In 1966 Joe and Frances Lamer, who had been leasing a bar in the small, German, farming community of Walburg, decided it was time for them to build their own bar. It wasn’t long before “Joe’s Place” became a popular hangout for many of the locals. Over the years “Joe’s Place” continued to thrive and even began grilling burgers on a small grill set up behind the bar.

In 1997, Dale Cockerell, a long time Walburg resident and regular customer of “Joe’s Place”, decided to try his hand at bar ownership. Due to popular demand Dale quickly converted the bar into a family friendly restaurant. When trying to find a name for the new restaurant, Dale remembered a German place he had once visited in Ohio called “Das Duchman Essenhaus,” meaning “The Dutch Man’s Eating House.” So he named HIS restaurant “Dale’s Eating House,” or “Dale’s Essenhaus.”

In 1998 the beirgarten was constructed and a barn, which was already on the property, was turned into a stage for live music. Since then that stage has served as a platform for many great musical performers including names such as: Gary P Nunn, Kevin Fowler, Pauline Reese, Johnny Lee, Bobby Flores, Rotel & the Hot Tomatoes, Johnny Dee & the Rockin’ 88’s, and the list KEEPS GROWING!

In 2002 the Bert Stuewe Banquet Hall was built creating an ideal venue for weddings, receptions, birthdays, graduations, retirement parties, company parties, and other private events. We also offer a private room, great for business meetings or family events.

Dale’s has become well known for our home-style cooking and, of course, our famous WALBURGER (made of ½ pound of quality ground beef, freshly ground in-house, piled high with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and pickles, with mayonnaise and mustard on a toasted bun.) In March 2011 we introduced 3 new burgers to our menu. In addition to the Original Walburger we now offer a BAJA WALBURGER (bacon, avocado, and pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and mustard) a TEXAS WALBURGER (melted cheddar, 2 onion rings and barbeque sauce on Texas toast) and a MUSHROOM SWISS WALBURGER (with sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions and swiss cheese) all made with the same quality ½ pound patty as our ORIGINAL.

Whether you’re looking for good food, Texas music, or just a great family atmosphere, you will find it here at Dale’s Essenhaus!