Kicking Up Our Heels At Hill Top Cafe

The last night we were in Fredericksburg we went to the Big Band

Bash at the Hill Top Cafe.  Hill Top is "inconveniently located in the
middle of nowhere".  I do believe that quote is attributed to it's owner
Johnny Nicholas and his wife Brenda.

Actually, Hill Top is only about 10 miles north of Fredericksburg on

route 87.  It's well worth the  drive for the food, the music and the

eclectic ambience.  Hill Top has been wowing it's patrons since 

1980 with their mix of greek, cajun and Texas cuisine.  The pies

are legendary.  I had the warm blackberry cobbler with a scoop of

Blue Bell vanilla ice cream.  Heaven on a plate!  This little vintage

former gas station turned cafe has received accolades from Zagat,

Texas Monthly and Southern Living.  

 I knew we had to visit this cafe while in Fredericksburg and

we timed it just right because the last night of our stay was the

first night of the Big Band Bash to raise money for college 

scholarships for Fredericksburg performing arts students and to help

them buy band instruments and funding to attend workshops.  So

we drove up the day before and reserved our table.

source

Now Johnny was a member of Asleep at the Wheel, so we knew we

were in for a treat.  He joined the group in 1978, but in 1980 he and

his wife Brenda packed up and bought an old gas station, turned it into

a family business and raised three sons.  So for thirty four years they

have cooked and performed for many happy customers in their 

charming restaurant filled with memorabilia.

Click on the clip below to hear Johnny sing 

John the Revelator.

As a girl who was born and raised just outside of Chicago,

I must tell you that the Blues live in my soul, so Johnny's music

is an elixir for me.  Y'all remember the movie the Blues Brothers?

I have watched that movie so often I know every line, every song.

I used to have an enormous crush on John Belushi.  Not everyone's

heart throb, but he was mine.  That's a story for a whole other 

blog post ;-)

Oh, and for those of you unfamiliar with Asleep at the Wheel,

here is a youtube clip to put you up to speed:

Of course y'all know that Austin has a huge music

scene, so from time to time expect me to put y'all in

the picture.  

Well, getting back to the Big Band Bash, there was a 

surprise guest of the evening ~ and it was Augie Meyers

from The Texas Tornados.  Don't worry, I did not know 

who he was either.  However, he gave us a great show and

had me tapping my cowgirl boots heels and clapping my

hands in no time.  Here is one of his hits ~

Hey Baby Que Paso

I do believe that music is the universal language and

has the ability to improve our spirit.  I know this for sure

because of my own family history.  My Mom's daddy was

named John.  Sadly, I never knew him because he died 

long before I was born.  John was gifted with the ability to

play any kind of instrument.  He played the piano and the 

violin with such passion he could bring a room full of people 

to tears.  At least that's the story.  Well his own mom (she

would be my maternal great grandmother) was quite a diva.

There were times when she would "take to her bed" and 

summon the whole family to have one last visit.  Then she

would say "Johnny, play something for your dear Mama".

Well, John knew his mama quite well and had the solution 

to her hypochondria.  He would obey her dying wish, but 

instead of playing something somber, he would start playing

something really lively because he knew she would be up

and out of bed dancing in not time.  Apparently it worked

every time!

It sure was a fun evening.  I listened to some performers I never

heard before and widened my music knowledge.  I hope y'all

have a fun weekend.  Do something you have never done before

or try a different restaurant or just hang out at home and play

your favorite music.  The important message here is to take

some time to have some fun!

Say G'Day

And if you should be in the Texas Hill Country some day

soon and are anywhere near Fredericksburg, check out 

Johnny and Brenda's cafe.  Here is the link:

Hill Top Cafe

Have the gumbo it was delicious and the Greek chicken too

and don't forget the pie!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley