Former Artz Rib House Owner Art Blondin Dies

Beloved pitmaster and restauranteur Art Blondin, best known for his restaurant Artz Rib House, has died. The Statesman reports:

An employee discovered Blondin upon arriving for work at Blondin's Art's Ribs & BBQ in Florence, Texas, on Saturday morning. An autopsy Monday will determine the cause of Blondin's death, and police say they do not expect foul play.

Blondin's longtime South Austin restaurant Artz Rib House was a destination both for its specialty ribs and live music. The restaurant shuttered in 2012. Blondin went on to cook at both Jax Kitchen and Hill's Cafe, before opening a new restaurant, Art's Ribs & BBQ, in Florence this January.

Update! Virginia Wood shares her remembrances of Blondin over at The Chronicle.
· Art Blondin, Longtime Central Texas Restaurateur, Dies [Statesman]
· All Art Blondin Coverage [EATX]
[Photo: Artz Rib House/Facebook]