It so happened that an unassuming house that had been converted into The River House Tearoom—tucked in a quiet corner of Gruene—was up for sale. In August 2015, they purchased the restaurant from Carol Irwin, owner of the Buttermilk Cafe in New Braunfels, and began the work of opening it up as a different concept.
“We wanted to keep the cuisine very approachable. And Southern cuisine seemed like the easiest transition. The idea was to take the menu as a Southern scratch kitchen, kind of take those old familiar things that we all have grown up with and come to love as people in the South, but put a chef’s twist on them and make more of a restaurant-type dish,” Wilkinson said.
After a year and a half of pandemic-related struggles, things are getting back to normal, Wilkinson said. One common theme that was put on hiatus has made a return—Sunday fried chicken dinners. It is a three-course meal and the only thing served on Sundays from 5-8 p.m. The Wilkinsons hope to bring back live evening music in the near future to go along with it.
“We made some adjustments, and we’ll bring supper and a song back. It seemed to do a good job. And I think it’s just now starting to catch on,” Wilkinson said.
Sunday dinners feature an all-you-can-eat three-course fried chicken dinner ($24.95). Kids age 12 and under eat for free.
“The theory or the concept is when was the last time you sat down with a bunch of friends or family and had people serve you fried chicken like this, you know?”
Other menu items such as the filet mignon with cabernet demi-glace, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables (market price) are also popular, Wilkinson said. For brunch the Wilkinsons kept a staple from the former business, the Tea Room Quiche ($14.95) and also offer stuffed French toast, eggs Benedict and other classics. Entrees can be split upon request.
The River House
1617 New Braunfels St., New Braunfels
830-608-0690
www.theriverhousetx.com
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat. 3-9 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-8 p.m.; closed Mon.-Tue.
