Pastrami-Slinging Deli Is Taking Over Eastside Cafe’s Old Pie Shop

Farmers market staple Mum Foods, most known for its pastrami, is taking over what had been the side shop Elaine’s Pork and Pie of longtime Cherrywood restaurant Eastside Cafe on 2113 Manor Road. The entire space is now run by new owner Sam Hellman-Mass, who bought the address from previous owner Elaine Martin earlier this year. It’s opening on Tuesday, April 23 and will remain open only for a year.

Mum’s brick-and-mortar deli will focus on sandwiches, including one made with its notable pastrami, which Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn named as his favorite in the entire state. Also expect other smoked meats, as well as salads, sides, and then pastries like cakes. Breads will be baked by Swedish Hill’s Alex Manley, using grains from Barton Springs Mill, and pastries from Madison Collins.

The shop is now hiring for deli staffers as well as a farmers market manager. When it opens, Mum will still run its farmers market stands.

Eastside Cafe was one of the first restaurants in Austin to really focus on seasonal, farm-to-table fare when it opened back in 1988. When the restaurant shuttered in late January, Hellman-Mass, who owns Mexican-inspired restaurant Suerte and is an Odd Duck and Barley Swine alum, took over. He hasn’t announced what will open in the proper restaurant space yet.

Mum co-owners Geoffrey Ellis and Mattison Bills started the business in 2014 while they were still in college. Currently, Mum serves up its meats at the farmers markets at Barton Creek and Cedar Park on Saturdays, and the Mueller one on Sundays.

This article has been updated to reflect the current opening date for Mum, as well as information about the breads and pastries.

• Mum Foods [Facebook]
• 31-Year-Old East Austin Restaurant Institution Is Closing [EATX]