From the bustling Creekside corridor to new developments scattered across New Braunfels, the city has seen growth and transformation in nearly every corner. But one area has remained largely untapped – until now. The largely unexplored Westside of New Braunfels is finally attracting attention as the city advances plans to revitalize the neighborhood while preserving its culture and identity.
At the heart of the Westside’s story is Butcher Boy Taco House, a local favorite since 1972. In 2022, Jeramie Hernandez and his family acquired Butcher Boy from the original owners, maintaining the Mexican restaurant presence and legacy on the Westside. Hernandez grew up on the West Side of New Braunfels and has deep roots in the neighborhood.
“I wanted to be on this side of town for my restaurant. I walk these streets and it just hits your heart,” he said.
Hernandez and his family have maintained Butcher Boy as a community cornerstone, offering scratch-made tortillas, sauces and signature dishes like Carne Guisada and enchiladas. Family-operated and locally run, Butcher Boy embodies the Westside’s authentic culture, where customers become friends and friends become family. Hernandez emphasizes the importance of keeping that identity alive as the neighborhood evolves.
Butcher Boy Taco House in New Braunfels, Texas. (Nicholas Hernandez/MySA)
The West End Area Master Plan is a community-driven planning effort for West San Antonio Street, Spur Street and surrounding neighborhoods. The plan focuses on connectivity, the public realm, placemaking, infrastructure, environment and neighborhood commercial and residential development opportunities. Public engagement is a priority to ensure that the vision reflects the input of residents and local stakeholders.
New Braunfels has taken tangible steps to advance the plan. In April, a public meeting was held to gather feedback on a design for the reconstruction of West San Antonio Street from Walnut to Live Oak and Spur Street.
“I think it will be a good progressive change for the Westside,” Hernandez explains.
The project has been identified as a priority to improve pedestrian safety and implement traffic-calming measures. Comments from the meeting will help guide the future design of these facilities.
Funding has been submitted through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, with potential construction projected for 2030–2032. Residents can expect continued public engagement and some pavement rehabilitation beginning in 2026, city officials tell MySA.
New Braunfels is also considering a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone to reinvest future property tax revenue into public projects, including infrastructure, parks, economic development and historical preservation.
A rendering shows planned infrastructure improvements on the Westside of New Braunfels, including sidewalks, street lighting and pedestrian-friendly features. (Courtesy of The City of New Braunfels)
Hernandez sees the revitalization plan as a path to preserving the West Side’s identity while welcoming new opportunities. “I think the best way to preserve that culture is, keep it kind of simple. We have a restaurant structured through family…that’s what the Westside is all about,” he said.
Both Hernandez and the city are working to ensure that redevelopment enhances safety, walkability and amenities without sacrificing the community’s history or local character.
With the Westside revitalization plan moving forward, improvements such as street reconstructions, enhanced pedestrian safety, lighting, sidewalks and placemaking initiatives aim to make the area more inviting for residents and visitors alike. The goal is to create a neighborhood where local businesses thrive, public spaces reflect the community’s heritage and the Westside’s unique culture remains intact.
As infrastructure upgrades and placemaking projects begin to take shape, Butcher Boy, along with longstanding businesses, represents a symbol of the area’s past and the neighborhood’s future while embodying the fabric of the community. For residents and visitors, the Westside is poised to become a vibrant, walkable corridor that honors its history while welcoming growth and opportunity.
This article originally published at Texas boomtown continues to grow with untapped streets coming alive.
