The
Food & Drink Issue
HOME + DESIGN
A SE AT AT TH E TABLE F O O D + B E V E R AG E
SO N O F TH E WI LD ¡SALU D, Y ’ALL!
O C TO B E R 2 02 6
(512) 478-3800 carrolltrobermanlaw.com
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Carroll Troberman, PLLC is a boutique law firm led by seasoned attorneys Blair Carroll and Shelly Troberman. Whether you're dealing with a high-conflict divorce or custody battle, a CPS investigation, or criminal charges, our firm is committed to helping individuals and families navigate life's most difficult legal challenges with thoughtful, responsive representation. 3110 US-290, Suite 303 Austin, Texas 78737
1400 West 6th Street Austin, Texas 78703
Dripping Springs’ premier fine jeweler offering hand-selected diamonds, custom creations, and heirloom worthy pieces. We bring luxury, artistry, and heartfelt service to our community and beyond. DIAMONDS | GEMSTONES | BRIDAL | PEARLS | DESIGNER JEWELRY | CUSTOM DESIGNS www.drippingdiamonds.com @drippingdiamondstx Text: 214-813-4250 | Call: 512-829-4186
GREATER CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY Led by Lara Dudek, MD, Board Certified Ophthalmologist, we’re proud to welcome Dr. Marilyn Kelinske, MD and Dr. Christina Payne, OD to our team. From Dripping Springs to the Greater Austin area, we’re expanding access to advanced eye care, while staying grounded in the personal approach our patients trust.
COMPREHENSIVE CARE INCLUDES: Eye Exams Contact Lenses Laser Vision Correction Cataract Surgery Cosmetic
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AN ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN STUDIO
Everything you ever wanted to know about parapets. Starting with, “what’s a parapet?”
WHERE THEORY MEETS PRACTICE
& COLLABORATION IS AT OUR CORE
ĒSO is an Austin-based, woman-led architecture design studio that believes that great design starts with clarity, collaboration and trust. We take the time to explain the why behind every decision, balancing ambition with reality to translate technical details into plain language and practical choices. Because even the loftiest of dream projects needs to be rooted in reality. Our open, transparent process gives you the space to find your space. How many stories is your story? Let’s find out. ESO-ARCH.COM
Expect More. Travel Less. At Rêve Plastic Surgery, luxury meets authenticity. As the first and only board-certified plastic surgeon in Dripping Springs, Dr. Kashyap brings world-class training and artistry to the Hill Country, offering discerning patients a destination for refined, natural results close to home.
reveplasticsurgery.com | (512) 649-9466 1055 Kibo Ridge Dr Ste 105, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Locally owned and operated by Dr. Anil & Kristina Kashyap
Big Fun for Little Movers
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Morning Programs designed for busy little bodies and busy parents! Find their favorite activity! Where confidence grows and adventure begins hceliteathletics.com | 5128294155 | 14101 US-290, Austin, Texas 78737
Mini Ninjas
LIFESTYLE LETTER
Stay a Little Longer I like making food and watching people gather around. Maybe feeding others began as my love language, but I soak up the moments when everyone comes out from wherever they’ve been hiding to share in a meal. There’s magic in those moments. The ordinary Tuesday when a neighbor stops by for one glass of wine and stays for two hours. The Sunday morning when someone wanders into the kitchen hungry, snagging a piece of bacon without caring whether breakfast was ready. The nights when dinner was supposed to wrap up by 9 PM, but instead we’re still at the table at midnight, nobody in a hurry to leave. My philosophy is: Pull up a chair, pour another glass, put more food on the table—whatever it takes to keep people around a little longer. That's what a good meal does. It's never only about what's being served. That’s just an excuse to get everyone in the same room … and it gives them a reason to stay. My mom always told me that people don't remember much of what you say to them, but they never forget how you made them feel. I think about that when I'm preparing food. It's not that the food doesn't matter. It's that the food is how the feeling gets made. The dishes we remember most—like bread pudding or homemade ice cream— are rarely memorable just because of how they taste. They stick with us because someone paid attention. Someone cared enough to get the details right. If you’re doing it right, nobody leaves talking about the menu. They leave talking about how the night felt. That's what I love about Dripping Springs. We don't have Austin's endless list of restaurants and bars, but we do have local people thoughtfully preparing great food and creating spaces that make you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile. In the end, connection is the whole point. The food and drink just give us a reason to sit still long enough to find it.
W H I T N I E S T R AU S S , M A N AG I N G E D I TO R @DRIPPINGSPRINGSCITYLIFESTYLE
October 2026 PUBLISHER
Will Rivera | will.rivera@citylifestyle.com CO-PUBLISHER
Karen Rivera | karen.rivera@citylifestyle.com M AN AG I N G E D I TO R
Whitnie Strauss | whitnie.strauss@citylifestyle.com M AR K E T S U P P O RT D I R E C TO R
Annie O'Brien | annie.obrien@citylifestyle.com C O PY E D I TO R
Melissa Svoboda | melissa.svoboda@citylifestyle.com STAF F W R I T E R
Melissa Svoboda | melissa.svoboda@citylifestyle.com S O C I AL M E D I A C O O R D I N ATO R
Isabella Aldrete | isabella.raquel@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R I AL C O O R D I N ATO R
Iris Castro | iris.castro@citylifestyle.com SAL E S S U P P O RT D I R E C TO R
Nathan Synoground nathan.synoground@citylifestyle.com INTERNS
Leia Grenat, Vivian Gomez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Megan Ewing, Vivian Gomez, Sarah Miller, Crystal Myers, Kristi Sellers, Christina Thompson, Micah Wiener C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S
Stay Berg, Kimber Brown, Iris Castro, Chase Davis, Kathy Dumas, Summer Miles, Claire Mulkey
Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Dripping Springs City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Dripping Springs area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle
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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R
Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Dripping Springs City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE WINE DINE & JAZZ FESTIVAL | NOVEMBER 6 & 7 Join us for a weekend and experience firsthand what makes Horseshoe Bay so special. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore The Club, meet our community, and get a sneak peek at the lifestyle waiting for you. 830.598.7846 | CLUBHSB.COM | MEMBERSHIP@HSBRESORT.COM
EVENT DETAILS
www.hauscollectiveinteriors.com
Built with Purposeful Design
FOUNDATIONS OF HOME
thoughtfully designed from day one
Please come see us for a smile
Born and raised in Dripping Springs, Dr. Shane Whisenant, is proud to be providing trustworthy, quality dentistry to his community. At Gatlin Creek Dentistry, our patients can experience better living through comprehensive dental care and improved oral health. Hours: Monday - Wednesday 8-5, Thursday 8-3, Friday Appointment Only www.gatlincreekdentistry.com | 5128942358 13341 W Highway 290, Suite 402 Austin, TX 78737
inside the issue OC TOB E R 2 02 6 | FOOD & D R I N K
58 Featured
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58 76
76
Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.
46
WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?
Departments
¡Salud, Y’all!
Meet Thirsty Vaquero, the Homegrown Ranch Soda Bringing Bold Flavor to the Texas Soda Aisle
Son of the Wild
Fire, Wild Game, and the Spirit of the Hill Country
A Seat at the Table These Inviting Spaces Prove There’s More Than One Way To Gather
18
Lifestyle Letter
30
City Scene
32
Business Monthly
36
Local’s Choice FOOD + BEVERAGE
42
Local Limelight FOOD + BEVERAGE
46
Locally Sourced FOOD + BEVERAGE
54
Giving Back LIFE + CULTURE
58
Chef ’s Selection FOOD + BEVERAGE
64
Trend Setter FOOD + BEVERAGE
70
Must See FOOD + BEVERAGE
76
Inspired By HOME + DESIGN
88
Maker’s Studio FOOD + BEVERAGE
94
Our Town SPORTS + RECREATION
98
Now Open FOOD + BEVERAGE
100 Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAGE 106 Hot Spot FOOD + BEVERAGE
On the Cover
110 Happy Hour FOOD + BEVERAGE
Chris Kaiser brings a bold idea to life with Thirsty Vaquero, a sweet-and-spicy Ranch Soda with a rebellious Texican spirit
114
Photography: Iris Castro
22
Events
With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online. Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.
More than golf. Built for community. Drift Golf + Social is a modern destination where recreation, business, and connection come together. Designed to bring people together, we offer an inviting space to play, work, relax, and build lasting relationships—all under one roof.
S P E C I A L T H A N K S T O O U R FO U N D I N G M E M B E R S C I R C L E
C O M I N G FA L L 2 0 2 6 D R I F TG O L FSOC I A L . C O M
Exceptional Digestive Care.
Close to
HOME. For more than 40 years, Austin Gastroenterology has been Central Texas’ trusted leader in digestive care. At our Dripping Springs clinic, board-certified gastroenterologists Dr. David Kim and Dr. Adam Hafemeister provide expert, personalized care close to home. Whether you’re due for a preventive colonoscopy or looking for answers to ongoing digestive concerns, we’re here to help you stay healthy for the moments that matter most.
SPECIALIZING IN: Colon Cancer Prevention | GERD and Reflux Management | Irritable Bowel Syndrome Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Liver Disease
512-829-2101 | austingastro.com | 170 Benney Ln, Suite 201, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Scan to learn about our Dripping Springs location and request an appointment
THE GOOD GOOD STUFF STUFF IS NEVER QUIET CConversations onversations ov over er sh shared ared rrecipes ecipes aand nd ffamily amily tr adition. tradition. The recipes passed down through generations. The stories told a hundred times. The laughter that fills every corner. The moments we never want to miss.
