Baxters On Main

We had Valentine’s Day reservations for Piney Creek Chophouse, but their menu was «limited» for the special night, so we couldn’t get the sushi or other food we wanted, plus they were not accepting any substitutions for the already limited selection on the menu.
Baxter’s, on the other hand, took us in, and even with the large crowd for the special occasion, their large facility and friendly staff were able to seat us within 20 minutes with no reservation.
The atmosphere was elegant and romantic, but not too dim. They had an old couple playing blues covers on piano.
The food was good, great crab cake, gf loved the seared tuna salad.

I must give the staff props, I don’t remember the name of the hostess who worked on 2÷13÷16 but she was wonderful, and made my night. My boyfriend had made reservations at Piney Creek Chop House but we gave up our rez after taking a look at their menu, which was very limited due to Valentine’s day and no substitutions were allowed. We walked in to Baxter’s on Main on and even without a reservation the hostess worked quickly and said she could squeeze us in. We ended up in the bar area with which had a lovely view of Main Street. I opted for the seared tuna salad which was amazing, fresh and delicate fish. My boyfriend had the salmon, green chili yams (I didn’t care for them, but I don’t generally like yams) and the garlic green beans. Overall I had a wonderful experience and would recommend to my friends.

Stopped here with our bus full of people and was very impressed. The staff went out of their way to accommodate us and the food was great! The backed potato chicken soup was awesome.

I was a weekly Baxter’s patron for years, however it went downhill for a bit there. Went a couple weeks ago and the food is really good again! The server was a bit chatty but he was very good! Will definitely come back more often. The baked potatoes are sooo well done, the bread is good and real butter! Yes, the atmosphere is lovely and the menu is solid favorites for meat eaters. Nice.

We had been to Baxters frequently in the past, but our latest excursion this holiday season was less than stellar.
The quality of the food saved the evening.
Gone were the white table cloths and excellent service. Tired looking tables and having to ask for refills.
It will be a long time before I am convinced to go back.
When we arrived and granted, we were early, the table was not ready and that is understandable, so we go to the bar for a drink.
Upon leaving we were tracked down for the bar tab, in front of a crowded venue. So I go over to the bar to settle up and ask them why it was not added to the check. No answer.
In summation, it does not matter if you have the best food on the planet, if you have shoddy service, inane processes in place for your bar, patrons will not return.

Overall Baxter’s does pretty good. I had a ribeye, baked potato, some green beans and some squash. Pretty straightforward, pretty simple and done properly. Everyone at the table was quite happy, the waitress was classy and intelligent and engaging. That was nice. We came at the right time had a little bit of live music, and great conversation with great friends. The baked potato was a little special it had some parmesan I believe and some salt added on the outside and it gave a crunch to the skin that was quite nice. I’d go back to Baxters and try some more things on the menu. Baxter’s is a wonderful part of downtown. Thanks Baxters

Ate dinner her twice. First night, my wife had their house salad with fried chicken strips. I had the Fried Chicken dinner. There was a good amount of chicken strips for the salad and I had a smaller version of the dinner and it was more than enough. The chicken is breaded with panko crust and it’s very crunchy and crispy without feeling greasy, floury, and heavy. The sides were mashed potatoes and green beans. The green beans were blanched and then sauteed in a pan with garlic. A little under done for me, but they were still good. All in all, a good meal. The second night we both had salads. My wife again had the chicken strips. I had the grilled Salmon salad. The Salmon was cooked just right, I was worried it was going to be too well done but it was perfect. The only complaint, since it is just a salad was that the greens were quite large and hard to get on a fork without doing a bunch of cutting with a knife… a pet peeve of mine, but it was still good. I had a balsamic vinaigrette.

Thanksgiving is coming up and I have already made my reservations! I remember when I figured out they were open on Thanksgiving the owner was like, «well, not everyone cooks!» That’s right! She’s right and it dawned on me – I don’t HAVE TO COOK! We were here last year on Thanksgiving and had the most wonderful time. Ever since my Grandma died in 2006, my family hasn’t been able to get our Thanksgiving @hit together, you know. It’s a very upscale way to celebrate family with my relatives. The Chef really knows his southern style Thanksgiving dinner. The cornbread stuffing (which my Grandma was famous for) made me cry, it was so delicious. It’s a banquet style, «get up and get your own dinner», but still. We tipped generously and loved that the servers were willing to be present on such a wonderful holiday. Can’t wait for this year! So excited!

