Wanting to bring something unique to San Marcos, married couple Lisa and Paul Ray opened The Candy Wraptor Dinosaur Cafe & Candy Store last year.

“We wanted to do something that San Marcos didn’t already have, something unique and different that would appeal to a pretty wide audience,” Lisa said.

Throughout the year the store has expanded its menu beyond floats, phosphate sodas, handmade chocolates and Ice-Ages—thick milkshakes made with various candies—to include an extensive breakfast and lunch menu that includes vegan options.

Lisa, who is a vegan, noticed that not many places in San Marcos offered vegan dishes—food that contains no animal products.

“We had some friends that were vegan, and we realized very quickly that there wasn’t really anything for them to eat in town.” Lisa said. “When we started our vegan menu, people started coming. All of the vegan food is made right here in the kitchen, so we know everything going into it.

“Our best-selling item ... food-wise would be our vegan hamburgers, and our regular hamburgers are pretty much tied, ironically,” Lisa said.

With the expanded menu, Lisa said Dinosaur Cafe was added to the store’s name in December to help people realize that the candy store also served breakfast and lunch items as well.

“A lot of people didn’t know that we served food,” Lisa said. “We named the place Candy Wraptor because we knew we were going to sell candy. My husband loves dinosaurs, so we wanted to do something that was kind of fun and unique, which is cool because it is a play on words with candy wrappers and a candy dinosaur.”

Lisa and Paul said they hope The Candy Wraptor gives San Martians a new dining experience.

“When [people] walk in they are like, ‘Whoa, I wasn’t expecting this,’” Lisa said. “We hear a lot that we are a well-hidden gem or a surprise.”

The Candy Wraptor Dinosaur Cafe & Candy Store
2626 Hunter Road, San Marcos
512-214-8007
www.thecandywraptor.com
Hours: Tue.-Fri. 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sun.-Mon.