Restaurant focuses on the local customer

There is not much pretense at Lee's Almost By The Lake, and owners John and Jeannie Gigliotti plan to keep it that way.

"Lee's is a lake experience," said John, who said he tells his customers, "No shirt, no shoes, no problem."

From the front door of the Spicewood establishment, which is crafted out of chicken wire, to a menu that includes shaved ice, Frito pie, and Fatman Pizza, Lee's serves up a casual, beach-shack sort of experience.

Even four-legged customers are welcome at Lee's, where dogs can lap up a bowl of water from the screened-in porch.

The Gigliottis bought the family-run Lee's four years ago when the restaurant's original owners, Lee and Debbie Smith, were ready to retire. The Gigliottis have kept everything from the original menu and added some new items.

The Philly Cheese Steak ($7.49) made with grilled sirloin steak, Swiss cheese, mushrooms and peppers, and the Classic Lee Burger ($8.49) with double meat, double cheese and fresh jalapenos, are favorites from the original menu, John said.

Newer favorites, John said, are the giant, hand-tossed salads and the gyros ($7.49) made from lamb and beef, chicken, falafel, or Boca Burger with homemade tzatziki sauce.

In the winter Lee's adds soup to its menu. A former Austin food trailer pioneer, Jeannie is the in-house soup expert, cooking soups such as the creamy tomato basil, Italian spinach and artichoke, and smoked Gouda cheese.

"Jeannie's soups have people lined up and begging us to make them again," John said.

But Jeannie has a very strict timetable for summoning her soup pot.

"It has to be cold enough outside to wear a jacket, and not just a sweater, for Jeannie to make soup," John said, laughing.

In addition to its burgers, sandwiches, seasonal soups and salads, Lee's serves hot dogs, pizza and fried catfish. The dessert menu includes five flavors of milkshakes ($3.75) as well as Funnel Cake Fries ($1.99).

Lee's offers a children' menu, vegetarian options, and a small selection of beer and wine. The beer selection includes four varieties of locally brewed Solid Rock Beer, crafted just up the road.

Lee's is also brimming with Willie Nelson memorabilia. Bandanas and caps are tacked on walls, and guitar picks are displayed under the front counter.

"We're becoming a bit of a shrine," John said.

Despite its flip-flop ambience, Lee's is not dependent on lakegoers to keep it going, John said.

"We really survive on locals," he said. "We focus on our immediate neighbors. We love them, and they love us."

The owners

John and Jeannie Gigliotti purchased Lee's Almost By The Lake from the restaurant's original owners, Lee and Debbie Smith, four years ago.

The couple kept everything from the original menu but added a number of cold-weather soups made by Jeannie.

Where has your Lee's shirt been?

Lee's Almost By The Lake has a wall dedicated to photos of customers wearing Lee's T-shirts.

The wall, titled Where has your Lee's shirt been?, includes photos from throughout the world, such as Mountain Everest, Oregon, the Gyeongbokgung Palace in South Korea, London Bridge, Germany and many other places.

On the menu

In addition to offering a varied menu, Lee's serves breakfast every Saturday and Sunday from 9–11 a.m. including:

• The Belt Melt, a bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato sandwich with home fries ($5.99)
• Philly cheese steak omelet with steak, eggs, Swiss cheese, onions, mushrooms and bell peppers ($6.99)
• Two vanilla and cinnamon French toast slices with powdered sugar ($4.59)
• Philly cheese steak burrito with steak, eggs, Swiss cheese, onions, mushrooms and bell peppers ($5.99)
• A sausage patty with egg and cheese biscuit sandwich ($2.99)

Lee's second location

In April John and Jeannie Gigliotti opened a food trailer in Marble Falls' first official food trailer park. The menu is a scaled-down version of the Spicewood restaurant's menu. Also in the works is the renovation of a railroad dining car to serve as covered seating for Lee's customers.

1006 Mission Hill, Marble Falls, 830-220-4722

• Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Lee's Almost By The Lake, 801 S. Pace Bend Road, Spicewood, 512-264-2552, www.eatatlees.com

• Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Sat. 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.