The Definitive Restaurant Guide to East Austin’s Plaza Saltillo

The Plaza Saltillo Development, the 11-acre East Austin project that first broke ground in June 2017, is inching closer to completion, garnering excitement for the restaurants to come — and leaving quite a few plans that failed to materialize in its wake. According to the real estate group Endeavor overseeing the project, the first tenants (breakfast chain Snooze and local juice bar JuiceLand) will be opening their doors within the next three weeks — around late September/early October.

The mixed-use development is bordered on the north and south by Fifth and Fourth streets and IH-35 and Navasota on the east and west, with access to the Capital Metro railway station. It includes housing (some of which will be low-income), retail space, restaurants, offices, a market, and open spaces with public art.

As construction has been delayed (the development was slated to be completed earlier this year) and plans have changed, restaurants that were previously announced are no longer moving in. Here is a directory of the restaurants currently confirmed, which Eater will keep updated until opening, as well as a running list of those restaurants no longer opening in the development:

Gyu-Kaku/Facebook

Who’s Moving In:

1. Dolce Neve: The gelato shop on South First was one of the first to sign a lease to move in at the East Side. For the Saltillo location, the team is toying with new creations, but nothing is finalized yet.
2. Gyu-Kaku: The global Japanese barbecue chain is opening its first Austin restaurant. Gyu-Kaku allows diners to grill their own meats and vegetables over smokeless grills right on the table.
3. Hopdoddy Burger Bar: The ever-expanding local burger chain announced an east side location in November 2018. It’s known for burgers (including the Impossible patty), milkshakes, and many kinds of fries.
4. JuiceLand: The ubiquitous Austin-based chain with over 20 locations in the city will serve juice and smoothies in the new development, too. JuiceLand will also be part of the initial opening group in three weeks.
5. The Kebab Shop: The San Diego-based Mediterranean chain, which opened its first Texas location at the Arboretum, expects to open at Plaza Saltillo in early 2020. It serves doner kebab (chicken, lamb, or beef) as well as sandwiches and sides like saffron rice and hummus.
6. Poke Austin: The Sunset Valley poke spot, which opened in March 2018, will expand into the Saltillo development, serving poke customizable bowls. It will add a small bar area to serve more beer, wine, and sake.
7. Snooze A.M. Eatery: The brunch-only chain out of Denver will add its third Austin location on the east side, joining the ones on North and South Lamar. It features pancakes, French toast, omelettes, and the like. Snooze will be part of the group of restaurants opening in three weeks.
8. Whole Foods Market: Though it will not be that affordable 365 by Whole Foods as initially advertised, the Whole Foods Market will be one of the cornerstones of the development, with a 31,000 square-foot retail space.
9. Chipotle: The beleaguered Mexican chain will open a location on the east side. Chipotle is slated to open sometime in November.

No Longer Tenants:

• Austin Juicery: The juice bar from the owners of Massage Sway in the Domain is no longer happening.
• Barcelona Wine Bar: Though still listed as a tenant on the website, Endeavor confirmed the Connecticut-based tapas chain is not moving in. Its space formerly is now classified as “LOI pending.”
• Chuy’s: The Austin-based Tex Mex chain decided against opening in Plaza Saltillo in August, deeming it too close to the original location.
• Epoch Coffee: The local coffee shop, which has five locations around Austin, is no longer listed as a tenant.
• The Ginger Man: The pub, which has six locations throughout Texas including one in Bee Caves, is no longer listed as a tenant, and its space was taken over by Gyu-Kaku.
• Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar: The popular Vietnamese-Cajun seafood restaurant out of San Antonio decided to pause plans for an Austin location in July.
• Stout Burgers and Beer: The Los Angeles-based burger chain was announced in 2017 but was no longer listed as a tenant in 2018.
• Tarka Indian Kitchen: The spot slated for the Austin-based Indian chain in 2018 has been taken over by Chase Bank.

• All Coverage of Plaza Saltillo [EATX]