Explore Buda Magazine - Vol 2

MAGAZINE BUDA

Led by Cris Baird, Tiffany Baird, and Conner

the sound of buda Where Music, Art, and Community Meet

building buda How Founders are Shaping our City’s Future 17 21 26 30 35 38 46 54

main street rises from the ashes The Fire that Shaped Downtown Buda game on, buda A City Rising as a Sports Destination

built to serve US Foods Expands in Buda

Founder Features

The Wiener Dog Capital of Texas

So... What’s With All the Wiener Dogs?

curated CRAVINGS

A Culinary Walk Up Main Street

Dear Readers,

On behalf of the City of Buda, the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce, and the Buda Economic Development Corporation, we are proud to welcome you to the second edition of the Buda Magazine

Buda has always been more than just a place on the map—it’s a community built on connection, character, and a shared vision for the future. From our historic downtown roots to our growing business corridors, Buda continues to evolve while holding tightly to the values that make it special.

THIS PUBLICATION IS A REFLECTION OF THAT SPIRIT.

Inside these pages, you’ll discover the people, businesses, and stories that define Buda today. You’ll meet entrepreneurs who are shaping our local economy, families who have built generations of memories here, and leaders who are working every day to ensure Buda remains a place where opportunity and quality of life go hand in hand.

The partnership behind this magazine represents the collaboration that drives our community forward. The City of Buda is committed to thoughtful growth and infrastructure that supports our residents and businesses. The Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce cultivates strong business partnerships and fosters meaningful connections. The Buda Economic Development Corporation champions commerce and community through strategic investment attraction, job creation, and initiatives that strengthen our economic future.

TOGETHER, WE SHARE A COMMON GOAL: TO CELEBRATE BUDA WHILE PREPARING IT FOR WHAT’S NEXT.

As you explore this edition, we invite you to shop local, support small businesses, attend community events, and experience everything Buda has to offer. Whether you are a longtime resident, a new neighbor, or a visitor discovering our city for the first time, we hope this magazine gives you a deeper appreciation for what makes Buda truly unique.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR STORY.

With pride and gratitude,

Jennifer Storm CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Micah Grau CITY MANAGER

Monica Davidson CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

THIS IS YOUR CHAMBER CEO

Letter from the partners

A BUDA LEGACY IN ONE HOME From Crews to Giberson

WRITTEN BY MONICA DAVIDSON, GREATER BUDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO KELLY CREWS KOLODZEY

In Buda, along what is now RM 967, a modest home quietly stands—its walls holding more than a century of change, memory, and history. Known today as the Giberson House, this structure—just a short distance from the railroad that first brought life to the area—offers a rare and meaningful connection to Buda’s earliest days.

But to truly understand this home, you must begin with the family who built it.

Sometime between 1888 and 1895, David Crews constructed the house, establishing what would become both a family homestead and a cornerstone of early Buda history. The home was originally built in the Italianate architectural style, a design choice that

reflected both aspiration and craftsmanship. Over time, additional porches and pillars were added, blending practicality with evolving tastes and needs.

David Crews was not simply a landowner—he was a builder of community. He established the first cotton gin in Hays County, creating a vital economic resource for early farmers. His work extended beyond agriculture; he farmed extensively, raised cattle, and bred mules that were supplied to the Confederacy during the Civil War era. His influence stretched across a vast portion of what is now Buda—owning land from Leisurewoods to Persimmon, from the intersection of RM 967 and FM 1626 to Onion Creek at Old Black Colony.

His legacy also includes a lasting contribution to education. Crews donated land for the original Elm Grove School, helping ensure that future generations would have access to learning in a growing rural community.

The Crews family’s impact continued through generations. His son, Steve Crews, married Sophie Heep (herself part of a German immigrant family rooted in Central Texas), further tying the family into the fabric of early Central Texas settlement. A grandson, Henry Crews Armbruster, became a respected local educator and remained connected to the land for decades, owning property in what is now the Persimmon area. His life reflects the family’s continued commitment not only to land stewardship, but to shaping the people and future of Buda.

For the Crews family, the home was more than a structure - it was the center of daily life.

It was where long days of labor ended in shared meals, where children were raised, and where the rhythms of early Texas life played out against a backdrop of open land and growing opportunity.

By the early 20th century, Buda had begun to take shape as a small but vital railroad town. The nearby rail line connected families like the Crews to broader markets and opportunities, anchoring the home’s location within the heartbeat of the community.

By the 1920s, the property transitioned into the hands of the Giberson family, who would leave their own lasting imprint. They operated a dairy on the land and constructed the stone barns that still stand today near what is now the Rosebrock Veterinary Clinic—physical reminders of Buda’s agricultural roots.

In the 1950s, Mary Giberson came into the story. Over the following decades, she became one of Buda’s most dedicated stewards of local history. Living in the home from the 1960s into the early 2000s, she preserved not only the structure, but the stories tied to it. She collected photographs, recorded oral histories, and ensured that families like the Crews would not be forgotten as the town grew and changed.

The house itself remains a reflection of its origins. Its proportions, materials, and orientation still speak to late 19th-century craftsmanship, while its layered additions tell the story of generations adapting it to meet their needs.

What makes the Giberson House so meaningful is not just its age—but its continuity.

It is a place where the legacy of the Crews family— builders, landowners, educators, and community contributors—intersects with the preservation efforts of the Giberson family, whose dedication ensured these stories endured.

Today, as Buda continues to grow around it, the house stands as a quiet witness to it all.

A reminder that before the roads, the subdivisions, and the expansion—there were families who built something lasting.

And thanks to those who came after them, their story is still standing.

Bees, Trees, & Butterflies The Flora and Fauna of Buda

WRITTEN BY MICAH GRAU, CITY OF BUDA

My favorite time in Buda is on a cool late November morning. The air feels fresh after a long summer of brutal heat, and the leaves are turning various shades of gold, orange, yellow, and red on the trees. On a particular Saturday morning in the fall, I am hopping on my bike for a ride. After a cup of coffee at my favorite spot downtown, I head over to Stagecoach Park to enjoy the stillness and serenity of the morning.

I dismount from my bike at the historic McElroy-Severn Stagecoach House and take a moment to appreciate

the history of the place. This property, included on the national register of historic places, was built in the 1870s and used as a stagecoach stop and post office. Wagon tracks are still visible in the soft limestone bedrock in the nearby creek. The structure is currently closed for some restoration.

From here, I walk along the granite trails taking in the sights and sounds around me. A bright red cardinal flits ahead in the underbrush with its partner close behind. A late-migrating Monarch butterfly flaps its wings gently

along in the breeze. A Red-bellied Woodpecker is rhythmically chiseling away at a dead tree looking for a mid-morning snack.

As I hear the crunch of the granite under my feet, I’m reminded of why I wanted to live in Buda – its rich history, charming downtown, biodiversity, and abundant natural beauty found throughout the community.

In recognition of the vibrant biota, Buda has undertaken efforts to sustain these ecosystems through protection of parkland and by earning recognition in nationally recognized programs like Tree City USA, Bee City USA, and Monarch City USA.

