Vista Brewing — Restaurant in Dripping Springs

A Disappointing Decline: Vista's Brunch and Service Woes

As a loyal local who’s regularly visited Vista specifically for the Driftwood burger, I’m beyond angry and disappointed by what I experienced today. What was once a reliable favorite has, in my opinion, taken a turn for the worse. I used to tell friends and family all about that one burger. But now? I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone.

First off – you’ve replaced the one great thing on your menu with a pathetic brunch selection that feels like an afterthought. The new burger? Bland, basic, and a far cry from the original Driftwood. When I asked the server if I could still order it, he told me I could—but only if I waited 30 more minutes.  This was my first letdown.  Hoping to make the best of it, I tried to customize an order: caramelized onions, no pickles, and no aioli. The server agreed to the caramelized onion, and I tipped generously in return before the food came -- big mistake, which I later badly regretted. My husband also ordered, specifically requesting no cheese due to an allergy.

What followed was an absolute mess. After a long wait, our food arrived—with cheese on his and no caramelized onions on mine. We sent them back. Round two? His came back with pickles (which he also asked to exclude) and mine still lacked caramelized onions. I sent mine back again, he was too hungry at this point and decided to remove the pickles on his and eat it. He regretted it because the burger still tasted like pickles and he said it overall tasted horribly. The meat was poor, and absolutely NOTHING like their original cheeseburger. As bad as he could possibly have eaten. When my burger finally came out a THIRD time, mine still had no caramelized onions and just had the pickles lazily scraped off—leaving the flavor behind. The server then tells me, only after all this, that they didn’t even have caramelized onions available. This was now past 2pm—when your regular menu with Driftwood burger was supposed to return.

Three attempts. Three failures. Cold fries and burger. Sub-par meat. Zero care or effort from the kitchen. At that point, I was so upset and just wanted my money back. The server said he’d take care of it but made me wait and come chase him down. No apology, no accountability, not even a hint of concern that my family ate while I sat there with nothing. The comparison? A nearby restaurant once comped the ENTIRE meal for my family of four after a delay in just one of them—not even a messed-up order. That’s what caring about customers looks like. Here? I practically had to beg for my refund on food I NEVER even got to eat. I wish I could also take the tip back. $100 dollars meal for 4 is an incredible price abuse for a piece of crap.

So, congratulations Vista—you’ve lost not only me but anyone I’ve ever recommended your place to. Frankly, my family and I won't be returning to Vista. I'll also be sharing my experience with others who, like me, once cherished your Driftwood Burger, so they're aware of the changes, especially on Sundays.

Sunday brunch is a disaster, the food is cheap and poorly made, and the staff couldn’t be bothered to care just one bit. You took something great and replaced it with mediocrity. I’ll be sending everyone I know to one of the many better-run, customer-focused restaurants nearby.You made bad decisions, and you’ve earned the bad reaction. Train your staff, fix your menu, and maybe—maybe—you’ll earn back the trust you’ve lost. But it won't come without a LOT of effort. But for me and mine?: Hasta la Vista, Vista. You won’t see another...

Vista Brewing has quickly become one of our absolute favorite breweries in the Hill Country — and for good reason! Every visit has been incredible, from the food and service to the beautiful setting that somehow feels both laid-back and elevated at the same time.

The property is massive, with indoor and outdoor seating that gives you all the elevated Hill Country vibes. You can walk around and see their chicken coop and bee hives, which they actually use for ingredients in their food and beer (how cool is that?!). Everything here ties back to their focus on regenerative farming and sustainability, and it truly shows in every bite and sip. Even the meat they use is raised up the street from them and has fed off the grains from their beer!

They serve up not just great beer — which has won awards — but also wine, cider and NA options, making it a great spot for everyone. It’s also super kid-friendly, with a kid scape area that keeps the little ones entertained while you enjoy a drink or meal.

Speaking of meals… the food is next level! We’ve tried several dishes, and everything has been phenomenal. The fish and chips were some of the best we’ve had anywhere — perfectly flaky with a thick, crunchy batter. The Wagyu burger was out of this world — juicy, smoky, and cooked over a live fire. Everything down to the pickled veggies and sauces is made from scratch, and you can taste that attention to detail.

They often have live music, daily specials, and friendly staff who always go out of their way to make sure you’re taken care of. Everyone we’ve encountered has been welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly proud to be part of such a thoughtful, local operation.

Vista Brewing is the kind of place that perfectly balances craft, community, and cuisine — and it’s 100% worth the drive every...

Vista Brewing has always been one of our favorite local spots. My husband and I have been coming since the early days — we even hosted our wedding party inside the brewing room back in 2018. We’ve spent so many great afternoons here with friends and family over the years, and it’s a place we’ve always loved recommending to others.

That’s why it’s been a little disheartening to see the experience change recently. The property is still beautiful, the food is still good, and it’s such a great place for families — but the service and overall feel just aren’t what they used to be.

Lately, they seem to run out of menu items often, which can be frustrating after waiting in line. A little more communication or another ordering station might help with that. We’ve also noticed that staff start cleaning up and signaling closing time before the posted 7 p.m. hour, which can make guests feel a bit rushed. If the goal is to wrap up by 7, maybe adjusting the listed hours could make things clearer.

It also feels like the system for running food could use some fine-tuning — on a busy weekend, seating is unpredictable, especially with kids. Having to say exactly where you’ll sit when ordering doesn’t always work in that kind of setting.

Mostly, I just miss the warmth and friendliness that used to define this place. We used to see the same familiar faces, and you could tell the staff loved being there. I really hope some of that original energy can come back, because Vista has always been such a special part of the...