188 South, a new upscale pizzeria in the heart of downtown New Braunfels, announced it will officially open to the public on Saturday, August 31. The restaurant—a new concept from the founder of the successful Krause’s Cafe + Biergarten—will feature shareable dishes, craft cocktails, and pizza made in a unique, hybrid oven that provides the even heating of gas with the smoky flavors of a traditional wood-fired pizza oven. 188 South is located at 188 S. Castell Avenue in downtown New Braunfels directly next door to Krause’s Cafe. The building, formerly home to the New Braunfels Herald Zeitung and KNBT radio, seats 60, though the outdoor porch will allow for extra seating when weather permits.
Guests of 188 South can expect offerings from the menu that differ from traditional pizzerias. The kitchen staff, headed by Krause’s Cafe Executive Chef, Jeremy “Boomer” Acuna, has been trained in the art of pizza-making by a certified Vera Pizza Napoletana Pizzaiolo. The kitchen itself is equipped with a Marra Forni fork mixer from Italy that prevents the dough from becoming overworked and a hydroponic grow wall onsite that will provide the herbs and spices for the menu. Melt from the ice machine will provide the water for the grow wall.
“We believe that 188 South is bringing something really unique to New Braunfels and we’re excited to add another place where the community can come together to dine, drink and enjoy each other’s company,” says owner, Ron Snider. “Guests of 188 South can expect to find a rarely done concept that we’re confident they will love.”
The restaurant will also feature a presentation station that will be used to demonstrate daily production of hand-pulled mozzarella, burrata and more to give guests an inside look at how their food is being prepared. The menu at 188 South is set to change on a consistent basis, but guests can expect dishes like Brisket Risotto, Shaved Summer Squash Salad, and House-Made Burrata in addition to pizzas like the Sage Gremolata and Mob Boss, which features house-made fennel sausage, spicy calabrian pepper pesto, calabrese peppers, and more.
The restaurant’s bar is led by Jason Banks, who is currently the only Advanced Sommelier Certified Wine Educator working in New Braunfels. 188 South will feature a unique ice dispenser that deposits ice from the ceiling that piles up in a mountainous shape on the bar’s counter. The ice towers will be used as a display for clear spirits and white wines. Runoff from the ice wall will be funneled to an outdoor fountain. Additionally, glasses at the bar will be instantly cooled with a CO2 blast chiller prior to serving. The bar program will feature everything from the pre- prohibition era cocktails to modern concoctions, including 188 South’s Signature Tonic that will be brewed in-house with ingredients like cinchona bark, red cardamom, lavender, and more. A selection of cocktails will be barrel-aged onsite and 188 South’s regulation cellar will store the bar’s portfolio.
The flavors, techniques, and technologies being implemented at 188 South are contributing to a growing culinary scene in New Braunfels. The restaurant differs in offerings, concept, and ownership from the previous restaurant located in the space that went by the same name and closed in 2016. 188 South is the second restaurant concept in New Braunfels for local businessman and restaurateur, Ron Snider, who also owns and operates Krause’s Cafe + Biergarten. The new restaurant will be open for dinner starting August 31 and will be open from then on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lunch and brunch will be coming soon. A website for 188 South will launch at a later date.
