Texas-German Cuisine
by the Old German Bakery & Restaurant, Fredericksburg, Texas
When you think of Texas cuisine, you probably think of barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the state's rich multicultural heritage also includes influences from the German pioneers who settled in the Lone Star State in the 19th century. A visit to the historic German settlement of Fredericksburg, Texas isn't complete without stopping for a real German-Texan meal at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant!
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| German sausage served with spicy mustard, potatoes, and bacon sauerkraut |
We had spent the morning exploring Fredericksburg - the Pioneer Museum, the National Museum of the War in the Pacific, Die Alte Kirche (the old German church of St. Mary's), and we were famished.
The Old German Bakery & Restaurant is possibly the best-known home of German cuisine in the entire state of Texas, and the line was already out the door by lunchtime. That means it must be good! We patiently waited for the crowd to pass and were able to get a seat inside. The menu looked great, and everything sounded so good that it was difficult to know exactly what to order. We went with our instincts and chose two classic German lunches: a sausage platter and a schnitzel platter.
When the food arrived, both plates were way bigger than we expected, and everything on them looked amazing. After the first bite, there was no more speaking at our table... everything was so tasty we just wanted to enjoy eating.
The sausage platter came with three sausages, each one different. All three were tender, juicy, and peppery, and were best when served with a bit of spicy German mustard. The sauerkraut on the side might be the best sauerkraut we had ever had! It was cooked with bacon, and was completely amazing!
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| schnitzel with poached eggs, German potatoes, and biscuits |
The schnitzel was tender, but the breading on top was crispy and hot. It was topped with a poached egg, and dipping a piece of schnitzel into the runny yolk made the whole bite feel as if it was melting together in your mouth.
Both dishes were served with "German fries", thick-cut cubes of potatoes that were hot, warm, and fresh; crispy on the outside but soft and buttery on the inside.
When dessert arrived, we were already stuffed, but the potato pancake looked too good to pass up. It, too, was huge - almost the size of the dish, and so thin as to be almost crepe-like. It was light and soft with a mild sweetness that went perfectly with a light drizzle of honey.
We will definitely be back! They also have lots of pastries for sale, but after our amazing meal, we had no space left in our stomachs.
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| German potato pancake - served with honey and an orange slice |
Price
💲💲 - not as cheap as our usual featured foods, but in a town as pricy as Fredericksburg, it's fairly reasonable. Meals run in the $10-$20 range and are exceptionally filling.
Menu
Official Website
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| inside the Old German Bakery & Restaurant in Fredericksburg, Texas |
Traveler's Tips
Fredericksburg is an incredible town to spend a day or two in! Here are some of the must-see sites in town:
- National Museum of the Pacific War
- Fredericksburg Pioneer Museum (history of Germans in Texas)
- Tour the many, many vineyards in the area
- Go camping or hiking at the nearby Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
- Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Czech culture and food in central Texas
The Germans weren't the only settlers in these parts. There's a good deal of fantastic Czech food and culture to be found across the Hill Country as well. Visit the small town of West for the state's most famous kolaches!
Location and Hours
- The Old German Bakery & Restaurant is located in the historic downtown area of Fredericksburg, Texas, right on Main Street and just down the road from the fantastic Pioneer Museum featuring the history and stories of the German pioneers who settled in the area.
- 225 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, United States
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