Neon Armadillo

This is my new favorite outdoor spot in Wimberly! The food is absolutely incredible, everything we tried was super well-cooked and tasted delicious. It's very noticeable that they only use quality local ingredients. Everyone was extremely kind and friendly. The atmosphere is laid back and peaceful. Plenty of parking all around the area if you're unable to find a spot directly at Neon Armadillo. It's located right in the middle of everything, so it's a great choice for lunch if you're looking to explore nearby establishments. Plenty of room for kids to run around and play as well. The outdoor seating area has two televisions if you're looking to watch a game etc. 10/10 will definitely recommend to everyone!

Robin Deluna

We love this place - and they just opened up in their new, BEAUTIFUL location! Absolutely the best new outdoor spot in the Hill Country - by far! The food is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the design of the place is like nothing I've ever seen. We tried a little bit of everything and everything tasted fresh, with amazing ingredients. You can taste the quality in the food. We had the queso (yum), the kale salad, the briscuit salad (my favorite), the burger, the street corn (OMG), and we tried several of their amazing meats. Everything tasted amazing. Not only was the food great, but you look around, and live music is playing, kids are running around on the playground and basketball court, parents are relaxing with their drinks catching up with their friends (because their kids are busy), and everyone was smiling. Such a good time here, and I'm so excited for this place. It will be a consistent stop everytime we are in Wimberley. Great job with this concept to all the partners and anyone else who was responsbile for this vision. Now if you could come to Katy, Texas? Pretty Please?

Taylor Collins

This is one of the best restaurants in the entire Texas Hill Country. Not only is the food next level, but their commitment to using the highest quality ingredients is unparalleled! Regenerative grass fed meats, heirloom beans, in house tortillas, and no seed oils. This is the ONLY barbecue I have ever eaten and felt immediately energized and nourished (normally I feel slow and heavy eating conventional barbecue). The staff is very attentive and knowledgeable! The restaurant also has tons of cool things to keep kids busy (like outdoor climbing nets and a court).

Nancy G

Our server was Olivia, she was fabulous, super friendly and very attentive. The food and drinks were excellent, this is our 3rd time to dine at Neon Armadillo and we’ll definitely be back! The restaurant is very stylish and great for families!

Grouse K9

I really enjoyed this spot and will be coming back as soon as I can. In fact, as soon as I can in the winter months before it gets crazy popular in the summer. It's that kind of place - it is going to draw a lot of folks because it is a cool place, well designed with awesome food and drinks. As I run this review, remember - I loved it! These are just some pointers that I wish I knew. Being 1/2 way between Wimberley & San Marcos will allow it to advertise as being in the Wimberley Valley (tourists' target) but also draw from San Marcos (larger population). This place made me think that Austin had finally spread to Wimberley. It just has the Austin vibe displanted to Wimberley. I think the main thing that peeps will have a hard time with is that it has nothing to do with what you think of as the process of a "normal" restaurant. Think of it as a high class Chipotle's. You go to a counter to order, you get a buzzer, you get your food later. The only thing that you don't have to do is buss your table. This will turn off a lot of folks and is jamming up their flow (there are employees purely there to educate folks re: how it works), but eventually enough people will understand it that it will start to flow. But this place is here to stay. They've already started innovating (the food ready buzzers) so I have great optimism that this place will knock it out of the park. To help you with the flow: look for the bar. As soon as you go inside look for a menu holder on the wall and grab one. As soon as you know what you want, walk up to one of the cash registers at the bar and make an order and they will give you a buzzer. If you have cocktails/alcohol, wait for your drinks. Once that's clear, go to the right and get your non-alcoholic beverages, utensils, water, napkins etc. Then go find a seat. When it buzzes, someone will bring you your food. EXACTLY like Chipotles! But it has a more upscale vibe. So the place is just fantastically styled. We went inside in December because we thought it would be too cool outside. Most of the smart people were outside because the heaters made it just fantastic. We had lovely seats inside and really, really enjoyed the styling. The drinks were fantastic. I had the Neon Armadillo Margarita and they know their Margarita's. My date had the Sangria and thought the same. We also got the guacamole and chips. Just like Chipotle the chips came in a lunch bag. After futzing with that a while, we just went to the "utensil/drink bar" and got a take out container. It worked MUCH better for retrieving chips from a paper bag for the stellar guacamole. For the entree I had the Neon Wedge Salad with Smoked Brisket. I enjoyed the heck out of it and it was ginormous. Wasn't craft brisket by any measure, but it was tasty just the same. The poblano ranch was a perfect accompaniment. My date went with the Farmacy Bowl with Chicken. The chicken was off the hook good. Better than my Brisket. Only down side is that she was set back by the heat of the jalapeno's. It was advertised so that's on her. She's not a chili head so it was kind of hard to eat. Pro-tip: ask if it can be done without them if you aren't a chilihead. Overall, loved the place. It is NOT your mother's restaurant. Get used to that and you will enjoy the heck out of it.

