Some of the best meals in Texas hide behind doors you would never think to open, like the front of a small-town pharmacy. You walk in expecting cough drops and a prescription counter, and suddenly you smell burgers on the griddle and hear a malt mixer whirring.
That gap between plain outside and pure joy inside is exactly what makes a back-road find worth the gas money. Grab a stool, because this one has been serving cold treats for more than a century.
A Pharmacy and Soda Fountain on Commercial Avenue
Smack in the middle of downtown Coleman, at 312 South Commercial Avenue, sits a building that does two jobs at once. On one side, pharmacists fill prescriptions and help folks with refills.
On the other, a soda fountain and grill keep the malt glasses frosty and the burgers sizzling.
That combo is the whole point of Owl Drug Store. Plenty of towns have tried to recreate the old drug store fountain as a museum piece, but this is the real working version.
You can pick up ear ache medicine for a little one and leave with a root beer float in hand.
Coleman itself sits in the heart of Central West Texas, an easy detour for anyone heading toward Abilene or San Angelo. Travelers often spot the place by accident, follow a small sign, and end up planning their next trip around it.
The town adds to the charm too, with pretty lamp posts lining the main road and, on some days, music drifting through the streets.
So think of it as a pharmacy first on paper, but a destination in practice. Most people come for the counter stools.
From 1923 to Today: A Century of Owners
Back in 1923, H. L.
Gober opened the original Owl Drug Store. By the late 1920s, he had sold it to Robert I.
Bowen and John Warren, who kept the fountain humming through an era when every Texas town had a drug store counter like it.
Here is a detail that warms the heart. W.
F. “Willie” Campbell started as a soda fountain clerk and assistant manager in 1936, and by 1949 he and Mr. Saunders had taken over the business. Talk about working your way up from the malt mixer.
In 1964, Oplin Saunders built a brand-new Owl Drug Store just down the street, the same spot it occupies today. When he retired in 1976, Jim and Linda Caldwell bought the store.
Their daughter, Cathy Allen, is also an owner now, keeping the family thread strong.
The store celebrated its 100th year in 2023, a milestone very few businesses anywhere ever reach. That kind of staying power does not come from chasing trends.
It comes from doing the same good thing, day after day, for generations of Coleman families.
Second Oldest Fountain in the Lone Star State
Bragging rights matter in Texas, and the Owl has a good one. It holds the title of the second-oldest soda fountain in the state, trailing only the Star Drug Store in Galveston.
Why does that matter for your weekend drive? Because the fountain has never become a gimmick.
It still sits inside a working pharmacy, which is how these counters started in the first place, back when druggists mixed flavored sodas right alongside remedies.
Visitors often remark that it is one of the only true soda fountains left in Texas. Phrases like authentic and old fashioned come up again and again when people describe the place.
Nobody had to fake the patina here.
Fun fact for the road: the fountain is often called the heart of Owl Drug. Pull up a stool and you will understand within about five minutes.
Hand-Mixed Malts and the Mighty Black Cow
Listen for the whir. Every drink at the Owl gets mixed by hand, which means your chocolate malt is built while you watch, not poured from a machine.
The classic malts are the headliner, rich and thick enough to make a straw work for its keep. One longtime visitor even dared anyone to find a better milkshake within 100 miles.
Others simply call the chocolate malt excellent and leave it at that.
Then there is the Black Cow, an old favorite that confuses newcomers in the best way. It combines shaved ice, milk, and chocolate syrup served in a chilled malt glass.
Cold, sweet, and a little crunchy, it tastes like a summer afternoon in 1950.
On a blazing Texas July day, either one makes a strong argument for the drive. Order both and share if you are traveling with a crew.
Phosphates, Floats, and Lavender Lemonade
Ever had a phosphate? If not, the Owl is a fine place to try one.
These fizzy, tangy fountain drinks were the craze of early drug store counters, and they still pop up on the menu here.
Beyond malts, the drink lineup is surprisingly long. Root beer floats are a natural pick, and guests rave about the sodas and shakes alike.
Regulars also mention a lavender lemonade that tastes fresh and a little fancy without being fussy. The iced tea earns praise too, the refreshing kind you want after miles on a two-lane highway.
Coffee drinkers are covered. Specialty coffee is available, and the boutique even stocks Texas roasted coffee to take home.
Between the fizzy, the creamy, and the caffeinated, everyone at the table finds something.
Owl Burgers and Owlvis Specials off the Griddle
Hand-formed patties hit the flat-top all day, and the smell alone could pull you in off the sidewalk. Burgers are the Owl’s calling card on the food side, and fans call them the best in town.
The Owl Burger dates back to the 1920s menu, so you are eating a recipe with real roots. A playful rumor says that if you correctly count every owl in the store, your burger is on the house.
Good luck with that one, because owls are tucked everywhere.
