Eater Austin - The Saddest Austin Restaurant, Bar, and Food Truck Closings of 2015The Austin Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2016-01-02T11:44:42-06:00http://austin.eater.com/rss/stream/99903992016-01-02T11:44:42-06:002016-01-02T11:44:42-06:00LaV Is Now Closed
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<img alt="LaV" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ltT6vOITGWva9Q8SJ3KgJmRugYA=/60x0:839x584/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48482025/LaV_BStrick_2014_03_-176_900_585_85.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>LaV | LaV/Official</figcaption>
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<p>Amidst the flurry of staff departures.</p> <p><b>LaV</b>, the <a href="http://austin.eater.com/venue/la-v">upscale Provencal-inspired restaurant</a> on East 7th, is now <b>closed</b>. The last day of service was the party on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31. Owner Ralph Eads, who still owns the space, said in a statement:</p>
<blockquote class="blockquote">While we are extremely proud of what we've accomplished since opening, we've come to see that it's not fiscally feasible to continue to operate laV at its current level. Rather than cutting corners or providing an experience that doesn't hold up to the high standards we've set for ourselves, we've decided to close the restaurant.</blockquote>
<p>The shutter announcement came on the heels of the whirl of staff departures last year, including the original superstar trio of executive chef Allison Jenkins, wine director and partner Vilma Mazaite, and executive chef Janina O’Leary. Jenkins <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/6/2/8715331/executive-chef-allison-jenkins-is-out-at-lav">took leave</a> in June. Then Mazaite <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/10/20/9570271/lav-vilma-mazaite-wine-director-wine-festival">downgraded</a> her involvement to consulting in October. Shortly after, O’Leary and her husband Sean, who took over as interim executive chef this year, <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/10/29/9640056/lav-janina-sean-o-leary-leave-lav">both left</a> to pursue other ventures. Just this week, bar manager Casey Petty joined the new Barley Swine’s bar team on Burnet.</p>
<p>This is seemingly shutter week in Austin, with the <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/12/15/10234160/congress-close-second-bar-kitchen-expansion-austin-airport">closing</a> of Congress on New Year’s Eve, too, and Barley Swine on South Lamar <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/12/11/9894984/barley-swine-last-day-south-lamar-january">tonight</a>. Future plans for LaV, which <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://austin.eater.com/2014/3/6/6268421/provencal-inspired-wine-focused-lav-opens-today-on-east-7th">opened</a> in March 2014,<span> are not known yet.</span></p>
https://austin.eater.com/2016/1/2/10701514/lav-closed-decemberNadia Chaudhury2015-12-22T13:33:05-06:002015-12-22T13:33:05-06:00Royers Pie Haven is Closing in Austin on Christmas Eve
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<img alt="Royers Pie Haven in Austin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-is_rF6xjmNSQkVl1ttWixCaVy8=/49x0:848x599/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48417307/20131105_Michels_RoyersPieHaven_027.0.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Royers Pie Haven in Austin | Patrick Michels/EATX</figcaption>
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<p>No more junkberry pies.</p> <p><strong>Royers Pie Haven</strong>, the <a href="http://austin.eater.com/maps/best-austin-pies-desserts-bakeries">essential pie shop</a> from Round Top's "Pie Man" Bud Royer, is <b>closing</b> down its Austin spot on Thursday, <strong>December 24</strong>. Tara Royer Steele, owner of the Austin location and Bud’s daughter, said that she wants to "lessen our load" to spend more time with her sons and family and "be near home." The Guadalupe bakery will remain open on Christmas Eve until 4 p.m.</p>
<p>Fans of the pie shop will still be able to order the baked goods for delivery. The Round Top store remains open, too. The Austin branch <a href="%E2%80%9Chttp://austin.eater.com/2013/11/7/6334757/take-a-look-inside-pie-paradise-royers-pie-haven#4181128%E2%80%9D">opened</a> on campus in November 2013 with signature pies like Texas Trash, junkberry, and vegan options.</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/12/22/10650482/royers-pie-haven-closesNadia Chaudhury2015-12-15T15:06:26-06:002015-12-15T15:06:26-06:00Congress is Closing to Make Way for Second Bar + Kitchen Expansion
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<img alt="Congress" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qbN85mFhJXDbh-lYP3c5E-QmLhA=/168x0:1328x870/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48137949/restaurant-congress-hero.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Congress | Congress/Official</figcaption>
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<p>Second Bar also comes to the airport.</p> <p>
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<p><b>Congress</b>, chef David Bull’s <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2011/1/17/6701535/david-bulls-restaurants-at-the-austonian-congress-second-bar-kitchen#4301312">first restaurant</a>, is <b>closing</b> down after New Year’s Eve on December 31 in downtown Austin. The shutter will make way for casual sister restaurant <b>Second Bar + Kitchen</b> to expand into the soon-to-be vacant space. The new extension will debut by late spring next year.</p>
