West Sixth Tex-Mex Restaurant Benji’s Cantina Is Closing

Benji’s Cantina, the West 6th Street Tex-Mex restaurant, is closing this month. It will end on Sunday, August 7, after brunch service. KPG Hospitality, the group that owns the restaurant, will transform the soon-to-be-vacant space into a new concept, but there is no word on what that will entail.

After the shutter, the restaurant will transition into a catering company subbed Benji's Catering, serving its noted fajitas. That venture will be helmed by current executive chef Blake Keely. Before Benji’s, he worked at Roaring Fork and the UT Club.

KPG Hospitality’s other restaurants include Kung Fu Saloon and Brew Exchange. Benji's owner Michael Dickson also runs Winflo Osteria, which had to temporarily shutter last month because of a fallen tree. He is also a partner of forthcoming luxury youth hostel The Native in the east side.

Benji’s opened three years ago in May 2013. Upstairs at the Benji’s building, taking over the rooftop patio, is the recently-opened Greenlight Social Club, run by Redrum Bar, LLC.

July was full of shutters: Due Forni, East Side Showroom, 416 Bar & Grille, and Cantina Laredo, and this year has been packed of switcheroos, Gardner to Chicon, East Side Showroom to upcoming Ah Sing Den, Mulberry to Coast, Arro to Parlor & Yard, and much more.

• See Inside Benji's Cantina, Opening Today On West Sixth [EATX]
• All Coverage of Benji's Cantina [EATX]
• Austin's Restaurant Closings of 2016 [EATX]