Real Estate Photographer in New Braunfels, TX

After a brief intermission this fall, the popular Hill Country music venue once known as Billy’s Ice is back, turning up the volume under a new name and at a new location.

Bobby’s Ice officially opened on November 20, just two two months after Billy’s Ice’s closed in September, ending a 16-year run that made it a cornerstone of New Braunfels' live music scene.

"We are excited about our new location and feel blessed to be in a growing area," Bobby's Ice said in a statement to MySA. "Billy’s Ice meant a lot to so many and we are going to continue our commitment to creating a welcoming environment while supporting our community. The response to the location and our burgers has been so positive and adds to our excitement."

Billy’s Ice was known for its cold beer, live shows and deep community ties, helping raise more than $1 million for local causes over the years. The closure left fans mourning the loss of a local institution and wondering if the music would ever return.

The new location now brings more than just nostalgia. In late November, Bobby’s opened a kitchen, adding to the draw with a menu fans are already raving about. Highlights include the signature 7oz short rib burgers, like the Hangover Burger with applewood bacon, fried egg and Franks sauce, or a classic chili cheeseburger and the newly introduced Bobby’s Cheese Nuggets.

The business emphasized that while the name has changed, the venue’s mission hasn’t. Live music remains central, and Bobby’s will be keeping the beat alive. The transition to Bobby’s Ice was made official with approval from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for the new location, ensuring the stage lights and taps could come back online without delay.

With food, drinks and music now ready to roll again, Bobby’s Ice is poised to continue its role as a gathering place for friends, families and the local music community ready for the next act.

Find it: 6390 FM 1102 New Braunfels, TX 78132

Parking is getting a fresh look across the Hill Country as both New Braunfels and San Marcos roll out, or consider, major updates to their systems. From river access lots to busy downtown districts, each city is adjusting to growth, rising demand and the pressure that tourism and congestion bring every year.

How New Braunfels downtown paid system works?

Since its rollout in July, New Braunfels’ paid parking has generated support, frustration and plenty of feedback. According to city documents, early data shows:

New Braunfels’ downtown features a mix of paid and free parking areas designed to serve both visitors and residents. The city has 262 paid spaces spread throughout key streets near Main Plaza, Seguin Avenue, San Antonio Street, Castell Avenue and Market Street, with the first hour free and a $2-per-hour rate after that, up to a $10 daily maximum.

Surrounding these paid zones are 1,080 free on-street and public lot spaces, giving drivers flexible options for shorter or longer visits. The city also maintains ADA-accessible spots, now expanded to allow all vehicles with qualifying disabled plates or placards to park anywhere downtown without fees. Paid parking is enforced daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with drivers able to pay via QR codes, pay-by-text and pay-by-phone options.

Alongside praise for increased turnover, some business owners say the changes have impacted sales or made employee parking more difficult. Others continue to call for a parking garage, an idea a 2023 study found financially challenging.

Another program update is expected in February.

New Braunfels expands disability exemptions

Nearly six months after launching its downtown paid parking program, New Braunfels has approved a key revision aimed at accessibility. On November 24, City Council expanded fee exemptions to include all vehicles with state-issued disabled license plates or placards, not just disabled veteran plates.

Anyone with qualifying plates or placards can now park in any of the city’s 262 paid downtown spaces without registering or paying. The change follows concerns raised in October about how the system affected those with mobility challenges.

San Marcos now charging visitors at City Park

San Marcos recently made one of its biggest parking changes in years, and it’s aimed squarely at river crowds. Beginning July 1, non-residents must pay to park at City Park, home to one of the city’s most popular tubing launch sites.

The park’s 268 spaces were previously free. Now, visitors will pay between $5 and $15 depending on length of stay, with a $25 flat rate on major holiday weekends.

Residents can still park for free but must register their vehicles online. A license-plate recognition system tracks vehicles entering the lot, issuing violations if payment or registration isn’t recorded after the 30-minute grace period.

San Marcos considering paid parking downtown

San Marcos is also weighing whether to introduce paid parking downtown, where the current two-hour limit has long been the standard. A recent survey and a lively comment thread on the city’s Facebook page show residents split on the idea.