Let s gget Let’s et you you rready eady for for th the e holi holidays days aahead. head. S Stay tay cconnected onnected to to the cconversations, the onversations, recipe, recipe, and and traditions traditions that that mean mean everything. everything. ’
Hearing Assessment
Earwax Removal
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Cochlear Implants
We ears. We see see eeveryone veryone with with ea rs. Hearing Hearing healthcare healthcare for for generations. generations. Dripping Springs 800 800 US 290 290 Bld C Ste 200 200 Dripping Springs,, TX 78620 78620 US
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( 2) 894-7773 (512) 894-7773 (830) 360-2000 (830) 360-2000
Family-Owned Veterinary Care For Your Large And Small Animals (512) 230-1720 FoxVeterinaryServices.com 27008 Ranch Rd 12 Unit C, Dripping Springs, TX Hours: Mon - Fri. 8 am to 5 pm.
Texas Iowa Reclaimed Custom milled Reclaimed materials shipped to your jobsite. Reclaimed Floors, Beams, & Boards
Featuring reclaimed hand hewn timbers and original face boards. Design by Deborah Kirk Interiors
History made new www.texasiowareclaimed.com 832.257.3249
Designed for Gathering. Made for Living.
From morning coffee at the kitchen island to dinner on the deck as the sun goes down, thoughtful design creates spaces that make everyday life feel a little more special.
www.katetart.com | 512.968.2285 | v@katetartarch
PREMIUM HEIRLOOM PRODUCTS, FOR ALL YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES A locally owned and operated family business, we offer concierge style service for hunting, fly fishing, knives, tools, outdoor apparel and more texasgadgetcompany.com | 512-300-0529 | 13030 US-290, Austin, Texas 78737
OCTOBER 2026
city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1
2
3
@DRIPPINGSPRINGSISD
4
@MODERNMOMCHEF
5 @DRIPPINGSPRINGSISD
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@DRIPPINGSPRINGSISD
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@DRIPPINGSPRINGSARTLEAGUE
@NATURALHEALINGTX
FACEBOOK.COM/DRIPPINGSPRINGS TIGERSOFTBALL
1: Marissa Fisk caters a wedding in Tarrytown, Austin 2: Coach Michael Kane achieves 600 career wins, becoming Dripping Springs’ winningest coach 3: DSISD kicks off a brand-new school year 4: Staff returns to campus, gearing up for an exciting 2026-27 school year 5: Dripping Springs Art League hosts Meet the Artists reception at Rolling in Thyme & Dough 6: Regenerate celebrates back-to-school week with a Bubbles and B12 event 7: DSHS softball's Lorelei Gamble and Tatum Green receive National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American awards
Want to be seen in the magazine? TA G Y O U R I N S TA G R A M P H O T O S W I T H @ D R I P P I N G S P R I N G S C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E
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C I T Y SC E N E
Closed with Kim
101 BROADWING COVE PRIVATELY MARKETED SOLD THROUGH KIM’S NETWORK
TBD EVERGREEN WAY | COMING SOON IN HAWK RIDGE 2027 | BUILT BY BRANDON CUSTOM HOMES
Kim Burke HILL COUNTRY LUXURY EXPERT | REALTOR® 512.912.6075 KimB@ChristiesRealEstate.com www.KimBurkeRealty.com
OCTOBER 2026
business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S
Drip Swag Shop Celebrates Grand Opening Drip Swag Shop specializes in spirit apparel, team gear, unique gifts, custom embroidery, hats, and more. After building a loyal following online, the business recently opened its first brick-and-mortar location and celebrated the milestone with a ribbon cutting and grand opening. DripSwagShop.com
Photography by @drippingspringschamber
Sparrow Pediatrics Expands Its Team Sparrow Pediatrics welcomes Mary Gwen Sagen, CPNP-PC, to its growing team. Sagen brings years of pediatric primary care experience and a passion for supporting families through every stage of childhood. SparrowPediatricsGroup.com
Scan to read more
Photography by Sparrow Pediatrics Group
Project Connect Becomes Springs of Hope Project Connect has officially become Springs of Hope, a new name that better reflects the organization's expanded mission of strengthening lives through connection, compassion, and community support. Since 2015, the nonprofit has helped thousands of local students, families, DSISD employees, and neighbors by connecting them with critical resources, providing financial assistance, coordinating volunteers, and bringing together businesses, churches, nonprofits, schools, and community partners to meet real needs. SpringsOfHopeDS.org
Photography by SpringsOfHopeDS.org
Want to be featured? G E T I N T O U C H AT C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E . C O M / D R I P P I N G S P R I N G S
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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY
GOOD TASTE GOES BEYOND THE TABLE. Bringing local knowledge, thoughtful strategy, and a personal touch to every real estate move.
Your Hill Country Connection to all things real estate
STEPHANIE POPE - REALTOR ® 512-644-0413 || WWW.POPETEAMREALESTATE.COM STEPHANIE@NESTHAVENPROPERTIES.COM
LAND - RESIDENTIAL - FARM & RANCH - EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES
TIPLER DESIGN ARCHITECTURE • INTERIORS
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TIPLER.COM HILL COUNTRY • AUSTIN • HOUSTON
INSIDE HOMESPUN, DRIPPING SPRINGS’ B E L O V E D F A M I LY R E S TA U R A N T
PULL UP
A CHAIR ARTICLE BY MEGAN EWING PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBER BROWN
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LOCA L’S CH OICE | FO O D + BE VE RAGE
“IT’S A LITTLE SOUTHERN COMFORT MIXED IN WITH A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING ELSE.” - JENNIFER WALKER
In the heart of Dripping Springs, where live music fills the air and plates of comfort food make their way from the kitchen, Homespun Kitchen & Bar feels just like its name suggests: familiar, welcoming, and unpretentious. For mother-and-daughter owners Jennifer Walker and Candace Fernandez, however, Homespun is more than a neighborhood restaurant. It is a piece of their family’s history—and a place they hope will remain part of Dripping Springs for generations. Fernandez grew up in Dripping Springs when the town looked very different from the rapidly growing community it is today. The building that now houses Homespun was once home to Mama’s Muffins, a bakery owned by the mother of one of Fernandez’s childhood friends, and she fondly remembers stopping there for a pastry before school. So when the space became available just as she was preparing to enter the restaurant business, she knew she wanted it. Homespun opened its doors in 2013, although the restaurant was not quite what the pair originally envisioned. Walker and Fernandez initially considered opening a wine-and-tapas concept, but when they realized friends nearby were already doing something similar, they decided to pivot. CONTINUED >
OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P PI N G S P R I N G S
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“‘HOMESPUN’ MEANS HONEST, SIMPLE, UNPRETENTIOUS—AND THAT IS OUR VIBE. THAT IS WHAT WE WANT, AND WE HOPE THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO HOMESPUN, THAT’S WHAT THEY FEEL.” - CANDACE FERNANDEZ
The result was a full-service restaurant and bar that became one of the first of its kind in town. “It was kind of a whirlwind, to be honest,” Walker says. The restaurant may have started with a change of plans, but the food itself was anything but an afterthought. Fernandez recalls growing up in a home where most meals were made from scratch, and she often helped her mother plan the family’s weekly dinners. Those meals are reflected in Homespun’s menu. Macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, and Sunday fried chicken were staples of Fernandez’s childhood. Today, Homespun puts its own spin on familiar flavors, pairing Southern comfort food with farm-to-table influences and dishes inspired by various culinary traditions. “It’s a little Southern comfort mixed in with a little bit of everything else,” Walker says. That philosophy extends beyond the food. The restaurant’s name was intentionally chosen to reflect the atmosphere the family wanted to create. Fernandez remembers searching for a name that felt genuine and captured the personality of the restaurant. “If you Google the word, it means honest, simple, unpretentious— and that is our vibe,” she says. “That is what we want, and we hope that when people come into Homespun, that’s what they feel.”
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LOCA L’S CH OICE | FO O D + BE VE RAGE
For the mother-daughter duo, creating that feeling also means incorporating pieces of the community into the restaurant itself. A countertop at the front bar was made from a 100-yearold schoolhouse floor from San Marcos, while the bar in the outdoor pavilion features reclaimed gym flooring from Dripping Springs Middle School. There is even a little red wagon with its own Homespun history. When the Dripping Springs farmers market was located across the street, the restaurant’s chef would use the wagon to haul fresh produce back to the kitchen. The family continues to source locally whenever possible. Homespun has grown over the years, developing an extensive whiskey and Scotch selection. What started with customers requesting more whiskey eventually became a collection that includes allocated bottles and hard-to-find selections. In addition to growing its menu, Homespun has grown physically, developing the pavilion space and outdoor bar. Affectionately known as the “Spun Out Bar,” the pavilion gives guests another place to settle in, with outdoor seating, a full-service bar, and 12 televisions so sports fans can keep up with the game. It has also become a favorite spot for events, celebrations, and casual get-togethers.
Live music is another part of the restaurant’s identity, with performances Wednesday through Saturday. Between the music, bar, patio, and scratch-made food, Homespun is designed to be a place where people can stay awhile, whether they are meeting friends for dinner, grabbing a drink after work, or gathering with family. But building that kind of gathering place has not always been easy. Homespun has endured the challenges of the restaurant industry, including staffing difficulties and the disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic. The restaurant has also weathered not one, but two floods—the first in October 2015 and another, particularly devastating, flood in May 2019, when four feet of water filled the building right before Mother’s Day. The family managed to reopen within a week. Those experiences inspired an enduring motto at Homespun: “Come hell or high water.” More than a decade after opening, Homespun remains exactly what Walker and Fernandez intended—a family-run restaurant with no investors, deeply connected to the place where it began. As Dripping Springs grows, Walker hopes newcomers will discover not only the food and music but the history behind the restaurant. “We have generations of our family still living in Dripping Springs,” she says. “We want this to be a safe spot for people to come get a from-scratch meal.” And perhaps most importantly, she says, “We want to continue to be here to serve you.” HomespunKitchenAndBar.com | facebook.com/ homespunkitchenandbar
“WE HAVE GENERATIONS OF OUR FAMILY STILL LIVING IN DRIPPING SPRINGS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SAFE SPOT FOR PEOPLE TO COME GET A FROM-SCRATCH MEAL.”
OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P P I N G S P R I N G S
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Family Owned. Family Operated. Family Oriented. We live here - We work here - We serve here Exceptional Roofing & Service Since 2009 10,000+ roofs installed locally | Insurance Specialists | Metal Roof Experts Licensed & Insured | New Construction & Roof Replacement
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MARKET REFRESH We are excited to share some of the changes happening at Oakwood Public Market. Our goal is to build on everything the community already loves about Oakwood while making the space more comfortable, functional, family-friendly, and enjoyable throughout the day. Inside the coffee shop, we have added comfortable lounge seating, creating a welcoming place to meet a friend, work for a while, enjoy a quiet cup of coffee, or settle in while the kids play. We want Oakwood to feel like an extension of your living room—a place where you can stay, connect, and feel at home. We have also added an arcade with games for kids, teenagers, and adults. Birthday party packages for the arcade are coming soon as well. Our event space is moving to a new location within Oakwood, giving us a flexible area for private parties, community gatherings, meetings, celebrations, and special events. When it is not being used for an event, the space will provide additional overflow seating for the restaurant and market.
Exciting Changes Are Coming to Oakwood Public Market ARTICLE BY SARAH MILLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLAIRE MULKEY
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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | FO OD + BE VE RAGE
We are expanding the menu with more variety for lunch, dinner, snacks, and shareable plates. And don’t worry—more gluten-free options are absolutely part of the plan. We want everyone in the family to find something they are excited to order. Outside, we are expanding the children’s play area and adding coverage so families can enjoy it more comfortably throughout the year. We are also adding more televisions, making Oakwood an even better place to watch college football, NFL games, local teams, and other major sporting events with friends and neighbors. The market will continue to spotlight local vendors and small businesses while adding more practical, everyday products alongside the fun finds and gifts. Our vision is to create a market where you can discover something made locally, pick up something you need, and support businesses from Dripping Springs and the surrounding Hill Country.
Oakwood Public Market is becoming a true gathering place where our community can eat, drink, shop, play, celebrate, and spend time together. We cannot wait to welcome you in and share everything that is coming. ExploreOakwood.com | @oakwoodpublicmarket
OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P PI N G S P R I N G S
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FROM H ILL CO U NT RY BO U T I Q U E TO U LT R A MO D E R N AU ST I N,
WE WILL BRING YOUR VISION TO LIFE
512.200.4244 | longhornpools.com
www.JSH.group 512-416-6500
The home as a gathering place.
A home built for the people you'll fill it with.
Scan to view a featured residence and request a private consultation.
The finest homes aren't measured in square feet. They're measured in the evenings spent in them. The long dinners, the full counters, the kitchen everyone drifts back to. Designing for that takes more than good taste; it takes a plan settled before ground breaks, so the flow, the finishes, and the budget all hold together. Thirty-five years of custom homes across the Hill Country, built for the way families actually gather. Best Builder, Austin Home Magazine, 2021–2024 Austin · Bee Cave · Dripping Springs
¡SALUD Y’ ALL! MEET THIRSTY VAQUERO, THE HOMEGROWN RANCH SODA
BRINGING BOLD
FLAVOR AND TEXICAN ATTITUDE TO THE
ARTICLE BY MELISSA SVOBODA
TEXAS SODA AISLE
Long before Thirsty Vaquero found its way into our neighborhood supermarket, the idea for a sweet-and-spicy “Texican soda” was brewing in Chris Kaiser’s head. Chris had spent more than a decade at Anheuser-Busch, where his various roles in sales and marketing took his family all around the country. During a stint in El Paso, the region’s Southwestern flavors and “Texican vibe” sparked an idea he couldn’t quite shake. Years later, after moving back to Texas and settling in Dripping Springs in 2021, Chris finally began bringing his idea to life. On the back porch, he and a couple of friends he’d known since grade school experimented with spices and fruit juices, tinkering with different combinations until they found the balance they were looking for. The result was Thirsty Vaquero, a line of sweet-and-spicy Ranch Sodas inspired by the flavors and spirit of Texas. After several iterations and the long process of turning a back-porch concoction into a market-ready beverage, Thirsty Vaquero made its debut on Amazon in 2025. The next
PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRIS CASTRO
year, Chris made another big move, stepping away from his career at Anheuser-Busch to give Thirsty Vaquero his full attention. Just a few months later, the brand reached a major milestone: Thirsty Vaquero landed in the soda aisles of more than 300 H-E-B stores across Texas.
SWEET MEETS HEAT
So what, exactly, is a Texican soda? Think soda, with a kick. “They all start out sweet, with a signature spicy finish,” Chris explains. The description etched on the side of each Thirsty Vaquero can puts it a little more playfully: “Each can will rob your tastebuds blind like a band of ruthless banditos to a train full of gold.” But from the beginning, Chris was equally focused on what isn’t in the can. Without sacrificing flavor, he aimed to create an alternative to the sugary sodas that dominate the category. Sweetened with real fruit juice and organic agave, each can of Thirsty Vaquero has just 60 to 70 calories and about one-third the sugar of a traditional soda. CONTINUED >
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“That is the driving factor for us,” Chris says. “We want to own that better-for-you space for Texans.” The current Thirsty Vaquero lineup includes three flavors with colorful Spanish names: Limón Ladrón (“Lime Thief”), which combines bright lime juice with a hint of salt and savory chile spice; Mango Muerte (“Mango Death”), pairing rich mango juice with a bold habanero finish; and Sandia Salvaje (“Wild Watermelon”), with juicy watermelon and a kick of jalapeño.
SODA WITH A WILD SIDE
With these outlaw-inspired names and cans featuring edgy artwork, Thirsty Vaquero almost looks like it belongs behind a bar. In fact, the packaging has led plenty of people to assume there’s alcohol inside. There isn’t. That dichotomy is intentional. Chris describes the brand as “bold and
rebellious—like a rebel in the beverage space.” Thirsty Vaquero may sit in the soda aisle, but it was never designed to feel like an ordinary soda. And while every can is completely alcohol-free, what happens after you crack it open is up to you. The drinks are meant to stand on their own but aren’t afraid of a little tequila. Used as a mixer or poured over a beer for a twist on a chelada, “Thirsty Vaquero really blends the two palates together,” Chris says. “It makes a killer ranch water.” The same sweet-meets-heat profile makes the drinks a natural pairing for food. From street tacos to savory Texas barbecue, the sweetness cuts through rich flavors while the spicy finish adds another layer of heat.
A TEXAS STATE OF MIND
The flavor, however, goes beyond taste buds: Thirsty Vaquero is meant to put you in a Texas state of mind. And calling it a Ranch Soda is intentional.
Chris explains: “If Corona is your beach, Thirsty Vaquero will be your ranch.” “I think Texas is very much a feeling,” he continues. “Most of us don’t own a ranch, but we know what it feels like—just to be with your friends, let loose for the weekend, and unplug. ‘The workday is done. I’m going to relax and enjoy myself.’” It’s that feeling Thirsty Vaquero aims to capture. The brand’s Texas identity is woven throughout, from its Westerninspired imagery to the flavors themselves. For Chris, it also carries what he calls a Texican spirit—a lighthearted mix of the Mexican and Anglo influences that are so much a part of Texas culture. Thirsty Vaquero embraces that intersection with a Spanglish sense of humor, playfully acknowledging the overlap of culture and language. “Spanish and English are combined on a can for a reason,” Chris says. “It’s appreciation of each other’s culture in a fun and unique way.” CONTINUED >
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“IF CORONA IS YOUR BEACH, THIRSTY VAQUERO WILL BE YOUR RANCH.” - CHRIS KAISER
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ALL IN
Since settling in Dripping Springs, Chris and his family immediately felt a strong sense of community. It was here that Chris would make one of the biggest decisions of his professional life: leaving his long-term career at AnheuserBusch to take a chance on Thirsty Vaquero. “I had a great career in the beer business and still had a lot to accomplish,” he says. “When you start your own business, you never know what it’s going to be like.” He didn’t make the leap alone. Along with the two childhood friends who joined him in the venture, Chris credits his wife, Bobbie, with giving him the confidence to go all in. “Bobbie was the one who encouraged me to pursue this idea that continued to pull at me over and over again,” he says. And that nudge was just the beginning. Thirsty Vaquero has become something of a family affair. “I’m always storming into Bobbie’s office,” Chris laughs, “asking her this, showing her that. She has been the ultimate partner in this whole thing.”
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The Kaisers’ children, 9-year-old Louis and 6-year-old Claudia, have also gotten in on the action, helping with tastings and proudly telling customers about the drinks. Claudia’s favorite is Sandia Salvaje, while Louis is “a big limón guy.” For Chris, their enthusiasm also underscores one of his original goals: creating an alternative to the sugary sodas marketed to kids. “Anything that gets kids off those super-sweet beverages is a win,” he says. And as Chris watches people discover Thirsty Vaquero—some becoming what he jokingly calls “super-fans”—the move from a comfortable corporate career to an uncertain entrepreneurial one is beginning to feel worth it. “The best part is seeing people’s reactions when they try it for the first time,” he says. “You put something out in the world, and you just don’t know what’s going to happen. Seeing that reaction has been really cool and validating.” Not bad for something that started with a few old friends, some fruit juice and spices, and an idea brewing on a Dripping Springs back porch. ThirstyVaquero.com | @thirstyvaquero
“ANYTHING THAT GETS KIDS OFF THOSE SUPER-SWEET BEVERAGES IS A WIN.” - CHRIS KAISER
Justin Hrabovsky and family
The right home loan starts with the right recipe Buying a home shouldn’t be a one-size-fits all exeperience. Just like a great recipe, the right
mortgage takes the right ingredients; competitive pricing, the right loan program, and expert guidance to bring it all together As a proud Dripping Springs resident and business owner, Justin Hrabovsky is committed to delivering personalized mortgage solutions, competitive pricing, and local expertise so you can spend less time worrying about your mortgage and more time enjoying the life you’re
building.
