People love discovering new places to check out, and this can pertain to everything from shopping to recreation. But when it comes to dining, there are few places that have exploded in popularity than Dripping Springs restaurants. Something about them has made them earn accolades throughout the food and beverage industry, and this popularity doesn’t seem like it will decline anytime soon.
When a city becomes popular, there is always one particular question that comes up – why now and here? Certainly, this isn’t to say that Dripping Springs isn’t ready for and deserving of its “discovery”, but it really does make one wonder why this small town has made such a big mark in the restaurant industry.
It’s first important to know a bit about the town. For starters, the town is located in Hay County, Texas, about 20 miles southwest of Austin. It’s even more striking to know that the entire town only takes up a little over three square miles. Because of its geographic location, Dripping Springs is labeled as the “Gateway to the Hill Country”, though other small towns in the same area feel as though they, too, have a claim to this title.
Given the small size of the town and its seemingly interchangeable characteristics with surrounding towns, why have the restaurants in Dripping Springs made such a big impact? Here are a few reasons:
The Explosion of Austin – Austin is the capital of Texas and is home to the University of Texas. It has a big population, but this population is varied in a big way. As more people find themselves wanting more from life, it’s no surprise that they’ve begun looking beyond the city’s borders. Enter Dripping Springs. Even if one can account for the popularity of Dripping Springs as a byproduct of the popularity of neighboring Austin, the town is blazing its own trail. Even more important is that they are part of the Sustainable Places Project, an ambitious multi-city initiative that seeks to maintain livable places & community goals even as growth takes place. Dripping Springs is looking out for the future of its residents & the region as a whole.
Love of The Texas Hill Country – As the area becomes a haven for distillers, wineries, and other artisans, restaurants in Drippings Springs see these as local, quality ingredients.
Big City Living without Big City Issues – It can be easy to get lost in the crowd when you’re in the big city, even when you make quality food. By having the space to make a mark, restaurants can stand out as beacons in the community.
The Popularity of Artisan Work – Not only are the ingredients local & of great quality, but restaurants owners are able to take their time to craft their food for patrons who want the best.
Rise in Outdoors Enthusiasts – Geographically, those venturing out to explore the Texas Hill Country are able to see that the wild landscapes also have given rise to great places to grab a tremendous meal & refuel for the next adventure.
Farm-to-Table Approach – Restaurants in Dripping Springs know their customers are looking for transparency in their meals, and restaurant owners want the same. When everyone is on the same page, it makes for a wonderful experience.
Dripping Springs restaurants don’t try to do anything fancy to bring in diners. What they do, however, is take the time to make quality meals at great prices for a clientele that understands that good food is an art, one that deserves to be appreciated.