Buda Drug Store & Soda Fountain

I’d stopped in at the Soda Fountain a couple of times for a latte to go which, to say the least, have been marginal. I like to shop local, that’s why I gave them 3 chances to get it right. This last time I walked back to my car, which was parked at the library, removed the lid to find zero foam. It just looked like a cup of coffee. Unfortunately it wasn’t even a good cup of coffee. I gave them two stars because perhaps ice cream and milk shakes are their forte, not espresso drinks. Anyway, 3 strikes…

Place is VERY small, not good idea to take small kids they give you the stink eye.
He shakes and ice cream aren’t that grate, better if you make them yourself.
If you don’t know the small town it will take you a min to get to this place.

I happened to be in Buda today, and decided to stop and get a cold drink while my husband was working. I fell in love with this place. the customer service was awesome! And the coffee delicious!!!

Having worked in a pharmacy myself I know how demanding the job an be. I have had nothing but great experiences at Buda drug store. You get exactly what you would expect from a small town drug store. They go out of their way to help out. I love walking in and not even having to give them my name. I’m greeted with a smile and my refill is ready to go. My son got the flu and we went to a med-​clinic where Tamiflu was prescribed. They asked for my drug store and told them Buda drug. They faxed over the script and then I realized it was 5:50pm and they closed at 6. I asked them if I could get a script to take to another drug store because I knew we wouldn’t make it in time and his RX needed to be started right away. As soon as I got to my car my phone was ringing. It was Tammy calling to let me know they got the fax and would wait for me to get there. I also forgot my Rx on vacation once and called and they took care of it by contacting someone where we were staying.
The best thing is when I go to pick up my RX once a month I can get the best root beer float I’ve ever had!

I really appreciate the personalized service Tammy Gray, the owner and pharmacist, and her staff give. It is far away better than the big box chain store experience! She goes out of her way to research and recommend products with better prices and same results. She even loaned our son a glucometer while we were waiting until we could get more (insurance delay, not an issue with Buda Drug Store).
If you do have a short wait for a prescription, you can browse their merchandise or enjoy the soda fountain next door.
This is precisely the kind of service and business that makes living in a smaller town so desirable.

Went today for the first time. Ice cream and shakes were great. 5 of us for about 17 bucks, not bad.

I’m not wild about the food side since Blue Bell is unfortunately filled with artificial flavors & colors, but have always had a good experience at the Drug Store. It has a personal, small-​town touch not experienced in the fluorescent chains.
When you’re picking up a prescription, you’re not feeling well, probably not emotionally either. Even if you’re filling a script for a family member, it’s not the place you want to be. You need a kind cashier and an amicable pharmacist, and if you have any concerns about the meds, you want to feel heard and have your questions answered effectively. That’s what I’ve experienced at Buda Drug.
Maggie is especially wonderful. I’ve needed prescriptions while pregnant or breastfeeding, and she always takes the time to explain everything to me, never seeming impatient or frustrated. I still remember being in there feeling absolutely terrible, and I could just see it in her eyes that she really cared. They’ve even gotten on the phone with the doctor to suggest a different medicine that would be safer. I just really felt like Maggie had true concern, and it meant so much to me.
One thing I will say for the food side, the «organic pest control» sign on the fly swatter made me laugh out loud.
Thank you, Buda Drug, for being such a good business.

Cute place and we love the Soda Fountain part. The food is good as is the ice cream. I do think it’s a bit expensive so we don’t go often but do enjoy it every now and then. I have never used the drug store so I can’t say anything about that. But definitely a place to check out if you want to go to a «soda fountain»!

Wow. It’s certainly true that people are more likely to review when displeased and that’s what’s happening here, too. I’ve had two great experiences here and one very negative, which has now overshadowed my entire opinion of this place. My complaint deals with the pharmacy and whoever had their Wheaties peed in before I called in.
I called for a refill for my infant son, no big deal. When I asked what time I could pick it up, since we are driving from a ways away, that’s where things went south. It’s a very specific medicine that actually needs to be mixed, so it bears asking how long they expect it to take. I was very snottily told to «Hold on». When she returned, it was no better-«It’s too soon, your insurance won’t cover it». And she expected me to just accept this and hang up. Um, well why, since I’ve been giving it to him exactly as instructed, am I already out and he «can’t get more»? He’s a very sick little boy, so this is non-​negotiable. We went around and around, the woman on the other end of the phone getting progressively more snappy and rude to me, ending with informing me that «it’s the Tuesday after a holiday, so it probably won’t be ready». Great. Not like it’s a heart medication for a sick infant or anything…
Look, I’ve been in customer service for a lifetime and then some. Everyone has bad days. When you are dealing with sick people, and ESPECIALLY sick children, you don’t really get the luxury of a bad day. Period. The end.
I have absolutely no doubt that when I go in to pick this up at the discussed time, it will not be ready due to the conversation we had and the fact that she ultimately has the last word on when I can pick it up.
All of that having been said, the previous two times that we’ve been there have been great. One of the pharmacists brought my toddler out a toy plane to help keep him occupied until our order was ready and forgave him scattering a newspaper on the floor (I picked it up, obviously). I hope this rude encounter was a one-​time incident, I really do. As many others have Unilocaled, the place has a great vibe and an old-​timey charm, it’s a shame that one bad apple has to mar a customer’s experience.
UPDATE: I just received a callback, the tone of which was a complete 180. Everything is in line, ready to pick-​up at the requested time. Way to turn it around, Buda Drug Store. There’s the customer service that inspired all those great reviews.