<p>Second Bar is also raising the <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/5/20/8629371/where-to-eat-at-austin-bergstrom-international-airport-guide">dining stakes</a> at the <b>Austin-Bergstrom International Airport</b> by opening an outpost inside the international terminal. Bull will take over as the executive chef of Second Bar + Kitchen’s <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/1/5/7495041/second-bar-kitchen-expanding-to-the-domain">Domain location</a> within the Archer Hotel, which should open by next summer. Chef de cuisine Ethan Holmes will become the Congress Avenue location’s new executive chef. Aside from minor decor and menu changes, Bar Congress will remain the same.</p>
<p>Bull <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2010/12/20/6705277/eaterwire">opened</a> Congress, Second Bar + Kitchen, and Bar Congress five years ago on New Year’s Eve 2010. He previously worked for the Driskill.</p>
<p>La Corsha Hospitality Group, where Bull is a partner, is also opening <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/8/26/9174129/austin-restaurants-new-openings-fall">highly anticipated restaurant</a> Boiler Nine Bar + Grill with executive chef Jason Stude, opening in Spring 2016. The group is <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/7/10/8930309/green-pastures-sold-la-corsha-group">also updating</a> iconic Green Pastures, which would begin in February. This is along with Wonderland bar, other hotel renovations throughout Texas, and <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2013/12/13/6314167/cheer-up-charlies-shuttering-on-east-6th-update-dive-bar-opening">plans</a> for an East Austin hotel, too.</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/12/15/10234160/congress-close-second-bar-kitchen-expansion-austin-airportNadia Chaudhury2015-12-14T14:00:02-06:002015-12-14T14:00:02-06:00Blackbird and Henry Shuttered Quietly Without a Word
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<img alt="Blackbird and Henry" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Q0GpVzPAcJtkrGyVhIKvlTO7zZ8=/0x0:750x563/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48049199/blackbirdandhenryyelpaustin.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Blackbird and Henry | <a href='http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/blackbird-and-henry-austin?select=zi5SmXR_Ww2ryHgImzNAtQ'>Mindy H./Yelp</a></figcaption>
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<p>Since November.</p> <p><b>Blackbird and Henry</b>, the campus restaurant from chef Mark Schmidt, is <b>closed</b>, <a href="http://dining.blog.austin360.com/2015/12/14/blackbird-henry-appears-to-have-closed/">as reported by Austin 360</a>. It seems to have been out of service since early to mid-November, according to various tipsters. One noticed a sign on the door stating that "due to unforeseen equipment issues," the restaurant was closed for dinner at the time. There has been no word from Schmidt about the closure.</p>
<p><b>Update, December 15: </b>Mark Schmidt told Eater that the restaurant closed down because<span> he couldn’t afford to keep it open any longer. The restaurant’s last official day was Tuesday, November 10.</span></p>
<p>Both Blackbird and Henry’s Facebook and Twitter accounts appear to have been deactivated. However, the restaurant’s Instagram account is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackbirdandhenry/">still up</a>, with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-LQ203t8Yo/?taken-by=blackbirdandhenry">an upload</a> from three weeks ago. The website is <a href="http://www.blackbirdandhenry.com/">still functioning</a>, too.</p>
<p>The British and Texas-tinged restaurant opened on 3016 Guadalupe in February 2014, serving brunch, lunch, and dinner to the neighborhood. Schmidt ran Cafe 909 in Marble Falls for six years until the fine dining establishment shuttered in 2009. He also worked in various kitchens, including Houston's Rainbow Lodge, AquaKnox in Dallas, Santa Fe's Compound Restaurant, and Max's Oyster Bar in Connecticut.</p>
<p><em>Do you know anything about Blackbird and Henry's shutter? Do you know what will take its place? <a href="http://www.eater.com/contact?community_id=492#tip">Send over any information over the tipline. Anonymity is guaranteed</a>.</em></p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/12/14/10123346/blackbird-and-henry-campus-closedNadia Chaudhury2015-12-11T10:30:02-06:002015-12-11T10:30:02-06:00Roll On Sushi Diner and Boise Fry Company Shuttered Recently
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<img alt="Roll On Sushi Diner" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/81nFZOHxfV4PrmutTk8DMoMlDqU=/250x0:1794x1158/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47851101/10298591_847109178650331_4233875684051734579_o.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Roll On Sushi Diner | <a href='https://www.facebook.com/RollOnSushiDiner/photos/pb.130287156999207.-2207520000.1449848367./847109178650331/?type=3&theater'>Roll On Sushi Diner/Facebook</a></figcaption>
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<p>Two more closures to the list.