Robert Webre

This place is huge and it was crazy busy last night. But there is lots of parking and space to sit. We listened to music and watched the football game. The food was good also. Definitely go and check it out, especially if you have kids. It is a paradise playground for them.

Warren Frier

BLOWN AWAY BY THIS PLACE! visited with the whole family! The wife, kids and I loved it. The attention to detail in the way this place is built is next level, the kids had a giant tree net, that we couldn't get them off of. We had screens galore, comfortable seats and top notch food and drinks with live music!

Anna Boone

First time here and we will be back! Was busy but service was still fast and the quality of the food was excellent. We enjoyed the wings the most. Very laid back atmosphere, kid friendly, with a big outdoor space. It was perfect lunch spot on a sunny January day!

Maranda Puskorius

We attended the soft opening for Neon Armadillo and it was so fun! The food was incredible (queso was a huge hit for our little ones) and the atmosphere great. Definitely a must visit when in Wimberley!

Steve Bugg

Neon Armadillo is a WIMBERLEY WIN! Huge shoutout to Carla and Lo for the fantastic service. The drinks are crafted with care, and the Dillo Nachos with pulled pork are AWESOME! Super fun atmosphere and a great playscape for the kiddos. Highly recommend this spot!

Scott Hancock

This is my new favorite outdoor spot in Wimberly! The food is absolutely incredible, everything we tried was super well-cooked and tasted delicious. It's very noticeable that they only use quality local ingredients. Everyone was extremely kind and friendly. The atmosphere is laid back and peaceful. Plenty of parking all around the area if you're unable to find a spot directly at Neon Armadillo. It's located right in the middle of everything, so it's a great choice for lunch if you're looking to explore nearby establishments. Plenty of room for kids to run around and play as well. The outdoor seating area has two televisions if you're looking to watch a game etc. 10/10 will definitely recommend to everyone!

Decided to have our holiday party at this establishment. Let me just say everyone had a great time and really enjoyed the atmosphere. We were provided two large tables inside to accommodate the entire group and our waitress Caroline took super good care of us. Food was delicious, beer was cold, and mix drinks were on point. The owners and staff were amazing as they checked in with us several times to make sure all was good. They really made us feel welcome. Finished the night playing corn hole and listening to great live music.

Been open for about 6 weeks according to staff. Came on New Years Day, business was good. The format is counter service but the tech for getting food delivered is solid. New ownership has done a tremendous job with the facility improvements. The outdoor space is possibly the best in the area and the interior upgrades are great, especially the bar. Several reviews about the food were less than favorable, but we didn’t have the same experience. The loaded queso was fantastic, my burger was cooked to a dead on medium and had great flavor. Service was great. We peppered the staff with a ton of questions about the place, and considering they’re only six weeks in, we didn’t have any “new restaurant” service concerns. Multiple service areas offer differing experiences, depending on what you’re looking for. The covered section along the front was quiet and calm, lending for great conversations with our dining mates. We’re excited about having another great go-to for our Wimberley trips. We’ll definitely make Neon Armadillo a mandatory stop each time.

Neon Armadillo has quickly become our favorite spot in Wimberley—the Hill Country vibe is perfect, with solid Tex-Mex BBQ, strong drinks, and that relaxed, fun atmosphere. Shoutout to the bartenders, especially Ben and Carla. Carla always remembers me and hooks me up with her special skinny Rita—it's refreshing, not too sweet, and spot-on every time. The waitstaff has been excellent, with Olivia being our server the last several visits in a row. She's super attentive—quick refills, perfect check-ins, and she really makes us feel right at home. Food's great, cocktails deliver, and the service from this crew elevates everything. The only minor thing holding it back from a perfect 5 is the kids running around, but that's really on the parents to supervise—the playscape is awesome for families when everyone's mindful. Still highly recommend—definitely ask for Carla at the bar or Olivia on the floor for that top-notch care!

makayla bedford

Hands down the best service I’ve ever had. From the moment we walked in, everyone was incredibly welcoming and kind. Our server went above and beyond by giving us amazing recommendations on what to order, and every single dish was so good—we couldn’t have chosen better. The atmosphere is perfect: fun, relaxed, and just the right vibe to enjoy great food and drinks. You can really tell the staff cares about the experience they give their guests. Neon Armadillo absolutely nailed it, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone and definitely coming back!

