NEW BOSTON, Texas - A small nookish restaurant has quietly established a presence here. Run by a lady who sees the place as a hobby, and a way to introduce German food and culture in the area, residents have been discovering the flavors of a land a world away in a modest corner of this Texas town.
Originally from Bamberg, Germany, Sabine McGrew married an American soldier stationed in her home country. When her husband, William McGrew, retired from the Army and returned to the States, Sabine McGrew eventually opened Sabine's German Bistro, with a menu featuring well-known flavors from her beloved Germany.
"I grew up in the restaurant business, worked in my family's place for over 16 years," she said. "I learned cooking the German way. I opened my place here in New Boston and started out with standard American fare, like burgers and such. But I decided to go with what I know; the German food I grew up cooking."
McGrew sees her place as a hobby, more than anything else. She has a small staff and is the sole cook currently. But folks have been discovering her flavors and it turns out, New Boston and the surrounding community appreciates authentic German food.
"I do think local customers are taking to the German style of cooking," she said. "Interestingly, lots of folks from Tyler seem to be showing up."
Some Germans even found her place and acknowledge it is a taste from home. McGrew says a key part of what sets her food apart is locally sourced ingredients.
"No trucks ship in food here," she said. "I buy most of what I cook locally. The ingredients I can't get anyplace besides Germany, I return there once a year to resupply. Also, I have an acquaintance occasionally bring me supplies."
Though beer and wine are German traditions, she does not serve those at her bistro.
"I do let customers who wish to do so bring their own," she said. "I have a small staff and they work hard. It keeps me busy. It really is all about making my customers happy and introducing many of them to something new."
(Sabine's German Bistro is at 113 N. Ellis St. Find them on Facebook.)