Lakeway residents Mike and Cindy Herman said they opened Hasler Brothers Steakhouse in 2014 after realizing the Lake Travis area did not have a true fine dining steakhouse. “I don’t consider ourselves foodies,” said Mike, a retired Houston firefighter. “We do like to eat out, and the area was lacking a concept like ours.” Located directly across from Cinemark Hill Country Galleria, the steakhouse serves dinner in Bee Cave daily and is open for lunch Wednesday through Friday. The Hermans opened the first Hasler Brothers Steakhouse in 2009 in Bastrop.  The couple moved to the Lake Travis area several years ago so their son—now a 6-foot-5-inch, 280-pound high school junior—could attend Lake Travis ISD schools and participate in its football programs. Mike said he hopes the steakhouse will become a go-to spot for locals. “We want people to come out here and relax and enjoy themselves,” he said. “We don’t want to be a place you come to only on special occasions.” The steakhouse top seller is the 7-ounce filet mignon, Mike said. Beef can be ordered with any of five sauces, including peppercorn and béarnaise. The restaurant also features lamb and pork chops, chicken and fish, with its sea bass flown in from Hawaii. “We call the order in on Sunday, [and] it’s here on Monday,” Mike said.  “It’s fresh off the boat. You talk to the guy, and he’s on the boat, fishing.  It’s about as fresh as you’re going to get.” Housemade desserts include cheesecake and bananas Foster. However, patrons will not see a steak knife at their table settings. “You can cut our steaks with a butter knife,” Mike said about the missing silverware.

Cindy’s Bar & Grill

When Cindy and Mike Herman opened Hasler Brothers Steakhouse in the Hill Country Galleria nine months ago, the Lakeway couple did not stop with one restaurant. They launched Cindy’s Bar & Grill, located just behind the steakhouse, at the same time. The two restaurants share a kitchen, but that is where the similarities end. Cindy’s is the casual little sister to the more formal steakhouse.  With sports jerseys, firefighting gear and high school photos decorating its walls, Cindy’s serves burgers, sandwiches, tacos and hosts a full bar. Mike said customer favorites at Cindy’s are the avocado turkey melt sandwich and the oversized chicken wings, which he said are double the size of a typical chicken wing. Diners at both establishments can order from either menu. “We have a unique situation,” Mike said. “Two great restaurants right here.”