Day Trips: Grand Central Cafe, Kingsland
Cafe from classic horror film still killin' it
By Gerald E. McLeod, Fri., Feb. 6, 2015
Grand Central Cafe in Kingsland has a serious past. The former farmhouse had a starring role in the classic slasher film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Refusing to be pigeon-holed as a character actor, the building has been reinvented as a fine-dining establishment.
Menu items at the cafe cover such a broad spectrum that everyone can find something to their liking. According to our server, the steaks are the most popular, but the chicken and shrimp dishes are high on the favorites list. We weren't disappointed. The wine and beer list could include more local labels, but it's a good selection and no one needs to go away thirsty.
Decorated in a railroad theme, the cafe gives only a brief nod to the horror film with T-shirts for sale. The staircase looks like it did in the movie, but grandpa's room upstairs is now the cozy Club Car Lounge.
Even with a restoration, the house is instantly recognizable as the star of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Owners of the Antlers Hotel moved the house to the property in 1998 from its original location near Round Rock. MM Pack captured the history of the old farmhouse for the movie's 30th anniversary at austinchronicle.com/food/2003-10-31/184100.
Grand Central Cafe, 1010 King Court, is right off FM 1431 in Kingsland. The cafe opens Wednesday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch from 8am to 2pm, and for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9pm. For information, call 325/388-6022 or go to www.kingslandgrandcentral.com.
1,228th a series. Collect them all. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips," is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.
