For those nights when you crave crispy fried chicken or smoky barbecue but don’t want the fuss of reservations or fancy prices, New Braunfels delivers. These seven spots offer the perfect trifecta: delicious bird, easygoing vibes, and enough time left to unwind with your latest streaming obsession.
Chick-fil-A WestPointe Village
$ | (830) 626-0434 | WEBSITE
At first glance, there is nothing fast about Chick-fil-A WestPointe Village. Staff who actually smile and remember your name? Not fast. A dining area so clean you could eat off the floor? Not fast. So, why is it in this guide? Because the experience at Chick-fil-A WestPointe Village is exceptional, notably the classic chicken sandwich which gets you perfectly seasoned chicken, buttery brioche, and those famous waffle fries for just $5.95.
Under the polished gleam of all the stainless steel counters and spotless tables is the very real possibility of enjoying some quality food, grabbing a refreshing lemonade, and leaving only $10 lighter.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (830) 620-1200 | WEBSITE
When you’re meeting a friend who wants something ‘fast, friendly, and not too pricey’, we’d recommend Chick-fil-A. This spot in New Braunfels does a truly fantastic Grilled Chicken Sandwich for under $10. Everything here comes with a smile – expect to find top-notch service, a clean dining area, or the option to substitute fries for a side salad. It’s definitely a little more reliable than your usual fast-food joint.
Church’s Texas Chicken
$ | (830) 609-1100 | WEBSITE
At Church’s Texas Chicken, you can get a really good hot chicken meal for $8.99 in a clean, efficient fast-food spot, any day you need a quick fix. If that’s not reason enough to head there after a long day running errands, then we don’t know what is. But, just in case, we’ll give you some more. There’s fried steak, and a selection of crispy chicken pieces, but if you leave here without eating at least one portion of their large, flavorful chicken, we don’t know who you are.
Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings
$ | (830) 358-1532 | WEBSITE
We’d gladly set aside an hour of our Friday afternoon every week from now until the cows come home to ‘grab lunch’ at Zaxby’s, and their counter seating is a solid spot whether it’s a solo meal or a family of four. We should mention though: much like when you go to that drive-thru expecting a quick bite and end up waiting twenty minutes for lukewarm fries, you can end up disappointed more than you’d hope at Zaxby’s. Stick to the chicken fingers with extra sauce from Mr.
Jay, skip the underwhelming tacos with scant chicken, and you’ll be set for a decent meal.
Bush’s Chicken
$ | (830) 625-9999 | WEBSITE
New Braunfels isn’t short on solid chicken spots, but Bush’s Chicken remains a reliable favorite. It’s a straightforward, made-to-order joint where everything, from juicy chicken tenders to comforting baked chicken, comes in under $12.
Sides like great fries, biscuits, and gravy are affordable too, hovering around $4, and while the no-frills setup means seating can feel a bit basic at peak times, the hot, fresh food and genuinely friendly service make it a comforting, quick meal that hits the spot.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
$ | (830) 629-2030 | WEBSITE
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is another fried chicken chain, and it’s where you should be if the lines at other fast-food spots are just too long, and much like those places, you can get an excellent chicken meal for around ten bucks or less. We suggest ordering the ‘Number 1’ combo which is so good, it will make you temporarily forget that other chicken-focused restaurants even exist in New Braunfels.
Then forget some more with some flounder sandwiches and free wings on Fat Tuesday if you order online.
Chicken Express
$ | (830) 629-2750 | WEBSITE
We’re of the mind that quick chicken joints make for perfect lunchtime stops, so here’s one, located in New Braunfels. While the drive-thru can get backed up, it moves quickly as the fast-food setup doesn’t encourage you to linger too long. The chicken is good, but the service is even better, so make sure to appreciate that.