Chef Tyler Johnson Says He'll Do Tex-Mex At Micheladas Cafe y Cantina "Better Than Anyone Else"

With five bars, a rooftop deck, a dog-friendly patio, plus traditional Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes, the upcoming Micheladas Cafe y Cantina certainly sounds like it has the potential to be the "destination" restaurant that chef Tyler Johnson envisions. And his vision: kind of really extremely big.

"In a city flooded with Mexican and Tex Mex options," Johnson tells Eater Austin via e-mail, "our goal is to do it better than anyone else." He says that his new spot—he's left Hugo's Restaurant & Tequila Bar to open Micheladas—will have a "very resort-style atmosphere where anyone can feel comfortable."

Micheladas will "focus on serving fresh, high quality ingredients from local sources wherever possible, at an affordable price," partnering with John Lash at Farm-To-Table and other local growers like Boggy Creek.

How will Micheladas stand out in a Mex-cuisine-saturated, locavore-obsessed city? Well, a "rooftop ceviche bar" wouldn't hurt. Writes Johnson: "we will be serving several varieties of ceviche inspired by different areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean."

Johnson's backers in the project are Bob Woody (the self-described "Mayor of Sixth Street") and Clay Woody, who owns West Sixth's The Ranch. Johnson says the Woodys brought him on several months ago to "help realize their vision of this unique destination spot."

Micheladas hasn't yet set an opening date.

· Micheladas [Official]
· All Micheladas Coverage on Eater Austin [-EATX-]
· All Tyler Johnson Coverage on Eater Austin [-EATX-]

The roof, the roof, the roof will feature ceviche. [Photo: Micheladas/Facebook]