Wimberley’s hamburger heaven

from Welcome to Wimberley guide, Fall/Winter 2022-23

Wimberley’s hiking store with a social mission

Oldie’s Burgers & More... Wimberley’s hamburger heaven!

By Ernie Altgelt

Any visit to Wimberley is definitely worth the trip because there’s just so much here. Why, folks just love to come for the beautiful creek and river, the incredible shopping, the beckoning countryside, and … the hamburgers?

Yep, when you think about it, any small town worth its salt has got to have its very own traditional burger joint where old school eats abound to the sizzle and pop of fresh-ground, hand-patted (never frozen) beef, perfectly grilled, then blanketed with generous slices of smokey cheese. All before being lovingly laid onto a lightly toasted bun further (and flavorfully) enhanced by a slathering of traditional and/or surprisingly innovative sauces. Now that will get your juices running!

Add to that exceptional edible a host of delightful complementing sides and, one might honestly think that he/ she just found hamburger heaven. Or, if in Wimberley, more accurately, Oldies Burgers and More. Amen and halleluiah!

Located a short distance from downtown on an inviting Pecan tree-shaded piece of property adorned with multiple picnic tables, an open pavilion and, the enclosed kitchen itself, the rustic yet comfortable venue immediately communicates a “classic American” feel.

Nothing up-scale here. It’s strictly (and authentically) downhome and, once you’ve tasted the offerings, darn flavorful to boot. And, as an added reason for its alluring ambiance (besides the chow) is its history.

While technically only several years old, owner and operator Tracy Scudder who, with her sister Liz, founded Oldies, have deep roots within Wimberley that go back decades.

More importantly, their food-oriented parents, Jim and Anne (Anne still helps out at the eatery) were Hays County food truck pioneers dishing out their own delicious burgers and barbecue for years. As a family, after decades (hence the name “Oldies”) of honing the skills and recipes that would ultimately leave their imprint on today’s popular iteration, the accepted opinion is simply, “Staying real, then and now, has been the secret ingredient! And real is what Oldies is.

So, let’s talk menu. Well, for starters, and as the name so accurately states, it’s the burgers. Oldies offers a mouthwatering variety ranging from a “basic” quarter-pound hamburger, to cheeseburgers topped with cheese favorites including America, Swiss, cheddar and pepper-jack. All burgers come equipped (if desired) with lettuce, onions, pickles and, depending on the diner’s preference, either mayo or mustard. But, other variants exist as well including doublemeat, appetite-slaying monsters, savory mushroom burgers, a tangy “awesome sauce” model and, even an Elvis-burger sporting the king’s favorite, peanut butter! Really, burger-wise, there’s something to please one and all.

But, as an all-American eatery, Oldies also offers an equally tasty line of traditional favorites including hot dogs, corn dogs, “jailhouse” chili (by the bowl or as a topping for the dog and/or burger) and a very cool, chicken salad sandwich.

Add a side or two of fries, tots, kettle chips, onion rings, sweet potato wedges and even fried okra and wow, that’s a meal! But,don’t stop there because must-have desserts are available as well including slices of homemade key lime pie or chocolate rum cake. Yummy!

Lastly, to wash everything down, an assortment of icycold beverages are also available for purchase including sodas, tea and, just plain water. If 21-years-old, be sure and ask about the complementary beer with each order Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

See OLDIE’S BURGERS, page 10

So, where are you going to go the next time those hunger pangs hit when in Wimberley? Well, it ought to be an easy choice now. Just follow the crowds to the town’s hamburger heaven – Oldies Burgers and (so much) More. Amen!

Photos courtesy Oldie’s Burgers and More.

FYI • Oldies Burgers and More is located at 801 FM 2325 in Wimberley. The restaurant is closed Mondays but open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Parking is plentiful and pets (and children) are welcome. For more information, call 512-842-3363 or find Oldies on Facebook.

Wimberley Institute of Cultures’ Harvest Moon Dinner & Dance

Wimberley Institute of Cultures (WIC) will host the Harvest Moon Dinner & Dance Sunday, November 6, 2022 at the Historic Fischer Hall (701 Fischer Store Road in Fischer, Texas). Dinner will be catered by Old 300 BBQ of Blanco. Following dinner, guests can enjoy music by Eric Hokkanen & Friends and a silent auction.

The event is the fall fundraiser for the Wimberley Valley Museum located in Wimberley. The spring Pie Social is also a WIC-organized function. These two fundraisers help to keep the Museum up and running.

The Wimberley Valley Museum consists of two historical homes: the Winters-Wimberley House (listed on the National Registry of Historical Places in 2002) and the WimberleyHughes House (listed as a Texas Historic Landmark in 2016). These two homes were incremental in the establishment of Wimberley as a mill and ultimately as a town.

Wimberley started as a trading post settlement near Cypress Creek in 1848, the year Hays County was organized. After William Carvin Winters built a gristmill at the site in 1856, it took on the name “Winters’ Mill.” When the mill was sold in 1864 to the Cude family, its name was changed to “Cude’s Mill.”

The mill was sold again in 1874 to Pleasant Wimberley and took on his name. Over the years, it was expanded to process lumber, shingles, flour, molasses, and cotton. The mill is gone now, but the historical houses survive.

In 1880, Alfred vom Stein, a postmaster from San Marcos, applied to have a post office established in the community, calling it “Wimberleyville.” His application was granted, but the name shortened to Wimberley. Wimberley Institute of Cultures was born from the celebration of the Texas Sesquicentennial in 1986. The WIC founders were responsible for organizing the Bluebonnet Ball, which was the first of 12 monthly events designated by the Wimberley Chamber to mark the celebration of the Sesquicentennial. Theysaw the need for an organization to facilitate community events that would promote local historical awareness. As a result, WIC received a State Charter and an IRS number as a nonprofit corporation in 1987. The charter was granted to WIC for the purpose of educating the public in the history and prehistory of the Wimberley area.

WIC works to foster interest in the historical, natural and cultural resources of the Wimberley Valley through educational and social programs involving both young and adult members of the community. WIC owns and operates the Winters-Wimberley House, now the Wimberley Valley Museum, and the Wimberley-Hughes House. Both of these are located just down from the Community Center.

Join WIC for an evening of food and fun at Fischer Hall, Sunday November 6, 2022 from 6 pm to 10 pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.wimwic.org. For more information, call Tom & Debra Billups 512-965-2662.

Take a ride on the Pioneer Express!

All aboard! This October, the Pioneer Express — a Wimberley icon — is back in action at 7A Ranch! The train stops at the depot to delight guests of all ages. The train runs Friday evenings every 30 minutes from 5 pm to 7:30 pm, Saturdays every 30 minutes from 9 am to 12:30 pm and 5 pm to 7:30 pm, and Sundays from 9 am to 12:30 pm (closed Monday through Thursday). Tickets are $6; kids ages two and under ride free. Rides are approximately 12 minutes in length. Pioneer Express tickets can be purchased at the front office located within Blanco River Outfitters. You can also enjoy games at the old-fashioned arcade during office business hours (Friday and Saturday 8 am to 4 pm and Sunday through Thursday from 8 am to 6 pm.) Photos courtesy 7A Ranch. 7A Ranch is located at 333 Wayside Drive in Wimberley. For more information, visit the website at 7aranch. co or call 512-847-2517.