Moonshine Grill

Moonshine Grill in Highland Lakes, Texas, was recently deemed one of the weirded restaurants in Austin, so I set out to try it. From the outside, it didn’t seem all that weird. It looked like a country-style-looking home renovated into a restaurant, but when I walked in, things were a bit different. 

It’s a very busy restaurant with a lot of people hustling and bustling about. They seemed to have a few private parties at the time I visited, and the hostess appeared to be a bit frazzled by it all, understandably.

I was seated at the bar, which seemed to be one of the few seats available in the location. I looked at the menu and didn’t really see anything weird about the food either. 

So, I asked the bartender why the location was supposed to be weird. He told me that the restaurant was incredibly haunted and that it was a historical landmark. I learned there was once a carriage house that stopped at the location—and today, that’s where the outdoor patio sits. 

He told me, too, that there is also a private area downstairs where a speakeasy was located—and it is still in operation today! How cool is that?

Originally opened in 1852 as a mercantile and trading post, Moonshine Grill opened its doors in 2003. And with an incredible menu, they offer a lot of the traditional flare that this Moonshine Grill has had for many years. 

Vibe

Looking around, you may find the location a bit out of the ordinary. The interior décor is elegant and rustic while giving off a modern feel to the whole restaurant. Dare I say, shabby chic? 

But hidden within the walls, you could tell there was a lot of history, as though eyes were almost staring at you. And even though the restaurant was super busy, I still felt an uneasy stillness in the space.

Overall, Moonshine Grill has a causal vibe to it, but don’t be fooled; it could be a bit fancy with the right attire and timing. 

I recommend this strange restaurant more for couples and families with much older children or even solo travelers like myself.

Moonshine Grill: Menu & Drinks

This weird restaurant’s food is awesome, and the drinks are, too. 

One of their specialty drinks is a bourbon slush with a moonshine float. I had to give it a try. If I could compare it to anything, it reminded me of a frozen margarita with a Grand Marnier floater. 

And with the location being known for its moonshine, there are numerous flavor options and various types of other drinks available that have a bit of moonshine in them. To warn you, though, I only had a few sips of my drink and could tell that it would definitely be a one-and-done kind of drink. It’s very tasty and can go down very easily, which in turn makes for a very dangerous drink.

As for food, I tried Sweet Potato Tots and Stone Ground Grits. Delicious! Other options on the menu include chicken, burgers, salads, and even a Venison Salisbury Steak.