Where else can you shoot pool while listening to a live practice jam session by a fiddle band playing Irish heritage music, in a Texas ice house bar that serves Chinese food?! At the Canyon Grill Ice House here in Dripping Springs, that’s where!
My delightful little visit on a Saturday afternoon to this Texas roadhouse started about two weeks prior, when I joined a billiards league in north Austin. That happened to be the same week I had a crew come out and pull the rails off my pool table and take the cushions away for repairs. Not great planning on my part. I hadn’t had a table to practice on since, and it showed in my league play performance.
Then I remembered there was a pool table at the nearby Canyon Grill Ice House on 290West. With hubby and the kids occupied elsewhere, I headed over for a practice session. What fun and unexpected circumstances awaited! Not only did I get in a productive two hours of practice time (my league teammates were thrilled!), I also got to enjoy listening to a talented band of fiddlers practice Irish heritage music – and – after pondering an extensive menu that included Chinese food – I enjoyed a Texas ice house cheeseburger that was really good!
To add to my fun, the manager (a local, former rodeo gal named Gaye), introduced herself and asked to shoot a rack with me. Now, I may have been born at night but I wasn’t born last night. Any woman who walks up to another woman at a pool table and challenges her to a game is no chump at playing pool. But neither am I, and there are few things I enjoy more than shooting pool with a woman who can give me a good run on the table. Gaye is one of those women. I’m happy to report that I won our little game…but only because Gaye scratched on the 8-ball.
My point is – go check out the Canyon Grill Ice House! I found the food to be very good and the atmosphere friendly, comfortable, and fun. Better yet, Gaye tells me that during the week, M-F, there’s an All-You-Can-Eat Chinese Buffet from 11am-2pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can savor a 16 oz steak with a loaded baked potato for $11.95. Gaye said the Canyon Grill also features Daily Drink Specials. What’s not to like?
The Canyon Grill Ice House is located on Highway 290, just west of Sunset Canyon Drive. When you go, say hello to Gaye for me..but beware her friendly invitation to shoot a game of pool. www.canyongrillicehouse.com
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