Scan or visit Rate-Advantage.com to explore rates and learn more
Justin Hrabovsky, Owner |NMLS#1022103 | 512-665-8353 | justin@rate-advantage.com All loans subject to credit approval. Not a commitment to lend. Rate Advantage is dba of NEXA Mortgage LLC corp NMLS# 1660690. 5559 S Sossaman Rd Bldg 1 Ste 101 Mesa AZ 85212. Equal housing Lender.
Bringing More
to the Table To lifelong Dripping Springs local Ashley Schenk, hunger is about more than food. It’s about people. “Hunger is connected to education, healthcare, women’s leadership, agriculture, clean water, local government, and the main thing is opportunity,” Schenk says. “The Hunger Project partners with communities to disrupt those systems so that they can continue to build lasting, self-reliant change.” For 10 years, Schenk has worked with The Hunger Project, a global nonprofit,
currently serving as the Director of Culture & People Development. When her longtime neighbor, Emma Guzman, graduated from Dripping Springs High School in 2024, Schenk recognized in her the leadership qualities vital to The Hunger Project. Schenk met with Guzman and explained that she was looking for youth leaders committed to making a difference in the world: “I have this program that develops leaders specifically in colleges,” she said. “Are you ready to be a change maker?” With this, the trajectory of Guzman’s future changed. As an incoming freshman at the University of Oklahoma (OU), Guzman’s internship with The Hunger Project led her and Schenk to Zambia in 2025, where she witnessed the program’s work between rural communities, global interns, staff, and investors through a new lens. “Being able to reflect on Zambia and being an advocate on my own campus is really special,” Guzman says. “At The Hunger Project, we strive to create a world without hunger. Our mission is to start with women, mobilize communities, and engage local government.” Through the youth movement, FeelGood, the nonprofit empowers university students with a mission to raise awareness and donations through a social enterprise. Founding OU FeelGood in 2025, Guzman educated her fellow Sooners about The Hunger Project’s mission and vision statement. She created executive positions to grow leadership on campus and spearheaded a social enterprise campaign, launching OU FeelGood merchandise to raise funds for The Hunger Project. Guzman’s connection with The Hunger Project allowed her to showcase the OU chapter’s fundraising efforts at The Fall Event in 2025 in New York City alongside her hometown neighbor.
From Dripping Springs to Zambia: How the Hunger Project Connects Hill Country Neighbors To End World Hunger Across the Globe ARTICLE BY VIVIAN GOMEZ PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
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“Changing the world very rarely starts with thousands of people; it starts with one person who believes another person is worth investing in, and that’s why I love our internship program so much,” Schenk says. “But I think that interconnectedness of the small-town community that you have in Dripping really is displayed in communities worldwide.”
From her hometown of Dripping Springs, Schenk’s world has grown through the nonprofit investor program trips to Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Mexico, and Zambia. “It’s less about one person changing the world and more about creating that chain reaction of people who believe that someone else matters, ”Schenk says. THP.org | @thehungerproject
Change Makers Along with Schenk and Guzman, DSCL summer intern Vivian Gomez is committed to ending world hunger. This fall, she is founding a FeelGood chapter at the University of Kansas. For Schenk, it shows how investing in young people creates a ripple effect, extending their impact into new communities. OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P PI N G S P R I N G S
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Dripping Springs Family Smiles Dentists, Dr. Gianna Quintana and Dr. Christopher DeMarco, are excited and honored to be serving the Dripping Springs community by providing comprehensive dental care.
(512) 858-7200 DrippingSpringsFamilySmiles.com Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 7:30AM - 4:30PM 331 Sportsplex Dr. Suite B | Dripping Springs, Texas
SON WILD ARTICLE BY MICAH WIENER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUMMER MILES
of the
“SALT OF THE EARTH, MEAT AND POTATOES. BACK TO THE BASICS.” - ETHAN MUNGUIA
There’s something about cooking over an open fire. No frills. No pretense. Just heat, smoke, good meat, and the people gathered around it. That’s the philosophy behind Son of the Wild, the fully mobile catering and bartending service that has quickly become one of the most exciting culinary names in Dripping Springs. Sam Rigney and Ethan Munguia launched Son of the Wild just over a year ago, and in that time they’ve built a devoted following among the ranches, backyards, and wedding venues that dot the Hill Country landscape. Their approach CONTINUED >
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“THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT COOKING OVER AN OPEN FIRE.”
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is deceptively simple: live fire oak grilling, wild game, and a commitment to authenticity. The execution is anything but ordinary. “It’s just real,” says Munguia, the chef of the duo. “Salt of the earth, meat and potatoes. Back to the basics. The techniques are refined, but we’re popping up in your backyard. If all the napkins aren’t folded properly, that’s fine. It’s quality food, a little rustic and rough around the edges.” Rigney and Munguia met while working at the same Dripping Springs distillery, a hub for the loyal, tight-knit regulars in the Hill Country. When the distillery closed, those regulars weren’t ready to let go. “Everyone was kind of shocked that it closed,” Rigney recalls. “The locals wanted us to keep doing what we were doing. We were emboldened by them and decided to do it on our own.” Son of the Wild is a fully mobile operation bringing an epic outdoor kitchen and a well-stocked bar directly to wherever clients call home. Don’t picture a food truck. Son of the Wild travels with a custom bar setup and a set of open-fire cowboy grills. The simple and elegant tools provide everything the event requires. They’ve worked throughout Dripping Springs, Austin, and the Driftwood-Wimberley corridor. The team scales fluidly: a couple of grills for a 20-person backyard steak dinner, or a truck and a dozen trusted Austin hospitality professionals for a 250-person wedding. They’ve done both, and everything in between. Son of the Wild also produces supper clubs, and, this fall, they’re partnering with Listening Table, an organization that pairs local artists with local culinary talent for immersive dining events. Through it all, what drives them most is the community they’ve found here. Munguia has been working in Dripping Springs for nearly five years, and his affection for the area runs deep. “In my experience, they’re the coolest, most genuine people you’ll meet,” he says. “When they say they love your food, they really mean it. They love wild game, they love grilling, and they love things that feel authentic.” The fire is lit, the season is starting, and if you catch the smell of oak smoke drifting across a Hill Country backyard this fall, there’s a good chance you’ve found Son of the Wild. SonoftheWild.com | @sonofthewildcatering
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“IT’S QUALITY FOOD, A LITTLE RUSTIC AND ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES.”
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD One of Son of the Wild’s most beloved concepts grew out of a simple observation: Wednesday nights in Dripping Springs are quiet. So they decided to do something about it. Wednesdays in the Wild became a recurring pop-up at Drift Out West, an 11-acre retreat property and event venue in Driftwood. Think wild game skewers, cocktails, and an unexpected mid-week reason to get out of the house. This fall, they’re bringing it back twice a month as a ticketed event.
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hausofjayne.com
512.648.7420
E L E VAT E D ST Y L E M E E TS E L E VAT E D V I B E S In today’s fast-paced world, true style is more than what you wear — it’s how you feel. At Haus of Jayne, we believe personal wellness is the ultimate accessory, and confidence is your boldest statement. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or looking to replace your evening glass of wine with something a little more mindful, our thoughtfully selected offerings blend wellness with sophistication. And just like any great wardrobe, your wellness routine deserves a little customization — that’s why education and experience are at the heart of what we do. This fall, let your wellness be part of your signature style. Visit Haus of Jayne and discover a new way to feel good, look good, and live beautifully — inside and out.
NOW OPEN ON MAIN STREET IN BUDA! Family-Owned classic steakhouse fare with premium seafood dishes and a raw bar.
