Gristmill River Restaurant, in Gruene, TX

Since 1977

The date on the rusty metal sign says 1977. That's not old. 20 years younger than me.

But there's a whole lot of history behind the structure, that houses the riverside restaurant. About 100 years worth of history, before the restaurant opened in '77.

Beneath Gruene's Water Tower

The town of Gruene was named for Henry D. Gruene, who was a pretty prosperous fellow in the  1870s. He planted cotton and built a water wheel gristmill... a cotton gin, mercantile business, saloon and more.

Today, the restaurant sits near the town's water tower. The restaurant was basically built up from the ruins of Gruene's original cotton gin structure.,,, which burned down, way back when.

Christmas Trees in Gruene

This past December, Don and I had lunch for probably the 10th time, at the well-loved Gristmill. This was our first visit to the sweet town, in December. Cheers for festive trees! We walked on the brick path towards the tower and spotted a cowboy hat, on the top of a decorated tree. (zoom way in!)

We stepped inside the entrance and I posed with an upside down Christmas tree... hoping it was attached well, from above!

Greetings from Santa

I was sort of glad for the damp & cold, wintery weather. Warm & humid December days in Texas, make it hard to get in the holiday spirit.

I loved the welcoming decor. Especially all the festive greeters, like Vintage Santa.

​And the frisky pheasants, didn't seem to notice us. They looked like they were trying to take off, from the red and green mantle.

We spotted sweet Lupe the longhorn, in his Santa hat. He looked down with authority, over the guests in the dining room.

Perfect Table, Perfect Soup

The Gristmill is a tricky maze of rooms and levels. Some inside, some out, some half-in and half-out. We were seated inside the warm River Room, near Lupe and the cozy fire. Perfect table.

I ordered Tortilla Soup and it felt like there was nothing better on that chilly day. Warm and spicy. Fresh avocado, onions and crispy corn strips. Melt in you mouth chicken and a nice balance of broth and cheese. That's all I needed on that chilly day.

March 2023

My memories of Gruene & Gristmill, are spread out over the last 2 decades. We've had many fun visits with family, to Gruene. (now part of New Braunfels, TX) Somewhere, there are old photos, with our young kids at Gristmill. Who knows where?

A more recent visit, was less than a year ago and I do have pics. It was a similar damp day and we were on a roadtrip with my sister and her wife. We stopped for lunch and ​​headed across the wet street to follow the path beside the old Gruene Hall.

​As we passed the screen windows of the weathered building, I reminded my sister of all the summer nights we slept with windows open. Rarely have we enjoyed open-window-time, since moving to Texas in 1998.  

Along with the Gristmill, H.D. Gruene built the dance hall/saloon, to service the cotton farmers and millworkers in the area. That was 1878 and there was no a.c. to cool those hardworking men. In 2025, there is still no a.c. to cool the performers or visitors who come to enjoy live music on the stage. 

Cotton Gin from 1878

The cotton gin was built that same year as Gruene Hall. 

This is how the Gristmill Restaurant looks today. I have no idea how much of the structure is old and how much was added in the 1970s.

Entrance Today

Last March, the pathway to the entrance was fairly quiet.  

I paused to study the red brick and the earthy adobe-like bricks, behind some cement. I noticed a round window near the peak of the roof. A wheel of some kind? So many materials in the patchwork design.

Inside
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The interior looked even more spacious than I remembered. There were no guests dining, in the barn-like front room. I noticed the staircase on the right, leading up to various levels, holding tables. It looked like a stage set to me.

I zipped upstairs quickly to take a photo. I was up high, on there same level as the window that I'd just admired. There must have been a story about that wheel-like structure. ​

​Where to Dine?

The 4 of us had lots of options for seating. The air was damp, but it wasn't cold.

We passed up some of the nice inside tables, next to big, open windows. 

Floors

I admired the shiny floors as we followed the host out towards the back of the building. I imagine these are repurposed boards, with their own special history.

