Willhoite’s is one of the most unique restaurants in Texas, but it is also one of the oldest and most historical buildings in Grapevine! Built in 1914, the building first served as a dry goods store and was used for a time as a theater. In 1919, it was transformed into the first automotive garage in Grapevine.
The name Willhoite’s came from the name that Andrew Wiley Willhoite and Bart H. Starr used for their garage business, the first one-stop service station in the city with auto repair, battery re-building, tire sales and service, auto parts and accessories, and wrecker service.
Willhoite’s garage was also the local dealer for Attwater-Kent batteries, radios and the Vulcan wind-driven battery charger, which made it possible for many families in outlying areas to have electricity in their homes.
In 1936, Ted Willhoite joined his father in the business and at that time, the first electric gasoline pump and hydraulic auto lift were installed. Ted Willhoite closed the garage and retired in 1975. Phil Parker, a Grapevine native, purchased the building in 1981 and renovated it into Willhoite’s Restaurant, restoring it as authentically possible and keeping many aspects of the automotive shop.
Where diners eat now may have been the wash rack, oil storage area, or beside the indoor kerosene pump, but the history of Willhoite’s Garage is a part of Willhoite’s Restaurant; a part that the owner has restored as authentically as possible.
Our Texas-sized buffet, delightful sandwiches and scrumptious appetizers are available now at Willhoite’s instead of gasoline, oil and auto service, but the proud tradition of THE BEST is still the underlying priority of Willhoite’s.
We hope you’ll enjoy our Texas hospitality and come back to visit us often!