Buda is nestled at the intersection of the sweeping Blackland Prairies and the Balcones Escarpment at the lift of the Edwards Plateau. This area west of IH 35 is known as the start of the Texas Hill Country. The Balcones Escarpment is an exposed layer of bedrock limestone known as the Buda Formation. Named by geologist T.W. Vaughan in 1900 after the town of Buda1, the karst formation was shaped 92 million years ago when much of Texas was covered by a shallow sea. It is punctuated with porous rock formations and caves that serve an important role in recharging underground aquifers. The Antioch Cave, located in Onion Creek near Cole Springs Road is an example of this. The Hays County Dahlstrom Preserve, located on RM 967 just west of Buda also has numerous features that you can see.

The unique geological formation and presence of water from local creeks support a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, skunks, cottontail rabbits, turkey, foxes, porcupine, and more. All of these have been seen in Stagecoach Park. It’s no surprise that native artifacts have also been found in Stagecoach Park and other areas. With water in the nearby Onion Creek and plentiful food including long gone bison herds roaming in the vast grasslands to the east, the area has been home to humans for thousands of years.

Buda is also home to a variety of plants and trees that create a colorful tapestry of pink primrose, yellow browneyed susans, purple thistle, and blue bonnet flower blooms in the spring and gorgeous golds, oranges, and yellows of tree foliage in the fall. Buda’s king of trees is the Live Oak. Heritage Live Oaks provide a scenic drive through downtown and can be found throughout the city. Live Oaks are susceptible to Oak Wilt, so care must be taken to protect them. The City prohibits the

Buda Wildlife

pruning of Live Oaks from February 1 through July 1, unless performed by a certified arborist, when the sap beetle responsible for spreading Oak Wilt is most active. Disinfecting saw blades also helps stop the disease from spreading to healthy trees.

Other native trees in the area are the scraggly Cedar Elms that turn golden brown in the fall. Prairie Flameleaf Sumac and Western Soapberry also stand out in the fall with their vibrant orange and red foliage. In the springtime, look for Mountain Laurels with their purple pearl flowers that smell like grape bubblegum and the Mexican Plums that will be covered in white flowers and bees looking for pollen. The knobby Bald Cypress trees lining Onion and Garlic Creek provide great shade and help prevent erosion along the creek banks.

It’s common to see a group of white-tailed deer or hear the call and response of Great Horned Owl, especially in the fall, along the Garlic Creek Trail. On a couple of occasions, I have encountered coyote, both gray and red foxes, and a bobcat whilst on the trail. Remember to admire all wildlife from a respectful distance.

Even my backyard is teeming with wildlife.

Common Fox Squirrels can regularly be found digging up caches of nuts they stored away in my garden beds. An opossum regularly straddles the top of the fence like a tight-rope walker in the wee hours of the morning heading back to its den after a night out. A skunk has even shown up a time or two. During summer nights, especially during wet spells, I hear Chirping Frogs, a small species unique to the Balcones Escarpment. Texas Spiny Lizards, Green Anoles, and Six-lined Racers sun themselves in the driveway and quickly dart back under planters and into bushes when approaching.

A variety of salamanders, turtles, and fish inhabit the local creeks and ponds. Snakes like the non-venomous Western Rate Snake, Garter Snake, and Bull Snake are excellent to have around as they will prey on rodents. Texas Indigo Snake, King Snake, and Coachwhip can also be found in the area. They are non-venomous and have a special appetite for eating other venomous snakes like Rattlesnakes.

I haven’t even mentioned the wide variety of insects that I have recorded in Buda. Because of Buda’s ranching history, pesticides were not commonly used to treat cropland, allowing a large variety of insect species to thrive in the area. I can’t help but stop and grab a photo of a unique moth, beetle, or cicada that crosses my path.

I hope that you can also take time to seek out and observe the nature around us in Buda. There are a variety of apps that can help you identify plants, insects, and animals to learn friend from foe and native versus invasive.

Happy Exploring!

On the right track.

Buda, Texas is more than a great place to do business—it’s a vibrant, welcoming community where families thrive and innovation flourishes. Nearly 35% of the population is under the age of 17, and Buda is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, lively historic downtown, and high quality of life. The city blends a historic downtown with innovation and creative energy, offering residents and employees access to parks, live music, festivals, art, and an authentic Texas main street experience. Businesses are drawn to the culture as much as the connectivity and creativity, finding in Buda a supportive environment that values people and progress.

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THE SOUND OF BUDA

Where Music, Art, and Community Meet

WRITTEN BY LYSA GONZALEZ, CITY OF BUDA

Art, music, and culture are central to what makes Buda feel like Buda. Creativity here is not something reserved for special occasions, it is part of everyday life and continues to grow in bold, exciting ways. From live music echoing through parks and patios to public art appearing in downtown spaces, Buda’s cultural scene invites residents and visitors to slow down, explore, and connect with a community driven by local passion and creative energy.

Music has always been woven into the fabric of Buda, but in recent years, it has truly

taken center stage. From outdoor festivals and recurring concert series to intimate performances at local venues, live music plays a defining role in the city’s identity. That commitment was officially recognized in 2025, when Buda was designated a Texas Music Friendly Community by the State of Texas, a milestone that reflects what locals have long known.

In Buda, music is not limited to a single season or a handful of events. It is experienced yearround in parks, downtown gathering spaces, and venues that prioritize live performance

and connection. The result is a music scene that feels welcoming, accessible, and deeply rooted in community.

Buda’s music scene shines brightest during its two signature festivals, each bringing its own energy and personality to the city.

Every April, Buda’s Birthday Music Festival celebrates the city’s founding with a full weekend of live music, food, and community fun drawing locals and visitors together to celebrate Buda’s past, present, and future through sound. With a relaxed, roots-forward vibe and a strong sense of place, it has become a favorite for those looking to experience Buda in a way that feels authentic and unmistakably local.

In the fall, Railcar Revival takes over downtown with a high-energy celebration of live music, food, and community spirit. The festival has earned a reputation for bringing nationally recognized country artists to Buda while maintaining the warm, welcoming atmosphere the city is known for. It is a weekend that turns downtown into a must-visit destination for music lovers and showcases Buda as a place where big sound meets small-town charm.

Between major festival weekends, the music continues with the Southbound Music Series, a

recurring lineup of live performances that highlights both local and regional talent. These shows offer a laidback way to experience live music without needing a major event on the calendar, creating opportunities for spontaneous nights out.

Live music in Buda does not stop when festivals and special events end. It lives on every week at local venues, bars, and restaurants across the city. Spots like Meridian and Nate’s regularly feature live performances that pair perfectly with a relaxed atmosphere. Willie’s Joint and Buck’s Backyard bring the energy with outdoor shows and lively crowds, creating memorable nights where music and community meet.

Add in local bars and restaurants that welcome musicians onto their patios and stages, and it is easy to find live music any night of the week. Whether you are planning a night out or stumbling upon a performance by chance, Buda makes it easy to grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the sound of local and regional talent.

While music has long been Buda’s strongest creative pillar, the city’s visual and performing arts scene is entering an exciting new chapter, one marked by public art, hands-on creativity, and spaces that invite participation.

