The onion rings here come stacked in a tower, and one family ordered the Texas size and still carried half of it home. That’s not a side dish.
That’s a commitment.
The rings are cut fresh and dipped in batter right in the kitchen. Even the leftover onion centers get served cold and crunchy, so nothing goes to waste.
I like that kind of thrifty, old-school kitchen thinking.
The building helps too. It’s a big, rustic, barnlike place in Central Texas with antique farm decor hanging overhead.
There’s a second floor, plus a catfish neon sign out front that’s easy to miss at highway speed.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a family road trip than a basket of rings that size. So what else is hiding on that menu?
A Barn Full Of Catfish Just Off The Highway
Some road-trip stops earn their spot with one menu item. Clear Springs Restaurant in New Braunfels, Texas, makes a strong case with several, starting with catfish and a pile of onion rings.
It sits along Highway 46 West, outside the busier parts of town. The setting is rustic and Western-themed, with a barnlike feel inside and out.
Seafood leads the menu, but steaks share the spotlight. Fried catfish, fried shrimp, and gumbo appear alongside chicken fried steak and burgers.
The catfish draws the most attention by far, with hundreds of diners mentioning it. Onion rings edge it out slightly, which tells you plenty about their pull.
The restaurant holds a 4.6-star rating across more than 7,000 Google reviews. That’s a lot of people weighing in on one roadside dining room.
Families tend to like places that feel easy and unfussy. A big barn of a restaurant with a kids menu fits that bill nicely.
Clear Springs also runs a location in Nacogdoches, in East Texas. The New Braunfels spot, though, is the one with this particular Central Texas setting.
Watch for the catfish neon sign as you drive. One first-timer admitted nearly cruising right past it, so keep your eyes peeled.
Old Farm Decor Hanging From Every Rafter
Look up when you sit down. Antique farm-style decor covers the walls and ceiling, giving the dining room a cluttered, country charm.
Diners describe the look as rustic and old-fashioned, the kind of style you rarely see anymore. Several longtime fans call the decor part of the reason they keep coming back.
The interior is roomy, with ample indoor seating spread across the space. That matters when you’re arriving with grandparents, cousins, and a hungry teenager or two.
Big crowds still need cool air, and this barn delivers. One recent visitor was impressed by how well the building stays air-conditioned inside.
That’s no small thing during a Texas summer. A cold room and a hot basket of rings sounds like a fair trade for the drive.
Some diners mention a rich history and an at-home feel. Others simply call it real deal Texas, which may be the highest local compliment.
Not everything is polished, of course. The building shows its age in spots, and that worn character is part of the package.
Places like this don’t chase trends. They let the old signs and farm relics tell the story while the kitchen does the rest.
You’ll Want To Grab A Table Upstairs If One Opens
Here’s a seating tip worth remembering. The restaurant has a second floor, and diners suggest sitting up there if you get the chance.
The appeal is the view down over the busy barn below. Kids may love peering over the action while waiting for their food.
Outdoor seating is also available for anyone who prefers fresh air. Central Texas evenings in spring and fall can make that an easy choice.
Getting seated often moves quickly. One family of four sat pretty fast, and another group found no wait on a Friday late afternoon.
That can change on busy weekends, so timing matters. Arriving earlier in the evening may help if your crew doesn’t do well with waiting.
Big groups show up regularly, including parties of eight. The roomy layout makes it more manageable than a cramped café.
Servers earn plenty of kind words for keeping drinks full. One longtime fan called that a big plus in this day and age, and it’s hard to argue.
Wherever you land, the decor follows you. Upstairs, downstairs, or outside, the barnlike personality stays front and center.
The Onion Ring Tower That Steals The Whole Table
Onion rings top the conversation at Clear Springs Restaurant, mentioned more often than anything else. One business diner simply called the onion ring tower insane.
The rings are freshly cut and dipped in house. Diners describe a good ratio of onion to batter, with seasoning in the coating itself.
Size options make sharing easy. One family ordered the Texas size and carried more than half of it home afterward.
Then comes a quirky bonus. The kitchen serves the unfried onion centers on the side, cold and crunchy, for anyone who likes raw white onion.
Grandpa might go straight for those. The kids, meanwhile, will probably reach for the golden rings and the homemade ranch.
Speed is another surprise. One diner joked that the rings seemed to teleport to the table, they arrived so quickly.
Order them first and let everyone pick away. They work as an appetizer, a side, or honestly the main reason for the trip.
Plenty of Texas restaurants serve onion rings. Few build a whole reputation on them, and fewer still hand you the onion centers too.
Catfish Done Fried Or Grilled, Your Call
Catfish is the dish that built the buzz, with around 800 diner mentions. That’s nearly as many as the famous onion rings.
Fried catfish gets the most attention. Diners praise it as perfectly cooked, and even a three-star visitor called it excellent.
One Louisiana native said it was the best catfish they’d had outside their home state. Coming from a catfish-loving region, that’s quite the endorsement.
Grilled catfish has passionate fans too. One diner described it soaked in butter, lemon, and seasoning, and called it the best they’d ever eaten.
