Thanksgiving at Threadgills Austin, TX

For Thanksgiving, Victoria's dad was in town from Colorado.

When he lived in Austin, a tradition he had was going to Threadgill's for Thanksgiving lunch.

Threadgill's is an Austin institution with a storied history, especially the location on Lamar Street, which was originally a Gulf gas station and quintessential Texas beer joint.

Many musicians, including Janis Joplin, passed through its doors. While the current owner is not a member of the Threadgill family, the legacy of this Austin institution lives on while serving down-home Southern food.

At the suggestion of Victoria's dad, we got there over half an hour before it opened. He said the lines start forming fast. This did allow me to walk around and get some good pictures of the outside. I did find out he was absolutely correct in this, and by the time I made it back to where they were waiting in line, a bunch more people had showed up and continued to show up.

Exterior view of Hello Stranger restaurant with bright sun flare and neon signage visible on the building facade Red neon bucking bronco sign mounted on exterior wall of Southern Style Diner restaurant building Front facade of Threadgill's restaurant showing industrial metal building with red accent doors and exterior staircase Wide angle view of Threadgill's restaurant exterior showing corrugated metal siding, multiple levels, and parking area Close-up of Threadgill's building showing upper balcony level with red accent elements and vintage signage on corrugated metal Architectural detail of Threadgill's showing HOTEL text on corrugated metal wall with red door, windows with red frames, and copper penny decoration Parking lot view with vehicles and commercial buildings in background under clear blue sky Street corner view of Hello Stranger restaurant with person standing near building entrance Vintage streamline moderne style diner car with rounded metal exterior, green and cream color scheme, and chrome dome roof Front entrance of Threadgill's showing Art Deco style diner car addition with AIR CONDITIONED text and address 6416 N. Lamar Side view of vintage diner car showing full length of streamline moderne architecture with horizontal ribbed metal panels Entrance doorway of white painted diner section with Art Deco styling and concrete steps with metal handrails Vintage neon vertical sign reading HOME COOKING with marquee advertising HOME COOKING SINCE 1984 and SUNDAY MUSIC BRUNCH 10 TO 1 Two vintage orange gas pump facades mounted on sidewalk against white building exterior Angled view showing THREADGILL'S text on white building corner with diamond-shaped route marker showing 64 6 Street view of Art Deco diner building with curved glass block corner, vintage gas pumps, and HOME COOKING sign Threadgill's storefront entrance showing glass windows, accessibility ramp, and address 6416 N. Lamar on modern addition Wall signage reading Southern Style DINNER & SUPPER with diamond logo and parking enforcement notice Sign reading SUNDAY BRUNCH ADULTS $12.95 CHILDREN $6.95 mounted above restaurant entrance Restaurant entrance with bright sun flare obscuring details, showing SUNDAY BRUNCH signage partially visible through glare Tall monument sign with red neon bucking bronco logo mounted above reserved parking sign with accessibility symbols Side view of vintage diner structure with green-trimmed windows and cellular tower visible in background under blue sky Large crowd of people gathered in parking lot outside Threadgill's restaurant waiting to enter on sunny day Wide view of crowd waiting outside Threadgill's with restaurant building and large tan commercial building visible in background

I was happy they had wifi, which was useful while standing in line.

Smartphone screen showing Speedtest app results with 24ms ping, 3.89 Mbps download, and 0.88 Mbps upload speeds at 9:56 AM on AT&T network

The doors finally opened, and we were seated at a table. Just like Chicken Oil, Threadgill's has a very unique feel to the inside and also was a gas station at one time.

Interior entrance hallway with wood paneling, metal ceiling, people walking toward red neon Entrance sign at far end Display case showing Threadgill's merchandise including white t-shirts, caps, and vintage Austin Texas logo items with pricing tags Chalkboard sign advertising Live Oak Hefeweizen as Austin's number one draft beer with handwritten tasting notes Interior hallway with wood paneling, red neon Entrance sign mounted above doorway, and colorful lighting on ceiling Narrow hallway with walls covered in framed black and white photographs and memorabilia under green accent lighting Wall display featuring collage of vintage black and white family photographs and historical images in large frame Framed newspaper clipping titled Austin legend revived from Austin Citizen alongside framed Vogue magazine cover featuring Austin Texas Bar interior with colorful neon signs on corrugated metal ceiling, long wooden bar, patrons seated, and extensive liquor selection Bar area featuring classic jukebox, vintage neon signs, dark wood paneling, and colorful ceiling lighting Glass display case containing folded vintage t-shirts and merchandise items Framed poster for Janis Joplin film with woman singing into microphone reflected in glass, colorful string lights above frame Purple and white neon sign reading Dudes of Texas mounted above framed poster with multicolored string lights Neon signs including Lone Star Beer and Shiner On Tap with large Golden Glow buttermilk container decoration and festive string lights U.S. Highway 81 vintage sign mounted on wall with Get Your Drink On Enjoy Live Entertainment message and colorful string lights Corner wall display featuring large vintage black and white photograph with Grand Prize sign, decorative tuba, and festive lighting Bar interior with colorful neon signs including yellow rooster, extensive liquor shelves behind mirrored backsplash, beer taps, and wooden bar counter Restaurant booth seating area with dark wood paneling, vintage train painting on wall, textured glass divider, and red ambient lighting Wall display showing large vintage photographs of Threadgill's exterior and interior with Blue Ribbon Beer signage and colorful string lights Classic tabletop jukebox with illuminated rainbow-colored tubes and chrome Art Deco styling showing slight motion blur Interior of vintage diner car showing two diners seated at booth near windows with venetian blinds and curved metal ceiling Wide view of diner car interior showing multiple black vinyl booths, curved ribbed ceiling, staff in red uniforms, and bright windows

We sat down at the table, and I got the holiday menu to look through.

Diner car seating area with row of empty black vinyl booths along windows with venetian blinds under curved metal ceiling Threadgill's Holiday Menu cover featuring Art Deco design with illustration of 1933 building and decorative border on tan paper

The table had the condiments you'd expect from a Southern-style restaurant.

Table condiment caddy containing hot sauces, Heinz Organic ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper shakers in terracotta bowl with featured drinks menu visible

Of course, you need to have cornbread with your meal.

Red plastic basket filled with assorted fresh baked bread and muffins including cornbread muffins lined with paper

Being Thanksgiving, I had to get the turkey meal. The green bean casserole and mashed potatoes made it complete. It definitely hit the spot and was really good!

Blue and white patterned dinner plate with turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and small bowl of cranberry sauce

I can see with the good food why this place is in demand and am glad we got there early. Once the doors opened, we got a table, but I see a lot of people had to wait. I think I might have to come back here to eat sometime during a non-holiday time and report back on some of the other food. I hear their chicken fried steaks are out of this world!

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