In 2025, Buda reached a major milestone with the installation of its first-ever downtown mural, unveiled on the Welcome Center and quickly becoming a must-see photo stop for visitors. More than just a splash of color, the

mural represents a growing commitment to public art and storytelling through shared spaces. That momentum is continuing, with two additional downtown murals already planned for 2026, laying the foundation for a more art-forward and walkable downtown experience.

At the center of Buda’s growing arts community is Inspired Minds Art Center, a dynamic creative hub where art comes alive in all forms. More than just a studio, Inspired Minds offers art classes for all ages, giving both locals and visitors the chance to tap into their creative side.

Inspired Minds also plays an important role in Buda’s performing arts scene by hosting theater productions and comedy shows. These performances bring live entertainment to an intimate, welcoming stage and offer visitors a chance to experience local talent up close in a setting that feels personal and engaging.

Each summer, Buda turns up the spotlight with a community musical production, now a beloved tradition that has been delighting audiences for four consecutive years and counting. The annual show brings together performers, musicians, and behind-the-scenes creatives from across the community, resulting in a production that feels both polished and uniquely local. It is a chance to see Buda’s collaborative spirit in action and experience the arts in a way that feels genuine and communitydriven.

Art lovers from near and far flock to Buda each year for the Buda Art Festival and Plein Air Competition, an event that transforms the city into an open-air studio. Artists travel from around the country to paint Buda “en plein air,” capturing the charm of downtown, nearby landscapes, and the everyday moments that make the city unique.

It is a rare opportunity to watch artists at work in real time, stroll through festival booths, and see Buda through the eyes of creatives who have come specifically to be inspired by it. The result is fresh perspectives, stunning artwork, and a weekend that celebrates creativity as a shared experience.

THE FIRE THAT SHAPED DOWNTOWN BUDA Main Street Rises From The Ashes

WRITTEN BY LYSA GONZALEZ, CITY OF BUDA

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HAYS FREE PRESS ARCHIVES

If you drive through Downtown Buda today, it’s easy to miss the story hiding in plain sight.

In 2025, more than 300,000 people passed through this stretch of Main Street. Many did so on their daily commute. Others were visitors discovering Buda for the first time. But most had no idea that in 1994, the buildings they pass were burned to rubble, marking one of the most defining moments in Downtown Buda’s history that tested the community and revealed its resilience.

On the evening of July 10, 1994, a fire broke out in a glassblowing shop at 220 Main Street, now home to

Buda Dental Professionals. The business was part of a row of connected commercial buildings often referred to as the Barber Buildings. The fire is believed to have started in the attic or upper portion of the structure and spread quickly through shared roof space, an all-too common problem in older downtown buildings constructed long before modern fire-blocking standards were required.

Once the fire gained momentum, it moved fast.

Flames tore through the block, destroying four connected buildings that housed beloved local businesses, including Prairie Schooner, Poor Richard’s Antique Shop, Buda Women’s Club Boutique, and the glassblowing business where the fire began. Despite the determined efforts of firefighters, the structures were ultimately a total loss.

At the time, Buda was a very different place. The population hovered just over 2,200 people, and the town was served by a volunteer fire department—neighbors protecting neighbors in a small community. Resources were limited, and many of the firefighters responding that night were balancing emergency response with school, work, and family life.

One of those firefighters was Clay Huckaby, who today serves as Fire Chief of the Buda Fire Department.

In 1994, Chief Huckaby was not a career firefighter. He was a high school student and a volunteer firefighter with the Buda Volunteer Fire Department, responding alongside fellow volunteers, like his dad, to what would become the largest fire in the city’s history.

According to Chief Huckaby, he and another firefighter were tasked with gaining entry into the building that now houses Main Street Pizza. When they broke the glass on the front door, the oxygen rushing into the structure caused a powerful backdraft, blasting both firefighters backward from the doorway all the way to the center line of Main Street.

It’s the kind of moment that stays with a firefighter forever, and a stark reminder of how dangerous the job can be, especially in older structures with limited visibility, hidden fire paths, and unpredictable fire behavior.

The fire burned for several hours before it was fully extinguished, leaving the downtown block devastated. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but the damage was extensive and altered the visual landscape of Downtown Buda for many years. The businesses that once occupied the buildings could not reopen in their original form, and most closed permanently as a result of the destruction.

Reconstruction of the block did not happen overnight. It took years for the site to be cleared, rebuilt, and reoccupied. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the buildings were gradually reconstructed, with new structures designed to match the scale and character of historic Downtown Buda. Rather than a single redevelopment project, ownership and rebuilding occurred in multiple phases, reflecting both the economic realities of the time and the community’s careful, intentional approach to restoring its downtown.

Today, those rebuilt buildings are home to businesses that many residents recognize, including Main Street Pizza, Buda Dental, and Buda’s Red Door. Their storefronts help define the look and feel of Main Street as it exists today. To someone passing through, there is little to suggest that the block was once reduced to ashes, an indication of just how thoughtfully the community chose to rebuild.

Just as Downtown Buda has transformed since 1994, so has the fire department.

What was once a full volunteer force has grown into a modern fire department with paid professional staff, multiple fire stations, and expanded emergency response capabilities to serve a rapidly growing city. As Buda’s population has increased, so has the department’s ability to respond, train, and protect the community.

The Buda Fire Department is preparing to open a new state-of-the-art fire station, designed to meet the needs of a growing city while honoring the department’s long tradition of service. The new facility represents more than just growth, it reflects an investment in safety, advanced training, and the firefighters who stand ready to protect Buda every day.

For longtime residents, the 1994 fire is more than a historical footnote. It is a shared memory of loss, resilience, and rebuilding. For newer residents and visitors, it serves as a reminder that Downtown Buda’s charm is rooted in stories that predate the restaurants, shops, and traffic we see today.

The next time you drive down Main Street, pause for a moment. Beneath those rebuilt storefronts lies a chapter of Buda’s history shaped by volunteer firefighters, small-town grit, and a community that chose not just to rebuild, but to invest in the Buda we enjoy today.

Respiratory

Pediatric

BGAME ON, BUDA

A CITY RISING AS A SPORTS DESTINATION

WRITTEN BY MICAH GRAU, CITY OF BUDA

uda has a long history of hosting the pinnacle of athletic events that draws attendees and competitors from around the world. At the starting line, muscles twitching, crouched low to the ground waiting for the starting sound, ready to unleash their pent-up energy in a flash of fur, ears, and frenzy of stumpy legs to claim the title as the fastest hound around. Of course, I’m speaking of the annual Buda Lion’s Club Wiener Dog Races.

However, this story isn’t about Wiener Dog Races. It is about other sports and activities that are gaining traction. Buda is developing a reputation as a premier location for youth sports. According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 25% of Hays County’s population is under the age of 18. This age category is expected to grow 200% by 2050, making it one of the fastest growing child

populations in the State of Texas. It is no surprise that there is increasing demand for athletic opportunities to serve the growing population. To meet this need, the number of sport associations, sport fields and facilities are on the rise.

