South Austin Pizzeria Cane Rosso Has Closed

Dallas-based Neapolitan pizza chain Cane Rosso has closed its only Austin location, according to a post on Instagram. The restaurant’s last day in the Sunset Valley location at 4715 South Lamar Boulevard was Sunday, May 23. Its seven other locations in the Dallas area and Houston will remain open.

Cane Rosso served Neapolitan-style pizzas, pastas, salads, and cocktails. It was particularly known for the Honey Bastard with mozzarella, soppressata, bacon marmalade, and habanero honey and a pizza that featured barbecue from Valentina’s. The restaurant also occasionally offered Star Wars-themed dishes.

According to the Instagram post, Cane Rosso faced challenges hiring staff and could “no longer operate this restaurant in any way that resembles hospitality,” noting that the restaurant had more troubles now than it did at the beginning of the pandemic. Although its lease was set to expire this year, the restaurant decided to close early.

Owner Jay Jerrier opened Cane Rosso in Dallas in 2011, with the Austin location following in 2016. Some funds from Cane Rosso, which means “red dog” in Italian, help out related dog adoption nonprofit Cane Rosso Rescue, also started by Jerrier.

Jerrier’s restaurant group PILF Restaurant Group also owned the Cow Tipping Creamery next door, which closed earlier this month.

For those who truly miss Cane Rosso and don’t want to drive to Dallas or Houston, the pizzas are also available for nationwide shipping via Goldbelly.