116 MAIN STREET BUDA, TX 78610 5 1 2 . 9 5 7. 8 9 9 1 | TA S T E O N M A I N . C O M
Raising the Bar
Inside Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits ARTICLE BY KRISTI SELLERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRIS CASTRO
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There’s something distinctly Texas about Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits. From its Hill Country roots and locally sourced ingredients to the independent spirit behind the company itself, Ranch Brand was built to do things a little differently. For co-founder Weston Stone, that philosophy began taking shape at an unlikely time: the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Stone and co-founder Christopher Ware launched Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits in 2020, when much of the hospitality and beverage industry was navigating uncertainty. Rather than waiting for conditions to improve, they saw an opportunity to get to work. “We started during the pandemic, which was difficult, but it was also a time when other suppliers were not in the market,” Stone says. “By going out and calling on the market, we showed that we were not sitting on the couch waiting for people to contact us.” That willingness to show up mattered. Stone says the people who were still working during the pandemic appreciated seeing the new company making the effort to build relationships, face to face. It was an unconventional beginning, but perhaps a fitting one for a company grounded in an independent Texas identity. Today, Ranch Brand’s portfolio extends across wines and spirits, including vodka, gin, and bourbon. Among its signature offerings is Ranch Vodka, a grain-to-glass spirit made CONTINUED >
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from Texas corn and distilled in the Hill Country. The vodka is copper-column distilled, a process designed to create a smooth spirit without relying on filtration. For Stone, quality begins with what goes into the bottle. “What sets us apart is the limestone water of the Hill Country and using only the best ingredients, which gives our vodka a very smooth finish,” he says. That focus carries throughout the spirits portfolio. “All of our spirits are very elevated in taste and approachability,” Stone says. “We over-deliver on both proof and price point.” With more than two decades in the wine and spirits business, Stone’s experience has given him a clear perspective on how he wants Ranch Brand to operate and, equally important, what he wants to avoid. “I have a Ph.D. in what not to do,” he jokes. “I have worked in this business for 26 years and have seen many mistakes.” Ranch Brand is also a member of the Clean Wine Initiative, which emphasizes ingredient transparency, sustainable farming practices, and traditional winemaking without additives, sweeteners, or dyes. For consumers, Stone says that means knowing more about what is actually inside the bottle. The result is a company that combines an unmistakably Texas personality with a serious approach to its products. Ranch Brand has grown from a business launched during one of the industry’s most challenging periods into a vast portfolio and a tasting room in Wimberley, where guests can experience the brand firsthand. And while the portfolio may continue to grow, the foundation remains straightforward: good ingredients, thoughtful production, and the willingness to show up and do the work. For Stone, that approach has been part of Ranch Brand from day one. RanchBrands.com | @ranchbrandwineandspirits
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exceeding standards in automotive service for our Community
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GOOD
NE IGHB OR S HOW COMMUNITY KINDNESS INSPIRED SLICE STREET’S DARIUS ARAM TO GIVE BACK ARTICLE BY MEGAN EWING PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRIS CASTRO
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Darius Aram didn’t expect opening a pizza shop in Dripping Springs to connect him so deeply to the community. But somewhere along the way, Slice Street has become more than a restaurant. Since opening Slice Street nearly three years ago, Aram has watched his pizzas become part of celebrations, sporting events, and everyday memories, while the people of Dripping Springs have become part of his own story as a business owner. One moment that stands out is his time with the local baseball team. What began as a relationship between a pizza shop and a school athletic program became
“Darius offers discounted pricing that allows us to allocate more funding toward student-athlete scholarships and game-day experiences.” - Tari Hill
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something more personal when Aram had the opportunity to meet the players and even play alongside them at a practice. For Aram, it was a reminder that community involvement isn’t always about making a donation or putting a business name on a banner. Sometimes, it is simply about showing up and getting to know the people you’re supporting. Aram says the relationships began with parents who approached him looking for a way to work together rather than simply asking for money.
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“Booster parents came in saying, ‘I want to find a way where we can help each other,’” Aram shares. “Immediately I said, ‘All right, cool. Let’s talk.’” Through sponsorships, discounted food, and other support, Aram has built relationships with several DSHS athletic programs, helping booster clubs stretch their fundraising dollars. “We’re so excited to be heading into our second year partnering with Slice Street Pizza,” says DSHS baseball booster club member Marc Madeley. “Darius has been incredibly
helpful, and we’re proud to provide our fans with some of the best pizza in town!” Tari Hill of the basketball booster club echoes the sentiment: “Darius offers discounted pricing that allows us to allocate more funding toward student-athlete scholarships and game-day experiences.” For Aram, that support is personal. As a former student-athlete, he remembers what it felt like to be on the other side of that encouragement. But his desire to give back is also a response to the way Dripping Springs welcomed him.
“We really appreciate his community-minded spirit and the way he uses his platform to promote others.” - Mindy Laird
When Slice Street was still new, Aram experienced the challenges that come with building a business from the ground up. There were busy nights and long waits, but what he remembers most isn’t the frustration—it is the patience. Customers who barely knew him encouraged him to keep going. They recognized that he was new, that he was trying, and that running a small business isn’t always easy. “These are people who didn’t know me. I didn’t know them,” Aram says. “And yet they treated me with kindness and grace.” That kindness left an impression. Aram began looking for ways to return it—not only through school athletics, but by bringing pizzas to local businesses, surprising employees, and finding small opportunities to make someone’s day better. The Dripping Springs Community Library is among the organizations that has experienced that generosity. “Darius has been a great supporter of the library and a wonderful small business partner here in Dripping Springs,” says
Mindy Laird, library president. “He’s always looking for creative ways to support our efforts, from helping with summer reading initiatives to supporting library campaign events throughout the year. We really appreciate his community-minded spirit and the way he uses his platform to promote others.” For Aram, those gestures are part of what makes Dripping Springs special. He describes the idea as a friendly competition of generosity: One person does something kind; the other tries to top it, and the cycle continues. “How about we fight to outdo each other with kindness?” Aram says. How do you show a community you care? For Aram, the answer is simple: Show up. Show up for the baseball team. Show up for a local employee finishing a long shift. Show up with a pizza when someone needs a little unexpected joy. Somewhere along the way, Slice Street stopped being just a place where people go for pizza. It became one of the ways Aram says, “We’re neighbors.” SliceStreetPizza.com | @slicestreetpizza
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KEEPING DRIPPING SPRINGS MOVING FOR 25 YEARS
Kethley Physical Therapy is locally owned and operated and are the proud winner of the Best of Dripping Springs for the past 8 years. We deliver the highest quality outpatient physical therapy services through clinical expertise, honesty, and integrity. ORTHOPEDIC | WOMEN’S HEALTH | MANIPULATIVE MEDICINE | CERTIFIED DRY NEEDLING
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800 HWY 290 W Building B-300, Dripping Springs & 13830 Sawyer Ranch Rd, Dripping Springs
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FACE ALCHEMY boutique med spa Where thoughtful aesthetic medicine meets longterm skin health
Injectables Skin Rejuvenation Collagen Restoration Luxury Facials Laser & IPL Therapies 251 Old Fitzhugh Rd Downtown Dripping Springs, Fitzhugh Historical District
Serving the Hill Country since 1983
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(512) 894-2286 | WWW.DD-INS.NET 102 Old Fitzhugh Rd, Ste 300, Dripping Springs, TX OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P PI N G S P R I N G S
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ĒSO Architecture Built for the grandparents living next door to their children and grandchildren, this home was designed to encourage an easy flow between the two houses, with the dining room serving as an anchor. ESO-Arch.com | @ESO_architecture
A Seat at the Table From Kitchen Islands to Tables Beneath a Canopy of Oaks, These Inviting Spaces Prove There’s More Than One Way To Gather Some of the best moments happen around the table. It’s where we share meals, pour another glass, and can easily lose track of time. And when a space extends an opportunity to linger over conversation and connection, it becomes something worth seeking out. From dining rooms and breakfast nooks to outdoor kitchens, poolside patios, and backyards made for happy hour, each space is a little different, but they all have one thing in common: They make you want to gather, stay awhile, and pull up a seat at the table.
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Danyale Keim Design Reclaimed materials and rich textures bring warmth to this European farmhouse, where gathering spaces are designed for everything from family dinners to celebrations. DanyaleKeimDesign.com | @danyalekeimdesign
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Texas Iowa Reclaimed Hand-hewn beams and reclaimed wood bring warmth to a kitchen made for gathering, where the island invites guests to pull up a seat for snacks, drinks, or conversation while dinner comes together. Photo: Indian Head Ranch | Designer: Deborah Kirk TexasIowaReclaimed.com | @texasiowareclaimed
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The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort With comfortable banquette seating and Hill Country views beyond the windows, this cozy table at Summit Rock Clubhouse creates an intimate gathering spot for sharing a meal and lingering over conversation. ClubHSB.com | @theclub_hsb
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Haus Collective Interiors Designed with gathering in mind, this home blurs the line between indoors and out, putting the outdoor kitchen just steps from comfortable seating made for meals, drinks, and making memories with family and friends. Photo: Annie Strever Group HausCollectiveInteriors.com | @hauscollectiveinteriors
Benée Arndt / Eberly Team A fully equipped outdoor kitchen puts the grill just steps from the table, while a covered patio, fireplace, and vineyard views set the scene for weekend cookouts, alfresco dinners, and long, leisurely evenings with friends. AtProperties.com/teams/1773/eberly-team @eberlyteamaustin
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TIPLER Design / TIPLER Group The game room opens directly to an outdoor kitchen and dining terrace, creating an expansive gathering space where games, drinks, and dinner all have a place at the table. Photo: Kieran Reeves Photography Tipler.com | @tiplerdesign
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Alkire Construction Midcentury warmth and vintage details bring personality to this built-in breakfast nook, an inviting spot for morning coffee, casual meals, and easy conversation throughout the day. AlkireConstruction.com @drippingbuilder
Kyle Sorensen / Hill Country Outdoor Living With bar seating pulled right up to the outdoor kitchen, this pavilion keeps cooking and conversation together, with plenty of room to gather for food, drinks, and game day. HillCountryOutdoorLiving.com @hillcountryoutdoorliving
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Betsy Smith / Eberly Team Walls of windows bring the outdoors in, while a soaring ceiling and statement chandelier create a striking setting that makes any meal around the table feel like a special occasion. AtProperties.com/teams/1773/eberly-team @eberlyteamaustin
Kim Burke / Christie's Real Estate In this light-filled kitchen, a generous island takes the place of the traditional table, bringing meal prep, casual dining, and conversation into a central gathering spot. KimBurkeRealty.com | @kimageeburke
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Stephanie Pope / Nesthaven Beneath a 950-year-old live oak along Barton Creek, this rustic table offers a one-of-a-kind setting for sharing a meal surrounded by the beauty of the Hill Country. PopeTeam.nesthavenproperties.com | @popeteamrealestate
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Kate Tart Architecture At the heart of this open kitchen and dining space, an expansive farmhouse table offers plenty of room for family dinners, game nights, celebrations, and the inevitable extra guest. KateTart.com | @katetartarch
Savor the
Start
Small-batch, freshly roasted organic coffee from the Hill Country, delivered straight to your doorstep.
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Glass Well Service & Softeners
Your home and water deserve the best.