Buda is a prime spot for youth sports.

Both the Austin and San Antonio metros are within a onehour drive, and the Dallas-Ft Worth and Houston metros are within four-hours. Buda is easily accessed by IH – 35

and SH – 45/130. Local and regional draws, quality restaurants, shopping, hotels, and entertainment/ leisure opportunities make Buda an attractive location for weekend tournaments.

To meet the growing demand for local play and to capitalize on the burgeoning youth sports tourism, through a partnership between the City and the Buda Economic Development Corporation, Buda is investing $16 million to expand its sports complex located near the intersection of RM 967 and FM 1626.

Buda Championship Park, which was originally developed and donated to the City by the Buda Economic Development Corporation in 2007, will include eight full regulation-size softball fields that support all ages of softball and up to 12U age groups for baseball. Buda Championship Park also includes four regulation-size soccer fields that can be utilized for soccer, football, lacrosse, and field hockey. With over 800 parking spots, batting cages, new restrooms, and concession stands with observation towers, the Buda Championship Park is ready to host any tournament. Future phases will add pickleball, volleyball, and other amenities.

The City of Buda is not the only group capitalizing on sports. The Hays Communities YMCA, located next door to the Buda Championship Park at 465 Buda Sportsplex Drive, offers programming to build sport fundamentals and positive attitudes. Facilities like the CTX Fieldhouse at Sunfield Station, located at 2610 Main Street, are catering to both youth and adults looking to recreate, train, and compete in volleyball and basketball.

CTX Fieldhouse was opened in 2019 by Cindy and Mike Beltz with the goal of providing an active place for youth and adults to engage in fitness activities and to increase competitive skills. The facility boasts a fitness center, a 30,000 square foot gym with four full-size basketball courts or six full-size volleyball courts, four outdoor sand volleyball courts, and a 10,000 square foot flex space.

The CTX Fieldhouse also manages their own competition volleyball club with 32-teams for youth ages 5 – 18, in addition to hosting numerous camps and clinics. Basketball clubs also use the facility for practice and tournament play. Additionally, the facility offers open gym times for open play.

Tournaments hosted at the facility are driving sportstourism in Buda. CTX Fieldhouse annually hosts approximately seventeen volleyball tournaments and fifteen basketball tournaments. A tournament brings forty-eight teams and approximately 1,000 to 1,500 attendees to Buda in a weekend! While many of these teams are coming to Buda from San Antonio up to

Waco, many tournaments will pull in teams from other regions of the state, adding heads to beds in our local hotels and filling our local restaurants and shops. Several new shops and restaurants are in development along East Main Street, fueled, in part, by these guests.

In addition to volleyball and basketball, CTX Fieldhouse hosts Jiu Jitsu and other tournaments. In 2025, the facility hosted the U.S. Sumo National Championship right here in Buda! Whether you have children looking to better their skills for competitive play or are looking for a local Pickleball league, CTX Fieldhouse has it for you.

If you are a local business owner, it’s time to think of how you can cater to these guests to grow your business. Your marketing material, sponsorships, and more can help drive out of town visitors to your Buda location.

TEXAS

On the southern edge of Austin, where Central Texas growth meets opportunity, US Foods is deepening its roots—and expanding its footprint—in a way that reflects both smart business strategy and long term community commitment. The foodservice distribution leader recently announced a major expansion of its Buda, Texas facility, a project that will bring more than $120 million in capital investment, create 165 new full time jobs, and strengthen the infrastructure that supports one of the most dynamic food scenes in the country.

But the story unfolding in Buda is about more than square footage and economics. It’s about scale with purpose— about how a national company builds locally while staying true to its mission of helping customers, associates, and communities Make It.

A Strategic Expansion in a High Growth Corridor

US Foods’ Buda distribution center has been a cornerstone of its Central Texas operations since opening in 2011. Situated along the I 35 corridor, the facility serves hundreds of foodservice operators across Austin and surrounding markets—an area experiencing sustained population growth, culinary innovation, and increased demand for reliable supply chain solutions.

The newly announced expansion will add approximately 170,000 square feet to the existing facility, which currently spans roughly 290,000 square feet, significantly increasing

warehouse and fleet capacity. Construction began in 2025, with completion expected in 2027.

According to US Foods leadership, the decision to expand in Buda was intentional. After evaluating multiple locations nationwide, the company chose to double down on Central Texas, citing regional growth potential and strong public private partnerships as key differentiators.

“Central Texas is a critical part of our distribution footprint,” said Taylor McIntyre, Area President for South Texas. “We’ve been proud to do business here since opening our Buda warehouse in 2011, and this expansion allows us to continue growing alongside the customers and communities we serve”.

Jobs, Investment, and Economic Momentum

When complete, the project will result in 165 new full time positions across a range of functions, including warehouse operations, transportation, maintenance, sales, finance, HR, and administrative roles. New positions are expected to offer an average annual salary of approximately $74,000, underscoring the project’s impact on quality job creation in Hays County.

State and local leaders have been vocal about the expansion’s regional significance. The project is supported by a $1,072,500 Texas Enterprise Fund grant,

“PROJECTS LIKE THIS HELP US DIFFERENTIATE US FOODS AND ENSURE WE’RE DELIVERING BEST IN CLASS SERVICE FOR OUR

CUSTOMERS ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS”

- BILL HANCOCK, CHIEF SUPPLY OFFICER -

as well as local incentives totaling approximately $3 million from the City of Buda, Hays County, and economic development partners—investments that underscore confidence in both US Foods and the area’s long term growth trajectory. The Buda EDC, as the City’s only economic development organization, took the lead in coordinating the incentives application process with the City, County, and the Governor’s Office to ultimately secure the project.

Governor Greg Abbott framed the expansion as a testament to Texas’ business climate.

“This significant investment in Buda brings new, good paying jobs for hardworking Texans and showcases the strength of our state’s economy,” Abbott said. “Companies invest and expand here because of our unmatched business friendly environment and highly skilled workforce”.

For Buda officials, the expansion further solidifies the city as a logistics and employment hub in the Austin metro area. With US Foods already one of the city’s largest employers, the added scale is expected to drive increased sales tax revenue and long term economic resilience.

“Projects like this help us differentiate US Foods and ensure we’re delivering best in class service for our customers across Central Texas,” Bill Hancock, Chief Supply Officer.

Growth with a Community First Mindset

While the Buda expansion underscores US Foods’ operational growth, the company is equally focused on how that growth translates into community impact. In 2025 alone, US Foods and its associates contributed nearly $12.5 million in charitable support nationwide through its Helping Communities Make It program. This included more than 5 million pounds of food and supplies, equivalent to approximately 4 million meals, delivered to hunger relief organizations across the country.

A newly launched initiative, Dollars for Doers, helped fuel a nearly 70% increase in associate volunteer hours compared to the prior year. For every hour volunteered,

associates earn $25 in credits they can direct to charities of their choice—resulting in nearly $100,000 in charitable funding for more than 230 organizations nationwide in 2025.

Dave Flitman, CEO of US Foods, described the program as an extension of the company’s culture.