Then there is the Owlvis Burger, a nod to the Elvis decor scattered around the room. Diners describe it as delicious and keep ordering it on return trips.
Sides hold their own. Expect crispy onion rings, fried pickles, French fries, and tater tots.
One traveler said they beat anything the fast food spots in town could offer, which feels about right for a griddle with a century of practice.
Biscuits, Gravy, and an Early Morning Start
Doors open at 8 am on weekdays, and smart road-trippers take advantage. Breakfast here is a quiet treasure that many first-timers miss.
The biscuits and gravy get special love. Cooks toast the biscuits on the griddle before ladling on the gravy, so they stay warm and crunchy instead of turning soggy.
The sausage carries a nice spicy kick that tastes homemade.
Breakfast sandwiches and fresh biscuits round out the morning lineup. Like any busy small kitchen, an off day can happen now and then, but most morning guests leave happy and well fed.
Pair it with a specialty coffee and you have a fine launchpad for a day of exploring Central West Texas. Getting there early also beats the lunch crowd, which matters in a space this cozy.
Elvis, Owls, and a Room Full of Nostalgia
Look up, look left, look behind the register. Owls are perched on nearly every surface, which is exactly why that free burger rumor is so hard to win.
Elvis shows up all over too, giving the room a playful rock-and-roll wink. Guests describe the whole place as cute and themed to the early 1900s, with an antique soda fountain bar anchoring the space.
Many visitors say walking through the door feels like stepping into a dream or traveling back to a gentler time. Life slows down, folks smile, and nobody seems in a hurry.
Modern chain restaurants can keep their gray walls.
One favorite seat is near the grill, where you can watch your food come together. It is dinner and a show, minus the ticket price.
Boutique Shelves Worth a Browse
Waiting on a table? Wander over to the shopping side and you might lose track of time.
The Owl’s boutique carries a wide mix: kitchenware, baby items, clothing, jewelry, essential oils, Texas roasted coffee, and plenty of gifts. Guests mention finding everything from daily needs to souvenirs, plus unique items you will not spot at a big box store.
It makes a handy stop for birthday presents or a little thank-you for whoever watched the dog while you traveled. Some people walk out with more bags than they planned.
Seeing the historic pharmacy alongside the shop is part of the fun. It all feels like the general hub small towns used to have.
Friendly Faces Behind the Counter
Kindness comes up more than almost anything else when people talk about the Owl. Words like friendly, caring, and helpful get tossed around constantly.
One mom stopped in for medicine for her little guy and ended up staying for the soda shop because the staff made her feel so welcome. Others say the service feels like family, quick and efficient without feeling rushed.
A traveler from Taylor called the three-hour drive each way totally worth it.
On the pharmacy side, regulars appreciate efficient refills and genuine care. That is small-town service in its truest form.
To be fair, the room gets packed, and on hectic days service can slip. Grabbing a seat at the fountain counter often keeps you closer to the action.
Who Will Love a Seat Here
Kids, first of all. Children’s meals arrive in classic car cartons, which tends to earn instant grins from the back seat crowd.
Grandparents will love it for the memories, since many remember when every town had a counter just like this. Road-trippers heading to Abilene or San Angelo get a fast, honest meal.
One guest was in and out in about 40 minutes.
History buffs and photographers will find plenty to admire, from the antique fountain to the owl collection. Locals, meanwhile, treat it as the town’s busy little hub, and some have been coming their whole lives.
Who might struggle? Folks who need lots of elbow room.
The space is small and crowded at peak times, and it is not built for big groups, so plan accordingly.
Hours, Timing, and Getting to Coleman
Plan around the clock, because the Owl keeps traditional small-town hours. It opens 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday.
Sundays are closed.
Food service may wrap up earlier than the store itself, with one guest noting the grill stopped around 4:30 pm. Call ahead at 325-625-2178 if you are cutting it close, since times can change.
The website, owldrugrx.com, is another good place to check.
Seating is limited, so come early or bring patience. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon visits usually feel calmer than the noon rush.
Coleman makes a lovely spring wildflower drive, and the cool indoor fountain is a welcome escape in summer heat. Park downtown and stroll Commercial Avenue before or after your meal.
Worth the Detour for a Taste of 1923
Some places earn a spot on your map, and the Owl is one of them. It is not shiny or trendy, and that is exactly why it works.
You get a hand-mixed malt, a burger from a 1920s recipe, and a room full of owls and Elvis, all inside a pharmacy that still fills prescriptions. Few experiences in Texas pack that much history into one lunch stop.
Yes, it can get crowded, and on a rare busy day things may move slowly. But most travelers leave grinning, already planning a return trip down the back roads.
Grab a stool, order the Black Cow, and start counting owls. You probably will not win the free burger, but you will win the afternoon.