Sergio Vasquez

Food was great, we had the nachos, wings, queso and burgers, all of which use real ingredients. Brunch drinks were well made (Bloody Marys), beer selection was excellent (Real Ale). We arrived at opening on a Sunday and the place filled up very quickly. It was cold (mid-40s) when we arrived but the patio heaters and fire pits kept everything cozy. 4 adults and 8 kids, our barkeep Oliver was able to handle all of us at our most hectic. 10/10 for a memorable experience, will be back again soon.

Brian Sandel

Been open for about 6 weeks according to staff. Came on New Years Day, business was good. The format is counter service but the tech for getting food delivered is solid. New ownership has done a tremendous job with the facility improvements. The outdoor space is possibly the best in the area and the interior upgrades are great, especially the bar. Several reviews about the food were less than favorable, but we didn’t have the same experience. The loaded queso was fantastic, my burger was cooked to a dead on medium and had great flavor. Service was great. We peppered the staff with a ton of questions about the place, and considering they’re only six weeks in, we didn’t have any “new restaurant” service concerns. Multiple service areas offer differing experiences, depending on what you’re looking for. The covered section along the front was quiet and calm, lending for great conversations with our dining mates. We’re excited about having another great go-to for our Wimberley trips. We’ll definitely make Neon Armadillo a mandatory stop each time.

Joe Krupa

Decided to have our holiday party at this establishment. Let me just say everyone had a great time and really enjoyed the atmosphere. We were provided two large tables inside to accommodate the entire group and our waitress Caroline took super good care of us. Food was delicious, beer was cold, and mix drinks were on point. The owners and staff were amazing as they checked in with us several times to make sure all was good. They really made us feel welcome. Finished the night playing corn hole and listening to great live music.

Hayden Mitchell

Went with a few friends an had an incredible time! Bartenders were knowledgeable and I was really happy with my drink. I got the porch swing and loved it. We all loved the nachos with pastor and I shared the tritip and loved it. Ambiance was great, loved the cornhole board and all the tvs. Will definitely be going back to try out everything else they have!

Nice atmosphere. Good vibes. They have outdoor seating. A huge TV. Kid Friendly with a play area. Friendly staff. Food was good. They don't have a big variety of dishes on menu.

True and honest opinion...the food is mediocre and expensive. Everything has some form of spice to the point that I couldn't eat some items. The drinks were ok, but also very expensive. It's a nice atmosphere if you can find a table outside. It was packed when we went so we had to wait inside a while before we could find something outside. The waitress seemed upset that we moved, even though we told her we wanted to be outside to watch the kids play. We had asked for some Texas twinkle. We were told they were out, but then the table next to us had some. There was a band, but as soon as they started to play, they stopped. I couldn't tell what they were doing. It's an ok place to grab a drink while your kid plays, but be prepared to drop some money.

Stopped for lunch, ordered 1/2 pound of brisket and cucumber salad. Cuke salad was delicious but brisket was Ok at best. Not sliced brisket but cut into small chunks and bbq sauce was added, which I was not a fan, brisket shouldn’t be sauced and it was dry. Place is nice with indoor and outdoor seating, fire pits, stage for live music and large screen tv’s. Staff were very friendly and attentive.

Lily DeLorme

It's a nice looking place with a few tables inside as well as bar seating. More than half of the seating is outdoors with heating in sections. They cook with beef tallow (which is much healthier than seed oils) and grass fed, locally raised meats. The taste is smoky; everything has a smoky flavor (including the salsa). We ordered the tri-tip, chicken wings, pulled pork, and white queso. The food was okay. Honestly, for the price, we expected better cooking skill. The staff were kind, and the food came quickly. There was indeed live music, and the crowd was lively. It's was worth checking out. Maybe they'll grow into the space after they've been around a bit longer.

We really wanted to love this place because the environment is fantastic. It’s very family-friendly, fun, and has a great vibe that works well for groups with kids. Unfortunately, the food just didn’t match the atmosphere. The quality was underwhelming across the board and felt like an afterthought. Service was mediocre. Not terrible, but not memorable or attentive either. At the end of the day, it feels like you’re paying for the environment rather than the food or service. If you’re coming to hang out and let kids enjoy the space, it works. If you’re coming for a good meal, expectations should be lowered.

