Hondo's on Main

The first time I drove through Fredericksburg, I admired the well-crafted limestone facades and architectural details of businesses stationed along its central Main Street. But one stood out from the pack—partially due to its recognizable name—and on my follow-up visit, I had to pop in and see it for myself.

Hondo's on Main is the name, and the old-school spot is a local favorite. A low-frills, counter-serve joint, it serves up a mix of Tex Mex, Southern, and BBQ fare alongside margaritas and beers. But perhaps the most fascinating thing about the restaurant is its namesake: John Russell "Hondo" Crouch.

A July, 1984 issue of 'Texas Monthly' includes an article titled "The Man Who Dreamed up Luckenbach" and it starts, "Within my lifetime, two famous people have come out of the Hill Country. One was a president of the United States, and the other was a mayor of Luckenbach." Of course, the first person is Lyndon B. Johnson, who was born in Stonewall. The second was Hondo. His youngest daughter Cris owns the restaurant.

Hondo was a cowboy rebel. By all accounts, an individualist through and through. He was an All-American swimmer at the University of Texas and spent many years teaching kids how to swim. He was married to Ruth Stieler for 30 years and had four kids. For 12 years, he wrote satirical articles for the 'Comfort News'. But perhaps his biggest claim to fame is co-purchasing the now-famous small town of Luckenbach in 1970 for $30,000 (about $229,000 in today's money).

He died of a heart attack in 1976. He remains a member of the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame. The organization's website mentions that Hondo was fond of saying, “This is swimming. You can’t find a better sport to save your life.”

Hondo's on Main may be a great hangout spot, but it's also an homage to a beloved Hill Country character. And who wouldn't want a place like this named after them when they bite the dust? I sure as hell would. So swing on through and pour one out for Ol' Hondo. I'm positive he'll appreciate it.