“Our associates don’t just work in these communities— they live in them,” Flitman said. “Their passion for giving back amplifies the reach of everything we do.”

The company’s philanthropic focus areas—hunger relief, culinary education, disaster response, and associate assistance—mirror the ecosystems it supports operationally, including markets like Central Texas where foodservice plays a vital economic and cultural role.

Supporting the Future of Food

US Foods’ commitment to culinary education further reinforces its long term investment in foodservice communities. Through the US Foods Scholars program, the company awarded $360,000 in scholarships in 2025 to students pursuing careers in culinary arts, baking and pastry, chef training, and business management. Since its launch, the program has distributed more than $2.4 million in scholarships nationwide.

This future focused approach aligns closely with the Buda expansion’s purpose: building capacity—not just in infrastructure, but in people, talent, and opportunity.

Looking Ahead

As cranes rise over the Buda facility and construction moves forward, US Foods’ presence in Central Texas is poised to enter a new chapter—one defined by scale, service, and shared success.

From creating jobs and strengthening supply chains to supporting hunger relief and education initiatives, the expansion represents more than physical growth. It reflects a company investing with intention—building where it believes in the future.

For Buda, Austin, and the broader Central Texas region, that future is arriving not only larger, but stronger.

BUILDING

How Founders Are Shaping Our City’s Future

The Most Important Economic Development Strategy We Have Isn’t Recruitment—It’s Entrepreneurship

WWRITTEN BY JENNIFER L. STORM, BUDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

hen people think about economic development, they picture big announcements, ribbon cuttings, and flashy job numbers. Those moments are exciting, of course. But in Buda, we’ve learned something more fundamental: the most important thing we can grow isn’t just companies—it’s the people who create them.

We’re not chasing specific industry sectors or obsessing over high-growth ROI (Return on Investment). We’re focused on supporting real people with real dreams.

Today, more than 130 founders call Buda home. Some are building venture-backed startups. Others run profitable small businesses. Many balance their ventures with fulltime jobs, while some treat theirs as a side hustle—until it isn’t. Others are all in, betting everything on themselves.

For decades, communities like ours were told that success meant recruiting the next big employer with massive capital investment and measuring progress solely by tax revenue. That model has its limits. A single company can relocate. An industry can shift. Putting all your eggs in one basket is rarely the safest bet.

What doesn’t leave as easily is a community of people who know how to build—and who have already put down roots. That’s why Buda has made a deliberate shift: treating entrepreneurship not as an afterthought, but as a foundational investment in our city’s future.

Through initiatives like the Buda HIVE (Home for Innovators, Visionaries, and Entrepreneurs), we’re helping earlystage founders move from idea to execution. We’re creating space for exploration, mentorship, and real

growth. Because when you invest in founders, you’re not betting on a single outcome—you’re building capacity. When you support people, they support the community.

What makes Buda’s story unique isn’t just the number of founders—it’s the diversity of the people behind them and the space we’ve created for entrepreneurs of all types.

Meet Andres Urrego, who is building Moil, an AI-powered platform that modernizes how skilled workers connect with jobs. Designed as an intelligent ecosystem for small businesses and tradespeople, Moil combines business strategy tools and a job marketplace with AI-powered resume building, interview coaching, and high-accuracy matching.

Rebecca Acosta-Ojeda is the founder of Salon One 12. What began as a single salon has grown into an empire focused not just on haircuts, but on people— empowering salon owners and stylists to build thriving, balanced careers and lifestyles.

JUCO AI was founded by Joshua Edmond, as an educational technology platform and AI study assistant created specifically for community college, junior college, and trade school students. It serves as a digital planner, tutor, and academic coach—analyzing coursework, offering time management tools, and helping students find scholarships and employment.

Noa Lynne Sutherland is anything but traditional. Through her acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, she developed Zoi Medicinals—a wellness company offering herbal tinctures. Rather than starting with a commercial product idea, the line grew directly from her clinical experience treating patients with complex health issues using over 100 individual herbs and custom formulations. Sutherland’s approach bridges ancient healing traditions with modern delivery, creating scalable, practical wellness products rooted in hands-on clinical care.

The aerospace and defense co-founders, Jason Cornelius and Steve Messinger of Perseus Defense, are developing next-generation technology to counter emerging drone threats.

These founders represent different industries, backgrounds, and journeys. But they share one thing in common: they chose to build here.

In the early stages of any ecosystem, progress can feel incremental—one founder, one startup at a time. But momentum compounds. One entrepreneur launches and hires locally. Another sees that success and takes the leap. A startup grows and attracts talent that decides to stay. A company relocates and validates the market for others.

This is how real ecosystems form—not through a single big win, but through SHARED SUPPORT and compounding energy.

What today is an estimated 130 founders won’t stay that way for long. That number is just the beginning. Each new founder lowers the barrier for the next. Each business strengthens support systems, inspires new programs, and creates local jobs that help sustain others. It’s the economic developers version of the circle of life.

In larger cities, innovation often feels fragmented— people are spread out, disconnected by distance and busy schedules. In a place like Buda, proximity breeds connection. Connection sparks collaboration. Collaboration creates acceleration. And all of it builds community.

When a new company puts down roots here, it doesn’t operate in isolation. It contributes to a broader ecosystem that spans AI startups, service businesses, skilled trades, and advanced technology. The result is crosspollination—the kind of real innovation that happens not just inside companies, but between them.

Buda’s founder economy is remarkably diverse even in its early stages: service and consulting businesses, skilled trades, local industries, and a growing wave of AI, SaaS, and advanced tech ventures. By remaining industry-

agnostic, we’re supporting the people, not just the most glamorous or profitable ideas.

This diversity builds resilience. Buda isn’t dependent on a single trend or sector—we’re cultivating a layered, adaptable economy that can evolve with time.

Entrepreneurship is often portrayed as flashy disruption measured only by IPOs or venture capital. In Buda, it’s more practical and profound: it’s how we create local opportunity, give talent a reason to stay, spread growth across industries, and show our children that they can build whatever future they imagine—right here at home.

Each company may start small, but together they create something far MORE STABLE AND ENDURING than any single employer ever could.

We’re still early in this journey, but the trajectory is clear. Buda isn’t trying to replicate Silicon Valley or compete head-on with Austin. We’re building something different: a better Buda, one founder and one business at a time. Because when you invest in founders, you’re not just shaping an economy—you’re shaping a culture. One where building something of your own isn’t the exception. It’s the expectation.

In addition to these local founders, Buda is also home to a growing roster of well-known, creative brands. As we

like to say in Texas, they weren’t born here, but they got here as fast as they could. Companies like **Mockingbird Made**, **Comal Tackle**, **Stoke Juice**, **Deep Eddy Vodka**, **Hardcore Carnivore**, **Sherri Hill**, **Four Hands**, and **Night Hawk Frozen Foods**—and the list keeps growing.

Follow us @BudaEDC to see who will join the Buda family next.

FOUNDER FEATURES

- JUCO AIJoshua Edmond

While many edtech tools target elite universities, Joshua Edmond saw a clear gap for community college, junior college, and trade school students balancing classes, jobs, and family.