</p> <p>The <b>shutters</b> keep coming with the latest batch: <b>Roll on Sushi Diner</b> and <b>Boise Fry Company</b>’s first Texas location, both along Burnet Road. Roll On’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RollOnSushiDiner/posts/1169760089718570">last day</a> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/3wbanh/roll_on_sushi_on_burnet_is_no_more_always_thought/">was</a> on Sunday, December 6 and Boise <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/3w0t1u/boise_fry_company/">stopped serving sometime</a> within the past month. Earlier this December, <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/12/2/9834758/fork-taco-closed">Fork and Taco</a> and <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/12/4/9851280/wahoos-south-congress-closed">Wahoo’s Fish Tacos</a> on South Congress also closed down.</p>
<p>Sushi interested Roll On Diner co-founders Chad and Chip Reed because, as Chip <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2012/8/23/6552273/roll-on-sushi-diners-chad-and-chip-reed-on-one-year-of-keeping-sushi">told Eater previously</a>, it "breathes community" and they enjoyed the "sharable" aspect of it. They opened the restaurant in 2011, serving fusion rolls like chicken fried steak and the club sandwich version. Travel & Leisure <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2012/7/25/6561625/dinerwire">named it</a> as one of "America’s Coolest New Diners" in 2012.</p>
<p>Boise Fry Company chose Austin as its third location, <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/8/20/9175649/austin-new-restaurants-100-pizzitas-la-crawfish">opening</a> over the summer. The fry-centric menu presented a bounty of potato options (with Brussels sprouts thrown in there for good measure) and cuts, with a side of burgers. It closed without any notice, but there are still restaurants open in Boise and Portland.</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/12/11/9891590/austin-restaurant-shutter-report-roll-on-sushi-diner-boise-fry-companyNadia Chaudhury2015-12-04T15:30:02-06:002015-12-04T15:30:02-06:00Wahoo’s Fish Tacos on South Congress is No More
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<img alt="Wahoo's Fish Tacos on South Congress" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0NhyTowtGRZ-xZFFooddHEr4r3Q=/0x0:1000x750/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47803965/wahoosfishtacossouthcongressyelp.0.0.png" />
<figcaption>Wahoo's Fish Tacos on South Congress | <a href='http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wahoos-fish-tacos-austin?select=760YDCoGKLxFu8fUSMnNfQ'>Steven M./Yelp</a></figcaption>
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<p>The Rio Grande spot is still open.
</p> <p><b>Wahoo’s Fish Tacos</b> over on South Congress <b>closed</b> on Wednesday, November 25 <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/3vgc7i/does_anyone_have_more_information_about_the/">according to Reddit</a>. A call to Wahoo’s other location on Rio Grande Street, which remains open, confirmed the shutter. An employee said that the reason it closed was because it wasn’t busy. He also said that Wahoo’s partner Gary Della Croce still owns the building, and hinted that the space might be turned into a new concept in the future.</p>
<p>The location was <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/4/7/8361559/la-barbecue-will-open-a-south-congress-meat-palace-in-former-wahoos">pegged</a> to become La Barbecue’s first brick and mortar back in the spring. However, those plans <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/6/16/8788977/la-barbecues-forever-home-on-south-congress-is-no-longer">fell through</a> during the summer. General manager Ali Clem previously told Eater that they "could not see eye to eye on any negotiations" with the landlord. The barbecue trailer <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/8/21/9188615/la-barbecue-moving-cesar-chavez-aztec">instead moved</a> into a new spot on East Cesar Chavez with <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/10/12/9512565/la-barbecue-austin-dinner-night">dinner service</a><a></a>.</p>
<p>Just down the street from the South Congress site will be Torchy’s Tacos <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/10/27/9622776/torchys-tacos-south-congress-flagship-updates">new giant flagship</a>. The Rio Grande location will temporarily shutter for a month soon for remodeling. The California-born taco chain still has locations throughout America including Colorado, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and even Japan.</p>
<p>(<em><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/3vgc7i/does_anyone_have_more_information_about_the/">h/t Reddit</a></em>)</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/12/4/9851280/wahoos-south-congress-closedNadia Chaudhury2015-12-02T08:37:40-06:002015-12-02T08:37:40-06:00Fork & Taco is Now Closed
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<img alt="Fork & Taco" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IHPkaByDHTEARZO4Lqk8ihM49uI=/49x0:849x600/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47784845/IMG_0918_20copy.0.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Fork & Taco | Jeff Amador/EATX</figcaption>