Some business owners worry fees could send shoppers to areas where parking is free, while others say peak-time enforcement could help open spaces. Service-based businesses want flexibility for longer appointments, and a number of residents argue the city should build additional public parking before charging for it.

The city has not proposed a formal plan as of Friday, December 5.

Last Updated On – 5th December, 2025

Jump To: The Best | Near I-35 | Burgers, Chicken & Tex-Mex

Fast food New Braunfels is a mix of Texas favorites, national chains, and convenient drive-thru spots perfect for travelers, commuters, and locals needing a quick bite. Whether you’re looking for burgers, chicken, tacos, or something fast on I-35, New Braunfels has plenty of reliable options.

Before exploring New Braunfels, check our guide to Things to Do in San Antonio this Weekend for more sources of restaurants and events nearby.

Editor’s Note: We work hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, all information is subject to change! As always, please verify with the organizer before heading out!

Also, please note that this article may contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services that we genuinely believe will benefit our readers!

In case you are wondering about the choice of listings in this article, here is how we come up with our recommendations.

Check out our articles on Best Tapas San Antonio, Dim Sum San Antonio, and Best Ramen San Antonio!

Best Fast Food New Braunfels for Quick Meals

When you’re in Texas, you have to try their classic, and a New Braunfels staple. Famous for the Whataburger, patty melts, and late-night drive-thru reliability, Whataburger is one of the best New Braunfels fast food spots. Plus, they have a clean dining room and fast service.

Where: 1687 TX-46, New Braunfels, TX 78132 Operating Hours: Daily Drive Thru 24 hours; Dine In 24 hours; Curbside 6 am – 12 am; Delivery 24 hours

A fast favorite for orange chicken, teriyaki bowls, broccoli beef, and fast-moving lines. Great for quick meals near the highway.

Where: 1008 S I-35 South Frontage Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Operating Hours: Saturday – Thursday 9:30 am – 10:30 pm | Friday 9:30 am – 11 pm

Everyone loves Chick-fil-A because of their excellent customer service and beloved chicken sandwiches. If you don’t want to dine in, there’s always the fast drive-thru option.

Where: 1663 TX-46, New Braunfels, TX 78132 Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday 6 am – 10 pm | Sunday Closed

Fast Food in New Braunfels Near I-35 & Major Highways

If you want some Southern flavors but don’t have the time or the budget, Popeyes is your spot. Their crispy Louisiana-style chicken, spicy tenders, and buttery biscuits are crowd favorites. This location is ideal for quick pickup close to I-35.

Where: 4817 I-35, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Operating Hours: Daily 9 am – 11 am

Taco Bell is a popular spot for cheap tacos, burritos, and late-night cravings. Drive-thrus move quickly even during peak hours. So, if you’ve had a late night or are just craving some quick quesadillas, you know where to go.

Where: 1074 S Walnut Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Operating Hours: Daily 9 am – 2 am

Sonic gives you that classic drive-in feel with burgers, corn dogs, tots, and shakes. They also have stalls for car-side dining.

Where: 861 TX-337 Loop, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Operating Hours:

New Braunfels Fast Food for Burgers, Chicken & Tex-Mex

Wherever you are in the world, you can always count on McDonald’s to give you what you want. It’s a reliable stop for breakfast items, burgers, McCafé drinks, and a whole lot more. Because it’s popular, it can be really busy but still efficient.

Where: 4142 Loop 337, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Operating Hours: 24/7

A Texas-born chain, expect large portions at Bush’s Chicken. They’re known for their crispy fried chicken, tenders, and sweet tea.

Where: 1232 S Business IH 35, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Operating Hours: Daily 10:30 am – 10 pm

Another Southern staple, Raising Cane’s, specializes in chicken tenders with their famous Cane’s Sauce. Always fast, always consistent.

Where: 1188 Interstate 35 S, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday 10 am – 12 am | Friday – Saturday 10 am – 2 am

Custom sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Easy, quick, and reliable for healthier fast food.

Where: 1659 State Hwy 46 W, Suite 155, New Braunfels, TX 78132 Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday 8 am – 9 pm | Friday – Saturday 9 am – 10 pm

Want to round out your fast food adventure? Check out what’s happening now in the San Antonio Things To Do This Weekend roundup.

