Where to eat near the hotel.

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Cheesesteaks · Sandwiches·$

The closest food to the hotel by a wide margin — a genuine Philly cheesesteak counter tucked into the outlet-mall side of Center Point. Order at the register, eat in ten minutes, get back to shopping. The kind of place you find once and then keep going back to all weekend.

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Mexican · Barbecue·$

A small Mexican and smoked-meat counter right at the outlet mall that reviewers keep calling the hidden gem of the place. Smoked sausage, fast and friendly service, and prices that make the food court look silly. Perfect 5 stars on TripAdvisor, though from only a handful of reviews.

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Steakhouse · American·$$ - $$$

A four-minute walk for a steak you don't have to think about. It's a chain and makes no secret of it, but it's the nearest proper sit-down dinner with a full bar, and after a day of walking the outlets that's usually the deciding factor.

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New American · Bar·$$ - $$$

The best table within walking distance, and it isn't close. Open on Center Point Road since 2012 — the same road as the hotel — Cody's does an upscale New American menu with a serious bar and a patio, and holds 4.4 stars across nearly 200 TripAdvisor reviews. The pork chop and the duck get named over and over. Worth booking on a weekend.

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Burgers · Texas Classic·$

If you're from out of state, this is the one to try — the orange-and-white A-frame is a Texas institution, open late, and the breakfast taquitos are the local order. Not fine dining, and not pretending to be. Just the thing after a late arrival off I-35.

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Southern · Breakfast·$$ - $$$

Our breakfast is free and starts early, but if you want a long sit-down morning — biscuits, gravy, a second pot of coffee — Cracker Barrel is a two-minute drive and serves it all day. It's also the easy answer when half your group wants pancakes at 4pm.

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Barbecue · Texas·$$ - $$$

You're in Central Texas, so at some point you should eat brisket. This is the closest place that does it properly — brisket, ribs, sausage, and sides that reviewers call out as often as the meat. 4.5 stars across 70 reviews. Go early; barbecue joints sell out, and this one is no exception.

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Thai·$$

A newer Thai kitchen that reviewers describe as well-hidden and worth finding — the curry gets singled out repeatedly. Small review count so far, but every one of them is five stars. A genuine change of pace from the highway-side chains.

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Japanese · Sushi·$$ - $$$

The town's sushi option, and a solid one — specialty rolls that regulars rate highly and service that moves. About seven minutes up the access road. Worth the short drive when nobody can face another burger.

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Mexican · Tex-Mex·$

A San Marcos fixture with nearly 200 TripAdvisor reviews and the highest count of any independent restaurant on this list. Enchiladas, rice and beans, and salsa people drive back for. Cheap, unpretentious, and the most local thing you'll eat all trip.