Count every owl figurine in this drugstore correctly, and you can earn a free burger. That’s a real deal, and the place is packed with owls. Good luck keeping your focus.
The prize burger has been on the menu since the store opened. The soda fountain still mixes Black Cows, floats, and malts at an antique bar. That bar came all the way from a shuttered pharmacy in North Carolina.
I like how this Texas spot never picked just one job. It fills prescriptions on one side and flips burgers on the other. Gifts and memorabilia climb toward the ceiling in between.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a small-town road trip. Somebody has to sit at that counter, sip something cold, and start counting owls.
1. A Century Of Milkshakes Started Right Here In 1923
Back in 1923, the Owl Drug Store opened its doors in Coleman, Texas. It hit the big 100 in 2023, and it’s still going strong.
That makes it the second-oldest drugstore with a soda fountain in Texas. Since the older one shut down after a fire, the Owl holds the title for longest continuous operation.
The store did move once. Its current home sits just a block down the street from the original spot, so it didn’t wander far.
Ownership has stayed in steady hands, too. Retired pharmacists Jim and Linda Caldwell bought the business in 1976 from Oplin Saunders, who had owned the store for decades.
Today their daughter, Cathy Allen, runs the show. She’s worked at the store for about 30 years, so she knows every corner.
Her parents still live in Coleman and help behind the scenes. That kind of family thread is rare, and it shows in how the place feels.
I believe that’s part of the magic. Plenty of old buildings survive, but few keep their purpose for over a century.
Here, the pharmacy has operated for more than a century, while the soda fountain continues to serve old-fashioned favorites.
2. That Gorgeous Antique Bar Traveled All The Way From North Carolina
Some furniture has a better travel history than most people. The soda fountain bar at the Owl came from a shuttered pharmacy in North Carolina.
It arrived during renovations and now anchors the whole fountain area. Old wood, a long counter, and a front-row seat to the grill make it the star.
Seating mixes things up nicely. You’ll find vinyl barstools, chrome stools, and booths for folks who’d rather spread out.
The interior got updated over the years. Still, it keeps the original look and character, so it never feels like a modern copy.
Grab a counter stool if you love watching cooks work. Booths make more sense for families or anyone carrying shopping bags.
Seating is limited, so timing matters. Coming outside the lunch rush gives you a better shot at your favorite spot.
I like that a counter from another state found a second life in Texas. It’s a little like an adopted grandparent who fits right into the family.
Somewhere, a North Carolina pharmacist would probably be proud. That bar is still serving, still shining, and still busy.
3. The Owl Burger Has Been Earning Fans Since Day One
One burger has held its spot on the menu since the store opened. The Owl Burger uses a 100% USA beef patty with custom toppings.
That’s a lot of history between two buns. Few menu items anywhere can claim that kind of staying power.
The burger lineup doesn’t stop there. Look for the SOB, which stands for Super Owl Burger, plus the Piggy Burger.
Elvis fans get their own option with the Owlvis Burger. Yes, the pun is fully intended, and it’s hard not to grin when ordering it.
Then there’s The 1923 Burger, named for the opening year. It comes topped with mushrooms, a nice pick for anyone wanting something earthier.
My advice? Pick based on mood. Classic fans should start with the original Owl Burger, while adventurous eaters can explore the bigger names.
The grill serves breakfast and lunch items too, so burgers aren’t your only path. Still, it feels a bit rude to skip the dish that started it all.
Remember the fountain closes at 4:30 PM on weekdays. Late lunch planners, set an alarm.
4. Order A Black Cow And Taste The Soda Fountain Era
Chocolate syrup, milk, and shaved ice in a chilled malt glass. That’s the Black Cow, a classic soda fountain treat the Owl still serves.
It’s simple, cold, and a little old-school. Ordering one feels like joining a club that started generations ago.
The dessert list keeps going from there. Old-fashioned milkshakes, malts, floats, sundaes, and banana splits all make an appearance.
Ice cream comes from Blue Bell, hand-dipped. Texans tend to have strong feelings about Blue Bell, so that detail matters around here.
Freshly baked pies and cakes get made each morning. Those go fast in plenty of small-town spots, so earlier visits make sense if pie is the goal.
Coffee fans get a fun twist with the Owlfogato. It pairs a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a shot of hot espresso.
Can’t decide? Split a banana split with someone and add a Black Cow on the side. Sharing is caring, and also strategic.
Kids and grownups both fit right in at this counter. Sugar has a funny way of erasing age differences.
5. Early Birds Get Bacon, Eggs, And Hash Browns
An owl that serves breakfast? The name might suggest late nights, but this Owl opens at 8 AM on weekdays and 9 AM on Saturdays.
