There is a specific portion of Texas that goes by the title of “the hill country,” and literally everyone in Texas will know what area you mean when you use that term. There is debate, however, as to what forms the eastern boundary. This is because there is both a geographic and a cultural aspect to the moniker. Although Austin shares the geographical similarities of the rest of the region, it is a liberal bastion in what is otherwise generally called the REAL Texas.
Therefore, as you leave hilly Austin and drive west, you will come to a sign welcoming you to the hill country. It makes no sense until you experience it. Here is a little taste of the REAL hill country. Best I can tell, it involves at least 4 major things: bodacious food, serious drink, toe-tapping country music, and a rich history of freedom.
Much as we liked Austin, I’m pretty sure that most of Austin would not understand this at all. So I’m going with what the sign says.
Texas Monthly Magazine featured the Alamo Springs burger on their cover. Jalapeno cheese bun, Hatch chiles, carmelized onions, guacamole, half pound of meat and all the other fixins. One of the best I ever ate. 
As Ellen demonstrates, it is a two-fisted burger. 
This is the largest wine region outside California, with nice facilities everywhere. 
Fredericksburg was named after the king of Prussia, and the German heritage is honored and well preserved. Good German food, too. 
This is the “picker circle” at Luckenbach. You’ll find outstanding live country music here every day. 
Fredericksburg is the hometown of Admiral Nimitz, and the National Museum of the Pacific War is world class. 
This portion is a recreation of an aircraft carrier hanger, with actual WW II plane. 
Another shows a real PT boat, named after Frank Sinatra. 
Inside covers every major battle of the war, and this outside venue shows ho the ground war as fought. 
Most of the churches are Lutheran, from the German heritage, but our friends in Spokane would appreciate the Bible church we attended.