Really looked forward to this place opening but really disappointed. We got that little queso in a to go bowl, pulled pork dumped on a cookie sheet like pan. Too much ice in this expensive regular margarita and giant ice cube that almost took the whole glass in the Mexican coffee. You have to order at the bar and get your own silverware and water. Almost $60 with tip. The menu is very limited. It's a beautiful place and the service was good. But could we not get a real bowl with that expensive queso? A plate or bowl for the pulled pork? Look at the picture. What does it look like? Very unappetizing.

joshua smith

We really wanted to love this place because the environment is fantastic. It’s very family-friendly, fun, and has a great vibe that works well for groups with kids. Unfortunately, the food just didn’t match the atmosphere. The quality was underwhelming across the board and felt like an afterthought. Service was mediocre. Not terrible, but not memorable or attentive either. At the end of the day, it feels like you’re paying for the environment rather than the food or service. If you’re coming to hang out and let kids enjoy the space, it works. If you’re coming for a good meal, expectations should be lowered.

Tracie Eakin

Really looked forward to this place opening but really disappointed. We got that little queso in a to go bowl, pulled pork dumped on a cookie sheet like pan. Too much ice in this expensive regular margarita and giant ice cube that almost took the whole glass in the Mexican coffee. You have to order at the bar and get your own silverware and water. Almost $60 with tip. The menu is very limited. It's a beautiful place and the service was good. But could we not get a real bowl with that expensive queso? A plate or bowl for the pulled pork? Look at the picture. What does it look like? Very unappetizing.

Wayne Weisenbach

First time at Neon. It’s interesting that when I look through the reviews, the only reviews that get response from Neon are the 5 start reviews. Neon should look at and respond to the bad before the good. Self awareness is key. Not quite sure what their business model is (given their limited menu and pricing). Pros : 1) Atmosphere is very nice. Very family oriented, good music, place for kids to play and very clean. 2) Waitress was great. Drinks came out quickly. Food came out in reasonable time. Seating was good and heaters are a nice touch. Cons : 1) Prices way too high. $17 for 1 pound of wings (roughly 6 - 7 wings)…. $17/lb for wings ???? $11 for a small cup of Queso ? $5 per bag of chips ?? $20 for 1/2 lb of shredded lamb ? Beer prices good but liqueur prices are too high. 2) Food was ok but not great. The side of mushrooms not good. No french fries offered (kids love fries). Menu is very limited. The Kale salad “with chicken” for $19 where it was a challenge to find any chicken. 3) Food presentation not good at all…. slop the lamb on a tin tray…. really ? Similar to a chow line ! Fully get it’s a new place, but they have a long way to go to get to the sweet spot. The location and the atmosphere are a goldmine. Big opportunity here but prices need to come down and food choice and presentation need to come up.

I'm struggling to not give this place more than a one! We live in Spring Branch and we were so looking forward to trying this place out after watching it being built. Unfortunately our experience is as follows - We parked up, walked through the door and were confused. We were expecting a guide or host and other groups in the same situation were also anticipating the same. This was not the case and had to figure it out. (I do think however, if we had walked in and those groups were not standing there we would've quickly figured it out). Our children are vegetarian and as we looked over the menu we realised everything literally everything is covered in Beef Tallow. For example, They recook the chips they bring in, in beef tallow, Everything on the menu was beef tallow so we asked (they don't have table servers), if they can accommodate our vegetarian kids. After some back and forth, they offered a $12 corn quesadillas (which is the photo), and I'm really disappointed. Not only did the kids not eat it (as it looked and tasted bad), it cost us $12. If We can offer any positive feedback, try and embrace that people don't always eat meat and please offer vegetarian options or at least not recook everything in Beef Tallow as per the chips. Also, train you staff to know the difference between vegan and vegetarian as there was some confusion in regards to this. (My hope is that anyone working in the restaurant industry would know this). However, if your menu changes to accomodate vegetarians (and please let us know), we will come back and support you.

Jill and James Noble

I'm struggling to not give this place more than a one! We live in Spring Branch and we were so looking forward to trying this place out after watching it being built. Unfortunately our experience is as follows - We parked up, walked through the door and were confused. We were expecting a guide or host and other groups in the same situation were also anticipating the same. This was not the case and had to figure it out. (I do think however, if we had walked in and those groups were not standing there we would've quickly figured it out). Our children are vegetarian and as we looked over the menu we realised everything literally everything is covered in Beef Tallow. For example, They recook the chips they bring in, in beef tallow, Everything on the menu was beef tallow so we asked (they don't have table servers), if they can accommodate our vegetarian kids. After some back and forth, they offered a $12 corn quesadillas (which is the photo), and I'm really disappointed. Not only did the kids not eat it (as it looked and tasted bad), it cost us $12. If We can offer any positive feedback, try and embrace that people don't always eat meat and please offer vegetarian options or at least not recook everything in Beef Tallow as per the chips. Also, train you staff to know the difference between vegan and vegetarian as there was some confusion in regards to this. (My hope is that anyone working in the restaurant industry would know this). However, if your menu changes to accomodate vegetarians (and please let us know), we will come back and support you.