to stop.

We did not stay in Spring the entire time we were visiting our oldest. We also ventured over to St. Arnold Brewery. She prefers cider to beer and has enjoyed St. Arnold's ciders before, so when she found out about their operation located in Houston, she knew we'd want to visit. What a fantastic stop it was; our visit here did not disappoint. They have grown and adapted over the years and have expanded their tasting room. Once inside the main brewery, you'll find St. Arnold's has since created a porch-like atmosphere, with a large covered area filled with picnic tables and additional seating. When you visit, you can enjoy beer and cider along with a great brewery menu. We happened to be there at the right time to grab a quick tour after our meal. The tour was the perfect touch to end our evening at the brewery. It should be on your travel list if you're ever in the Houston area. The food was wonderful, and our tastings were delightful as well.

Even though we did not visit NASA or travel as far south as Galveston, we really enjoyed our trip south.  Between the small-town charm of Old Town Spring and a short drive into Houston for a stop at St. Arnold, this trip ended up being the perfect mix of slow mornings and good exploring. It's an easy weekend getaway, whether you're visiting family in the area or just looking for a low-key escape with great food, good drinks, and plenty of character. We're already looking forward to our next visit. 

Around Town ~ Ol' Mad

Change can sometimes be difficult to handle but it can also have many rewards.  The changes that have transpired over time at the old Ice House have been transformative.  From a fledgling brewery, creating and brewing a variety of beers to opening their doors to welcome food vendors.  The change has been a time of transition and so worth the wait.  

Ol’ Mad is a wonderful stop for anyone looking to experience food in a creative and tasteful way, for Sulphur Springs.  No one around town has the same menu and features that Ol’ Mad brings to the table.  With the use of as many local products as possible, sustainability and quality are at the top of the list for Chef John at Ol’ Mad.  John brings his culinary skills and creativity from the West Coast, to help challenge your pallet at every bite.

Ol’ Mad is currently located in the same building where Backstory Brewery found its start, at 211 Magnolia Street in Sulphur Springs, their location is primed and ready for the growth that the city has planned for downtown.  While they are closed on Monday and have only dinner service from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, you can find their doors fully open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, with brunch service on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Who could be sad about food now being offered at the brewery location, after all who doesn’t want a little bit to eat when consuming small batch beer.  Have you been wondering like I have where the name comes from, well we found out so that you could know.  Ol’ Mad, in Danish roughly means “Beer Food.” The restaurant is aptly named, since the main focus of the building is to still brew beer.

Since its inception, Backstory Brewery had the goal of reaching consumers beyond the county line, and so you can find their cans in select stores across North Texas.  Don’t forget you can still take home your favorite beer in a growler or if you happen to be out of town and want to share with your friends be sure to look for them at the store.  You never know what you might discover.  But while you dine be sure to grab a pint of your favorite or try one of their signature cocktails with your meal. 

Ol’ Mad is more than just a restaurant, they host and cater events on or off site.  I’ve even heard that the Freedom Ball will be held there in November.  I can’t wait to see what they serve up for their guests.  If you have a special occasion coming up and need some delicious and creative food, be sure to check out their menu to see what they can cook up for you.  

If you haven’t been in to try their food, be sure to do so soon.  We hope to stop in for brunch soon to experience a “brewery brunch”, and possibly a house made Bloody Mary.  You know the choices are good when the chef stated that he eats their burger almost everyday, so that has to be a top choice, as well as their short ribs or pork belly. 

Experience something new at Ol’ Mad and you just might find your next favorite place to eat in town.  The chairs have been upgraded and the atmosphere is perfect for gathering friends, or a quiet evening with your special someone.  We hope you give Ol’ Mad a try, you won’t be disappointed.