Now serving frosty mugs, big taste, reasonable prices; Blue Moon 1881 opens in De Leon.
Updated: Jun 16, 2022
Admit it, you’re hungry.
And something a little different to take your mind off the scorching heat sounds pretty good right now, doesn’t it?
Well, you’re in luck.
Blue Moon 1881 - a three-story restaurant and event center in De Leon – is now open.
I spoke with owner Dave Lewis about his plans for the new eatery. With a great sense of humor and impressive knowledge of food, drinks and entertainment, he appears to have created a place we are all going to love.
“I moved to De Leon two years ago this October,” Dave told Beneath the Surface News. “When the building came up for sale, I bought it. I’ve never been in the restaurant or bar business before, but I am now.”
The past few months have been spent renovating the 14,000 square foot building and fine-tuning a menu that offers big taste and reasonable prices.
Dillon Reichard, the former owner of Jersey Lilly’s in Hico, will serve as the restaurant’s general manager.
“He’s a young guy, but has a lot of experience and can handle anything,” Dave said. “I gave him the reins in the kitchen.”
When asked to describe Blue Moon, Dave said, “It’s more than a café, but not quite a steakhouse.”
Steaks, however, are on the menu. (Think ribeye and sirloin.)
Other entrees include chicken fried steak, pork chops, shrimp, pasta and jumbo baked potatoes. There are salads (chef, chicken and steak), burgers, wraps and sandwiches all dished up with French fries or sweet potato fries.
“My favorite thing is the blue moon onion,” Dave said. “It’s a typical blooming onion served with a special sauce I think will be a big hit.”
Friday nights include a special on fried shrimp and Saturday nights offer prime rib.
“We have a really good lunch menu too; our pork tenderloin sandwich is awesome,” he said. “We know people are busy and our goal is to get you in and out for lunch quickly because we understand that people have stuff to do.”
HAVE A COCKTAIL AND STAY AWHILE
That doesn’t mean you have to be in a rush to visit Blue Moon 1881.
A 30-foot bar in the main dining room boasts a large television and full menu of spirits, cocktails and frozen margaritas served in frosted mugs and pitchers.
Travel one floor up and discover the Balcony Bar, which overlooks the main dining room. That’s where you’ll find pool tables, additional TVs and another full drink menu.
“I think that will be a hot spot on the weekends,” Dave said. “It’s a little more secluded so people can come for a drink in the afternoon and even work from a laptop if they want.”
The event center – aptly named The Venue – is located on the third floor.
With seating for 175-200, the space is designed to host parties and wedding receptions and includes its own set of bathrooms, full bar and dance floor.
GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION
While the restaurant opens on Wednesday, the official grand opening celebration will take place on Friday and Saturday.
(Make sure to stop by because they will be giving away some free dessert.)
Blue Moon 1881 is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 am.-2 p.m. on Sunday.