It’s 3:30 a.m. in downtown New Braunfels. The streets are quiet, but inside Naegelin’s Bakery, ovens roar, proofing racks are stacked and the smell of fresh dough fills the air. Ross Granzin and his team are already moving, prepping pastries, breads and orders before the city even stirs awake.

"We're like little bees running around there," Granzin said to MySA.

By 6:30 a.m., cases are stocked, display trays glisten and the first wave of customers arrives for kolaches, sweet treats and freshly baked goods. For Ross and his family, these early hours are just part of keeping Naegelin's Bakery, a 157-year-old tradition alive.

"I preach to my kids all the time. Gotta keep it the same," Ross said. "I try to keep all our ingredients all the same. I use the best ingredients…and keep all the old recipes, all the same, everything."

The historic building shines its sweet legacy the moment you step into the illustrious Texas bakery. Bright display-case lights illuminate rows of tempting treats. Homemade cookies, dozens of apple, cherry and peach strudels, cinnamon sticks and an array of scratch-made pies glisten inside the endless case stretching along one side of the shop.

The wooden floors still creak with age as you wander through the cozy space. It’s hard to stay focused with sweet treats, towering piles of kolaches, and fresh loaves of bread surrounding you. The magic isn’t just in the air, it’s on the walls. Archival photographs frame the space, capturing everything from the early days of New Braunfels' downtown district to the evolution of the bakery over the decades. Naegelin’s history is on display for every visitor who walks through the door.

Behind the counter, the real magic begins. It’s where dough rises, bacon bites are carefully placed on chocolate donuts and sweet rolls are glazed and iced to perfection. All of it happens before 7:30 a.m., as the finishing touches are added to the first batches prepared for eager customers.

Naegelin’s Bakery was founded by Edouard Naegelin, Sr., a 24-year-old immigrant from Alsace-Lorraine who, legend has it, came to town with a sack of flour and less than $1. He fought in the Civil War prior to coming to New Braunfels and had opened a San Antonio bakery before relocating to the Hill Country.

Naegelin's first opened in 1868 on the site of present day New Braunfels City Hall, but Edouard relocated Naegelin's to its current South Seguin Avenue address in 1870.

With the help of his wife, Francisca Seekatz Naegelin, and their children, Edouard Sr. ran the bakery until his death in 1923. His children Leonie and Edward Jr. carried on, followed by Edward Jr. and his wife Laura, who took over in 1924 and remodeled the building in 1935. Their son, Clinton Frank, ran the bakery before selling it to the Granzin family of San Antonio in the early 1980s.

The Granzins have led the operations for more than four decades. Ross' daughter Paige, 32, is part of the next generation, alongside her 26-year-old brother, Parker, and 20-year-old sister, Preslee.

"It feels great that my family has been able to create so many different revenues and that everybody’s kind of been able to do their own thing and be such a big part of New Braunfels for so long," she said.

The Granzins also supply wholesale products to local businesses, keeping Naegelin’s intertwined with the city’s culinary scene. For these businesses, Naegelin’s provides specialty items: jalapeño and regular hamburger buns for Scores bar, tortillas and buns for Bosses Pizza and poppy seed and jalapeño buns for Granzin’s Bar-B-Q, which is owned by Ross’ older brother, Miles Granzin.

Paige, who is involved in both the bakery and these wholesale operations, sees the family business as evolving with the times while preserving its history.

"We do shipping now, we’ve added a few things online, and we’ve looked into opening different stores elsewhere, still keeping the Naegelin’s name and products," she said.

Despite the growth, the Granzins are committed to preserving traditional recipes.

"We still want to do original recipes, keep it how Mr. Naegelin wanted it, and carry it on while adding some new things here and there," Paige said. "It’s really cool to see so many generations have put their blood, sweat and tears into this place."

From pre-dawn prep to lunchtime rushes, Naegelin’s Bakery remains a cornerstone of New Braunfels, its history, its flavors and its family-run energy all baked into every loaf and pastry.

Find it: 129 S. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130

With 11 diverse ecological regions—from deserts to woodlands and coastal areas—Texas boasts some of the most beautiful places in the U.S. The Lone Star State has an underrated Grand Canyon dupe and even its own bright and sandy Texan version of Miami.

