Phoenix Saloon — Restaurant in New Braunfels

Updating the previous 4 star review...

I have been to the Phoenix many times, it was a regular spot for my wife and I. After last night I doubt I will ever be back.

After arriving a little before 7pm, we found most of the tables were reserved beginning at 8pm. We found the one open table that was not reserved and made ourselves comfortable. We had a friend with us and had spoken highly of the Phoenix to him, we were looking forward to a great night. At about 7:45, and after 2 or 3 rounds, a lady (we later found out was the owner) came and put a reserved sign on the table and told us we would have to give up the table at 8pm. I asked how that worked, to which she responded that the information was on their Facebook page and website. I commented that it would be nice if maybe some signs had been posted in the bar, or even a page left on the table informing us of the NYE policy and giving us the opportunity to reserve the table at which we were sitting.

The owner was incredibly dismissive and abrupt. I thought she may at least acknowledge my suggestion in some way, but she made it clear our business did not matter to her. The three of us chose to settle up our tab and leave so that the 2 older couples that were eating at the table would not be forced to leave in the middle of their meal. The owner appeared to not have any issue kicking them out in the middle of a meal.

As for the owner defending his wife by stating he went to the basement to get another table, that was too little too late. The other group of people at the table were also commenting about how rude the owner had been when she put the reserved sign on the table.

I am generally pretty forgiving in situations like these, and am almost always willing to give someone a second chance. But this was not some hourly employee, this was the owner. And there are far too many other great bars in New Braunfels to spend my money at a place with an owner that will disrespect a customer.

Oh, and her sitting in the corner taking our picture as we left came off a bit creepy. I hope you show your bar staff the picture, because a few of them will tell you they recognize us and that we have come in there regularly and are excellent customers...always friendly and...

Wow. I've been coming to the Phoenix Saloon for nearly 10 years and they have really gone down hill. My boyfriend and I ordered our usual, a Frito pie, a bowl of chili, and fried green tomatoes. After a longer than average wait (it wasn't very busy), I am speechless about what we received. There was literally no meat in the chili and it was luke warm. It was basically a gelatinous blob (yes, it jiggled). The fried green tomatoes were extremely greasy and falling apart, also luke warm. Like, there was no egg wash when making them, so the breading didn't stick. For the first time in my life I sent all of the food back because it was gross. It took another 20ish minutes but they did remake it. We each got between 3-5 chunks of meat on top of the gelatinous blob. It was also very bland and not very hot. The fried green tomatoes weren't really improved but at least they were hot this time. The guy who brought us the second round of food asked me if I would like anything else with an attitude like I was being difficult. We finished the green tomatoes but they were kind of gross. I couldn't even eat half of the Frito pie. I picked out the meat chunks and then gave up because the gelatinous texture really grossed me out. I'm sad and don't know what happened to this place. This is literally the grossest meal I've ever had at any restaurant. Do they have a new cook? New recipe? Trying to cut costs? You're guess is as good as mine. All I know is that I'll never come back, and will warn my friends not to bother with the food here anymore. I'll be stopping at HEB on my way home to get...

First of all, As for the owner's response to this, it looks Petty that you are grading me for being a patron at your establishment NOW please double check your cameras and do your proper research. I have a whole table of witnesses . Not once were the cops even mentioned . And you were defaming my character as a public business owner. I could sue you for defamation of character because everything I said was true. Go check your cameras go see the table I was sitting at. Go see how they remove my vape and threw it away. I did not have it at the end of the night. It was not sitting in my hand. I had two of them. Check your references first before you trust your untrustworthy employees .I am boycotting the Phoenix saloon. When I first moved here. I frequented the place. But then something changed. They began double charging my friends and I for drinks. And tonight was the last straw. I walked away from my table for about 5 minutes. I left my drink on the table with a business card and my vape covering the drink when I returned both drink and vape were gone. The remaining people at the table pointed out who had cleared the table. Two brand new drinks and a brand new vape gone and not a single employee would apologize. Do they realize that since the changing of hands the food service has gone downhill. The food is no longer what it used to be, so it is only the bands that bring the patronage. It's not the food and it is not the service. I can see the same bands that play there everywhere else. If anyone frequents that bar, please double check your bill at the end...