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Featured Replies

Looks like with my new role at my job, I'll be driving from Dallas to Houston and back 2-3 a month. Anything outside of DFW and Metro Houston worth stopping for? Food specifically, but I will probably need some places to stop just to stretch or walk or something.

There is a pretty good place to buy homemade pickles and other pickled items.  You could stretch and walk around whilst looking at pickled items, probably various jerkies as well.  I don't remember where, though. 

5 hours ago, Jameslaw121 said:

Looks like with my new role at my job, I'll be driving from Dallas to Houston and back 2-3 a month. Anything outside of DFW and Metro Houston worth stopping for? Food specifically, but I will probably need some places to stop just to stretch or walk or something.

It’s a 4 hour drive, and there’s not shit around the midpoint. I’d drive straight thru. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but it is what it is. 

Find a sleezy bar and get yourself a nice looking side piece. I hear about this a lot in old trucker songs.

That drive sucks. Sorry
Hope for the bullet train

5 minutes ago, Updawg said:

That drive sucks. Sorry
Hope for the bullet train

 

avoid the woodlands / conroe traffic

buy a very good radar detector 

The rest area in Madison County is better than most. There is a walking trail around the pond on each side of the road.  That in and of itself may not be noteworthy, but if you're ever that kind of tired or need a wake up...

My only recommendation of eatery, because it's not your run of the mill joint, is Farmhouse, just south of the courthouse in Huntsville.  It looks like a dump outside, but the meals are great southern style home cooking.  The desserts are worthy of a try. The first time I went, I thought to myself, "I ain't going in there..." but it was highly recommended from a couple of friends.
https://farmhousecafetexas.com/menu/

Made this drive a bazillion times.  There ain't much of note that's on it.

Edited by Iceman

I’ve been making this drive 2 to 3 times a month for a very long time.

On my way up it’s usually just Schlotzky’s in Huntsville.  But if I leave early enough, and I’m feeling breakfast-y, I’ll go to the Black Walnut Cafe (at the Conroe Airport)

www.blackwalnutcafe.com
 

On my way back I usually always stop at Farmhouse Cafe.  And I get the catfish almost every time.  If I have time after that I’ll head over to the antique stores and look for records.

IMG_0320.jpeg
 

Sometimes I’ll take the back way through Groesbeck, Hearne, etc.

Edited by Rip76

Probably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in person in my life was behind the counter in the DQ in Buffalo.  I actually stopped within 6 feet of the counter and did a 360 looking for the cameras-nope.  Early evening shift, but it was 30 years ago.  About 18, nearly 6 foot tall, and pure Miss America quality.  Good luck with your miserable commutes. 

I haven't been there in a while but the answer used to be Woody's in Centerville 

I used to drive it often.  If you are close enough to downtown in Houston and close enough to Love field in Dallas, Von Lane is a very nice option.

11 hours ago, msbesq said:

Woody’s has excellent beef jerky

1 hour ago, Bill Brasky said:

I haven't been there in a while but the answer used to be Woody's in Centerville 

That's it.  Beef jerky and pickled stuff.

Jerry is totally correct.

Their food is not good.  It is bland af, and the BBQ sauce is terrible.

There's a Texas Burger in almost every major town on that drive, but I can't really recommend it any longer-- last few times it was pretty terrible. I think they merged with Subway and it all went to shit.

22 hours ago, Jameslaw121 said:

Looks like with my new role at my job, I'll be driving from Dallas to Houston and back 2-3 a month. Anything outside of DFW and Metro Houston worth stopping for? Food specifically, but I will probably need some places to stop just to stretch or walk or something.

Driving Between Houston and Dallas - Don't Do It. 

Had to make that drive quite often, especially when I lived in Dallas. I’m a get in the car and go person, I don’t like to stop. If I needed gas, I would stop in Ennis, Centerville, or Madisonville because they are easy on/easy off with things right on 45. Gas/Whataburger in Ennis, aforementioned Woody’s in Centerville, and gas/Buc-ee’s in Madisonville. Good luck with the commute.

16 hours ago, Iceman said:

The rest area in Madison County is better than most. There is a walking trail around the pond on each side of the road.  That in and of itself may not be noteworthy, but if you're ever that kind of tired or need a wake up...

My only recommendation of eatery, because it's not your run of the mill joint, is Farmhouse, just south of the courthouse in Huntsville.  It looks like a dump outside, but the meals are great southern style home cooking.  The desserts are worthy of a try. The first time I went, I thought to myself, "I ain't going in there..." but it was highly recommended from a couple of friends.
https://farmhousecafetexas.com/menu/

Made this drive a bazillion times.  There ain't much of note that's on it.

Agree with the take on Farmhouse.   Really good home cooking.  

Woodys and thats about it. I hate that drive. I'm sorry 

12 hours ago, Rip76 said:

I’ve been making this drive 2 to 3 times a month for a very long time.

On my way up it’s usually just Schlotzky’s in Huntsville.  But if I leave early enough, and I’m feeling breakfast-y, I’ll go to the Black Walnut Cafe (at the Conroe Airport)

www.blackwalnutcafe.com
 

On my way back I usually always stop at Farmhouse Cafe.  And I get the catfish almost every time.  If I have time after that I’ll head over to the antique stores and look for records.

IMG_0320.jpeg
 

Sometimes I’ll take the back way through Groesbeck, Hearne, etc.

Those are some solid looking catfish filets.

Kolache Depot in Ennis makes a half assed kolache and pig in a blanket. As with many suggestions upthread, it’s only really worth stopping if you need gas or a bathroom break. 
 

