The Gas Station — Restaurant in Bastrop

It's a cute little stop, with a lot of missed potential. A portion of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was filmed at this gas station, which sounded like a nice day-trip/photo op for us. Plus, barbeque sounded like a good idea, which we read they offered. It was about 90+ minutes outside of San Antonio, south of Bastrop, through some nice Texas countryside. It's unassuming, and we passed it right up by accident. The parking lot was fairly small, with about 8-10 spots, but parking was easy as they weren't busy. There's a memorial bench outside, dedicated to the actors, as well as the original van from the movie parked around back (more on that later). When you enter, you're immediately inside of the store, instead of the restaurant I expected; a mix between Hot Topic, Spencer's and Glenn Danzig's house (I'm assuming). There are a ton of models, collectables, t-shirts, posters, DVDs, lapel pins, masks, and other miscellaneous knickknacks. There's, of course, plenty of fan service to the TCM movies, but lots of other horror movie paraphernalia can be found, too. There's even some oddball merch unrelated to the horror genre, like Robocop, TMNT, and Harry Potter. The staff was sweet and helpful. We picked up some shirts, and were about to call it a day, when someone came in and ordered food to go. Until this point, I figured food wasn't something they still offered. Turns out you order at the merch counter, from a small wall menu consisting of 10-12 items. Typical barbecue affair: brisket, sausage, and a few sides. We ordered and were told we could go around back if we wanted to 'dine-in'. This is where they keep the van, which had seen much better days: flat tires, exposed engine, little upkeep. There were a handful of bungalows in the back of the property, which looked nice, but we didn't investigate. I'd imagine they're in place for overnight events, or for the macabre, who want to spend the night for the gore factor. There appeared to be a setup for a movie screen, minus the screen; I'm sure they put it up for events. We ate under a large, covered patio with picnic tables and one too many flies. The food was OK. The brisket was a little fatty, and the coleslaw, beans and potato salad weren't anything to write about, but we both enjoyed the jalapeno sausage, and sauce, which looked homemade. A friendly, beat-up-looking cat kept us company while we ate. We kept discussing what a missed opportunity this place is. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be a novelty store tied to its movie history, with a BBQ tack-on while you shop, much like getting a hamburger at Six Flags (you go for the event, not the food) ...or a barbecue joint that just happened to be housed in a gas station used in a movie, and they're trying to make some money on the side selling related doodads while they're at it. I just don't know. What would have been more in tune with the spirit of the place would be to fill it with more movie props, and to have kept up on the few props available, maybe adding some more history about the film/filming, making the menu 'people'-related ("The Chainsaw Special", "The Cannibal Combo" - you get the picture), maybe have some blood trails leading to the houses out back... Instead it felt almost, to coin a phrase, tourist-trappy; a real 'enter through the gift shop' feel. This store would be amazing inside of your local strip mall; not quite so when you have to drive so far for so little payoff. It tries to be a few different things tied to a loose theme, and nothing coalesces. Unless you're local, one visit...

Certainly! Here's a revised fictional review, incorporating the elements of being a location from the 1972 movie "Texas Chainsaw On my latest road trip, I had the unique opportunity to visit "The Gas Station" in Bastrop, Texas, famously known from the 1972 horror classic "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". This place isn't just a gas station; it's a thrilling homage to one of the most iconic horror movies ever made.

The moment you arrive, you're transported into the world of the film. The exterior, preserved to look just like it did in the movie, sets the scene perfectly. It's a bit eerie but in a way that any horror film enthusiast would appreciate.

Stepping inside, I was amazed by the extensive collection of horror film memorabilia. From signed posters to rare collectibles, every inch of the place celebrates the genre. The highlight for me was seeing the actual van used in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" - it felt like a piece of cinematic history right before my eyes.

But the experience doesn't stop there. "The Gas Station" offers cabins where you can stay overnight. The cabins, while offering modern comforts, are designed to give you that '70s horror movie feel. It's not every day you get to sleep in a setting that feels like it's straight out of a horror film.

The staff deserves a shoutout too. They're not only knowledgeable about the movie and the memorabilia but also share fun anecdotes and trivia which enhances the experience.

To sum up, "The Gas Station" in Bastrop is a must-visit for fans of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and horror movies in general. It's a unique blend of nostalgia, horror, and fun, making it a standout roadside attraction

As before, this review is a creative work and not based on actual...

As a native Texan and a fan of horror movies, this was a must stop spot for me, just surprised it took me so long to finally go. When my son recently discovered the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre and told me he loved it, I knew it was time to go. Loaded up the family and made the 4 hour drive south. Upon arrival you are immediately transported back to the 1974 Tobe Hooper classic when you view the outside of the gas station, which they have restored. Completing the look is the "We Slaughter BBQ" sign, a replica green van, little green stool and the metal wash bucket. Inside the gas station you are greeted with the friendly staff and a wide selection of horror and The Gas Station collectibles which the whole family enjoyed. The Food: I ordered the spicy sausage with potato salad and beans with a side of chili. The sausage had a good not overpowering spicy / jalapeno flavor, the potato salad tasted fresh and was nice and cool and the beans were on par with what you would expect from any Texas BBQ restaurant. The chili was flavorful, but I thought it could use a little more heat. My wife went for the sliced brisket with the same sides and the brisket had a good smokey flavor and was juicy and fall apart tender. My two boys both got the chopped beef sandwiches which were amazing and the meat was moist with just the perfect amount of BBQ sauce (I made them let me have a bite - Dad Tax). All in all it was a GREAT day trip and a must recommend for any fans of TCM or horror...