Royers Round Top Cafe is Sweet as Pie

Despite Round Top’s tiny population of 93 residents, it’s become an oasis for antique lovers across the country. Located about 80 miles outside of Austin, the quaint town is home to the renowned Round Top Antiques Fair, which caters to those looking to treasure hunt for rare relics and fanciful finds.

Twice a year for a week in the spring and fall, a swarm of shoppers descend upon Round Top needing dining options to keep them fueled for the task at hand. Thankfully, visitors can experience some of the tastiest fare in the state at Royers Round Top Cafe on Main Street.

JB grew up working weekends at the eatery while attending the University of Texas and took over as owner nearly seven years ago. Though the café has garnered national attention and praise from the Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, and Eater, the Royers’ success hasn’t come without challenges.

In 2020, the café had to amend operations and lost out on the big antique show crowd due to the pandemic. “Jamie had to pick me up off the ground outside crying because I didn’t know how we would make it,” JB says. “We bought the food and prepped, and it’s canceled. I was like, ‘How are we going to survive?’” Jamie adds, “It’s a huge week for us. We buy and prep a lot of extra food.”

Immediately, the café created casseroles for curbside purchase. Then, they donated 10% back to churches in Houston and Brenham to promote the café’s new drive-thru initiative. The Royers also hosted virtual cooking classes where customers could buy a food kit in advance and attend “Cooking with JB and Jamie” online.

It was a stressful few years, so after the 2022 holiday season, they closed for a week to give everyone time to recuperate and relax with their families.

One unexpected benefit of the pandemic was the friendships forged between the staff and their customers. “Seventy-five percent of the people who walk through the door are repeat customers. We’ve found some of our best friends here who we knew but didn’t really know until they came in,” Jamie says. “Being a close, tightknit group here means everything.”

This year, the Royers hope to take their cooking classes on the road. The couple has traveled to different culinary hot spots over the years, which inspired them to create versions of the foods they’ve tasted. These inventive dishes are in their cookbook, Cooking with JB & Jamie: Royers Round Top Cafe, released last spring. “We come back a lot of times from these places and choose one item that we ate while we were there,” Jamie says. “So, we’ve got a handful of things on the menu and in the cookbook, like our Nashville hot chicken sandwich.” The cookbook also contains signature Royers dishes and desserts including the popular lavender chicken salad and Not My Mom’s apple pie.

The Royers want to continue strengthening their focus on community. “We’re centered on food and helping kids and families,” JB says. “There are more than people just on the streets needing food. There are people living in houses who don’t have food. So, we really want to get a foundation started.”

Longtime Royers diner Stephen Puckett can attest to the warmth of the establishment and the family behind it. He has witnessed the Royers pray over a meal at the table or for a specific need of a family. “Their genuine concern for you and your family is something to behold,” Puckett says.

The Round Top Antiques Fair is the largest of its kind in the country, stretching more than 11 miles on either side of State Highway 237. This year’s Fall Show is Oct. 23-28. Tickets go on sale Aug. 1. General Admission is $10 while VIP is $25. One ticket is good for all six days.