Southwestern Restaurant and Tequila Bar Is Closed

It appears that Southwestern restaurant and bar restaurant Tacos and Tequila is currently closed because of unpaid rent, according to an Eater tipster. There is a notice of “actual lockout for nonpayment of rent and other sums” found on the locked doors of the 507 Pressler Street restaurant south of the Clarksville neighborhood dated on Tuesday, September 25.

According to the note, Tacos and Tequila owes $73,962.59 to its landlord company LG Pressler, LP. As a result of the nonpayment of the rent and “other amounts” which weren’t specified, the doors of the restaurant were locked. If and when payment is made, the restaurant will be able to reopen. Check out the full notice below. Eater has reached out to Tacos and Tequila; watch this space for updates.

The restaurant sent out an email newsletter explaining the shutter:

About two years ago, we experienced a drop in sales and although things have stabilized and shown signs of improvements, the sales have not been what they were. Despite our attempts, the landlord was unwilling to negotiate with us. They closed our doors without warning and their extreme demands were unacceptable to us. None of us knew this would happen — it is not the outcome anyone wanted.

Read the full note below.

Tacos and Tequila opened in 2010 with the help of chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas (she soon left to join the El Chile Group) by parent company the Southwest restaurant mini-chain Blue Mesa Grill, which only has locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It expanded with a Dallas location in 2014, which remains open.

Eater Tipster

Tacos and Tequila’s Newsletter

Dear Chileheads,

We are sorry to inform you that the Austin TNT has closed for business. We enjoyed 8 successful years at that location and we value the wonderful relationships we have developed with many of you and with many of our core staff who have been with us from the beginning, including our GM Cassie Knox.

About two years ago, we experienced a drop in sales and although things have stabilized and shown signs of improvement, the sales have not been what they were. Despite our attempts, the landlord was unwilling to negotiate with us. They closed our doors without warning and their extreme demands were unacceptable to us. None of us knew that this would happen — it is not the outcome anyone wanted.

We are grateful for the support of our loyal guests and employees. We are sorry that things ended as abruptly as they did, but we were as surprised as anyone. The employees have been contacted and will be paid for their services. And we welcome any of our Austin TNT employees wishing to relocate to one of our other restaurants.

We believe in the TNT brand and distinctive concept. We stand by our cook-to-order, fresh grill and craft tequila cocktails, the party atmosphere created with our brunch, Taco Tuesday and the other parts of the experience. The TNT in Dallas is still going strong, as are the sister Blue Mesa Grills in Dallas, Plano and Fort Worth.

Our restaurant catering and event business is one of the biggest in Texas, and through local catering kitchens will continue to offer service in Austin, primarily focusing on large events - weddings, large holiday parties and social events. For event information please contact Karen at (214) 364-1968.

You do not have to do anything if you would like to continue to receive the TNT newsletter and other email notifications. Rewards can be used at the TNT Dallas and often the Blue Mesas. If you prefer not to receive future communications, please follow the instructions to Unsubscribe (but we hope you don’t)!

Sorry to be the bearer of this news. We have enjoyed our tenure at this location and getting to know many of you!

More Sweet Potato Chips!

Jim & Liz

This article has been updated to include the email newsletter from Tacos and Tequila.

• All Coverage of Tacos and Tequila [EATX]