The video above captures a road trip through the city of La Grange, Texas — a small town of around 4,500 people sitting roughly 100 miles west of Houston and 65 miles southeast of Austin. Despite its modest size, La Grange carries an outsized reputation thanks to ZZ Top, whose classic song "La Grange" put the town on the map. The video walks through the historic downtown square, touches on the town's German heritage, and eventually winds up at a songwriter showcase in Austin.
What Is La Grange, Texas Known For?
Most people know La Grange from the ZZ Top song, which references the Chicken Ranch — a notorious brothel that operated outside of town for years before being shut down. That story later inspired the film and Broadway production The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds. The town leans into that legacy with a sense of humor, hosting events like the Best Little Quilt Show in Texas and the Best Little Cowboy Gathering in Texas each year.
La Grange is also part of the Texas German Belt, and that German heritage shows up in the architecture around the downtown square and in local bakeries where you can find kolaches. The square itself is centered around the Fayette County Courthouse and is lined with antique shops, cafes, restaurants, and a few museums — including the Texas Quilt Museum, the MKT Depot Railroad Museum, and the Texas Heroes Museum, which is housed inside an old jail. The Casino Hall building now serves as city hall. Latte Cafe, right on the square, is a solid stop for a breakfast sandwich.
Live Music Venues in and Around La Grange
La Grange may be small, but it has a real connection to the Texas songwriting scene. Here are the venues featured or referenced in the video:
- The Bugle Boy — One of the most respected intimate songwriter venues in Texas, located in La Grange. A must-visit for anyone who values stripped-down, up-close performances.
- Hole in the Wall — A legendary Austin dive bar right next to the UT campus, known for its deep history with Texas songwriters. Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley spent many nights here. It still hosts regular songwriter happy hours.
David Bridwell performed at the Hole in the Wall's songwriter happy hour alongside David Morrison, Lee Barber, and Ethan Azarian, closing the trip with a song he wrote about visiting Blaze Foley's grave south of Austin. The grave, as the song goes, was piled high with Lone Star beers — a fitting tribute.
Worth the Detour
If you're driving between Houston and Austin, La Grange is an easy and worthwhile stop. The downtown square alone is good for an hour or two of wandering, and if your timing lines up with a show at The Bugle Boy, even better. It's a town with real character and a genuine place in Texas music history — no exaggeration needed.