JOHN RUSSELL CROUCH, (1916-1976) "Hondo Crouch", humorist, writer, owner and self-proclaimed mayor of Luckenbach Texas, was born on December 4, 1916, in Hondo, Texas, to Ione and Harry Crouch, a telegraph operator for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Hondo Crouch was an All-American swimmer at the University of Texas, where he was awarded a degree in physical education in 1941. After training as a navigator in the Air Corps at Garner Field in 1942, he settled down to raise sheep, goats, and cattle near Fredericksburg. He was swimming coach at various Texas children's camps from the 1930s until the 1970s. In 1964 he was president of the Hall of Fame for UT athletes and in 1975 was influential in persuading the university to build the Texas Swim Center. From 1963 to 1975, under the pen name Peter Cedarstacker, Crouch wrote about 600 "Cedar Creek Clippings" for the Comfort News. Through his characters from the mythical town of Cedar Creek he satirized politics, government, ecology, deer hunters, social life, and everyday country problems and celebrations. In 1971 he bought Luckenbach, a small community established as an Indian trading post by German immigrant Albert Luckenbach in 1849. There Crouch presided as mayor over a population of three plus a single parking meter. As "clown prince" he brought to life the town's motto, "Everybody's Somebody in Luckenbach." He held zany celebrations, such as the Luckenbach World's Fair, the first Texas "women only" chili cook-off, Return of the Mud Daubers, and no-talent contests. Crouch participated in a Folklife Festival for Texas at the Smithsonian Institution in 1964. On July 4, 1976, Luckenbach received national attention for celebrating the Non-Buy Centennial, protesting the commercialization of the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Crouch was married for thirty years to Helen Ruth (Shatzie) Stieler, daughter of the 1945 "Goat King of the World," Adolf Stieler of Comfort, and they had four children. Crouch died of a heart attack on September 27, 1976, in Blanco.

Hondo Crouch, Imaginer, bought the tiny town of Luckenbach Texas back in the early seventies. The place became a magical, musical mecca for all kinds of people who enjoyed the simple things in life. Today, Hondo's daughter, Chris, and her husband, John Graham, are carrying on the spirit of "Hondo", on Main Street, in the West Main Street district. Featuring delicious Texas food and the very best Texas Music, Hondo's is the place, in Fredericksburg, Texas, for Texas Fun!

Discover an incredible line-up of Texas musicians performing Wednesday - Sunday. The best music in the Texas Hill Country is live at Hondo's on Main. Our bands include: The Almost Patsy Cline Band, Thomas Michael Riley, John Arthur Martinez, The Drug Store Cowboys, Mike Blakely, The McKay Brothers, Dale Watson, The Dust Devils, Jerry Jeff Walker, Elana James Band, Dale Watson, Walt Wilkins, Bo Porter, Fingerpistol, Shelley King, Ben Beckendorf, Spare Parts, Gary Claxton and Erik Hokkanen, Ruby Dee and the Snake Handlers, and many more! Come on out - You won't be disappointed!

Hondo's on Main also has a great selection of Gourmet Texas Cusine, including burgers, Good Ol' Boys or Baskets, Stacked Enchiladas, Hot Crunchies, Salads, Chili and Soup, Kids' Food, and the Mayor’s Moonlight Menu. Our burgers are one-half pounds of thick juicy Certified Angus Beef, and grilled on our open flame mesquite wood grill. Served on a toasted sourdough bun with crisp shredded iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato, red onions, pickles, and our mustard-mayonnaise mix on the side. We use egg as a binder in all our burgers, just like Mom. We will cook burgers to specific temperature if requested. Burgers include: Hondo’s Donut Burger, Bacon Cheddar Burger, Hondo Donut Burger piled high with crispy bacon strips and sharp Cheddar cheese, Chili Cheese Burger, Blue Ribbon Barbeque Bacon Burger, Tex Mex Burger, and the Lip Burnin’ Burger with Spicy chipotle chilies and green onions, We also offer grilled and fried chicken sandwiches, salads, barbeque, enchiladas, and chef specials. Go ahead, indulge!