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<p>No more fusion tacos.</p> <p><b>Fork & Taco</b>, the <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2014/9/16/6575995/fork-taco-unleashes-fusiony-new-school-tacos-on-burnet-today">new school taco joint</a> on Burnet Road, is now <b>closed</b>, <a href="https://twitter.com/forkandtaco/status/671919461310468097">according to Twitter</a>. The restaurant <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2014/9/16/6575995/fork-taco-unleashes-fusiony-new-school-tacos-on-burnet-today">opened</a> last fall with Uchi alum Casey Fannin as executive chef and managing partner. However, Fannin left quietly and Philip Speer, <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/10/9/9487531/philip-speer-opens-up-dwi-chefsfeed">another Uchi group vet</a>, was in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForkAndTaco/info/?tab=page_info">charge</a> of the kitchen until now. There is no word on why it shuttered, but Eater has reached out for more information. Watch this space for updates.</p>
<p><b>Update, 10:30 a.m.:</b> Co-owner Susan McCoy told Eater that the team had a positive experience with the restaurant and choosing to shutter was the best decision moving forward.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sadly, we have closed the doors at F&T. We are so grateful to our loyal customers for an amazing year. Peace, love and tortillas to all!</p>
— fork and taco (@forkandtaco) <a href="https://twitter.com/forkandtaco/status/671919461310468097">December 2, 2015</a>
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<p>The casual counter-service taco spot dished up fusion tacos like pulled pork five spice with soy maple crema and asian slaw, ahi tuna with pickled ginger, and roasted cauliflower. It <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForkAndTaco/photos/a.350731458437804.1073741828.350724825105134/507320949445520/?type=3&theater">recently celebrated</a> its one year anniversary in October. Breakfast tacos <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/3/30/8311175/fork-taco-now-serves-breakfast-tacos-bowls">were added</a> in March. The space was designed by restaurant architect Michael Hsu and interior designer Merrilee McGehee, who created a deconstructed taco mural on the wall.</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/12/2/9834758/fork-taco-closedNadia Chaudhury2015-11-24T09:16:34-06:002015-11-24T09:16:34-06:00East Side King at Hole in the Wall is Shutting Down on December 19
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<img alt="East Side King at Hole in the Wall" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HotWhmtKUqBMPRdxyFsobjppr3s=/49x0:848x599/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47731583/Photo_Oct_09__20_21_01.0.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>East Side King at Hole in the Wall | Robert J. Lerma/EATX</figcaption>
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<p>Get your ramen fix while you can.</p> <p><b>East Side King</b>’s ramen-loving <b>Hole in the Wall</b> spot will <b>close</b> down on Saturday, <b>December 19</b>. This is instead of leaving by the end of January, <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/11/5/9675912/hole-in-the-wall-east-side-king-leaving">which is when</a> the shop’s lease is supposed to be over. The campus dive bar is currently looking for a new vendor to take over the back space.</p>
<p>Hole in the Wall <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/9/11/9312067/hole-in-the-wall-dive-bar-potential-shutter">was in danger</a> of shutting down by January 2016 because of a proposed rent increase. However, owner Will Tanner <a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2015-11-05/hole-in-the-wall-renews-lease/">worked it out</a> with his landlord with the help of brokerage company Retail Solutions. He revealed, though, that East Side King would leave before the new contract went into effect next year.</p>
<p><a href="http://austin.eater.com/tags/paul-qui" style="line-height: 1.24;">Empire-building</a> Paul Qui and Moto Utsunomiya <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2012/12/4/6512809/east-side-king-hole-in-the-wall-is-so-open-right-now-everybody-panic">opened</a> in Hole in the Wall in 2012. There are also locations within The Four Horsemen, The Liberty, and on South Lamar. Then there’s the spicy Thai Kun arm, with a truck at Whisler’s, and one slated for <s><a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/4/9/8379239/steampunk-saloon-will-take-over-former-opal-divine-s-on-west-sixth">yet-to-open</a></s> <strong>Update, November 24, 11:15 a.m.:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1744823989072592&id=1658669361021389">now open</a> Steampunk Saloon, but East Side King isn't there yet. Plus, there's a brick and mortar up at the Domain, <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/8/26/9174129/austin-restaurants-new-openings-fall">set to open</a> sometime before the end of this year. Maybe the Hole in the Wall shutter means that ramen will make an appearance at the new Thai Kun.</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/11/24/9791006/east-side-king-hole-in-the-wall-closing-decemberNadia Chaudhury