Hill Country Restaurants Fredericksburg Texas

Fredericksburg, Texas was settled by German immigrants in 1846, led by John O. Meuesbach.  These settlers were sponsored by Adelsverein, a group of 21 German noblemen, who formed the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas.  Their goal was to establish “a new Germany” in Texas.  The first settlers, led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, established the settlement at New Braunfels in 1845.  Prince Solms left New Braunfels, and Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach or “John O. Musebach” was appointed the 2^nd “commissioner general”.  Meusebach led the immigrants who established the 2^ndsettlement of Fredericksburg in 1846. 

Fredericksburg is home to the National Museum of the Pacific War, or “Nimitz Museum”, which is also in the historic downtown area.  Fredericksburg is a great place to stay in a Bed and Breakfast, or in one of the “Sunday Houses”.  Of all of the quaint Hill Country downtown shopping districts that I frequent, Fredericksburg is far and away the largest.  There are many shops carrying an array of goods, particularly antiques, and rustic furniture and accessories. 

There is no shortage of food in historic downtown Fredericksburg.  There are at least three or four places to get ice cream, and many restaurants.  There are also numerous wine shops, and several establishment promising a huge beer selection.  In fact, Main Street is home to Texas’ oldest “brewpub”.  There are several German restaurants and “Biergartens”, a nod to the German heritage of Fredericksburg.  There is an Italian restaurant, and at least one restaurant offering “down home” cooking.  You can also find at least a couple restaurants with a fairly eclectic menu, if your party is not of the same mindset of what cuisine to feast on. 

I’ll share with you some basics on the restaurants in Fredericksburg that I can personally vouch for. 

Wheeler’s offers “real cooking” for lunch seven days a week.  It is definitely a Fredericksburg favorite.  I have never been when there was not a wait for a table.  My favorite lunch is the Chicken & Dumplings, made fresh daily, and served with a huge piece of cornbread.  My last visit, the cornbread was steaming hot, not microwave hot, or warmer plate hot, but fresh from the oven hot!  You can also enjoy their cornbread with homemade soup, chili, or pinto beans. 

Other hot entrées include chicken tenders, chicken fried steak, fish and chips, and a German sausage plate.  There are multiple salads and sandwiches to choose from, as well as 1/3 pound burgers.  The “Special Burger” has bacon and Swiss, along with the usual accompaniments. 

Finish out your meal with fresh fruit, ice cream, German Chocolate Bread Pudding, or my favorite, Peach Cobbler.  Beer and wine are also available. 

Shout out to owner Randy, who was gracious and accommodating in letting my brother Vern (we call each other Vern) get photos for me.  They do not have a website, but you can contact them at 830-990-8180. 

Der Lindenbaum is my pick for authentic German cuisine.  Not only are the expected German sausages and schnitzels on the menu, but German specialties like my favorite, Sauerbraten (marinated sweet and sour roast beef).  I’ve also had the Jaeger Schnitzel, which is a fried cutlet with mushroom gravy.  When my Army friend George came to visit, we came to der Lindenbaum and he had the Gulasch, which he said was outstanding. 

Other selections include Rinderbraten (roast beef), Schweinekotelett (pork chops in mustard sauce), Pfeffersteak (peppered ribeye), Curry-Huhn (curried chicken), and Königsberger Klopse (beef and pork meatballs in caper sauce).  A large selection of German beer is offered, as well as German and Texas wines. 

There is an impressive dessert showcase.  I spoke to owner/chef Ingrid Hohmann recently, who says she makes homemade apfelstrudel (apple strudel) and pflaumekuchen (plum cake), but not when it’s crazy busy.  You’ll have better luck finding these German sweet treats on weekdays. 

Ms. Hohmann was very protective of her menu and food, so I do not have pictures from der Lindenbaum.  I have carefully selected pictures of authentic German food (as I remember it from Germany and der Lindenbaum) from Creative Commons.  See credits at the end of this hub. 

Visit the der Lindenbaum website, or call them at 830-997-9126. 

Fredericksburg Brewing Company opened in 1994, immediately after the state legislature approved “brewpub” operations.  You can walk by this establishment and see the large metal brewing vats in the front window.  I enjoy the Fredericksburg Brewing Company for their diverse menu.  They are one of my two top picks for when your group is craving different cuisines. 

Their appetizers are different from the usual fare.  Try Bottle Caps (beer battered jalapeno wheels), Scotch Eggs (boiled eggs covered in spiced sausage and fried), and fried dill pickles.  I’ve had the fried pickles, which were a fun departure. 

The restaurant offers six salads, to which grilled chicken or salmon can be added.  There are three pizzas offered, plus a “create your own”.  Burgers are an impressive half pound, and there are three to choose from.  Add another four sandwiches- portabella, club, grilled chicken club, Philly steak made with ribeye, and a grilled chicken wrap, and you have an impressive sandwich menu. 

The six German entrées include a sausage sampler, and one of my favorites, Jaeger Schnitzel.  The eight “Hometown Favorites” entrees include a huge 16 oz ribeye, four fish entrées, “Brew” pork stew, and a beef and pork meatloaf with an ale tomato sauce.  If that’s not enough variety, there are three Mexican entrées.  The children’s menu has a hamburger, chicken tenders, and grilled ham and cheese. 

If you’re wondering, I do believe you can get sample tastes of beers for a reasonable price, like a dollar or two.  The Fredericksburg Brewing Co opens daily at 11:30 and serves lunch and dinner, though they close early (7 p.m.) on Sundays.  Check out their website, of call them at 830-997-1646. 

Rathskeller is the only restaurant that I know of in the downtown shopping district that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but note that they are closed on Tuesdays.  I discovered Rathskeller when my brother Vern and I took our friend Josie to Fredericksburg.  She wanted to try German food and I was feeling pasta.  No problem! 

The soup, salad, and appetizer selection is relatively small, but there is plenty of variety in the selection of sandwiches and hot entrees, not to mention the daily specials. 

German entrées include wiener schnitzel, Jaeger schnitzel, a sausage platter with bratwurst and knockwurst, and another platter that had sausage and Jaeger schnitzel.  Other hot selections include Red Beans with rice and sausage, grilled salmon, chicken crepes, chicken or shrimp artichoke fettuccine, fettuccine carbonara, fried shrimp, fried catfish, chicken fried steak, and chicken fried chicken.  Josie had the sausage platter and I had the artichoke fettuccine, and we were both very happy! 

But that’s not all!  There are eight sandwiches, including “Hill Country” Dip, smoked trout club, blackened chicken PoBoy, a burger, and a portabella sandwich.  There is also a full breakfast menu.  Their website is basically a landing page, but you can see Vern’s photos of the menu on the right. 

Shout out to the women at Rathskeller for facilitating our photos of their food. 

Silver Creek Restaurant was my runaway favorite Fredericksburg restaurant, but they are presently closed for renovations.  They have removed most everything from their webpage, including the menu.  This weekend someone was busy out front sanding a door.  They are projected to re-open this month, but I wouldn’t take it to the bank.  I’m guessing when they re-open, they will continue with outdoor seating as well as indoors in the two story historic home.  I’d also guess they will continue to have live music outside.  With the menu down from their website, I’m afraid they won’t keep my favorite entrée, the fantastic penné with Salmon and scallops, and a near lethal amount of butter.  Yikes!