Combination plates let you pair catfish with other favorites. That’s handy for indecisive eaters or anyone who wants a little of everything.
Hush puppies often come along for the ride. They’re a classic partner, and diners mention them dozens of times.
Coleslaw gets steady praise as well. Several people single it out as tasty, which matters when it shares the plate with fried fish.
Families with picky eaters should relax here. The fried version suits cautious kids, while grilled works for adults wanting something lighter.
Gulf Favorites Beyond The Catfish Basket
Fried shrimp shows up in more than a hundred diner mentions. It often lands right beside catfish on plates around the room.
Jalapeño crawfish chowder is a standout name on the menu. It brings a little Texas kick to a creamy bowl, and diners bring it up regularly.
Gumbo makes the list of favorites too. It’s a solid pick for anyone craving something warm and hearty.
Salmon earns surprising devotion. One family called it the best salmon they’d ever had, and another diner praised the blackened version.
Garlic Butter Shrimp is another option for seafood fans. One dad ordered it with mashed potatoes and corn, and the plate traveled well around the table.
Fish and chips gets its own fan club. One diner called the portion huge and absolutely delicious.
Portions generally get compliments for their size. That’s good news for families watching the budget on a long road trip.
A heads-up on swaps, though. Switching sides can carry an upcharge, so ask your server before trading fries for crispy new potatoes.
Chicken Fried Steak For The Land-Lovers
Not everyone in the family wants fish, and that’s fine. Chicken fried steak ranks among the most-mentioned dishes, with well over 150 shoutouts.
Diners describe it as very traditional, topped with a good white gravy. One person noted the seasoning would please a mom who likes it classic.
The sides stay homestyle as well. Pinto beans earn praise as better than most, and the green beans come stewed rather than steamed.
Fries arrive hot and lightly seasoned. Mashed potatoes run buttery, which suits anyone who loves a rich, smooth side.
Chicken Ella is another option for non-seafood eaters. One mom called it amazing and recommended mashed potatoes alongside it.
Burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches round things out. Those tend to be easy wins with kids and cautious eaters.
Fried pickles deserve a mention before you order. They’re a popular starter, with dozens of diners bringing them up.
Steaks also appear on the menu for those who want something heftier. In Texas, a seafood shack with good steak isn’t a contradiction, it’s just good manners.
Room At The Table For Three Generations
Grandparents who visited years ago can bring grandkids back now. One diner returned after about a decade and said it was still just as amazing.
That kind of consistency is gold for family traditions. Longtime regulars say the food quality has held steady over many visits.
The kids menu gets a thumbs-up for good options. A kids burger with fries is one easy choice for little ones.
Sweet tea is a favorite for many diners. A Berry Breeze drink also earned a perfect score from one happy mom.
Big, casual dining rooms help families feel at ease. Nobody needs to whisper when a toddler drops a hush puppy.
Service usually earns warm words. Staff are often described as fast, friendly, and attentive, though experiences can vary on busier days.
Banana pudding is on the dessert lineup too. It’s a classic Southern finish for anyone with room left.
Out-of-town families have said they’ll make it a regular stop. That’s the dream for any road trip: a place everyone agrees on.
Easy Hours And Directions For Your Road Trip
Good news for flexible planners. The restaurant opens every day of the week, from 11 AM to 9 PM.
That schedule makes it a reliable lunch or dinner stop. Weekend trips and weekday detours both work just fine.
You’ll find it at 1692 Hwy 46 W, New Braunfels, TX 78130. New Braunfels sits between San Antonio and Austin, making it a manageable drive from either city.
Arriving in the late afternoon may help with seating. One group had no wait on a Friday at that time.
Takeout is available for travelers in a hurry. Dining in, though, gets you the decor, the upstairs view, and the full barn experience.
Prices draw mixed comments. Many diners call the portions great for the price, while one group felt costs ran higher than expected.
Ask about side substitutions before ordering. Some swaps carry an extra charge that may not appear on the menu.
Keep an eye out for that catfish neon sign. Missing your exit for onion rings would be a sad chapter in any Texas road-trip story.
Why This Barn Deserves A Spot On Your Texas List
Thousands of diners have weighed in, and most leave happy. A 4.6-star rating across that many reviews is hard to fake.
Clear Springs Restaurant isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t pretend to be. A few visitors have noticed dust on the overhead decor or a building showing its years.
Still, the core promise holds up. Fresh-cut onion rings, well-loved catfish, and big portions keep folks returning across generations.
The barnlike setting adds personality you won’t find in a strip-mall chain. Old farm relics overhead make every meal feel a little more Texas.
Families get a kids menu, roomy seating, and daily hours. Grandparents get a place that still feels like it did years ago.
I believe that’s the real draw here. It’s a spot that stays itself while the highway outside keeps changing.
Start with the onion ring tower and save the onion centers for whoever’s bravest. Then pick catfish, fried or grilled, and settle the family debate later.
Plenty of Texans have zipped past that neon catfish on Highway 46. Next time, you might just be the one who pulls over.