That insight drove the Buda-based founder to launch JUCO AI—an AI-powered academic assistant built by a former community college student, for students just like him.

Edmond knows the struggle firsthand. As a non-traditional student at Austin Community College, he maintained a 3.92 GPA while working and parenting. Those experiences inspired JUCO AI, a practical platform that turns course materials—syllabi, PDFs, notes, or lectures— into personalized study tools.

Students can ask questions, generate custom quizzes and flashcards, receive condensed summaries, and get a smart planner that extracts deadlines and builds weekly schedules. The platform also connects users with peer study groups and surfaces local job, scholarship, and support resources tied to their program.

Today, Edmond calls Buda home and actively contributes to the local startup ecosystem as a coach and strategist for the Buda HIVE. His work reflects the spirit of Buda’s growing founder community: solving problems through lived experience and giving back locally.

In a crowded edtech space, JUCO AI stands out by focusing on an often-overlooked segment— students who form the backbone of Texas workforce development. One upload, one study guide, and one successful semester at a time, Joshua Edmond is proving that meaningful innovation can come from community college roots right here in Buda.

Rebecca Acosta-Ojeda

- SALON ONE 12 -

In the heart of downtown Buda, Rebecca AcostaOjeda, founder of Salon One 12, represents a different— but equally powerful—kind of entrepreneur. What began as a single salon has grown into a full-service, community-centered business built around mentorship, experience, and intentional culture. Rebecca didn’t just create a place for hair services; she built a platform for other stylists to launch and grow their own careers, emphasizing training, team development, and client experience as core pillars. Her vision extends beyond the chair—expanding the business to add capacity for more professionals, investing in space and design, and positioning the salon as a destination that drives foot traffic across Main Street. In a city increasingly defined by startups and technology, Rebecca’s work is a reminder that entrepreneurship in Buda isn’t just about innovation in code or hardware—it’s about building places, people, and pathways that anchor the local economy.

Noa Lynne Sutherland

At the intersection of clinical medicine and entrepreneurship, Noa Lynne Sutherland has built something rare in Buda—a wellness company rooted not in trends, but in practice. As founder of Zoi Medicinals, her line of herbal tinctures didn’t begin as a product idea, but as an extension of years spent treating patients through acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Inside her clinic, she worked with more than 130 individual herbs, developing custom formulations to address complex, often “unsolved” health issues. What emerged from that clinical experience is a line of tinctures designed to be fast-absorbing, potent, and practical—using fullspectrum herbal extracts that work synergistically rather than synthetically. These formulations, now produced and sold beyond Buda, reflect a founder philosophy centered on efficacy and accessibility: medicine that is portable, shelf-stable, and integrated into daily life. Sutherland’s work represents a different kind of innovation—one that bridges ancient systems and modern delivery, transforming hands-on healing into a scalable product without losing its clinical roots.

Andres Urrego

- MOIL -

Andres Urrego saw a broken system. Skilled tradespeople— carpenters, plumbers, electricians, welders—struggled to find good jobs, while small and mid-sized businesses wasted time and money trying to hire reliable talent. Traditional job boards didn’t speak their language, understand their skills, or bridge barriers like technology gaps or education differences.

So he built Moil—an AI-powered platform designed specifically for the backbone of the American economy: skilled workers and the small businesses that employ them.

A serial entrepreneur, business coach, and former corporate sales leader, Urrego left his stable career in 2023 to bootstrap Moil from Buda, Texas. As a husband and father, he brings a practical, no-nonsense approach to innovation—focused on real-world impact rather than hype.

Moil functions as an intelligent ecosystem. For small businesses, it acts like an AI co-founder: helping generate market research, craft business plans, create marketing materials, and post jobs with smart matching that finds qualified candidates quickly. For skilled workers and job seekers, the platform offers AI-powered resume building, interview coaching, profile optimization, and high-accuracy job matching based on actual skills and experience.

The result? Faster, fairer hiring that removes unnecessary barriers and levels the playing field for blue-collar and trades professionals.

Since launching in 2024, Moil has already served thousands of candidates and hundreds of businesses, earning recognition as the 2025 Entrepreneurial Spirit of the Year from the Buda EDC and as an A-List Finalist (AI Standout and Emerging Startup) by Opportunity Austin in partnership with SXSW.

Today, Urrego calls Buda home and actively gives back to the local founder community. He supports early-stage entrepreneurs through the Buda HIVE, sharing the lessons he’s learned while building Moil.

His story reflects the spirit of Buda’s growing startup scene: practical innovation rooted in real problems, created by founders who choose to build here and lift others up along the way.

In a world where AI often feels distant or elitist, Andres Urrego is using it to strengthen local economies—one skilled worker, one small business, and one better hire at a time. Right here in Buda.

- PERSEUS DEFENSEJason Cornelius & Steve Messinger

In an era of evolving drone threats, traditional defense systems are often too expensive and too slow to scale. Jason Cornelius and Steve Messinger saw the problem clearly—and decided to fix it.

The duo co-founded Perseus Defense in 2025 (Y Combinator S25) to develop low-cost, guided micromissile systems that neutralize hostile drones affordably and at scale. Their mission: create “America’s Golden Dome for Drones”—a practical, mass-producible counter-UAS solution to protect troops and critical infrastructure.

Cornelius, Co-founder & CEO, brings deep expertise from NASA, where he led aerospace vehicle design for the Titan Dragonfly mission and pioneered machine learning-based optimization for future Mars helicopters. He also taught aerospace engineering at Stanford and founded an international drone competition.

Messinger, Co-founder & CTO, is a swarm robotics expert who developed advanced guidance, navigation, and control systems at Boeing, including autonomous landing technology for commercial airliners and collaborative behaviors for unmanned systems.

The two met as aerospace engineering graduate students at Penn State. In early 2025, Cornelius was bootstrapping prototypes from a tiny San Francisco apartment while interviewing military customers. Messinger quit his role at Applied Intuition to join him. With just $30,000 combined and one founder sleeping on the couch, they set out to solve the economics of drone defense—building interceptors that can be produced quickly for a fraction of the cost of legacy systems (targeting under $5,000–$10,000 per shot versus $50,000+ for many current options).

Less than a year later, Perseus Defense has made rapid strides: a growing team, successful guided missile tests, and a new 17,500-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Buda, Texas. The company chose Buda for its strong workforce, proximity to Austin’s talent pool, and supportive ecosystem—positioning it to create hundreds of high-paying local jobs in the coming years.

Perseus Defense’s micro-missiles are designed to be manportable, actively guided, and produced at speed. By making defense affordable and scalable, the founders aim to shift the cost equation in counter-drone warfare, giving U.S. forces a decisive edge against swarms of lowcost threats.

Today, Cornelius and Messinger are deeply embedded in Buda’s emerging founder community. Their story embodies the city’s growing appeal for mission-driven innovators: blending world-class aerospace talent with a practical, roots-up approach to building in Texas.

Two aerospace engineers are turning advanced defense technology into reality—one low-cost missile at a time—strengthening both national security and Buda’s innovation ecosystem.

Care that’s close when every minute matters.

