Each year, as winter gives way to spring, the farm fields surrounding Poteet gleam with ruby red strawberries. The town, located 30 miles south of San Antonio, was designated the “Strawberry Capital of Texas” by the state Legislature in 2015. Its other claim to fame is as the birthplace of country legend George Strait. Berries are ubiquitous in this agricultural community, from the strawberry-capped water tower hovering over the horizon to the resident mailboxes and businesses decorated across town. Despite its pint-size population—roughly 3,000 by last census count—well over 100,000 visitors pour into Poteet every April for its marquee Strawberry Festival, where they sample the juicy berries harvested from the region’s acidic, sandy soil. Today, the weekend-long event is a philanthropic celebration and a nostalgic tribute to country living, offering a short but sweet glimpse into Poteet’s beating heart and bestselling fruit.
DISTANCE FROM
San Antonio
40 minutes
Austin
2 hours
Houston
3.5 hours
Dallas
4.5 hours
El Paso
8 hours
Stay
Strawberry pines
Named for the berry-colored sunsets that shine through the pine trees on its property, this serene country venue run by Darlene and Woode Henry is Poteet’s go-to destination for getaways and weddings, thanks to the trio of two-to-four-bedroom homes on-site. Houses start at $200/night.
Shop & See
bodega gardens
Buck and Valerie Dove opened their small, family-owned nursery in 2024. The couple sells fruit and citrus trees, drought-tolerant perennials, and local vegetable starters.
Eat
IRMA’S CAFE
Blink and you might miss the Taco Street sign located directly in front of Irma’s Café. This tiny restaurant and its namesake owner serve up the best made-to-order breakfast tacos in town.
Shop & See
Rockberry Ranch Farm
This sustainable working farm is a family favorite, with a petting zoo, live music, photo ops, and all kinds of u-pick experiences, including fresh strawberries, blackberries, and flowers galore.
Drink & See
Poteet Country Winery
Sample a glass of strawberry wine at this rural winery owned and operated by Jim Collums and his family. One of the founders of the Strawberry Festival, Collums is also a berry grower and windmill enthusiast who donated his collection of roughly 30 antique windmills to the Longhorn Museum in nearby Pleasanton.
Eat
Farm to Familia
Since 2021, Richard and Lynne Cruz have welcomed the community to their family-centric café and market 4 miles north of Poteet. Grab premade sandwiches and salads, aguas frescas, Texas wines, and jars of strawberry salsa from local farms. From Wednesday to Saturday, the neighboring food truck park serves Tex-Mex, barbecue, and Filipino food for dinner.
