People on the hunt for a Texas one-stop-shop, with everything from boots to turquoise to beer, or even something more rare like a taxidermied lion, can find it all at Fredericksburg’s Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters and Saloon.
Owner Donna Mitchell relocated from Houston to Fredericksburg in 2005, later marrying longtime-friend turned sweetheart Russell Mitchell in 2010. Together they opened Yee Haw in 2018, which takes form as an eclectic retail destination, expansive saloon, local gathering space and Christmas shoppe. Every corner of the property brings with it a Texas flair, whether it’s mounted taxidermy or beers from across the Lone Star State.

Although they sell a wide variety of items, Donna and her team are highly selective about what makes it onto the floor. Donna excitedly shows off her wares, bouncing from section to section. And with all her retail items, Donna buys locally every chance she gets. Around the perimeter of the store are taxidermed animals, some local and some acquired from collections around the world.
Besides her preserved zoo and all things Texas, Donna is a self-described Christmas fanatic, dedicating a separate storage building across the parking lot to all things Christmas. Inside is a winter wonderland, with ornaments and decorations organized by color and theme. “We just scream Christmas,” Donna said. “Nativity is over there, then it goes into the retro and the red and white and some fun stuff in between.”
Back inside, a few steps down the hall is the saloon, Russell’s passion project. Inside is a true honky-tonk watering hole, with over a dozen beers on tap and even St. Arnold’s root beer — rounded out by an ice cream machine for root beer float enthusiasts. On Saturdays, guests can enjoy food trucks serving anything from tacos to barbecue. Russell is the saloon’s Wyatt Earp, and he enjoys seeing the different types of people who come out to the saloon, whether they’re full-time locals or Fredericksburg weekenders.

“We’ll get a few bridal groups at night, any group that doesn’t want to put up with downtown. But then there are a lot of couples and native families, and there’s people that bring infants in here,” Russell said, his saloon mirroring the family atmosphere of the original Hill Country dance halls. “Like nine o’clock on a Saturday night, it is something kind of great.”
Running around the premises is the Mitchell’s dog Diesel, who serves as store manager and deputy, enthusiastically greeting customers and keeping a close eye on the floor.
In addition to space for dancing, the saloon hosts live music on Saturday afternoons. But the real favorite of guests is the karaoke nights on Fridays and Saturdays. Though not all guests are natural-born singers, Donna said the energy always stays light-hearted and fun. “Some people are really good and some people are not so good, but that’s fine. I think it’s about fun,” Donna said.

For events, Donna and Russell have turned a 1921 barn transported from the Midwest into a pavilion, just a short walk behind the saloon. Each April, the space hosts a revival event, which Donna always looks forward to. Though she loves the space now, Donna admitted she was skeptical about the Wisconsin barn’s potential. “I met a guy, he was from Wisconsin, and he was helping me with all kinds of stuff. He’s the one who showed me that barn,” Donna said. “When he said he found it, I was like ‘that’s hideous’ … I kept looking at about six other barns and I kept coming back to this one.”
Though Yee Haw already has a lot to offer, Donna is constantly imagining ways to expand her very own wild west kingdom.
Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters and Saloon
3915 US 290 East, Fredericksburg
830.304.6000 • yeehawsaloon.com