Every now and then you stumble across a hidden gem that you know will become a big part of your life.
The Rusty Mule, located at 9201 US-290 between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs, is that diamond in the rough.
Folks that have been out there will immediately begin to sing its praises when The Rusty Mule is mentioned in conversations, convincing those who haven’t been yet to put it on their “places to go” list.
3 acres under the live oaks
Where The Rusty Mule wins is atmosphere coupled with delicious drinks and yummy food trucks.
The first thing you will notice when you pull up to the parking lot is that there are no office buildings or other scenery wreckers. The establishment sits on beautiful acreage backed by grassy views and live oaks.
Oh, and don’t forget about the chickens.
The friendly birds roam free and get their exercise by the occasional chasing from a patron’s kiddo or dog.
That’s right, The Rusty Mule is kid and pet-friendly too. There is a playscape for them to get all that energy out while you enjoy an adult beverage.
Just follow these 2 simple rules
Now on to the main events: drinks, food, and live music.
Drinks at The Rusty Mule
The Rusty Mule boasts a full liquor bar alongside an impressive local draft beer selection.
The signature cocktails you have to try are:
- The Rusty Mule (moonshine, lime and ginger beer)
- The Dirty Mule (Tito’s, lime, olive juice, ginger beer)
- The Ruby Mule (Deep Eddy Ruby Red, lime, ginger beer)
Other signature cocktails like the Spicy Margarita boast fresh jalapenos and the perfect mixture of sweet and peppery.
Food Trucks at The Rusty Mule
It’s also good to come hungry so you can try one of the three food trucks on site.
A few of the “must eats” from the food truck trio:
La Fantabulous Tacos: Camaron Shrimp Tacos with a tangy homemade vinaigrette and the vegetarian La Beaner Taco with black beans and avocado.
Southside Flying Pizza: The Dillo Pizza which has roasted red peppers, portobellos, and Italian sausage (and it can come gluten-free too!)
Chico and the Fox: The Oink-N-Cluck which features candied jalapenos, pulled pork in homemade moonshine BBQ sauce topped with a fried egg.
Live Music at The Rusty Mule
The last thing we have to mention is the live music. This is a place that has many local musicians come and play originals and favorites. The music usually starts at 8pm.
Local musician Jeremy Steding says, “I love playing at The Rusty Mule. Everyone there always is having a great time which makes for a good and interactive audience!”
Now go have some fun at The Rusty Mule … just keep an eye on your kiddos.
Location & Hours
9201 Highway 290 W, Austin, Texas 78736 (map)
Mon-Wed: 3:30pm-11:00pm
Thu-Fri: 3:30pm-1:00am
Sat: 12:00pm-1:00am
Sun: 12:00pm-11:00pm
Images: Cathy Hale
We love this place. The owners are so willing to help provide a great space for charity events as well.
I think it’s worth mentioning that all the food trucks accept credit cards.
We love this place!