Where You’ll Feel Like Family

In Brownwood, Texas, the essence of community thrives on its family-owned businesses. Here, commerce is not just a transaction; it’s a meaningful connection. Each storefront that calls Brownwood its home tells a unique story and each smile radiates genuine warmth and hospitality. The spirit of family businesses is woven into the fabric of our community, making everyone feel like a cherished member of our family, whether you are a local or just passing through town.

Brownwood is guaranteed to have something for everyone, so here are a few family-owned places that will make you feel like one of their own during your next trip to Brownwood.

Common Grounds

Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just looking for a fun place to hang out, the crew at Common Grounds, led by Odessa-raised founders Marco and Yesy Sandoval, is sure to welcome you with open arms. With a passion for small coffee shops and recognizing the lack of quality coffee in Brownwood, the Sandovals decided to start their own coffee shop. For ten years they have worked tirelessly to build what is now a community favorite, instilling a sense of purpose and work ethic in their employees to create a dynamic team dedicated to providing top-of-the-line customer service to everyone who walks through their doors. Together, they are dedicated to starting your day right, and serving you coffee, with a purpose.

Try one of their delicious specialty flavored lattes or iced coffee and even grab a bite to eat from their menu of burritos, street tacos and sandwiches. Take it from us, nothing beats their fresh tortillas that are always made in-house.

At Common Grounds, they roast all of their own coffee beans, so don’t forget to grab a bag of their signature house blend coffee on your way out to enjoy a taste of Brownwood at home.

Smitty’s BBQ

Smitty’s BBQ has been a beloved family-owned business in Brownwood for over 50 years. If you want a taste of authentic Texas barbeque and southern hospitality, this is the place to go. All of their recipes were developed by the founder, Smith “Smitty” McArthur Jr., and remain unchanged to this day. Today, this iconic Brownwood BBQ business is run by Smitty’s children Renee Carrathus and Ravia McArthur, who work to keep his legacy alive through the food they serve the community. You can even still find Smitty’s old work shirt and barbecue fork proudly on display at the restaurant.

Smitty’s famous rub can be found on just about everything on the menu with the exception of the potato salad. You really can’t go wrong at Smitty’s BBQ, but if there is one thing you should try, we recommend their signature sausage.

Runaway Train Cafe

If you’re looking for a dining experience that combines delicious food with a unique and charming atmosphere, look no further than the Runaway Train Cafe. Housed in an authentic old train car, this cafe offers a nostalgic journey back in time as you enjoy your meal. The cafe’s menu boasts an array of comfort foods, from mouthwatering burgers to homestyle breakfasts, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. 

Everyone who visits the Runaway Train Cafe is always personally greeted by their door greeter, who welcomes every single customer that stops in for a bite to eat. The Bruton family’s dedication to providing excellent service and a warm, welcoming atmosphere guarantees an all-around great experience every time you dine! 

Owner Kim Bruton is so dedicated to treating every customer like family, that you’ll find the doors are even open on Christmas Day, offering a free hot lunch to the entire community. She is also the owner of Intermission Bookshop located in downtown Brownwood, so be sure to stop by after enjoying your meal. 

Matt’s Mantiques & Mercantile

Explore the eclectic and the extraordinary at Matt’s Mantiques & Mercantile, a unique shopping experience filled with vintage antiques and men’s gifts. Here, you’ll find an impressive collection of sports memorabilia including an extensive collection of sports trading cards, cocktail making kits, leather goods, drink tumblers and pickleball equipment. Each item here has its own story and the knowledgeable staff is always ready to share it with you.

Matt’s Mantiques & Mercantile was started with the idea to bring something completely unique to Brownwood, a place to not only find unique items that were catered to men, but also a space to connect with the community and everyone who walks through their doors.

Located in a beautiful, historic building from 1912, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in a world of nostalgia, meet some friendly faces and discover all of the hidden gems they have to offer.

Luna Maya

Located in Historic Downtown Brownwood, this locally owned and operated boutique is the perfect place to shop when strolling through the streets of downtown. At Luna Maya you’ll discover some of the most adorable baby and children’s clothing in town.

Rachel Howell, owner of Luna Maya, was inspired to open a children’s boutique after having her daughter, Maya, the boutique’s namesake. When started Luna Maya, Rachel envisioned a welcoming space where parents could find everything they needed for their little ones, and a go-to place for anyone to stop by for gifts for baby showers and birthday parties. Luna Maya has become all that and more and is now a Brownwood favorite.

The Howell women behind Luna Maya have a deep commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere where every person who walks through their doors feels like family. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

Glamour Shop

Glamour Shop is not just a women’s clothing and accessories store, they are an award winning Brownwood business. Having opened in 1951, Glamour Shop has been proudly serving its customers for over 60 years. In recognition of their thriving business, they received the Texas Treasure Business Award from the Texas Historical Commission.

Family-owned and operated is the way it’s been since the doors first opened many years ago. Here you’ll find a wide variety of women’s clothing for any occasion, jewelry, shoes, gifts and so much more. The store’s mission is to give every woman who walks through their doors the “pretty woman experience” and serve them the best they can. 

If you find yourself in Downtown Brownwood, don’t miss the chance to visit Glamour Shop and experience firsthand why this family-owned gem continues to be a Brownwood favorite year after year.

Underwood’s Cafeteria

Here in Brownwood, there is no shortage of great places to eat. Having been delighting families with homestyle cooking for generations, Underwood’s is no exception. In fact, it’s the “Best Eatin in Town”! This family business with strong Texas roots is also home of the original World Famous Bar-B-Q Beef Steak.

With humble beginnings all the way back in 1930, Underwood’s began in Brady, Texas during the depression by M.E. Underwood, who started cooking and selling Bar-B-Q door-to-door in order to make a living for his family. At the end of World War II, the Underwood family relocated to Brownwood and opened a Bar-B-Q stand on West Commerce Street. After finding success with additional Bar-B-Q stands across West Texas, M.E. Underwood’s son, Morris, decided to add a dining room and cafeteria line and created the menu that made Underwood’s famous.   

Their menu features some of the most delicious southern cooking, like ribs, fried chicken, sandwiches and of course, Underwood’s Famous Cobbler. If you do get the chance to visit Underwood’s keep an eye out for their fresh roll light. When their famous rolls are ready, the light will turn on to notify patrons that fresh rolls are making their way around the dining area.

Over the Rainbow

A day in Brownwood is not complete without a stop at Over the Rainbow for a sweet treat. Owned by Brownwood’s very own Julie McDermed, who has a deep love for cooking, baking and putting smiles on faces with her recipes. Here they are fueled by a passion for spreading joy with their delicious creations. Their commitment to great taste and high quality is apparent in every scoop, as they make all of their ice creams and mix-ins from scratch in-house, using only the finest ingredients available. 

Along with their warm homemade cookies, they also offer an array of ice cream to choose from, with new flavors hitting the menu all the time.  If you’re looking for a healthier option, Over the Rainbow also offers some of the best smoothie bowls in town. With a choice of an Acai or Coconut Cream base and a variety of fresh fruits and toppings, the possibilities are endless!

Come and feel the warmth and hospitality that makes Brownwood Texas truly unique, because here, you’re not just a customer, you’re family.