People love to discover new places to visit, and this can refer to everything from shopping to recreation. But when it comes to dining, there are few places that have exploded in popularity quite like the restaurants in Dripping Springs. Something about them has earned them accolades in the food and beverage industry, and it doesn’t look like this popularity is going to slow down any time soon.
When a city becomes popular, a particular question always arises: why now and here? This is certainly not to say that Dripping Springs isn’t ready and deserving of your “discovery,” but it does make one wonder why this small town has made such a big mark on the restaurant industry.
First it is important to know a little about the city. For starters, the city is located in Hay County, Texas, about 20 miles southwest of Austin. It’s even more surprising to learn that the entire town only occupies a little over three square miles. Due to its geographic location, Dripping Springs is labeled as the “Gateway to the Hill Country”, although other small towns in the same area feel that they, too, are entitled to this title.
Given the small size of the town and its interchangeable appearance with surrounding towns, why did the restaurant features in Dripping Springs have such a big impact? Here are some reasons:
The Austin Explosion – Austin is the capital of Texas and is home to the University of Texas. It has a large population, but this population is very varied. As more people realize they want more out of life, it’s no surprise they’ve started looking beyond the city limits. Enter Dripping Springs. Even if one can explain the popularity of Dripping Springs as a byproduct of the popularity of neighboring Austin, the city is blazing its own trail. Even more important, they are part of the Sustainable Places Project, an ambitious multi-city initiative that seeks to maintain livable places and community goals even as growth occurs. Dripping Springs looks after the future of its residents and the region as a whole.
Love for the Texas Hill Country – As the area becomes a haven for distillers, wineries and other artisans, restaurants in Drippings Springs view them as quality local ingredients.
Living in the big city without big city problems – It can be easy to get lost in the crowd when you’re in the big city, even when you’re preparing quality food. By having the space to make a mark, restaurants can stand out as beacons in the community.
The popularity of craft work – Not only are the ingredients local and of high quality, but restaurant owners can take their time to prepare their food for customers who want the best.
Increase in outdoor enthusiasts – Geographically, those who venture out to explore the Texas Hill Country can see that the wild landscapes have also given rise to great places to enjoy great food and recharge for the next adventure.
Farm-to-table approach – Restaurants in Dripping Springs know that their customers want transparency in their food and restaurant owners want the same. When everyone is on the same page, it becomes a wonderful experience.
Dripping Springs restaurants don’t try to do anything fancy to attract diners. What they do, however, is take the time to make quality meals at great prices for a clientele who understand that good food is an art that deserves to be appreciated.