Love the drug store and soda fountain. I have been going here for years and I can’t imagine going anywhere else. They always go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. They are always there to answer questions, and are very knowledgable about the products. Thank you for treating people like a person not just another name!!!
So thankful for the soda fountain. It has become a regular for my friends and I. We love it. They ice cream is great and the sodas are wonderful. What a great addition to Buda, just what we needed. Thank you!

If you expect to be treated as a valued customer, I recommend Buda Drug. Not only are the «ladies» appreciative of your business, they, clearly, show it! KUDOS to Kristi (sorry if I misspelled your name) for your constant positive attitude.

Love it! Talk about stepping back in time. This is your quintessential old fashioned soda-​fountain ice cream shop. They only use carbonated waters and flavored syrups for their sodas, floats, and ice cream drinks. I like the laid back atmosphere and the oversized medicine cabinet/​wardrobe full of all sorts of candies for the kiddos. My kids love going here and already have their favorite house specials. I personally like the Broadway (coffee, ice cream shake).
You would probably pay a little more than your average fast food dive… but honestly when you include the atmosphere, nostalgia and wonderful folks running the place, it’s well worth it.

I used to use Albertsons Pharmacy, way back before they closed up… I used them for nearly 20 years, never ever did they remember me or my name.
I started using Tammy at the Buda Drug Store as soon as they opened. Tammy and her staff take the time to know their customers. So refreshing!
They also carry a great selection of herbal and homeopathic supplies, which I love!

«Breathe Easy Here» is splashed upon the water tower,
Buda Drug Store harkens back to an earlier era,
Across the street from all the action,
Shakes and malts being whipped up to perfection,
So delicious that words cannot define,
Sweeter than the Lord’s communion wine…

I feel so fortunate that I live in Buda and we have this wonderful place. I cannot say enough good things about it. The entire staff is so friendly and helpful. When you walk in the door everyone greets you by name and makes you feel very special. And the soda fountain is so neat. They have the best ice cream treats and old fashioned candies that you can’t find at a regular store. Talk about small town hospitality. Tammy who is the owner and also a pharmacist is top notch. If you have any concerns or questions about your medications she is there to help you. All the pharmacist and techs are just the best. I wish I could give them a million stars as they deserve it. If you live anywhere close to Buda I would recommend you transfer your prescriptions there today. When you are a customer there, you quickly become a friend. It is behind the railroad tracks in downtown Buda. Check it out, I guarantee that once you go, you will become a fan.

I absolutely love this pharmacy and soda fountain! Everyone is so nice and helpful. I love the personalized service I get. Everything is wonderful about this place… you must try it!

Great pharmacy. Not only do they take care of your pharmaceutical needs, they also dispense good advice and fast service. Highly recommend!
The soda fountain next door is just delightful and so cute! Great food, friendly service, and fantastic prices.

Step back in time for a cold root beer on a hot day.
I love the creaky wood floor.

We absolutely LOVE this place. It’s exactly what downtown Buda needed. Great icecream (blue bell) in an old fashioned setting. Our 4 yr old loves all the attention she gets from the staff. It’s the perfect compliment after dinner in downtown Buda at Garcias or Nona Ginas.
Stop in, you’ll love it!

This place is a little hidden behind the railroad tracks in downtown Buda, but is worth checking out if you are a fan of old timey drug stores and soda fountains. In addition to being a pharmacy, they also are a candy shop and an ice cream shop. They have a large beautiful marble counter you can sit at, while enjoying your Blue Bell fresh scooped ice cream, root beer float or Italian soda. Take a step back in time and check out this great little shop.