Locally owned and operated, proudly serving Central Texas WELL SERVICE | WATER SOFTENERS | STORAGE TANKS | NEW WELLS WWW.GLASSWELLSERVICE.COM | 512-288-1963
Porch Style Beers Brewed in Dripping Springs
Local
Wine, Seltzer, Cider & Food also available.
www.ghostnotebrewing.com
Ranch Road 12 South in Dripping Springs 86
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ARTICLE BY CRYSTAL MYERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRIS CASTRO
STILL RISING
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C A R B Q U E E N ’ S C R Y S TA L M Y E R S D I S C O V E R S T H AT A S E A S O N O F W A I T I N G C A N A L S O B E A SEASON OF GROW TH
There’s something almost comical about building a business around sourdough and still needing to learn patience. After all, sourdough is one of those things that simply cannot be rushed. You can feed your starter, mix your dough, stretch it, fold it, shape it, and create every possible condition for it to become what you hope it will become—but at some point, you have to let it do the work. I thought I understood that concept, but then I was asked to live it. CarbQueen began with simple roots. It grew out of our kitchen and my love for feeding people. It grew out of our belief that some of the most meaningful things in life happen around a table. What started at home—gifting loaves to friends and helping manage my kids’ gluten intolerance—grew into an exploding business. Sold-out markets. Sold-out porch pickups. Business and event inquiries. Flour everywhere. I loved it. I had plans for it.
My husband, Austin, was one of my biggest cheerleaders. We were both amazed as the floodgates seemed to swing wide open. There was something incredible about watching this thing we had created take on a life of its own. And then, as it often does when we make our own plans and attach our own timelines to them, life changed. This last school year, we stepped into a season of homeschooling our four children—something we did not choose but nevertheless had to walk through. It wasn’t a gentle adjustment, either. It was an upheaval—the kind that rearranges your days before you’ve fully named what’s happening. Our whole life changed in one week, and suddenly, we found ourselves in a season where so much was beyond our control. Almost overnight, my kitchen table was transformed. The flour, proofing dough, and quiet anticipation of CarbQueen rising gave way to sharpened pencils, open books, and hundreds of CONTINUED >
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“SOMETIMES FAITHFULNESS DOESN’T LOOK LIKE BUILDING; IT LOOKS LIKE STAYING.”
questions. Suddenly, the hours I thought belonged to one thing belonged to four tiny humans. And somewhere in that surrender, I began to realize that as much as I loved CarbQueen, it didn’t define me. The season I thought had buried me in loss ended up teaching me that I could trust God with something I loved, even if it meant letting go of it
for a while. My purpose didn’t disappear when the orders stopped. My worth didn’t rise and fall with how much I could produce, even when it felt that way. Sometimes faithfulness doesn’t look like building; it looks like staying. Sometimes it looks like putting down the thing you love so you can give your attention to what has been placed in front of you. And the funny thing about starter is that even when it’s dehydrated or thrown in the back of the fridge and “forgotten,” when you add flour and water to it, it comes back to life. What looked dead was simply waiting for the right conditions to grow again. So right now, there is a little less bread coming out of my kitchen, and I’m learning that I don’t have to force any of my seasons to rise before their time. HotPlate.com/carbqueen | @carbqueen_sourdough
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Pediatric care, but better Pediatric care should be simple, available, and high quality. Direct Primary Care through Sparrow Pediatrics provides individualized care focused on the whole child and partners with parents through all seasons -- newborns, toddlers, school age and beyond.
Direct text and phone access Longer, unhurried visits Holistic approach to wellness
WWW.SPARROWPEDIATRICSGROUP.COM
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// 737-210-1422 // 13341 W US 290 Bldg 2 Austin, TX 78737
SUNSET CONSTRUCTION & EXCAVATION Serving the Dripping Springs area since 2005
From new construction and system replacements to routine maintenance and site work, our experienced team is committed to delivering dependable solutions tailored to your property’s needs. We understand that every project is an investment, which is why we approach each job with the same care, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence that we would expect for our own family.
Septic Installation | Maintenance & Repair Site Preparation | Land Clearing Excavation | Rainwater Systems LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED 512.565.3793 | sunsetconstructionaustin.com
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ARTICLE BY MICAH WIENER PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHASE DAVIS
Where to Watch Your Dripping Springs Football Weekend Guide
Fall is here, and that means cool evenings and the roar of a Friday night crowd. Football season is in full swing, and the group chat is buzzing: “So, where are we watching the game?” Whether you’re rallying before the Tigers take the field, settling in for a full Saturday of college ball, or cheering for the Cowboys or Texans on Sundays, we’ve got you covered. Here’s your weekly game plan.
FRIDAY: DRIPPING SPRINGS DISTILLING
There’s no better way to kick off a Tiger Friday than gathering at Dripping Springs Distilling before kickoff. It’s the perfect place to meet up with family and friends, with plenty of room for the kids to play under the oak trees. Happy hour runs until 7 PM and features deals on draft cocktails and food, including a killer smash burger. There’s something for everyone here, including mocktails and kids meals. Plus, you can hear the marching band warming up on your short ride to Tiger Stadium. DrippingSpringsDistilling.com @drippingspringsvodka
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SATURDAY: TWISTED X AND HAYS CITY STORE
If you’re looking to get out of the house to catch a couple of beers and a laid-back vibe, Twisted X Brewing is the spot. Known for boldly crafted brews and a relaxed, sprawling outdoor space, Twisted X is a perfect place to hang out and watch your team in a low-stress environment. Stake out a spot, order a seasonal pour, and settle in for an easy Saturday. TwistedXBrewing.com @twistedxbrewing The best place to watch all of the games is Hays City Store, just past Driftwood. The extensive menu features Southern classics and Tex-Mex favorites. And nothing goes better with a plate of nachos than an ice-cold beer. Hays City Store features more than 36 beers on tap, with nearly as many TVs in their expansive outdoor bar area. Pro move: Order the flight of four frozen mini margaritas and some onion rings. You’ll make friends. Hays-City-Store-TX.onepage.me @hayscitystore
“ From Friday night light s to Sunday kickof fs, Dripping Springs has plent y of places to eat , drink , and cheer.”
Chase Davis @ceedeeshotz
SUNDAY: SUDS MONKEY
Get your fantasy team in order and get ready for kickoff at this easygoing brewery and restaurant. Consider this the Dripping Springs headquarters for America’s Team: big screens, cold beer, and a crowd that’s genuinely locked in on every Cowboys snap.There are several playscapes for the kids and a crowd-pleasing menu with pizza and more. SudsMonkeyBrew.com | @sudsmonkeytx
EXTRA POINT: WINGS AT THE SWITCH
If you’re looking for some serious food to enjoy while watching your team anytime, you can’t go wrong here. Whether sitting at the bar or ordering to go, the chicken wings are the move. Oak-smoked before they hit the fryer, they arrive with a deeply seasoned, peppery crust and a smokiness other joints can’t touch. The brisket fat hot sauce makes for the best wings in Dripping Springs. TheSwitchDripping.com | @theswitchdripping OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P PI N G S P R I N G S
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Growing smiles in Dripping Springs! At our pediatric dental office, caring for kids isn’t just our job—it’s personal. We’re a local practice, raising our family right here in the same community as yours. We treat every child who walks through our doors the way we’d want our own kids treated: with patience, kindness, and expert care. From first teeth to confident grins, parents trust us to create positive dental experiences that set kids up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
myaustinpediatricdentist.com 512-953-1188 13341 W US 290, BUILDING1-106, AUSTIN, TX
bv @centralparkpeddentistry
You don’t have to save your legacy for later Every year can bring something new to protect and care for, so we create strategies to take the success you’ve already had and extend it to your family, benefiting them not just years from now — but right now.
Contact us today and we’ll create a plan to help protect — and preserve — all you’ve built. Direct: (512) 501-5587 | fa.wellsfargoadvisors.com/my-retirement-planners | 13215 Bee Cave Parkway, Building A Suite 150 Bee Cave, TX 78738
Investment and Insurance Products: • Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value
PM-11052026-7933493.1.1
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2024 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC.
It's Not Just A Garage Locally owned and operated by the Molander family, My Ultimate Garage, takes your garage from an afterthought to the ultimate statement space. Make your garage an extension of your home with custom details - flooring, lighting, walls and every detail reimagined.
itsnotjustagarage.com | 512.702.6622 OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P PI N G S P R I N G S
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It’s All Greek At Ziggi’s Cafe, Greek Street Food and Family Traditions Find a New Home Three years ago, Alex and Rena Gabrielides bought a home in Dripping Springs—sight unseen—and moved across the world to a town they’d never visited. How did they choose Drip? After zeroing in on the Austin area, “I saw the name Dripping Springs,” Rena says, “and I thought it was cute.” Born and raised in South Africa, Alex and Rena are Greek by heritage and have lived everywhere from London to the Bahamas, owning several restaurants along the way. Alex’s connection to the food business reaches back even further, as he hails from three generations of butchers. “My grandparents had a butchery in South Africa, and my parents learned the trade, and we learned the trade,” he says. Now the Gabrielides family is bringing that experience—and their Greek roots—to Ziggi’s Cafe right here on Ranch Road 12. Named for their beloved family dog, Ziggi’s specializes in what Alex and Rena call “Greek street food.” “Everywhere you walk in Greece, you’ll see these little shops,” Alex explains. Think of it as the Greek equivalent of grabbing a burger or slice of pizza—a quick, casual meal locals enjoy throughout the islands. The Ziggi’s menu features pitas stuffed with pork, chicken, or falafel; grilled souvlaki skewers; handmade savory pies wrapped in flaky phyllo; and Greek dips served with warm pita.
