While Humphrey has owned other restaurants, including the Clear Springs restaurant in New Braunfels, Springhill has remained a steady option in Pflugerville for catfish, burgers and chicken.
Humphrey said he leased the property in 1984. Previously, he had opened and sold pizza shops in Houston.
“When I sold them, I came up to Pflugerville one night in the rain, I saw a 'for lease' sign on this building,” Humphrey said. “I called the next day and leased it.”
Since then, Springhill has decorated his eatery with an eclectic collection of antique signage and other items that Humphrey has dubbed “dignified junk,”—items he said have been found everywhere from alleyways to auctions.
Unlike many businesses throughout Central Texas, Springhill survived the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, he did acknowledge it was the only year the business has ever lost money.
“I feel fortunate, lucky and thankful,” Humphrey said. “It was a long year.”
Manager Jennifer Tidwell said the community kept the business afloat during a year when many other local staples shut down.
“We had regulars coming here— they would come every day faithfully and get to-go food,” Tidwell said. “Some people [would come in] twice a day. They were like, 'If we have anything to do with it, we're not going to let y'all fail.’ That was very heartwarming and nice.”
Customer favorites include catfish, chicken strips and burgers made with 100% angus beef. All menu items that are fried, including chicken or fish, can also be grilled, Tidwell said.
Tidwell has worked at Springhill for 10 years, and said the expansion of the city has brought new clientele, but the restaurant is still a favorite among long time residents for its familiarity.
“We have this one gentleman who comes once a month and sits at that table, because growing up as a child, that's where his dad would always take him,” Tidwell said. “He comes in here and sits at that table just so he can remember his dad. Those are things that you can't pay for.”
Springhill Restaurant
2505 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville
512-251-0159