Bush's in Fairfield is the only logical answer.  The Corsicana store is too far from I-45.  And nobody ever really need to go to Groesbeck.

Edited by DalTxHornFan

1 hour ago, DalTxHornFan said:

Bush's in Fairfield is the only logical answer.  The Corsicana store is too far from I-45.  And nobody ever really need to go to Groesbeck.

tender rolls with gravy go hard

I've only made that drive a few times.  If I had to make it for work, I would find a way to use Vonlane because fuck that drive.

20 minutes ago, PhillyD said:

I've only made that drive a few times.  If I had to make it for work, I would find a way to use Vonlane because fuck that drive.

Thanks Bobby. See you in the morning on C&F

18 hours ago, SydneyCarton said:

Driving Between Houston and Dallas - Don't Do It. 

Hey, that construction between Huntsville and Corsicana will be finished in, um, 2095? 

4 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Hey, that construction between Huntsville and Corsicana will be finished in, um, 2095? 

I don’t care if there’s zero construction and 8 lanes in each direction existing, it’ll still suck. 

On 9/9/2025 at 2:50 AM, Iceman said:

There is a walking trail around the pond on each side of the road. 

Just keep an eye on your dog. 

fred.gif.c7e46791d9cb721fef267587c41133ae.gif

18 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Hey, that construction between Huntsville and Corsicana will be finished in, um, 2095? 

from the Woodlands to Huntsville took 20 years...

  • Author

Well... This maybe the most accurate thread on Surly. There is not a god damn thing. Unless I stop and the Prison Museum. 

@Iceman Thanks for the heads up on the rest area. I think from now on, I'll just bring my dog and a couple of sandwiches and stop there. If anyone else knows a good park or something, I would like to stop and do a 2-3 mile run somewhere when the weather is nice.

On 9/10/2025 at 9:36 AM, Iceman said:

from the Woodlands to Huntsville took 20 years...

From downtown Houston to the seawall in Galveston, at least one mile of 45 has been under construction since it was named an Interstate.  In the 1960s.

also, who the fuck stops on this trip. foot on the gas and go !

1 hour ago, tx 3 putt said:

also, who the fuck stops on this trip. foot on the gas and go !

For those of us over 40, its not optional.  

Yeah, I can go 3 hours in a truck without taking a leak, but then you're in traffic.

No need to press the issue at all.

23 hours ago, Iceman said:

Yeah, I can go 3 hours in a truck without taking a leak, but then you're in traffic.

No need to press the issue at all.

Never pass up a chance to say to a friend or use the restroom.

On 9/10/2025 at 1:35 PM, next2naus said:

if there was a High Speed Rail option.....

Agree, I don’t get why Texas doesn’t do this.  Flying absolutely sucks these days as does driving due to construction, traffic congestion and/or accidents.  Fucking ridiculous.

Woody's >>>> Bucees. That Bucees in Madisonville is a fucking zoo 24/7. We don't bother any more. There's an identical Woody's on each side of the highway in Centerville, so it's easy no matter if you're going north or south.

The only other intel I have is that the peach place in Fairfield you see the signs for is bullshit. Basically a glorified gas station, not worth your time. We also ate at Sam's in Fairfield once and the food was trash and the place depressing.

On 9/13/2025 at 10:47 AM, Macanudo said:

From downtown Houston to the seawall in Galveston, at least one mile of 45 has been under construction since it was named an Interstate.  In the 1960s.

Death, taxes, and construction on the Gulf freeway 

11 hours ago, Horn80 said:

I don’t get why Texas doesn’t do this

You know exactly why....

State money for public transportation is socialism
O&G lobby runs the state
Anything that would be a net benefit for the two biggest cities in the state is immediately shut down by the Lege, because they hate the cities

Get yourself a bladder and hoof it - try to make it in 3.5 hours. Consider it a challenge!

  • Author
On 9/13/2025 at 2:16 PM, tx 3 putt said:

also, who the fuck stops on this trip. foot on the gas and go !

 

On 9/13/2025 at 9:43 PM, Iceman said:

Yeah, I can go 3 hours in a truck without taking a leak, but then you're in traffic.

No need to press the issue at all.

 

On 9/15/2025 at 9:18 AM, Shot Caller said:

Get yourself a bladder and hoof it - try to make it in 3.5 hours. Consider it a challenge!

Oh I can definitely make it there and back without any problems. I regularly have to drive to San Angelo, Amarillo, and Lubbock. But a couple of years ago, I realized that I didn't need to rush. I've lived in Texas virtually my whole life and haven't really spent much time seeing Texas rather than driving from point A to point B and back.

Last time I was in San Angelo, I detoured on my way back to go through Brownwood - which is kinda mine and @Knoxtnhorn home town.

Next time I'm in Amarillo, I'm going to take a couple of extra days and visit Palo Duro Canyon.

Want to do the same thing on this Drive, but apparently the State Prison Museum in the lone highlight of this drive....

 

 

Edited by Jameslaw121

7 minutes ago, Jameslaw121 said:

 

 

Oh I can definitely make it there and back without any problems. I regularly have to drive to San Angelo, Amarillo, and Lubbock. But a couple of years ago, I realized that I didn't need to rush. I've lived in Texas virtually my whole life and haven't really spent much time seeing Texas rather than driving from point A to point B and back.

Last time I was in San Angelo, I detoured on my back to go through Brownwood - which is kinda mine and @Knoxtnhorn home town.

Next time I'm in Amarillo, I'm going to take a couple of extra days and visit Palo Duro Canyon.

Want to do the same thing on this Drive, but apparently the State Prison Museum in the lone highlight of this drive....

 

 

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