Your Buda ER is open 24/7.

Meet your neighborhood ER. You’re in good hands here. When the unexpected happens, we’re here to provide the support you need, without the stress of going far.

How a Small-Town RACE Gave Buda Its Most BELOVED MASCOT

WRITTEN BY MONICA DAVIDSON, GREATER BUDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

There are plenty of things that make Buda special— its historic roots, its strong sense of community, and its steady growth just south of Austin. But among all of its defining features, one stands out as uniquely, unmistakably Buda:

WIENER DOGS.

Today, Buda is proudly known as the Wiener Dog Capital of Texas™, a title that draws visitors, competitors, and curious onlookers from across the state. But this reputation didn’t come from a branding campaign or a strategic plan.

It started with something much simpler—a race, a few determined dachshunds, and a community willing to embrace the joy of it all.

A TRADITION TAKES OFF

The roots of Buda’s wiener dog fame trace back to the Buda Lions Club, which has served the community since 1977.

In 1997, club member, Diane Krejci proposed bringing the idea of wiener dog races to Buda as a fundraiser for the Lions Club. Member, Charles Handrick shared, “Diane was met with ‘uh, what?’ from the rest of the club but Diane was persistent in trying to create a new

tradition so we let her give it a try!” The first year featured about three dozen dogs and a small crowd of locals; the Lions Club supported the idea and helped it grow into a signature annual event introducing dachshund races as part of a local festival—as a fun, lighthearted addition to the day’s lineup. As a country fair, the original lineup also included a riding lawnmower race! You can imagine how that turned into a safety concern and so this element was removed from the fair.

INSTEAD, THEY CREATED A PHENOMENON OUT OF THE WIENER DOG RACES!

There was something instantly irresistible about it. The dogs didn’t always run straight. Some paused halfway. Others ran toward the wrong person entirely. But that unpredictability—paired with the laughter of the crowd and the enthusiasm of their owners—made the races unforgettable.

What began as a novelty quickly became the main event.

Word spread. Crowds grew. Competitors traveled from across Texas and the United States just to enter their dachshunds. And year after year, the races built momentum, becoming a signature tradition that has now lasted nearly three decades as they enter into their 29th year in 2026 with over 150 dogs entered to race.

MORE THAN JUST A

RACE

As the event grew, so did its impact. The Wiener Dog Races have become a cornerstone of community life, supporting the mission of the Buda Lions Club through scholarships, local service projects, and charitable initiatives.

Businesses step in as sponsors. Families make it an annual tradition. Visitors began planning trips around it.

AND ORGANICALLY-BUDA BECAME

SYNONYMOUS WITH DACHSHUNDS. THIS IDENTITY WASN’T CREATED. IT WAS EARNED.

Today, the event has evolved into a full festival experience, complete with high-energy race heats, costume contests, pet parades and local vendors, food trucks and live entertainment.

It’s a day where competition meets comedy—and where everyone, whether they have a dog or not, feels part of the action.

AND EACH YEAR BRINGS SOMETHING NEW.

The Buda Lions Club introduces a new annual theme— from cinematic concepts like Dune to high-energy favorites like Top Dog. These themes shape everything from marketing to costumes, making every year feel fresh and unforgettable.

CARRYING

THE TORCH FORWARD

While the Buda Lions Club laid the foundation, the tradition continues to thrive today through strong community collaboration, including the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce.

Each year, the Wiener Dog Races remain one of Buda’s most anticipated events—bringing together longtime residents and first-time visitors in celebration of a tradition that feels both timeless and fresh.

In 2025, the Chamber added a new layer to Buda’s playful identity with the launch of Ground Dog Day—a creative twist on a familiar tradition, featuring a local dachshund “predicting” the arrival of spring.

Equal parts charming and cheeky, the event quickly became a community favorite, proving that Buda’s love for wiener dogs isn’t just a legacy—it’s still growing.

WHY KEEP IT GOING?

Buda’s connection to wiener dogs isn’t just about the races—it’s about what they represent.

They’re approachable. They’re family-friendly. And they capture the kind of authenticity that can’t be manufactured.

- 2026 HONORARY GROUND DOG WITH CHAMBER STAFF -

In a world where many communities chase largescale attractions, Buda found its identity in something refreshingly simple:

A SMALL DOG. A SHORT RACE. A BIG SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

And that authenticity resonates far beyond our city limits.

A LEGACY STILL RUNNING STRONG

Today, the Wiener Dog Races are more than an event— they are a symbol of Buda itself. All around town, our local businesses proudly display their version of the wiener dog and newcomers love to ask, “so, what’s with all the wiener dogs?”

They represent decades of dedication, from the early vision of the Buda Lions Club to the continued support of the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce and the broader community.

They create memories. They support meaningful causes. They bring people together in a way that feels genuine and lasting.

And perhaps most importantly, they remind us that the best traditions aren’t always planned. Sometimes, they just happen.

Because in Buda, greatness doesn’t have to be grand.

SOMETIMES,

IT JUST LOOKS LIKE A WIENER DOG—RUNNING AS FAST AS IT CAN—WHILE AN ENTIRE TOWN CHEERS IT ON.

Dual

Personalized

Enrichment

Gifted

Safe,

Anti-bullying

Pre-AP

THE DISTRICT

At a Glance

HAYS CISD IS CHANGING LIVES ONE STUDENT AT A TIME

TOTAL STUDENTS 25,050

TOTAL CAMPUSES 28

Elementary17

Middle 6 High 4 Discipline Center 1

SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS

$18,778,805

(Class of2025)

GRADUATION RATE 93%

TEACHERS WITH ADVANCED DEGREES 31%

AVERAGE YEARS OF TEACHER EXPERIENCE 11.5 YEARS

STARTING TEACHER SALARY

$53,265

ADOPTED BUDGET 2025-2026

$377,502,115

AVERAGE MILES DRIVEN BY TRANSPORTATION 2,360,000

Number of Buses 225

Located in North Central Hays County, the Hays Consolidated Independent School District covers more than 221 square miles. Hays CISD is a proud partner with all of the communities it serves, providing extraordinary educational services and opportunities for students.

The district offers dynamic, rigorous instruction with a commitment to serve the unique needs of every child. Its modern, energy-efficient schools are ideal learning environments, staffed with highly-qualified, caring teachers and other educational professionals. Students are offered many specialized programs, hands-on career and technical education opportunities, a robust menu of extracurricular ventures, participation on winning athletics teams, and the finest fine arts program imaginable.

S TAY CONNE CTED

Visit our website; www.hayscisd.net Like us on Facebook. www.hayscisd.net/FB Download the Hays CISD App Apple ITunes or Google Play

Ask any questions or tell us what’s on your mind: www.hayscisd.net/heyhays

JOIN TEAM HAYS!

Competitive Salaries

Average teacher salary: $68,767

Teacher Incentive Allotment up to $18,709

Bilingual Stipend $ 7100

Special Education Teacher $2500

Special Education Teacher Specialized $5,000

Through its 100% Hays initiative, the district recognizes the value of student participation in both academics and other enriching endeavors.

