Cease and Desist Forces Anticipated Barbecue Spot to Change its Name

The Rustic, the Dallas restaurant, bar, and live music venue, wasn’t very happy about newcomer Austin barbecue spot Rustic East’s name similarity. So much so that it sent a cease and desist to the forthcoming restaurant over the title.

Rather than deal with the legalities of the name, East will now be known as EastSide Tavern. Eater reached out to FreeRange Concepts, which owns The Rustic, but the group offered no comment.

Everything else about EastSide Tavern will remain mostly same about the barbecue spot on East Cesar Chavez. Former Lamberts Downtown Barbecue staffer Cade Mercer joined the team as pitmaster and chef. There will be quick-service drinks, including draft cocktails and classic drink flights.

The restaurant let Eater take a peek at its working menu, which highlights sandwiches, including a brisket patty melt, pulled pork burger, plus other sides like tater tots stuffed with brisket and cheddar cheese. Tacos are no longer. Check out the potential full offerings so far below.

EastSide Tavern is holding a job fair for both back and front of house staff at the Market on Thursday, September 29 from noon to 2 p.m., and Friday, September 30 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Similarly, Vox Table’s next restaurant El Burro is undergoing the same situation with grilled cheese food truck Burro Cheese Kitchen. The truck sent the Mexican eatery a cease and desist over the comparable name. Burro Cheese owner Justin Burrows alleged that the trailer was harassed by a man wearing a donkey mask. The name remains as is for now.

• EastSide Tavern [Facebook]
• Sit-Down Barbecue Spot Rustic East Heads to East Cesar Chavez [EATX]
• The Most Anticipated Austin Restaurant Openings, Fall 2016 [EATX]
• All Coverage of Rustic East [EATX]
• All Coverage of The Rustic [EDFW]