Austin's Historic Scholz Garten Undergoes Revamping

AUSTIN, TEXAS — It's a bit daunting to tweak an old classic. Yet that's precisely what the folks at the Scholz Garten —the longest running biergarten in America, established in 1866 — have done, and with aplomb.

A healthy stone's throw from the University of Texas at Austin campus, with the football stadium in clear view from the site, Scholz is known for being an Austin-favorite for UT fans, music lovers, and families to enjoy traditional German food, and beers from local breweries. Over the decades, Scholz has grown with the Austin community.

And yet, this is not your grandfather's Scholz. The place at 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. recently gained a new operations team, with Texas native Daniel Northcutt at the helm. As part of the revamp, Scholz is launching a new menu in the coming days. The space has been revamped too, yielding an ideal spot to stage a variety of events and for locals to relax with live music, good eats and a variety of local and imported beers.

Members of the local media (Patch included) were invited to sample some of the new menu offerings (it's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it) and take a tour of the revamped yet timeless venue. A buffet-style spread was installed in a private room left of the entry, loaded with brisket, turkey, veal meatballs, an assortment of German sausages, sauerkraut varieties and more. A variety of newly unveiled cocktails were offered to guests to sample as well, an extension of the full bar opened in 2017.

Strictly in the interest of research, Patch loaded up on new menu offerings at the Scholz. There's brisket under that turkey, and those are veal meatballs on the side there. An assortment of German sausage slices in varying degrees of spiciness added to the gastronomical experience, as did the sauerkraut.

The revamped menu reflects the changing Austin palate given the city's growth and a nod to healthful offerings for active lifestyles. Alongside the Scholz Haus Burger — a magnificent black Angus half pounder on sbuttered boutique bun with special sauce and cheddar cheese with lettuce, onion tomato and Haus pickles on the side — is the Scholz Vegan Burger. The latter features roasted beet, quinoa and black beean patty on a grilled bun with Chao cheese and vegan mayo. The elements shared with its meaty cousin: Lettuce. Onion. Tomato and Haus pickles on the side.

And let's not leave out Fried Chicken Sammich. We're talking buttermilk-brined and fried chicken on a buttered toast bun with Cholula mayo and sweet pickle slaw. There's a Reuben sandwich too, containing requisite hot corned beef and melted Swiss cheese but with a German twist of sauerkraut. This mouth-watering goodness is all contained on fresh griddled rye bread with thousand island dressing. Per custom: Haus pickles on the side.

There's a variety of salads too, including chef, Haus and spinach among them.

Large patio with 500-person-capacity s ideal for gatherings big or small.

But don't worry, traditionalist. The elements of this iconic place are still intact, including the expansive, 500-person-capacity back patio lined with televisions for sports viewing and an adjacent bowling alley. Scholz also remains the home of the singing clubAustin Saengerrunde, Austin Facial Hair Club and the Texas Playboys Baseball Club. The menu may have been tweaked, but the place still hosts the oldest and largest public tailgate parties at all home UT football games, dubbed TX Tailgarten featuring live radio broadcasts live music, ample tailgate fare and, naturally, beer and cocktails.

An authentic German band belts out classics from the mother land.

Long live the Scholz. Prost!

Scholz fun facts

• Oldest restaurant in Texas.
• Oldest live music venue in Texas.
• Oldest bar in Texas.
• Longest-running biergarten in America.

Scholz steeped in history

In 1866, German immigrant and Civil War veteran August Scholz opened his public bar and cafe over an old boarding house. Affectionately referred to as "Papa" Scholz, the entrepreneur ran his establishment until his death in 1891. His stepson, Theodor Reisner, took over ownership of the place, running it for two more years before selling it to St. Louis-based Lemp Brewing Co., makers of Falstaff Beer.

In 1908, a German singing club founded in 1879 called the Austin Saengerrunde purchased the property, eventually building a six-lane bowling center and German Halle next to the Scholz. Founded in 1906, the Saengerrunde Bowl Club still meets and bowls at the Scholz weekly. The German men's choir (Maennerchor) and German women's chorus (Damenchor) perform year-round at the Scholz, using the venue for their rehearsals as well. Appropriately, the Saengerrunde is the oldest ethnic organization in Austin.

Over the years, the Scholz has been inextricably intertwined with city milestones. It hosted a celebration for the University of Texas football team's first undefeated season in 1893. In 1966, it was honored by the State Legislature with a special resolution recognizing it as "...a gathering place for Texans of discernment, taste, culture, erudition epitomizing the finest tradition of magnificent German heritage in our state."

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>>> Photos by Tony Cantú/Patch staff