The historic Wunsche Bros. Cafe & Saloon has been closed since 2015 due to fire damage, and is now open thanks to the new owners who bought it in March 2017. Casey Kosh, who also owns Amerigo’s Grille in The Woodlands, is reinvigorating this historic spot.
Built in 1902 by Dell and Charlie Wunsche, the café originally housed the Wunsche Brothers Saloon and Hotel and in 1949 turned into the legendary Texas eatery that we all know today. Wunsche Brothers is the oldest original building in Old Town Spring, filled with rich history of Spring Texas and of course well known for its southern hospitality and food.
The Spring community was devastated when such a beloved community staple wasn’t going to open due to the severe fire damage of the historic building in 2015. The Kosh family came to save the day, to save this well loved southern restaurant. A condition of the sale required any potential purchasers of the historic building to retain the restaurant name, theme and exterior. The building was designated as a historic landmark in 1984 by the state of Texas.
A beautiful upstairs Rooftop bar with an open deck has been added, but the main dining room will bring back memories of Wunsche Bros. in its hay days.
The new section has a full bar, open kitchen with a wood grill and is bright, welcoming and open. The second floor above the new section has another bar/lounge area (21 and up) and a beautiful balcony overlooking Midway St. and the train track intersection. Many private rooms are available for events above the original selection, where you will find many original artwork, photos, artifacts and antique furniture.
The menu is kicked up southern fare. The original appetizer favorites of beer bread, basket of onion rings and Wunsche’s famous sausage and Sauerkraut Balls (Fried sausage, sauerkraut and cheese served with house made chipotle ranch).
Big juicy Burgers and fork tender Chicken Fried Steaks are as good as they are remembered. Southern cooking is king here.
Newer fare added to the menu is on the “Campfire Fare” portion of the menu cooked on the wood fired grill. “We believe in getting back into the preemptive style of cooking, using smoke and wood, and bringing the best flavor out of the meats.” owner, Casey Kosh.
The Campfire Fare features whole or half Smoked Rotisserie Chicken, House Smoked Sausage, Double Cut Smoke Pork Chop, 16 oz NY Strip, House Smoked Pulled Pork served with jalapeños, onions, and Texas toast.
For dessert, no trip to Wunsche Brothers is complete without the Chocolate Whiskey Cake – their famous chocolate and pecan cake with a salted whiskey caramel sauce and a kick of bourbon.
The bar offers ice cold local beers including its very own Wunsche Blonde, and some fun and original cocktails like the Dell’s Old Fashioned – Bulleit Rye, chocolate bitters, and brown sugar simple syrup with a luxardo cherry.
Photography by: Wunsche Bros. Cafe & Saloon