Kenneth Threadgill opened his Gulf gas station in 1933 on what was then the Dallas Highway, north of Austin, Texas. He obtained Travis County Beer License #001, and the place was open day and night. In time, the Austin city limits grew to encompass the roadhouse, but it’s still on the way to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Threadgill, who is now remembered as the father of the Austin music scene, decided to give up selling gas, and Threadgill’s became mainly a honky-tonk. One of this famous roadhouse’s claims to fame is that Janis Joplin honed her raspy voice here in the early 1960s.

Today, the place is owned by veteran music promoter and restaurateur Eddie Wilson. The menu is classic roadhouse: burgers, steaks, ribs, fried catfish, and chocolate icebox pie for dessert. Understandably, they sell a lot of beer at Threadgill’s, but the wine list holds a few appropriate quaffs, too, including this juicy Rosemount 2001 Shiraz-Cabernet, with nice plum fruit and firm structure.

BUYER'S GUIDE

Frog’s Leap 2000 Zinfandel Napa Valley
Snappy, crisp
Try it with pork chops
www.frogsleapwinery.com
or www.duartestavern.com

Meridian Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2001
Bright, racy
A great complement to fried fish
www.meridianvineyards.com or www.teibels.com

Rosemount Estate Shiraz-Cabernet Australia 2001
Juicy, plummy
A good match for burgers or steaks