We headed out to a wooden deck with boards, much more weathered. More brick walls that could have been old... or created to blend with the old. Who knows?

A Little Shelter

We were seated at a table with benches, beneath a good sturdy roof. Just in case.

Fun to have the old water tower above us.

Look Out Below

Our dining terrace was above some of the decks, closer to the river.

I spotted a couple, under and an umbrella and remembered eating with our kids in about 2000. Possibly at that very table. I remember how the kids watched the tubers traveling down the river, in big giddy groups. They talked us into a tubing trip the next day.

Going Up

After placing my order, I went adventuring. At least 2 servers tried to graciously guide me to a downstairs restroom, but I opted for the more interesting journey... up.

After pausing at a wall of historic photos, I found the odd set of stairs in the front room.

I felt like I was climbing high up, inside a complicated treehouse.

I stopped at one point and looked down towards a table in its own cozy nook, with a view of crumbling walls, green umbrellas and trees beyond.

At the top of the stairs, I found a room of tables beneath a sagging ceiling of... burlap? The room was surrounded by windows. High above the trees!

At first I felt like I'd climbed up into a tree fort. But with the view below, I felt like I was inside a tower of an ancient fort.

So many walls and levels and roofs and roof-less areas! I'd love to have a  birds-eye view of this whole property.

​Upper Restroom

Before heading down, I figured I'd find the restroom, that I'd pretended I was searching for. It was an odd one, with its round window. 

I'm not sure about the history of the round mechanical piece inside the window! But I do know, it felt odd to stare down into the dining room, when I dried my hands.

Rush!

I stepped out of the restroom and heard a metallic rattling on the roof above my head!

There was some exciting weather drama and I rushed down the stairs so I didn't miss the action!

Flurry of Excitement

While the rain poured and gusts blew, the young staff dashed in all directions.

With a restaurant designed like this one, the servers were clearly prepared. Suddenly umbrellas were moved to cover the walkway. Diners were ushered to drier tables. It was actually quite a show and the young staff seemed to be having a blast. It would have been extra entertaining to watch if they place had been crowded!
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Hello!

I found a bit of roof to stand under and hollered at our little group!

The rain gushed. Then halted and gushed again.

I peeked through the window and waved at Don and Jennifer and Kate.

​I got a break and made it to the table, just before the rain pounded again.

Our servers headed with grins towards our table.

One held a tray like an umbrella, over another tray of food. Jennifer captured this photo with great expressions.
 
Lunch!

Our food arrived dry! I have to be honest, this lunch was a year ago. I took photos, but I don't even remember who ordered the club or the broccoli soup

Jennifer seemed delighted about her burger and I believe we all shared fries.

The food was just fine as I recall. It always hits the spot. But it's not the food I will remember the most, from that lunch stop in March.

I'll remember the off-season, weekday calm, followed by the exciting cloudburst!  A fun lunch with Jennifer and Kate!

I'm glad we got to revisit the old Gristmill in December and take in some of the Gruene Family history. After 20+ years, I'm finally taking time to learn about this magical little town.

Post December Lunch

A few hours after our cozy December lunch, (near Lupe and the fireplace) Don and I took in a concert at the dance hall. That wonderful saloon and hall, where men gathered, nearly a century and a half ago! 

This time the hall was filled with men and women, enjoying a Tiki Christmas Show! Boots, tropical shirts and leis! Dear Henry was probably turning in his grave.

H.D. Gruene's Home

After the concert, we walked a few steps next door, to stay at the Gruene Mansion Inn. This is the house H. D. Gruene built for his bride in 1872.

We slept in Bertha's Room, named for H.D.'s wife. It was a fun upper room, with a door to the wraparound porch. 

Gruene and Red

We had a good dining adventure at the Gristmill. It tied in nicely, to more adventures in the festive little town of Gruene.

I love some Christmas colors! Especially when the red and green colors are glowing from an old steel tower from 1924!
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