Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon Deemed Best Dive Bar In Texas

AUSTIN, TX — Researchers at The Daily Meal scoured the country looking for the nation's best food and drink to compile its annual list, finding Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon to be the best dive bar in Texas.

This list isn't about high-brow, fancy restaurants, mind you, but just a compendium of good neighborhood joints where one can find excellent grub, cold beer and fun times. Given that charge, researchers named Ginny's the best little dive bar in Texas.

And it's little wonder. For more than four decades, the Little Longhorn Saloon has served as the epicenter of Austin's honky-tonk country music scene. The live music venue is considered something of a temple among mavens, a place where a long list of celebrated performers have played: James Hand, Alvin Crow, James Intveld, Weldon Henson, Mike Stinson, The Derailers, Two Hoots and a Holler, Fingerpistol, Alan Haynes, Dallas Moore, and more.

Related story: Best Food And Drink 2018: The Top Restaurants By State

All told, some ten bands play at the joint each week, more than 600 bands every year. And while it's best known as a country music venue, bands playing other genres are spotlighted, including folk, rockabilly and good ol' rock n' roll.

"Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon in Austin is nothing short of iconic," Daily Meal researcher wrote in palpable amazement after visiting the place.

There's something else at the Little Longhorn Saloon you won't find anywhere else. A big draw there is something known as "Chicken S**t Bingo," wherein prizes are awarded to patrons depending on where a bird decides to poop. It's a Texan thing. Those from elsewhere wouldn't understand.

Other Texas joints were singled out among the nation's best in various categoriest, including:

Best Burger: Maple & Motor in Dallas

Best Mexican Restaurant: Hugo's in Houston
Best Ribs: Louie Mueller in Taylor
Best Steakhouse: Pappas Bros in Dallas and Houston

>>> Photo by Roberta Sorge on Unsplash