ARTICLE BY MELISSA SVOBODA PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUMMER MILES
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A tempting pastry case holds everything from croissants and muffins to decadent cakes and Greek specialties like bougatsa and ravani. Before the lunch and dinner crowd arrives, Ziggi’s starts the day as a full-service coffee shop, offering a wide range of hot and cold coffee drinks, teas, matcha, and more, with the couple’s 17-year-old son, Maximos, serving as head barista. For Alex and Rena, opening Ziggi’s was a chance to bring something different to Dripping Springs. With barbecue, pizza, and Mexican food already well represented, they saw an opportunity to add another cuisine to the mix. They also wanted to offer healthy, simple food. Meat arrives fresh and is prepared in-house, never frozen, and much of the menu is grilled. Customers can easily keep things light, pairing a chicken souvlaki skewer, for example, with a fresh Greek salad. Chicken is brined overnight, and the meat is seasoned the way Alex learned from generations before him. Even the spice sprinkled over the
fries comes from an old recipe of Rena’s grandmother. Other menu items are just as personal. The taramasalata—a creamy Greek dip served with pita—is Rena’s own recipe. Cake Pontykaki, a decadent chocolate “mouse cake,” is imported from Greece. The family calls it “Sir Leroy,” a nickname their daughter Markella, now 19, gave it when she was little. For Alex and Rena, it’s a nostalgic taste of home and childhood—a special-occasion treat that has since become part of their own family story. But when asked which dish best represents Ziggi’s, they choose something surprisingly simple: the Greek salad. Made fresh each morning with cucumber, tomato, onion, feta, and olives—never lettuce—the salad represents more than fresh ingredients. At the Greek family table, it traditionally sits at the center, shared by everyone. “Everybody just picks from that salad, and we dip our bread in there,” Rena says. “In an odd way, the salad creates the atmosphere.” That sense of sharing and hospitality is at the heart of what they hope to create at Ziggi’s. Back in South Africa, the Gabrielides family welcomed 30 to 40 relatives and friends to their home every Sunday. Here, thousands of miles from extended family, their new cafe has become another way to gather people around them. “We don’t have family here,” Rena says. “So it’s kind of like us bringing in family by having people come into Ziggi’s.” And Dripping Springs, it seems, has welcomed them much the same way. Asked what they love about their new home, Rena doesn’t hesitate: “The people. They’ve taken us in like they’ve known us all their lives.” That’s exactly how Alex and Rena hope customers feel at Ziggi’s: like they’ve walked into a best friend’s home or their grandmother’s kitchen. And for a couple who says they still don’t know many people in town, opening their doors to Dripping Springs seems like a pretty good way to start. @ziggiscafe
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THE ART
of Sausage Sausage Sensei Bill Dumas Turns a Texas Barbecue Staple Into an Unexpected Canvas for Creativit y
ARTICLE BY VIVIAN GOMEZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHY DUMAS
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Bill Dumas has made sausage out of just about everything. Peach cobbler. Macaroni and cheese. Kangaroo. Even chicatana ants from Mexico. But for the Texas pitmaster known as “The Sausage Sensei,” pushing the boundaries of sausage-making isn’t simply about creating something unexpected. It’s about transforming an often-overlooked staple of Texas barbecue into something worth experiencing in a new way. “Food is not just nourishment,” Dumas says. “It’s community and it’s art.” That philosophy has taken Dumas around the world, where he teaches sausage-making and collaborates with local chefs and pitmasters, incorporating the ingredients and culinary traditions of the places he visits. But his roots in barbecue begin much closer to home. Dumas grew up cooking alongside his grandfather in North Texas, where he learned to direct-grill split chickens over hot coals and coat them in a family-made molassesand-coffee-based sauce. Those memories took on new meaning in 2012 after the death of his son, Samuel Curtis Dumas. While grieving, Dumas found himself drawn back to barbecue. An episode of “BBQ Pitmasters” brought back memories of his grandfather and the time they spent cooking together. “It made me start thinking about myself, my grandfather, what he did, how we worked together, food, and I really crawled down a rabbit hole,” Dumas says. “So it was kind of a soothing salve over the open wound after my son had passed.” Dumas eventually connected with Austin’s barbecue community through Smokey Denmark Smoked Meats, where he learned the science and regulations behind commercial sausage-making and began experimenting with unexpected flavors. “We opened up the food truck for Smokey Denmark, and I started making all kinds of wild, unusual things, still trying to find my way in the industry,” Dumas says. “I certainly didn’t know anything about running a restaurant or food truck, but I was willing to make it good.” Soon, those experiments included sausages made out of everything from apple pie and blueberry mince to macaroni and cheese. “I started making some really crazy things,” Dumas says, describing them as “composed dishes, exploded and reassembled in a tube.” As Dumas became more involved in the Central Texas barbecue scene, his unconventional approach to sausage began attracting attention. In 2015, he joined the team at Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew, where he gained CONTINUED > OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P PI N G S P R I N G S
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“Dumas uses sausage a s a w ay t o e x p l o r e a place and i t s fo o d traditions while sharing a t ra dit i on dee ply rooted i n Te x a s b a r b e c u e .” experience producing barbecue at a much larger scale. “We were producing probably about 80 to 100 briskets a day, along with everything else,” he says. “It was insane. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. At volume.” After helping open The Switch in Dripping Springs in 2018, Dumas eventually returned his focus to sausage. In 2020, pitmaster John Brotherton brought him onto the team at Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue, where Dumas developed a sausage program that included Central Texas hot gut, jalapeño cheese, and brisket boudin. “I joined John’s team and immediately, right out of the gate, developed a program for him,” Dumas says. “I started making unusual sausages once again.” That creativity produced combinations such as supreme pizza, Polynesian, and peach cobbler sausage. But another opportunity soon expanded Dumas’s reach beyond the restaurant. Around the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Dumas was asked to film a sausage-making class. Its popularity helped spark a new chapter: teaching others the craft he had spent years learning. “Not everybody can come to me,” Dumas says. “So I started going to them.” His classes eventually took him around the world. Wherever he travels, Dumas says he looks first to the culture and ingredients of the place itself. “Wherever I go in the world, no matter where it is, I always like to consider what’s important to the people, and also to the land itself, because that often translates to the foods we eat,” he says. In Mexico, that philosophy led to a chicatana ant sausage made with the large leafcutter ants traditionally harvested during the rainy season. In Australia, he created one of his personal favorites: kangaroo sausage seasoned with regional ingredients including wattle seed, lemon myrtle, native thyme, and bush tomato.
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The point, for Dumas, isn’t simply to put something unusual inside a casing. It’s to use sausage as a way to explore a place and its food traditions while sharing a tradition deeply rooted in Texas barbecue. After Brotherton died in 2024, Dumas stepped away from live demonstrations for a time. Eventually, a new collaboration brought him back. Dumas connected with Dripping Springs resident Spencer Whelan, former executive director of the Texas Whiskey Association, who saw an opportunity to create the kind of in-person culinary experience that had become increasingly important in a digital world. “Especially in the world of AI, if you can’t be sure that what you’re seeing and what you’re hearing are true, then you should be there physically and touch, taste, and smell it,” Whelan says. “Dumas provides the ultimate kind of experience. He does sausage, which is visual, textural. He’s explaining it; he’s talking about the science of it, the emulsification process.” Together, Dumas and Whelan began developing the Sausage Sensei experience, including a dinner at Turtle Creek that presented different sausages as composed, plated dishes paired with complementary garnishes. “With differing sausages with appropriate garnish, I think that tells the story of the sausage itself better and then elevates it as well,” Dumas says. For Whelan, that transformation is part of what makes Dumas’s approach compelling. “You take the most mundane thing and turn it into something exceptional,” Whelan says. “That’s what art is, right?” Sausage, he says, can be dismissed as “mundane and boring” or as “the leftovers of the barbecue world,” when historically it has played an important role in shaping Texas barbecue. Dumas and Whelan have since continued building the Sausage Sensei concept, taking Dumas’s unconventional approach to new events, demonstrations, and competitions. At Memphis in May’s
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, Dumas entered the seafood category with a paella-inspired sausage—another example of his tendency to look at a familiar dish and ask whether its essential flavors can be reimagined inside a casing. In July, they brought that same curiosity to YouTube (@sausagesensei), launching Sausage Sensei as a way to demystify sausage-making and make the craft more approachable. Their first series features Dumas’s peach cobbler sausage, walking viewers through the process while demonstrating just how far the concept can be pushed. Future episodes will take it even further, with creations inspired by everything from an In-N-Out DoubleDouble and animal-style fries to Thanksgiving dinner. For all the unexpected ingredients, however, Dumas’s work remains grounded in a much older tradition. Sausage has long been a way to transform humble ingredients into something greater than the sum of their parts. Dumas is simply seeing how far that idea can go. SausageSensei.com | @sausage_sensei
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New Happy Hour in Dripping Springs NOW SERVING CRAFT BEER, WINE, MARGARITAS AND FOOD 7 DAYS! Happy Hour in Dripping Springs just got an upgrade. Join us in our taproom M-F 4pm-6pm for daily specials on pints, frozen margaritas, and delicious food from Los Brochachos. New options for the kiddos too, so bring the whole family!
Scan QR Code to join our newsletter for info on limited edition beer releases and special events at the taproom. www.twistedxbrewing.com | (512) 829-5323 23455 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Founded by a Dripping Springs resident and survivor, Rescue One More has rescued over 1,000 Ugandan children from sexual violence, trafficking, and exploitation. Your donation will help rescue and restore the lives of even more children. Join the movement. Use the QR code to make your gift today.