What a great place. Food was very tasty and the wait staff was super friendly. I liked eating in an old slaughter house. Our waitress gave us a brief history of the place pointing out the oddities of the restaurant that dates back to its former business. We had six in our party and everyone really liked their meal, but this would be a great romantic date place as well with little cubby holes with tables for two. I was happy with the blackened catfish with a side of green beans and squash. Others at our table had prime rib and chicken piccata and everyone was pleased with the food quality.

This would have been a five star review, but.
Recently the menu has changed, and not for the better.
They removed two of the best menu items that were pretty much unique and set them apart from the other restaurants in town. They had an awesome Voodoo Catfish — a spicy crawfish sauce on top of a blackened catfish filet that was to die for!!!
They also had a crab cake sandwich for lunch that was super delicious! and it was one of the only two places you could get crabcake in town (The other being Piney Creek Chop house which is only open after 5 P.M.)
Upon seeing this, i thought hey, maybe the chicken fried steak will be as good as some of the other menu items I’ve had here!
«One chicken fried steak please with the grean beans and green chile sweet potatoes»
«Oh we don’t serve the green chili sweet potatoes any longer»
«Ah, okay, let me get the (Oh look three of six different sides are potato options, how diverse)… lemon scented rice pilaf…»
The chicken fried steak was easily among the worst i have ever had. Upon trying to cut into my steak, the tough meat disk shed it’s entire dry and and flavorless husk of crust. The gravy on this steak couldn’t have been more bland if it was served in a school cafeteria. I envied the people who were at home eating TV dinner chicken fried steaks. I don’t know if they seasoned the meat prior to breading, what I do know is that it tasted as though it had absorbed all the wayward odors of whatever refrigerator it had been sitting in.
As for the pilaf, any hint of lemon that may have been present was overpowered by pure salt flavor.
The glasses are smaller now and they seem to have taken on some new waitstaff, which they apparently have trained to wait 30 minutes after you have last touched your food to come ask about a check.
I used to come here about once a week for lunch =(

Everything is fresh and the value is there. Fine dinning for less. Next time in Bastrop we will eat there again. Full bar and located in an old downtime Bastrop. Close to the movie theater for date night.

Lunch time on this drive around the area with our son and his girl-​friend. From out of state, we do have family history in the area. Our walk around downtown led us to Baxters (on Main, obviously). I had this place bookmarked before we left for this day trip. I love the old buildings and the brick’ lends to the historic nature of this downtown strip.
Blackened Catfish taco’s for her, the Baxters Burger for my son (with feta and can see that my kid is growing up. at 26), the other she had a salad, and I went for the healthiest item on the menu. the Reuben with Fries. While I can’t comment on the others experience, I can say that each cleaned their plate. which would seem to indicate that they were pleased.
The reuben with sauerkraut, a bleu cheese sauce, swiss, on marble rye. The flavors were fabulous and that the blue cheese sauce did not overwhelm the flavors of the rye or corned beef … well complimented. My only issue would be that the bread (toasted) was a bit thin and made for a floppy sandwich; I chose to use a knife and fork.
Our server (a 5yr resident of Bastrop) was very friendly and offered his fun insight into the town and it’s culture (from his perspective), and provided a great lunch experience.

Small selection but the food was excellent. Portions are realistic. I would definitely be coming back next time I’m in Bastrop for work.

Had a great Valentines Dinner! Ordered the escargot stuffed mushrooms and they were delicious! Hubby had the ribeye and asparagus, it had great flavor and was cooked to perfection. He normally puts A1 on everything and said it didn’t even need it. I ordered the chicken Oscar … So so good… The was a ton of crab meat in the bernaise and it was just the right creaminess! So
So good (it’s not a regular menu item, but it should be)! This was our first time here and will def be returning!

I think after a few more visits that they’ve earned another star. Not only are they accommodating about the baby they’re downright awesome about him. I’ve had two more «date nights» at Baxter’s and they’ve both been spectacular. I highly recommend the prime rib — even my mom was close to tears about how good it was. Oh, and if you love crème brûlée stay for dessert because theirs is just spectacular. I can’t recommend this place enough and it’s a total gem in such a small town.

