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The cheeseburger and fries combo ($ 11) is served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and spices as a side dish. (Photos by Zara Flores / Community Impact Newspaper)
Photos signed with markers cover the walls and ceiling with love letters and precious memories at Willie’s Joint in Buda. Co-owner Greg Henry talks about people who come from everywhere to sign their name, come back and show it to loved ones. Henry and his childhood friend Jeff Griffin discussed opening their own business together and made it a reality in 2013. Together with Greg Pratt Jr., who had previously worked in barbecue companies, they opened Willie’s Joint, a place where friends and family could spend time together without having to cook, clean, and entertain.
Willie isn’t someone they know personally, and many think it was named after Willie Nelson, but when they opened the store the name just fell off the tongue, they said.
They initially served barbecue, but have since reduced to “simple bar food,” said Henry. Willie’s now serves burgers, chicken strips, and tater tots. “Lots of bars [in Austin] are super packed with singles, younger, whatever it may be. This is more of a bar-restaurant in the family area. Since we’re mostly outside, people like to come here, ”said Henry.
In addition to a restaurant, Willie’s Joint has a general store that sells branded goods, snow bags, old-fashioned candy, and ice cream, and the Honey Hat Co. sells cowboy hats.
Right now, says Henry, they want to stay small, stay local and make people happy.
Willie’s Joint, 824 Main St., Buda. 512-295-0483. www.williesjoint.com
Meal times: Mon.-Tue. 5 pm-9pm; Wed-Thu, Sun 11 am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11 am-10pm
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