From Bloody Mary bars to habanero-glazed bacon, chef-created Sunday brunch options are a dream to wake up to.
If your idea of the perfect Sunday morning involves a leisurely pace, an amazing, chef-prepared meal and maybe even a cocktail, New Braunfels has you covered. When you hear about the options available here, you’ll wish that the expression “a month of Sundays” was a real thing.
This historic Central Texas town offers many outstanding choices for brunch, each with its own unique take on this meal that’s not quite breakfast and not quite lunch.
Executive Chef Obed Magana of McAdoo’s Seafood Company and La Cosecha Mexican Table oversees two of the city’s most beloved Sunday brunches.
What makes brunch so magical? Part of its allure is the timing, Magana said.
“If you’re not up before 10, that’s okay, you’re not going to miss it,” he said. “It also gives people a way to come together on a weekend morning and enjoy time with family. And nobody judges you if you have a cocktail at that time of day.”
Cocktails are one of the reasons McAdoo’s draws an enthusiastic brunch crowd every Sunday. The restaurant offers a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, with an impressive presentation of a variety of garnishes and toppings, including bacon, cheese, shrimp, assorted pickled vegetables, hot sauces and other goodies, along with your choice of Bloody Mary mixes, including an award-winning house mix.
Photo: McAdoo's Seafood Company
It's the perfect accompaniment to a menu that’s a treat to wake up to. True to its Texas Creole and Cajun theme, one of McAdoo’s most popular brunch items are the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, served with buttermilk pancakes, crab cakes, poached eggs, Cajun hollandaise and fried potato strings. Sweet dreams are made of McAdoo’s Bananas Foster French Toast, where brioche is topped with a dark rum sauce, pecans, blackberries and vanilla bean ice cream.
McAdoo’s two breakfast hashes are also fan favorites. A plate of crispy potatoes, melted jack cheese, a poached egg and hollandaise sauce are topped with either shredded short rib with a Shiner Bock demi-glaze or a Creole version crowned with spicy shrimp and crawfish.
The ambiance at McAdoo’s also makes it a welcoming spot to ease into the day. Located in a former post office dating back to 1915, the restaurant’s elegantly restored interior is accented by wood, leather and original pieces of postal equipment. Outside, a vibrant New Orleans-style courtyard offers dining al fresco virtually year-round.
At La Cosecha Mexican Table, brunch takes on a Mexican flair. Here the classic steak and egg breakfast is Tampiquena Y Huevos, Wagyu skirt steak served with two fried eggs, cheese enchiladas, cilantro rice and refried beans. Another brunch favorite is Huevos Divorciados, featuring two fried eggs on top chorizo and potato hash. One egg is covered with a savory green avocado tomatillo sauce and the other with grilled salsa roja, accompanied by white bean puree.
Chef Magana pays tribute to his Mexican roots with two popular side dishes. Donut holes are made in-house and served with a cajeta dipping sauce, which is caramel made from goat’s milk. “That’s what most Mexicans use to sweeten their dishes,” Magana said. “We use cajeta on everything.”
Guests also rave about the crisp, thick-cut, cherry-smoked bacon that’s caramelized with a light habanero sauce. Not into spicy foods? No worries – this one is a crowd-pleaser even for those who don’t like it hot.
“This one has just enough spice to please anybody, whether you like spicy food or not,” Magana said. “You just get a hint of flavor, enough to where you want a drink of your mimosa, then keep coming back for more.”
The experience has evolved since the days when brunch meant filling your plate at a buffet. Brunches at McAdoo’s, La Cosecha and many other restaurants are now served off the menu instead of buffet-style. That gives customers a better experience, Magana said.
“Our perspective is it keeps the food fresh and the quality of it high,” he said. “It’s hard to give the best quality food in a buffet.”
So sleep in and dream of a delicious meal, but a word to the wise: make a reservation in advance. Walk into most local brunches without one and odds are you’ll wait for a table. If that happens, Magana’s advice is to persevere.“It’s worth the wait,” Magana said. “Once you see it and experience it, you’ll want to come back for more.”
Here’s a look at other notable New Braunfels brunches:
Texas Bistro is known for its high-quality, seasonally-inspired menu. Saturday and Sunday brunch highlights include Crab Benedict, Shrimp & Grits, and Buttermilk Fried Chicken, served on cheddar cheese grits with a fried egg, roasted jalapeno cream sauce and pico de gallo. Their upscale version of Steak & Eggs offers a 12 oz. ribeye with ranchero sauce, two eggs and crisp potatoes.
The Root Cellar Café prides itself on a brunch menu that includes Brazilian French Toast, served with vanilla rum sauce and cinnamon sugar. Other highlights are fresh-baked Belgian waffles that come either sweet, with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream, or savory, with hand-breaded fried boneless chicken thighs drizzled with sriracha honey and honey butter.
The Mess Around, located downtown on Main Plaza, prides itself on a Southern-inspired brunch experience. The menu includes Blackened Shrimp & Grits (shrimp cooked to spicy perfection served on a bed of creamy, savory grits) and Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict (featuring tender smoked salmon accompanied by perfectly poached eggs and velvety Hollandaise sauce). Be sure to treat yourself to one of their signature mimosas.
The Fork & Spoon takes French toast to the next level. The restaurant puts its own spin on this breakfast favorite, with traditional homemade Challah bread, powdered sugar and homemade honey pecan butter. Try the Monte Cristo Toast, their take on the classic hot sandwich stuffed with ham, two eggs any style and Swiss cheese, then dipped in Amaretton French toast batter and cooked to perfection.
So come hungry on your next visit to New Braunfels – and make sure you’re here on a Sunday morning. Plan your next adventure #InNewBraunfels at https://www.playinnewbraunfels.com/.
Photo: La Cosecha Mexican Table
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