Tavern on the Creek, part 2!

            Finding food options in Seguin as a vegetarian can sometimes pose a challenge for me. Without a proper kitchen, venturing out of the cafeteria usually means a choice between a Whataburger grilled cheese or scrounging up money for a veggie burger at Chili’s. But last semester, a few friends and I noticed what appeared to be a relatively fancy restaurant nestled among the trees and the trails of Walnut Springs Park and vowed to try it out at such time as we had all amassed some excess spending money (so, never). That place was Tavern on the Creek, and when I started thinking about restaurants to review, it came to mind first.

            Thinking back to its formidably lovely exterior and excellent placement, I decided to check out the menu online to make sure I could afford it. I was immediately concerned. Although there weren't prices listed, parmesan truffle fries and fried frog legs sounded like a disaster for my wallet- but I opted to go and check it out in person. I could not be happier that I did.

            Located right in the middle of downtown Seguin overlooking the Guadalupe river, it’s easy to find, and Tavern on the Creek is everything its name suggests. A gorgeous stained glass scene lines the windows, and the view of the river is stunning. The rest of the restaurant delivers, too: the glasses, the chairs, the jazz playing, all of it has a swanky but laid back feeling, and it’s elegant without feeling exclusive. A chalkboard inside displays the different local businesses that they buy from. I was even able to find the person who designed and made their glass panels on Instagram (yes, I was creeping).

          The entire menu sounded amazing, and even with the abbreviated lunch offerings, I had a hard time choosing between the eggplant lasagna and the Tavern Trio (tomato basil soup, a grilled cheese panini, and a small spinach salad). I ended up opting for the Trio so I could try out multiple items.* For the omnivores, their menu features a variety of burgers, many of which combine multiple cuts of meat. If you’re adventurous, they have a bison burger, but my mom ordered the Tavern Burger, which is a mixture of brisket and chop steak. The lunch menu features only three options for appetizers, but we were sold immediately on the truffle fries (which, in case you were wondering, will only set you back $4.50).

            When the fries arrived, I had a hard time keeping my parents away for long enough to take pictures, and after I finally tried them, I understood why. The parmesan was incredibly fresh, the truffle salt added a bit of a smoky flavor, and the fries were perfectly crispy. The food came very quickly, but we still managed to dispatch all of them before it arrived.

            My soup was simple. There were no unnecessary frills to it- it was exactly what tomato basil should be, tangy and fresh and just a little creamy with the crème fraîche mixed in. I struggled to leave enough behind to dip my panini in, but I was glad for the miniscule amount of self-restraint I found in me. The sole complaint I can find is that the salad had a little too much dressing, which, frankly, was good enough that I didn’t mind anyways. I am told that my mom’s burger is the best that she has ever had in her life, and I didn’t bother to muster up more restraint when it came to dessert. I haven’t managed to try the cheesecake yet, but we sampled every other option, and the crème brulee is my favorite. Fluffier than usual, and with a slight citrus hint, it’s worth the trip by itself.

          Tavern on the Creek is, hands down, the best restaurant in its price range I have ever been to, and has easily made its way onto the shortlist of my favorite places. 
          *I went back today for the eggplant lasagna. It was divine.