What’s country about Shepherd Park Draught House? The goat cheese-infused grits and the Shipley’s glazed donut-topped waffles served during Sunday brunch. The Texas brews like Karbach and Southern Star on draft, along with a $2 Texas happy hour on Tuesdays. The so-called “Texas reds” chili made with Akaushi beef and the Bandera burger, topped with jalapenos and barbecue sauce.
What’s rock ‘n’ roll about the Garden Oaks-area pub? Just look inside: The walls are coated with rock and punk memorabilia from owner Ken Bridge’s own collection, while the chandelier-lit atmosphere and eclectic furniture ooze grown-up rock chic.
And it’s in marrying these two elements where Shepherd Park Draught House succeeds.
It’s both Texas country and rock ‘n’ roll, as much as it’s both hip and mature at the same time. As all the cool kids get married, have kids and move into the “suburbs” of Garden Oaks and Oak Forest, places like Petrol Station, Plonk and Shepherd Park Draught House have risen to meet the residents’ demand for “grown-up” places that aren’t rowdy, liquor-drenched dens of iniquity but are still fun, cool and — most importantly — serve good grub and beer.
That’s not to say Shepherd Park is perfect: This week’s cafe review addresses both the pros and cons of the latest restaurant in Bridge’s empire (which also includes Pink’s Pizza, Lola’s and Dragon Bowl). But on the whole, it’s a terrific new addition to the burgeoning restaurant scene in Garden Oaks/Oak Forest.
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