Three Austin Restaurant Closings to Know

The shutters keep coming this month, this time with three Austin restaurants spread throughout the city: Rosedale’s Blue Star Kitchen and Bar, South Austin’s Independence Fine Foods, and far north Austin’s Cajun Pizza Place.

Blue Star Kitchen and Bar announced it was closing on 4800 Burnet Road via an emailed statement as of Monday, January 28. The reason for the shutter is because of increasing rent and taxes. Owner Eddie Bernal called out the shopping center’s landlord Wilder Properties in a statement, which was looking to increase Blue Star’s rent by more than 20 percent.

Bernal opened the restaurant 13 years ago under the name as Blue Star Cafeteria. He runs the Whole Enchilada Restaurant Group, which includes 34th Street Cafe, Santa Rita Tex Mex Cantina, Gusto Italian Restaurant, and various catering companies. He isn’t ruling out reopening Blue Star in another location, but his catering companies will still serve its menu.

Then, it seems like southwest Austin restaurant Independence Fine Foods is closed on 1807 West Slaughter Lane, according to Community Impact. The listed phone number rings out, and its website and Facebook page are gone. The shuttering appeared to have happened sometime in mid-January.

The restaurant, with its general American menu, opened in 2014 under former Whole Foods executive chef Casey Livingston.

Finally, Louisiana-inspired pizzeria and restaurant Cajun Pizza Place also closed up this week at 6001 West Parmer Lane, because owner Keith Dartez wanted to retire. Community Impact reported that the Milwood restaurant’s last day of service was yesterday, Tuesday, January 29. Along with Cajun-inspired pizza, it served up Cajun dishes like po’ boys, gumbo, and muffuletta.

• All Austin Restaurant Closings [EATX]