Peppermint Cheesecake
Balsamic Reduction on Lamb …
Ok, I’m getting ahead of myself here.
Baxters on Main is a place with a very strong personality.
It combines a wonderful people buzz with an in your face commitment to Bastrop style.
Never mind all of the tourism promotion that the Bastrop Town Fathers are pushing to sell downtown.
This is a place for locals.
There are lots of people in the bar — generally Bastropians ranging from folks in their 30s to bluehairs. They stay there all night; Baxters is home for them.
The staff are as nice — and as skilled — as they can possibly be. Service is as unobtrusive, anticipatory and helpful as the service at a five-​star restaurant…
Only this is Grama and Auntie Ella that are taking care of you.
The décor is like Main Street in Bastrop taken to the Nth degree. Texan traditional in spades. Sepia floral prints. Earthtone plasters with carmine wall accents. Bronze Lone Stars on the walls of the bathroom. Watercolor landscapes. Copper and gold braid tassels.
It feels like you are eating dinner in the Louis Shanks showroom.
How is the food?
50% wonderful treats 50% unimpressive upscale.
The menu is limited.
(It has to be if they only do a small volume every night and don’t want to throw everything out.)
They present their food vertically with swirls of color to make it look fancy.
Asparagus, and the vaunted rack of lamb did not have all that much flavor.
The hot rolls were delightful.
The balsamic reduction that came WITH the lamb was to die for.
My mashed potatoes found godhood soaking up the lamb juices with the balsalmic sauce.
The peppermint cheesecake was one of the most interesting desserts I have had in ages. A crème-​brulee style crust on the top. A flavor overwhelmingly of mint and not of creamcheese per se.
Not at all super-​rich (which is the right call if the dessert is mint.)
I was a very happy camper eating THAT one.
So between soaking up the sauce with my mashed potatoes —
and having dessert —
and a nice drink —
and sitting in a pretty place with nice people —
I had a wonderful time.
So this place has its charms
even if the chefs at the Ou-​La-​La Academie de Cuisine might complain about this or about that.

The salad bar was a perfect idea for us on the road! My Realator told me about this place. My husband loved the burger. The seafood chowder to die for. But what was amazing was the service. The gal was so awesome, messing with my hubby and just making our visit great. She told us about the Prime Rib on Fridays, so before we left town we went back. It was amazing!
The best prt was the Crème brûlée!!! Omg! My daughter makes her own and orders it where ever she can find it. I call her the CB critic. Well, this one wins!!!
We found a house in Elgin, so we will be moving to Texas soon, be sure we will return and with friends and family that come to visit.

Baxters always caters for our military functions. I have utilized her services so many times now I have lost count. Terri is the sweetest most caring contractor that we have used to date.
Terri ’ s food speaks for itself. Her portions are largest enough for the Army Soldiers after a long day in the field or on ranges. She always has a salad with add ons, multiple drink options, and desserts to choose from. He food comes from her restaurant so it’s the same.
I would recommend Baxters if you are in Bastrop, around Bastrop, or just passing through. Just a minute off of 71. Worth it.

I wasn’t totally impressed with the experience mainly because I found the menu void of vegetarian friendly options. I expect this from a small town but it’s 2014.
Service was ok, but on the slow side. There wasn’t a huge crowd but there was plenty of staff so I couldn’t understand the hold up.
The food was decent, nothing to write home about. We had dessert which the waiter made us believe would cause a mouthgasm. Not so much. If I’m back in the area, I’d go with a different restaurant.

Located just about 30 – 40 minutes outside of Austin is this restaurant on the quaint historic main street of Bastrop. The restaurant is spacious on the inside and has a homey rustic feel. There is a separate bar in the front (loved the historic pop corn machine which seemed to be a local favorite) which you walk through to get to the restaurant at the back. The service was extremely friendly and helpful.
The menu was diverse, a little bit of something for everyone. I had the burger without a bun with some fries. My friend had the firecracker salmon, which has been a unchanged menu favorite for over 11 yrs. My other friends had the crab cake and some onion soup.
We all started with some of the shrimp, which were OK, nothing special. We took bites of each others food, and the onion soup was incredible. It wasn’t just flavorless broth, it was full of tasty grilled onions. The crab cakes were also surprisingly moist and delicious, the bun was just a bit overpowering so they just set those to the side. The size of the crab cake was very generous. My burger was probably my least favorite option on the table. The hand cut fries were good, but just a bit too limp.
Hands down the winner of the night was the firecracker salmon. It was cooked pink to perfection, moist, not dry. Underneath was a yummy cheese sauce.