Specht's Texas, the 136-year-old bar-and-grill north of San Antonio near Bulverde, is stepping into a new era with a refreshed menu, an expanded bar and a climate-controlled back patio designed to pull in summer crowds while keeping its honky-tonk spirit firmly intact. The owners marked the moment with a ribbon-cutting last Friday and say the upgrades are meant to welcome curious first-timers without sidelining the loyal regulars who helped make it a Hill Country staple.
Owner Aaron Selinkoff, who took over about 16 months ago, told MySA that the overhaul is focused on tightening up the kitchen and leaning harder into fresh Hill Country ingredients. According to the outlet, the team has begun rolling out new dishes that include a pork chop, a king ranch chicken and a chocolate chip coconut pie, along with rotating "pies of the day" to keep dessert loyalists on their toes.
Updates to the space
The relaunch was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting that appeared on the Bulverde Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce calendar, signaling to locals that something was definitely up at the old spot. Management says the team built an enclosure around a new playground to make the space more family-friendly and widened the tap list so more beers can now be served on draft.
The restaurant's history page traces Specht's roots back to an 1890 general store and spotlights preserved touches such as "The Gin" event space, which owners say remain central to the venue's identity. Those historic elements are set to stay in place even as the kitchen changes with the times (Specht's Texas).
Why locals care
Specht's long run from general store to rumored Prohibition-era speakeasy to live-music venue is a big part of its pull, and management is betting that the updated menu will help turn day-trippers and the Specht-curious into full-fledged regulars. A 2023 nod as a "local favorite" helped bump the bar-and-grill higher on the regional radar, MySA reported, and Selinkoff says the latest round of changes is meant to modernize the experience without wiping away the past.
What to know before you go
Specht's continues to spotlight live music nights and event bookings on its website, keeping the entertainment side of the operation front and center. The team notes that the full food lineup will be introduced in phases as kitchen staff get comfortable with the new recipes.
For current hours, upcoming shows, catering details or information on renting the venue, the restaurant directs visitors to its official site at Specht's Texas.
