1809 Restaurant, Slaton, Texas

Slaton’s German Heritage

Welcome to the 1809 Restaurant in Slaton, Texas. From 1865 to the early 1890s, many Germans arrived in Texas. The number probably reached 40,000. Many of them settled in more central Texas areas, though a few made their way to West Texas, particularly west of the Lubbock area. Heinrich Schmitt, later known as Hank Smith, was the first Anglo settler in this part of Texas. Others settled around what would become Woodrow and Slaton.

Soon after Slaton was established, so too was St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The Reverend Joseph Reisdorff worked in several other Catholic perishes before coming to Slaton as the first Priest of that church. He was known as a colonizer. Here, the reverend continued recruiting German Catholics from the Midwest and German Lutherans from Central Texas by placing ads in German newspapers that were distributed in those areas. Indeed, he was paid a commission on land sold in the area to Catholic families. Many of these people were farmers, so while the railroad was building the bulk of the community of Slaton, there also came to be a very strong German heritage.

The 1809 Restaurant

Today, this is reflected in the annual Oktoberfest held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and, daily, the 1809 Restaurant on the old town square just across from the 1809 train engine. It’s the only German Restaurant we know of on the south plains and occupies a 100+-year-old building that has been renovated to show off the original tile ceiling, industrial accents, and Texas-German décor. There is inside and outside seating.

This restaurant serves traditional German cuisine, Texas-inspired German food, and a good selection of good old comfort items, including German schnitzel, sausage, and other items like real wood-fired steaks and chicken hand-battered chicken fried steak. The 1809 Restaurant is well known for its special hamburgers and sandwiches, and adult beverages are available, of course including beer. It also offers fresh new menu items on special occasions and holidays.

Yet this restaurant is much more than just good food. The young staff is warm and friendly and in this small Texas town, everyone knows your name, or soon will. When things get going, often with live music on the weekend, there’s a vibe of German frolic that sets in, which makes the restaurant more than the sum of its parts.