When Ron Snider bought New Braunfels restaurant Krause's Cafe in 2000, with it came a long history of feeding generations of locals and visitors.
Originally opened by Gene Krause in 1938 as Gene’s Place, the restaurant moved from its Main Plaza location to S. Castell Ave. in 1948.
Renamed Krause’s Café, the eatery was owned and operated by members of the Krause family until it closed in 1995. In 2000, Snider purchased the property and briefly leased it to an independent restaurant owner before assuming control and reopening in late 2016.
“Krause’s was the power restaurant of New Braunfels,” Snider said. “It had a big meeting room on the side that held about 70 people. Fifty was really too full, but back then people didn’t mind packing in.”
The original café was known for its large Stamtisch table,where city leaders and other regulars met to discuss community issues andmake decisions, Snider said. It was a feature that was incorporated into family-style dining spaces in the restaurant.
Between 2015 and 2016, Snider and his partners renovated the restaurant’s original dining room and added a German-style beer hall and Biergarten that are now staples of the business.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Krause’s closed in March 2020 and did not reopen until September, largely due to the challenges associated with offering take-out options, Snider said. Once reopened, the café focused on promoting outdoor dining, live music and hosting charity events in the beer hall.
“We ended up with a lot more live music, and that changed our culture,” Snider said.
Though the physical restaurant has changed significantly over the years, many menu items have remained the same, Snider said.
“Krause’s was the original Central Texas menu," he said. "it really wasn’t a German restaurant. They had enchiladas, they had American food, they had burgers and steaks. They had everything that the local community wanted.”
German fare such as the sausage platter remain best sellers at the restaurant, while healthier options have been added to meet changing consumer demands.
Snider said owning Krause’s has given him the opportunity to continue the tradition of hosting a meeting place for the community and an eatery locals and visitors return to again and again.
“One of the most rewarding parts of doing this project is hearing from customers and then going, ‘Hey, I want you to tell me your story about how you fell in love with Krause’s or at Krause’s,’” Snider said.
Classic staples and new flavors
Krause’s Café offers classic German fare like the Sausage Plate and pork schnitzel, as well as healthier options that include Avocado Toast.
Source: Krause’s Café
Bauern Schnitzel - $12
Pork schnitzel topped with eggs and Hollandaise sauce is a classic breakfast option. During lunch and dinner service, the Hollandaise is substituted with a jalapeno gravy.
Avocado Toast - $10
For a healthier breakfast order, avocado toast is topped with poached eggs and kale.
Sausage plate - $14
This best seller comes with locally made bratwurst, sauerkraut, red cabbage, cottage potatoes and spicy mustard.
Krause's Cafe
148 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels
830-625-2807
www.krausescafe.com
Mon.-Thurs 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sun. 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
