OFF I-35 · INTO COTULLA
Find a place to eat, settle in for the night, and make the most of a Cotulla stop.
COME HUNGRY
Explore 16 dining spots, from local barbecue and bakeries to interstate favorites.
78 N I-35
Remembering the chicken-fried French fries, served with cream gravy. More than a side dish, they were a Cotulla rite of passage and, for a devoted fan, a spiritual meal.
Country Store is closed. This is a tribute to a local favorite, not a current dining recommendation.
Archive restaurant listing ↗
902 Live Oak Street
A barbecue truck serving brisket, ribs, and loaded nachos.
Listed hours: Thursday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–7 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Hours and restaurant listing ↗STAY A LITTLE LONGER
Choose from Main Street motels and hotels near the interstate.
Plan ahead for fair weekends and hunting-season trips. Check availability and book directly with the property.
659 N Baylor Avenue
A hotel about a mile from the town center, with free hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking.
Official hotel website ↗
51 South I-35
Rooms and suites just off the interstate, with Wi-Fi, microwaves, and mini-fridges.
Official hotel website ↗Property photo not yet available.
601 N Main Street
A Main Street motel for an overnight stop in town.
County lodging directory ↗
669 N Baylor Avenue
An interstate stop with free parking and a light breakfast.
Official hotel website ↗
900 South I-35
An interstate lodging option. Ask about room types and included amenities when booking.
County lodging directory ↗EVERYDAY COTULLA
A library visit, a letter home, and the places that keep a small town connected.
Books, learning resources, and community programs for La Salle County residents and visitors.
A Front Street stop for mailing letters and packages.
Chartered in 1904, Stockmens has served La Salle County continuously for more than a century. Its first home stood at Front and Center Streets. The current Main Street building opened in June 1951, the third location in the bank’s history.
206 N Main Street, Cotulla, TX 78014
Call before you go.
COMMUNITY & WORSHIP
Sacred Heart, First Church of Cotulla, and First Baptist are part of the town’s community life. Each has its own congregation, traditions, and welcome.
A Catholic parish on South Main Street. The Diocese of Laredo lists English and Spanish Masses; check its parish page for the current schedule.
Call before you go.
METHODIST ROOTS · ESTABLISHED 1881
Formerly First United Methodist Church, this congregation now belongs to the Global Methodist Church. Its story began in 1881 with services in John Freeman’s home, led by the Rev. W. H. Keck.
Members built a chapel in 1883 and shared it with Baptist and Presbyterian neighbors. The present brick sanctuary dates to 1906, with an educational building added in 1928.
BAPTIST ROOTS · A SHARED BEGINNING
Joseph Cotulla donated land for a Baptist church in 1882. The Rev. W. D. Johnson organized the congregation around 1883 or 1884. Members first worshiped in the Methodist sanctuary before building their own frame church in 1889.
The Rev. John Van Epps Covey preached its first sermon. A new building followed in 1948. Today, the church’s website welcomes visitors and lists Sunday school, worship, and community gatherings.
Call before you go. Confirm service times with each congregation.
PRACTICAL ESSENTIALS
Medical, dental, and outpatient behavioral health services at the Cotulla clinic. Call for appointments and availability.
This is not an emergency facility. For emergencies, call 911.
A COTULLA NAME ACROSS GENERATIONS
Some local names carry a whole town’s memories. Gaddis is one of them, with a history that reaches back more than a century.
According to Brief History of Cotulla, L. W. Gaddis arrived in 1899 to assist his uncle, Dr. J. M. Williams, at one of the town’s early drugstores. He bought the business in 1904, giving it the Gaddis Pharmacy name. Members of the Gaddis family continued operating it until a later sale. The storefront sign reads “Since 1901”; the history account dates Gaddis’s purchase to 1904.
A March 23, 1907 edition of The Cotulla Record advertised ice cream, cold soda, root beer, candy, and soap at Gaddis’ Pharmacy. The newspaper offers a glimpse of a store woven into everyday life, far beyond the prescription counter.
The former Front Street pharmacy building later housed Ben’s Western Wear. A 2024 local newspaper feature describes restoration of its original penny-tile floor, wooden entrance doors, and window frames before La Salle Western Wear opened there. That historic building is separate from today’s listed Main Street pharmacy.
Alamo Specialty Pharmacy currently lists Gaddis at 302 N Main Street, Cotulla, with hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday. Call before you go.
History: Brief History of Cotulla · The Cotulla Record, March 23, 1907 · Frio-Nueces Current, July 3, 2024. Current listing checked October 27, 2026.
Call before you go.
ON THE ROAD
Cotulla sits on I-35 between San Antonio and Laredo. Downtown is a short drive from the interstate.
921 N I-35. Fuel and travel supplies at the Cotulla location.
Call before you go.
A FEW PRACTICAL DETAILS
Cotulla sits on I-35 between San Antonio and Laredo. Downtown is a short drive off the interstate.
Ask locally about parking and step-free access.
Hours and visiting arrangements change, especially for museums and smaller businesses. A quick call saves a wasted trip.
Look for fuel and convenience stops along the interstate, with more local businesses in town.
Photos are from the linked Cotulla property websites and listings. Publication dates and individual photographers are not stated. Listing photos may show earlier appearances, menu items, or promotional imagery. Images were resized and converted to WebP; tap a photo to see the full image.
Reviewed October 24, 2026. Phone numbers were checked against the linked websites or directories; no verification calls were placed. Restaurant schedules are published only where sources support them. Call for holiday hours and same-day changes.
Library: Alexander Memorial Library. Post office: Google listing photograph. Clinic: Addictions.com directory photograph. Reuse permissions are unstated.
Sacred Heart: Wikimedia Commons source file. Individual license and photographer credit could not be confirmed during this update. Images resized and converted to WebP.
