Longtime Houston Tex-Mex Chain Offshoot Opens New Restaurant in Domain Northside

An offshoot of the popular Houston Mexican chain, Cyclone Anaya’s Tex-Mex Cantina, is opening in Austin. The restaurant debuts sometime next week in the Domain Northside. The original opening date of Saturday, September 30 had to be postponed.

Owner Rico Valencia is the son of the late Jesus Anaya (aka Mexican wrestler Cyclone Anaya) and his wife, Carolina Berzeny (who was Miss Houston), who opened the Houston-based chain Cyclone's Anaya Mexican Restaurant 51 years ago. That Houston chain is now owned by Heritage Restaurant Group. The Austin restaurant is not related to the Houston restaurants at all.

Valencia explained, “We chose the name to emphasize our family’s tradition and heritage that started with my Father’s ice house in 1966. Cyclone Anaya’s Tex-Mex Cantina is an Austin-centric concept that will focus on local food, drinks, and spirits.”

Under chef Jason Gould (who oversaw the Houston menu), the more casual menu spans modern and traditional items. This includes chile con queso, tacos al carbon, and carne asada. The bar serves up giant strong margaritas and frozen palomas. Brunch features bottomless mimosas and poinsettias with one cent refills. Weekend brunch menu served until 3 p.m.

Cyclone’s Domain Northside hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

This article has been updated to clarify that the Austin location of Cyclone Anaya is not related in any way to the Houston chain whatsoever, despite the similar name. It was also updated to reflect the new opening date.

Cyclone Anaya/Official

• Cyclone Anaya’s Tex-Mex Cantina [Official]
• Cyclone Anaya’s Domain Northside [Facebook]