My husband and I love to travel, but since the pandemic we have stayed closer to our home in Dallas and avoided airplane flights. We’ve satisfied our wanderlust by taking weekly road trips and especially enjoy exploring small towns that are only a short drive from home.
On a recent day trip to Granbury, we had such a great time that we’re eager to go back soon. Surrounded by Lake Granbury, the picturesque city features parks, trails, and green space everywhere. There’s so much to do in Granbury, we recommend spending at least two days there–more if you can. About 11,000 people live in Granbury, and everyone we met was exceptionally friendly. It’s easy to see why it’s become such a popular destination for tourists like us.
Granbury truly offers something for everyone. History buffs are attracted to the historic Granbury Square, centered by the beautifully restored Hood County Courthouse. It was the first courthouse square in Texas to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With a variety of unique boutiques and restaurants located in the square’s historic buildings, visitors can easily spend all day without leaving the square.
Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus & Biergarten
Photo: Ketzler’s owners Angelika and Nathan Wright
“We have fabulous dining options here in Granbury,” says Tammy Dooley, Director, Granbury Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Ketzler’s is an excellent option for authentic German food. Everything they serve is terrific—and we all crave the pretzels! People travel to our destination to enjoy our food, live entertainment, beautiful lake and exceptional accommodation offerings.”
Because we both like German food, we enjoyed a leisurely, late lunch at Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus & Biergarten on our recent trip. They offer delicious and authentic German food plus genuine hospitality in a relaxing atmosphere. After seven successful years on the square, Ketzler’s recently moved to the much larger location at 201 E. Pearl Street to meet customer demand.
The new space boasts a large stage, a dance floor, more tables, a 30-foot long bar, and an outdoor Biergarten. Owners Angelika and Nathan Wright handled most of the restoration themselves, and he even designed and built the stunning centerpiece bar.
Angelika is a native of northwest Germany and has been involved in the hospitality industry since she was 16. The restaurant serves many of her family recipes, and Angelika says it’s easier to cook authentic German food in a German ambiance.
Photo: Holt
Having never been to Germany, I’m no expert, but Ketzler’s ambiance is as authentic as any place we’ve visited in the U.S. It’s surely as authentic as any German restaurant we’re likely to see in North Texas–and the food is wonderful.
For our lunch at Ketzler’s, we started with giant pretzel appetizers served with German mustard and cheese dip. My husband ordered the Schweine Schnitzel plate (grilled pork with grilled onion sauce) with red cabbage and potato salad ($19), and I ordered the Bratwurst sampler (half order-$16) with sauerkraut and German potato salad.
It was fun to try five varieties of Bratwurst (Nurnberger, traditional Grobe, smoked Kolbasse, Weisswurst, and spicy chicken). The spicy chicken (apples, tomatoes, jalapeno, and cheese) was my favorite but they were all good—especially with Ketzler’s German mustard and dark bread. My draft beer, the St. Arnold Pilsner, was perfect with the meal.
Photo: Holt
The restaurant is even livelier on weekends, with Karen the Accordion Player performing on Ketzler’s performance stage starting at 5:30 p.m. Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus & Biergarten is currently open from 3-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday.
Hoping to walk off a few calories after all that good but filling German food, we strolled around Granbury’s historic square. We were intrigued by the one-of-a-kind boutiques and eateries that line the square, each one worthy of a longer visit. But the Silver Saddle Saloon drew us inside when we learned they serve Beth Marie’s old-fashioned, homemade ice cream. The saloon bar also serves decadently delicious but boozy concoctions like Grandpa’s Root Beer Float ($13.75).
Granbury Celebrates Independence Day
Photo: April N. Smith Music
It was Taco Tuesday at the Silver Saddle, and their spacious backyard was starting to fill up with live music lovers for the evening’s concert. Country music recording artist April N Smith, an East Texas singer/songwriter with a lovely voice, was scheduled to perform. Smith’s “One Two Step Away” (from her latest album “Enough”) should be required playing in any honkytonk with a dance floor.
The folks in Granbury love to celebrate holidays, and they do a great job at planning them. Their next big event is a festive three-day weekend to celebrate Independence Day July 2-4. Vendors display their wares on the square all three days, with a parade starting at 10 a.m. July 3rd. A dazzling display of fireworks by Extreme Pyrotechnics starts at 9:45 p.m. on the 4th.
Granbury Live features a patriotic play that pays homage to our military, “The American Soldier,” at Granbury Live July 2nd. Also that weekend, “Greater Tuna” is onstage at Granbury Opera House, and the All Stars Pro Rodeo comes to Granbury on July 4th.
For more information about the many attractions and events available in Granbury, check out their informative website at VisitGranbury.com.
