A large buffet restaurant is officially planned for a well-known commercial site in New Braunfels, according to a newly filed state construction record. The project involves converting an existing car dealership building along the Business I-35 corridor into a full-service restaurant, marking a significant shift in how the property will be used.
The filing confirms the return of restaurant use to a site that previously housed a buffet decades ago, before being redeveloped into an auto dealership.
Construction Details
The project is listed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under the name King Buffet. The scope of work describes a remodel of an existing car dealership into a restaurant, not ground-up construction. The building will contain 10,666 square feet once completed.
Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2026, with completion targeted for December 2026. The total estimated cost of the project is $950,000. The work is privately funded and located on private land.
No demolition filing is associated with the project, and the permit does not indicate any building expansion beyond the existing structure.
Location Context
The site sits along North Business Interstate 35, between McKenna Avenue and Monarch Highway. It occupies a high-visibility parcel surrounded by major retailers and restaurants, with direct access to frontage roads and heavy daily traffic.
As of late 2024, the property is still occupied and operating as Steele Hyundai of New Braunfels. The filing does not indicate when dealership operations will cease or relocate, only that the structure is planned to be repurposed.
The surrounding area includes big-box retail, dining options, and service businesses, making the location consistent with high-capacity restaurant use.
Site History and Use
Street View imagery confirms the building was previously home to Ryan’s Grill, Buffet & Bakery in the early 2010s. The restaurant later closed, and the property was redeveloped into an automotive dealership with updated façades and signage.
The King Buffet project represents a return to restaurant use for the site, rather than a new land use introduction. No details about seating capacity, interior layout, or menu style have been disclosed in the state filing.
Last Updated on January 20, 2026 by F.E.M