But there's nothing like the charm of small towns in Texas. There are Old West communities near Big Bend National Park, as well as Texan waterfront city properties offering endless recreational adventures. Then you have the Texas Hill Country, brimming with springs, waterfalls, and rolling hills. This scenic region is also home to the "boomtown" of New Braunfels, which appeared on lists of the best places to live in the U.S. in 2024.

Located at the confluence of the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, this city hides some of the most gorgeous neighborhoods in the state. That includes a pretty neighborhood, which some have previously dubbed the "Maldives of Texas," thanks to its resort-style amenities despite being a residential spot. This neighborhood is Meyer Ranch—a master-planned residential project.

Meyer Ranch is also close to popular natural attractions in the Hill Country, including Canyon Lake. Here's why this suburban development could be Texas's next secret resort destination and the perfect place to live for that resort life feel.

Meyer Ranch In New Braunfels Is The Secret "Maldives" Of Texas, Boasting Resort-Style Amenities

Meyer Ranch in New Braunfels, TX, was developed in 2018 as a 691-acre single-family development by Randolph Todd Development and Crown Community Development, according to a press release from the neighborhood. Located 10 miles southwest of Canyon Lake, this master-planned community was designed to preserve the spirit of the cattle ranch built there in 1852 by its early German settlers.

Now, Meyer Ranch is "what bigger and brighter means in Texas"—filled with world-class resort-like amenities like a 3,000-square-foot swimming pool, green spaces and trails, and a dedicated dog park. It also has a Texas State Landmark, the Historical Heimer House, built in the 19th century by Meyer Ranch's original owners.

In 2024, Meyer Ranch won the Best Poolscape for a Community award, as well as Developer of the Year for the second time (first in 2020). The community is also highly recognized for its wide-open views that allow residents and visitors to enjoy stargazing and unobstructed golden-hour scenes.

Meyer Ranch In New Braunfels Is A Gateway To Several Natural Attractions In The Texas Hill Country

Meyer Ranch is just over 10 miles from Canyon Lake, accessible via South Cranes Mill Road or TX-46, which both provide scenic routes through the Texas Hill Country. The lake is well-known in the area for its clear, blue waters, where residents and vacationers enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating. Other water activities here include kayaking, jet skiing, and tubing on the Guadalupe River, all surrounded by the picturesque Hill Country landscape.

Aside from Canyon Lake, Meyer Ranch is also just 10 miles northwest of Natural Bridge Caverns—the largest known commercial caverns in Texas. This family-owned showcave hosts guided tours and thrilling activities like zip rails and a rope course.

The 1,938-acre Guadalupe River State Park is also 20 miles northwest of Meyer Ranch. It's a great spot for paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and even camping along the clear, spring-fed Guadalupe River.

The Honey Creek State Natural Area is also within Guadalupe River State Park. This 515-acre protected land is known for its diverse flora and fauna sustained by the pristine creek.

The rich ecosystem of Honey Creek also nurtures the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, among other rare bird species.

The Best Time To Visit Meyer Ranch In New Braunfels And Other Texas Hill Country Attractions

Fall and spring are the most pleasant seasons to visit Meyer Ranch or the New Braunfels area. During this time, the weather is mild, making it ideal for outdoor explorations. The famous Hill Country wildflowers also bloom in spring, while the oak, maple, and cypress trees in the region turn into vibrant shades of orange and red during fall.

Summer might be too hot and humid for extended outdoor recreation. However, it's a nice opportunity to cool down at the nearby Canyon Lake. It's also the busiest time in the area, so you might want to skip it or at least book your accommodations ahead.

Meyer Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas, has cozy winters without the extreme cold. During this time, the area is peaceful and quiet, making it a great alternative for those who want a unique hillside Christmas.

While Meyer Ranch is more of a neighborhood with resort-style amenities than a conventional vacation destination, its ongoing developments (and most recently, its newest phase) suggest promising transformations.

While it's never ideal to turn such residential communities into a highly commercialized spot, it would be nice to see it evolve into a welcoming small town where residents can enjoy the benefits of tourism without the negatives that come with too many visitors.