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Local hospitality giant McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality (MML) has bought both locations of casual restaurant Ski Shores, revitalizing the Lake Austin location and turn the Barton Springs location into a second location of its casual cafe Lou’s, as reported by Austin 360. The Barton Springs location of Lou’s opened on May 15 and the new Ski Shores opened on June 22.
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The new Ski Shores menu has many classic items like fried pickles, burgers, and other casual dishes, with an injection of MML flair: lobster rolls, pastries from Swedish Hill, and a breakfast taco bar. The new Ski Shores has a Grab N Go Hut with frozen cocktails, food, and lake supplies. The new location of Lou’s has a similarly casual menu of burgers, chicken tenders, and frozen custard.
The interior has gotten a major uplift with a “70s and 80s lake aesthetic:” wood paneling, a Malm fireplace, and a Captain’s Bar.
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Ski Shores opened in 1954 on Lake Austin, and expanded to a second location in Zilker Park in February 2020. Lou’s opened in January 2019 in the Holly neighborhood as Lou’s Bodega to a fair amount of controversy (though it seems unlikely that the second location will attract the ire of protest groups).
MML née MMH has experience renovating beloved Austin restaurants, as the group’s first project was taking over Clarksville restaurant Jeffrey’s in 2012. The group has since opened over a dozen restaurants in Austin (most recently Pecan Square Cafe in April), and has expanded to New Orleans and Aspen. Hotelier Liz Lambert, formerly of Bunkhouse Hospitality, joined founders McGuire and Tom Moorman in 2021.
- McGuire Moorman Lambert Buys Ski Shores Cafe, Will Open Lou’s on Barton Springs [Austin 360]
- All Coverage of Ski Shores [EATX]
- All Coverage of MML [EATX]
Updated May 16: This article has been updated to reflect the opening date of Lou’s on Barton Springs.
Updated June 22: This article has been updated with photos of the new Ski Shores Cafe