Homestyle breakfast is part of the deal at the grill. It’s a smart way to start a road trip or a lazy Saturday.
The Owl’s Breakfast Special covers the basics well. You get two pieces of bacon, sausage, or ham with two eggs.
Hash browns, toast, and jelly round out the plate. It’s the kind of breakfast that keeps you full until lunch sneaks up.
Pair it with something from the coffee menu. Espresso drinks, mochas, caramel macchiatos, and cold brew served iced or hot are all available.
There’s also the Owl’s Cinnamon Bun Latte, which sounds like dessert wearing a coffee costume. Smoothies are on hand for anyone skipping caffeine.
Saturday hours run short, closing at 2 PM. Sunday is closed, so weekend travelers should plan around that.
I believe breakfast at an old soda fountain just tastes like a slower morning. Few things beat eggs at a counter with a century of stories.
6. Start Counting Owls Because A Free Burger Is On The Line
Here’s a game worth playing while you wait. The store has been known for a quirky challenge in which customers who correctly count its owl figurines can win a free Owl Burger.
Sounds easy until you look up. The high shelves hold vintage memorabilia and customer-donated items, collected over nearly a century.
Owls could be hiding anywhere in that mix. Between the gifts stacked toward the ceiling and the decor, this challenge is no quick glance.
Bring a partner and split the room. One person takes the fountain side while the other scans the shop.
Write your numbers down as you go. Losing count halfway through is a very real risk, especially once your milkshake arrives.
Kids usually love a challenge like this. It keeps them busy and gives the whole family something to talk about.
I like how the contest makes people actually look around. Those donated pieces hold memories from families who’ve loved this place for generations.
Even if your count comes up short, you still win a closer look at Coleman history. Then you can just order the burger anyway and call it research.
7. Save Room In Your Bag For The Owl’s Nest Boutique
Shoppers, consider yourselves warned. The store has been called a gift shop wonderland, with items stacked right up to the ceiling.
The boutique goes by The Owl’s Nest. It’s packed with kitchenware, baby items, clothing, jewelry, and essential oils.
Coffee lovers can grab Texas roasted coffee to take home. That makes an easy souvenir that actually gets used.
Bridal and baby registries are offered too. Locals planning big life moments can register right here instead of driving to a city.
For travelers, it’s a handy stop for last-minute gifts. Forgot a birthday present? The Nest might save your reputation.
Give yourself extra time after eating. Browsing here can easily turn into a second activity, especially with shelves this full.
I can’t imagine leaving empty-handed, honestly. Something about a cute kitchen gadget next to a jar of coffee just wins people over.
The shop also adds to the fun mood of the whole building. You can sip a float, wander, and pick up something sweet for someone back home.
8. Yes, The Pharmacy Side Is Still Fully Open For Business
Milkshakes get the attention, but prescriptions keep the lights on. The Owl Drug Store remains a full-service pharmacy for the Coleman community.
Services go well beyond counting pills. The pharmacy offers prescription compounding, delivery, immunizations, and medication management services.
Immunizations are available too. Customers can manage prescriptions, request refills, and message their pharmacist through the pharmacy’s mobile app.
Amy Scarborough Parker serves as Pharmacist-In-Charge. The Caldwells themselves were pharmacists, so that tradition runs deep here.
The pharmacy keeps longer hours than the fountain. It runs 8 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays.
That setup works nicely for travelers. Need something for a headache on a road trip? You can fill that need and grab a float at the same stop.
I like how this side reminds you of the store’s real purpose. Old drugstores were community hubs, and this one never lost that role.
The staff, sometimes called the Owlettes, aim to treat people like family. That matters most when someone isn’t feeling well.
9. Plan Your Road Trip To This Friendly Coleman Corner
Plug 312 S Commercial Ave, Coleman, TX 76834 into your map and you’re set. The Owl Drug Store sits right along the town’s main commercial strip.
Coleman lies in Central West Texas. It makes a natural stop for drivers heading toward Abilene, San Angelo, or Brownwood.
Timing is everything here. The store opens Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM, but the fountain closes at 4:30 PM.
Saturday hours run 9 AM to 2 PM. Sunday is closed, so don’t build a lazy Sunday drive around this one.
Seating is on the small side. Arriving before the noon rush helps, especially with a group.
The store calls itself a place Where Friends Meet. That motto fits a spot where families have gathered for over a hundred years.
My suggestion? Make it a slow stop. Eat at the counter, browse the boutique, count owls, and take your time.
Texas has plenty of road trip food stops. Few of them come with this much history, sugar, and a free burger challenge hiding on the shelves.
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