65-Year-Old Family-Run Tex-Mex Restaurant El Patio Is Closing

After 65 years of serving in north campus, family-run Tex-Mex restaurant El Patio will close. The last day of service for the iconic restaurant on 2938 Guadalupe Street will be on Friday, August 9.

The restaurant, known for its enchiladas and for serving salsa with saltine crackers, was opened in 1954 by Lebanese couple Paul and Mary Ann Joseph. After Paul died in 1995, his children David, Renee, and Roseann took over the restaurant. The family atmosphere extended beyond ownership as well — several El Patio servers had worked at the restaurant for over 40 years.

According to a press release, the restaurant is closing so the owners can retire:

We are happy to be able to say the decision to close and retire was made by the Joseph family. It is not due to any external factors. Quite simply, we are proud of our legacy, but ready to move on to other endeavors.

El Patio joins a long line of classic Austin restaurants that have closed recently, including Eastside Cafe which closed in January after 31 years, the Riverside location of Threadgill’s which closed in December after 22 years, and Hut’s Hamburgers, which will close in October (but will remain open at the airport).

Hunter Townsend/EATX

• All Coverage of El Patio [EATX]