RESCUEONEMORE.COM | (512) 656-6902
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Rooted in Faith, Growing in Purpose Sunrise Christian Schoolhouse was founded to provide a nurturing, Christian environment for Kinder-6th grade students. •Christ-centered learning •Dedicated teachers •Enrichment programs •Strong academic foundation Please email admin@sunrisechristianschoolhouse.org for more information. Help us to empower young hearts and minds to shine with God's purpose and excellence through our
Build the Kingdom campaign
sunrisechristianschoolhouse.org 512-500-7447 400 Old Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620
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Built to Gather VESPA ROSSA: BRINGING AN AUSTIN RESTAURANT LEGACY HOME TO THE HILL COUNTRY
Maggie and Ryan Samson’s story began over a shared love of food. They met in culinary school in Vermont in 1996, two talented people drawn to the restaurant world. Their culinary journey took them west to Napa Valley and then to Austin in 2002, where Maggie had grown up. The couple worked together at Vespaio Ristorante, and when its sister restaurant, Enoteca Vespaio, opened next door, Ryan became a partner and executive chef while Maggie served as general manager. When the Samsons decided it was time to settle down with their twin boys, Hank and Wally, they wanted something different from the bustling city life they had known. They wanted land and a place where their sons could explore. Dripping Springs offered the best of both worlds: the Hill Country lifestyle within commuting distance of downtown Austin. For Maggie, the restaurant business evolved from an early focus on pastry and desserts to front-of-house operations. The couple’s schedules reflected the demanding nature of the industry, with Maggie working early mornings and Ryan late nights. But together they built a life around food, hospitality, and community. As Vespaio closed its doors in downtown Austin and the Samsons opened their newest restaurant concept, Vespa Rossa, in 2025, they entered both a new chapter and a remarkably challenging year.
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRIS CASTRO
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Launching a restaurant is difficult even under the best circumstances. Doing so while preparing to close longtime Austin establishments would have been enough of a challenge. But just months after opening Vespa Rossa, the couple faced another unexpected blow. During the February 2026 freeze, pipes burst at the restaurant, causing the ceiling to collapse and forcing Vespa Rossa to close the front dining room for about a month, utilizing only the back dining room during repairs. “Life is always going to throw challenges at you,” Maggie says. “You just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going.” So they rolled up their sleeves, cleaned up, and rebuilt. Perhaps most importantly, they were reminded they were not doing it alone. The couple is deeply grateful for the friends, neighbors, and community members who rallied around them—first as they navigated the closing of their Austin restaurants, then as they opened Vespa Rossa in Dripping Springs, and again when the freeze threatened their new business just months into its first year. That resilience has become part of their philosophy. Restaurant life is unpredictable, they say, and experience teaches you to develop a thicker skin, adapt quickly, and get back up when things don’t go according to plan. Vespa Rossa was born from that experience, but it was also shaped by what the couple wanted for their family and community. “Living out here, we knew that we wanted our new restaurant to be family friendly and a community hub where everyone can come,” Maggie says. That means a place for date night, dinner with the kids, celebrations in the private Blue Room, or a casual meal with friends. The restaurant serves homemade pasta and Italian-inspired dishes along with rotating weekly specials incorporating local ingredients, grilled meats, and Texas barbecue prepared in the smoker out back.
“We want to bring the community together, and there’s no better way to do that than through food.” - Maggie Samson
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“When people think of Vespa Rossa, we hope they think of delicious food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that’s a great place to gather with friends and family.” - Maggie Samson
“We want to bring the community together, and there’s no better way to do that than through food,” Maggie says. Even the restaurant’s name carries a piece of their history. Vespaio means “beehive” or “wasp nest” in Italian, a reference to the large bee colony discovered in the walls of the original Vespaio. Vespa Rossa, or “red wasp,” creates a connection to that Austin legacy while giving a nod to the Hill Country critters. Today, Vespa Rossa is supported by a team that shares the couple’s vision, including chef de cuisine Stephanie Stackhouse and general manager Katie Call, who’s taking the reins as longtime team member Holly Gordon moves to Nashville. For the Samsons, the future is less about expansion and more about deepening their roots. They envision more events in the Blue Room and expanding catering and brunch offerings, all while continuing to build relationships across the Hill Country. After a year filled with major transitions and unexpected setbacks, the couple’s vision for Vespa Rossa remains remarkably straightforward: They want people to walk through the doors, share a meal, and leave happy. Maggie reflects, “When people think of Vespa Rossa, we hope they think of delicious food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that’s a great place to gather with friends and family.” VespaRossaTX.com | @vesparossatx
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MIXING It Up Dripping Springs Bartender Eddy Bowie Talks Craft, Connection, and the Art of a Memorable Cocktail ARTICLE BY A DRINK TO REMEMBER PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACY BERG
Hello again! Eddy here—your friendly neighborhood bartender and owner of Drink to Remember. I’m a Georgia native who made the move to Texas in 2014, and today I’m proud to call Dripping Springs the official home of my business. Our business office is located just a few miles from downtown Drip, and becoming part of this community has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life. When I’m not behind the bar, you’ll usually find me spending time with my wife, Michelle, and our Australian Shepherd, Disco. We love exploring the outdoors, discovering great restaurants, attending concerts, traveling whenever we can, and finding ways to stay involved in the community. I’ve spent 20 years in the hospitality industry, including the last 12 as a bartender. Like many people, I originally stepped behind the bar to earn some extra money. What I didn’t expect was to discover a true passion. Bartending gave me the opportunity to be creative, think on my feet, meet incredible people, and become part of life’s biggest celebrations. I’ve always dreamed of owning my own business, but I believed the right idea would come naturally. That opportunity presented itself in 2018 while bartending weddings and private events throughout Dripping Springs. After countless guests asked if they could hire me for their own events, I realized there was a need for a bartending service that combined exceptional hospitality with high-quality craft cocktails. After months of planning, Drink to Remember officially launched in February 2019.
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Today, we’re proud to serve more than 100 weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations each year across Central Texas. While we’ve grown, my mission remains the same: deliver handcrafted cocktails and outstanding service without asking clients to choose between quality and efficiency. With the right preparation, great ingredients, and attention to detail, you can absolutely have both. CONTINUED >
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People often ask what makes a great craft cocktail. For me, it comes down to three things: presentation, taste, and balance. Thoughtful garnishes and proper glassware create a memorable first impression; fresh ingredients deliver exceptional flavor; and balance ties everything together. Every ingredient—including water from shaking or stirring—plays an important role in creating a cocktail that’s smooth, refreshing, and enjoyable from the first sip to the last. At the end of the day, bartending isn’t just about making drinks. It’s about bringing people together, celebrating life’s special moments, and creating experiences that guests will remember long after the event ends. That’s exactly what inspired the name Drink to Remember, and it’s the standard we strive to live up to at every event we serve.
PEACH PERFECT
So, what does all of that look like in a glass? One of my favorite ways to build a cocktail is to start with familiar flavors and give them just enough of a twist to make things interesting. Fresh peach pairs naturally with bourbon, creating a cocktail that feels just right for that in-between season— when Texas afternoons are still warm, but fall is just beginning to settle in. Fresh basil adds an unexpected herbal note, while lemon juice brings the acidity needed to keep the cocktail bright and balanced. Instead of traditional simple syrup, I use a brown sugar syrup to add a little more depth and complement the warm notes of the bourbon. Muddling the peach and basil releases those fresh flavors before everything gets shaken together, and a simple peach slice and basil leaf finish the drink without overcomplicating the presentation. It’s fresh, balanced, a little unexpected, and easy enough to make at home. Whether you’re entertaining friends on the patio or just looking for a good excuse to use those ripe summer peaches, this cocktail is one worth adding to your rotation.
PEACH BOURBON SMASH INGREDIENTS • • • •
2 ounces of bourbon ¾ ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice ½ fresh peach ½ ounce brown sugar syrup (one-to-one ratio brown sugar to water) • 3 to 4 basil leaves • Peach slice and basil leaf, for garnish
DIRECTIONS 1. Muddle the peach and basil in a shaker tin 2. Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and brown sugar syrup with ice 3. Shake for 20 seconds, strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass, and garnish with a peach slice and basil leaf DTRBartending.com | @dtrbartending
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H A P PY H OU R | FO O D + BE VE RAGE
Dr. Marino aims to provide holistic care, trust, and a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship via Direct Primary Care. Her mission is to connect people to integrous, high quality, and personal primary care in the forms of a functional approach to preventive health, in-depth investigation into chronic illness, and holistic care of acute health issues.
Membership Benefits • $130/month for Unlimited Primary Care • Direct texting with Dr. Marino • In-Person visits for Sick Care in 1-2 business days • Annual Labs Free • Discounts on Supplements
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512-893-5850
4207 E. Hwy 290, Dripping Spgs, TX 78620
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GET INSPIRED E AT & D R I N K SHOP LOCAL YO U R D I G I TA L D E S T I N AT I O N FOR LOCAL LIVING
OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/D RI P PI N G S P R I N G S
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OCTOBER 2026
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LO C A L E V E N T S OCTOBER 10 TH
Corks + Caps Wine/Beer Festival and 5K
12 Fox Beer Co: 4700 Fitzhugh Road | 10:00 AM Raise a glass and lace up your running shoes for the inaugural Corks + Caps Wine/Beer Festival and 5K at 12 Fox Beer Co. Celebrate Texas Wine Month with a 5K, local craft beer, Texas wineries, live music, food, artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and beautiful Hill Country scenery. RunSignUp. com/Race/Info/TX/DrippingSprings/ CorksCapsWineBeerFestivalAnd5K OCTOBER 16TH
Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival
1042 Event Center Drive | 5:00 PM Head to the Texas Hill Country for three days of unforgettable music at the 12th annual Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival. Experience more than 40 talented songwriters performing 70 shows across seven stages in historic downtown Dripping Springs. Enjoy intimate, Nashville-style “in the round” performances featuring the stories and songs behind tomorrow’s headliners. All downtown shows are free. DrippingSprings SongwritersFestival.com
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E V E N TS
OCTOBER 22ND
Benefit Concert for Heart of Texas Pregnancy Resource Center Dripping Springs Distilling: 5330 Bell Springs Road | 5:00 PM
Join us for the third annual benefit concert benefiting Heart of Texas Pregnancy Resource Center. This fun-filled evening will feature a delicious taco bar, live music by local artist Bo Brumble, and great company—all while supporting a wonderful cause. Come enjoy the food, music, and community while making a difference. For additional details and registration information, please email events@heartprc.org.
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