The district’s mission is:

Curated Cravings

A CULINARY WALK UP MAIN STREET

WRITTEN BY SARAH MILLER, BUDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

There are plenty of great food options in Greater Buda, but today let’s take a stroll from the south railroad crossing up Main Street.

We begin at Buda Mill & Grain Co., located to the south of Historic Downtown Buda.

Our first stop is Roxie’s. Roxie’s is all about gathering around and sharing Southern-inspired meals. The menu includes family-style fried chicken and chicken fried steaks, and these entrées come with mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and green beans. Favorites include pimiento cheese and the fresh biscuits. Indulgent carrot cake and key lime pie make a visit memorable — especially when paired with one of a frozen bellinis!

mud bugs a Cajun joint in the same locale, offers a lively Cajun experience with a relaxed patio and frequent

live music. It’s a great spot for lunch or a casual night out, and the Storm Cellar provides a unique setting for private dinner parties. With rotating Daily Dozen specials, signature dishes like Soulful Seafood Jam, NOBS (New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp), and Taterfish, there’s always something new and flavorful to enjoy. Frunch (Fun Brunch!) is Saturdays and Sundays, and tasty cocktails like the Coping Mechanism and the Bushwacker are always available.

Also at the Mill & Grain. is a hidden gem: Water 2 Wine It’s a laid-back yet refined place to unwind. Guests can enjoy live music, charcuterie boards and a large selection of wines, including seasonal highlights like their Wiener White, available only in April when the Buda Weiner Dog Races are held. The event calendar at Water 2 Wine often includes private chef dinner parties and holiday celebrations.

Dos Olivos Market offers a fresh take on Spanish-inspired flavors with a large, creative and inviting menu. Dishes like whipped feta with pita, vibrant beet salad, and indulgent truffle mac and cheese showcase both comfort and flair. Pair anything you order with a frozen Wine-a-Rita for a relaxed, flavorful experience. And don’t forget to visit the market, where one can find an incredible selection of olive oils, seasonings, pastas, sweets and so much more!

Our last stop at the Mill & Grain is Ma’Coco Buda Ma’Coco brings a vibrant mix of Baja and interior Mexican cuisine, beautifully presented and full of spicy, bold flavors. The cocktails are as eye-catching as the dishes, making it a great spot for dining, drinking, and influencing.

Crossing Jack C. Hays, Esther’s Tex Mex has a large patio that combines fun and personality. Known for its eye-catching décor and signature iceberg margaritas, Esther’s is a restaurant with plenty of character. The hippy burrito is very popular, offering a unique twist on a Tex-Mex favorite.

A block north is Garcia’s. Recently remodeled and now serving adult beverages, Garcia’s offers a refreshed space to enjoy Tex-Mex staples. From rich, satisfying queso to sizzling fajitas, they deliver familiar favorites done right. The covered patio makes it an easy choice for comfortable outdoor dining.

Brooklyn’s, located at 100 Main, has a menu full of Southern and Cajun classics. Whether you’re stopping in for brunch, lunch or dinner, there’s something for every appetite. Favorites like red beans and rice, the shrimp and grits, and the loaded fries highlight bold, soulful flavors, while the popular combo lunch lets you sample of two of many delicious options.

Continuing north, Taste on Main is an elevated dining experience in a beautifully restored building with a refined menu. Guests can enjoy everything from fresh oysters and expertly prepared steaks to lobster rolls and ahi tostadas. The beautiful atrium patio creates the perfect setting for outdoor lunches and happy hours.

For years, Louie’s Craft BBQ has been the go-to for Texas barbecue in Buda. Served by the pound or as plated meals, their food can be enjoyed at one of their covered picnic-tables or taken to-go. Beyond the meats, the menu includes stuffed potatoes, Tex-Mex tacos, sandwiches, and bowls, making it as versatile as it is delicious. Its convenience and variety are the reasons it is a favorite of barbecue tourists everywhere.

Inside Zoi Market, Teal House offers pastries and light meals. The brisket kolache is a favorite. Danishes and muffins are available alongside salads and sandwiches. Grab breakfast or lunch at Teal House, then find a spot to enjoy the beautiful interior of Meridian with a coffee or beverage from the bar.

Next door to Meridian, Donut Palace is a classic stop for fresh made donuts. From sausage and cheese kolaches to apple fritters, it’s a one-stop shop for both sweet and savory breakfast cravings.

WATER 2 WINE

DOS OLIVOS MARKET

TASTE ON MAIN

Main St. Pizzeria & Beer Garden pairs great food with an alternative vibe. The bar has plenty of seating and rock music playing. Main St. is a popular spot to meet after work and catch up with friends. Among the pizza and pasta options, the generous salads and white Sangria are the order du jour for many. Main St. is also known for partnering with schools and youth organizations for giveback nights, making it a community favorite.

Crossing Elm, Cambria and Jordan’s Rail Switch is a food truck park with many tasty options. Sunfield Hand Pies offers a delicious taste of Puerto Rico with both traditional empanadas and creative savory and sweet hand pies. Gotji’s Kitchen has authentic Thai cuisine with bold, vibrant flavors. Berry Tasty Pastry Shop specializes in indulgent, individual cheesecakes. Faster Bryan Sushi is the easy choice for sushi in Buda with an expansive menu of classic rolls, robust bento boxes and platters.

Astra is located at 404 North Main and focuses on farmto-table dining with seasonal ingredients. Astra’s patio and shaded arbor are popular spots to dine and relax. The menu features shared plates, wood-fired sourdough crust pizzas, and standout items like redfish crudo and

Hopi blue cornbread. With a coffee bar, house-made ice cream, and refreshing cocktails, Astra offers a well-rounded dining experience with a crisp, modern atmosphere.

The Oak on Main is a food truck park conveniently located across from City Park and is a place to find unique and flavorful foods. Itaa’s Street Kitchen celebrates the bold flavors of Northern Mexico and Texas with its “Puro Sabor del Norte” approach. Big Daddy Jay’s Creole is veteran owned and brings authentic New Orleans-style cooking to Buda with dishes like fried fish and jambalaya.

A Snowball’s Chance is a fun, refreshing destination for unique snow cones and shaved ice.

And just across the tracks…

Abuelita’s Bakery Spot has traditional Mexican baked goods and a boutique with a fun atmosphere and unique gifts. Yummy favorites like conchas and tres leches cupcakes shine alongside a variety of coffee drinks and satisfying breakfast tacos, making it a delightful stop any time of day.

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Firmly entrenched in Buda’s history for the past 100 years, Buda Mill & Grain Co. has been re-imagined into a unique gathering place for the community to savor good food, wine, shop locally and meet with friends. Embrace the small town charm of Buda by visiting one of the businesses below!

Eat & Drink

Dos Olivos Market

MA’COCO

mud bugs a Cajun joint

Nate’s Coffee & Cocktails

Roxie’s

Water 2 Wine

Florist

Saint Montogren’s Florist

Hair Salon

Salon One 12

Shopping

Ellipsis Boutique

Hays County Outfitters

The Mercantile at Mill + Grain

Yoga Willow Gardens Yoga