As the Austin old guard grows older, we’re heartened to see the town’s youngsters (well, thirty and fortysomethings) file into the Broken Spoke night after night. They—as well as out-of-state visitors who’ve come to gawk at a real Texas dance hall—enjoy free dance lessons nightly from 8-9pm. On Wednesdays, ladies get in free and are treated with an old-fashioned respect, courtesy of the cowboy-booted gentlemen who seem employed for this very purpose. (If you’re asked to dance, always say “yes”—you’ll get a patient lesson in Texas Two-Step, as well as no-strings-attached chivalry.)

The Spoke’s got an old tour bus and small oil rig out front, and the barn-red building is decorated with wagon wheels. Many country stars got started here, from Willie Nelson to George Strait, but plenty of other local talent still fills the bill, like Dale Watson, Alvin Crow, and Doug Moreland. Dim lights and pool tables, along with hunting trophies and a fancy saddle, make up the décor.

The menu appears unchanged since 1964, with basics such as burgers, a selection of steaks, and a handful of Southern and Tex-Mex items. While we find the “best chicken-fried steak in Texas” a bit bland and chewy, it does have a nice light cream gravy. Burgers are better: done in the thin style, with a butter-fried bun and loads of crisp veggies. Just consider it dancing fuel.