Taco Shop Shutters

Trendy Burnet Road taco joint closes up shop after only one year

After a year of operation, Fork and Taco is now closed.

Burnet Road is becoming a magnet for trendy eateries, but the burgeoning culinary corridor has lost a contender. In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Fork and Taco revealed its closure after just one year in business.

"Friends and loyal supporters, we are closing the doors of Fork and Taco," reads the statement. "We are so grateful to all of you who shared this incredible experience (and margaritas) with us over this past year ... what an adventure!"

The Central Austin taco joint was known for its contemporary flair and eclectic range of Asian, Mexican, and Thai flavors. From the get-go, Fork and Taco seemed to have the recipe for Austin success: an interior by local designer Merrilee McGehee, a menu by Uchi alum Casey Fannin, and the support of owners and Nashville ex-pats Jeff and Susan McCoy. The resounding criticism, however, was that in a town full of tacos the price tag was steep.

"At the end of the day it was a great experience, we just had to make a business decision. For us, the better decision was to close and work on some other items we have in the fire. But overall, we had such a great experience and had a great team of people to work with," Susan McCoy tells CultureMap. "And as long as I have that margarita recipe, I'm good," she jokes.

No word yet on what will become of the space sandwiched between Pinthouse Pizza and Noble Sandwich Co. One thing is for sure, there's no shortage of tacos on this stretch of Burnet Road: Torchy's, Peached Tortilla, and Taco Flats are just a few of the nearby options.

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WHOM THE BELL SOTOLS

Poolside sotol bar splashes into high-end downtown Austin hotel

Photo by Jade Hammer

Cantero Austin.

Austin's thirst for desert spirits may not be precisely quantifiable, but there's no doubt it is on the rise. Over the last decade, several mezcal and tequila bars have popped up throughout the city. No wonder the Line Austin is eager to enter the game with its newest nightlife offering, Cantero.

Officially open as of November 12, it's the Capital City's first bar emphasizing sotol, a sibling spirit of mezcal made with the desert spoon plant instead of agave. The chic space, decorated with Mexican modernist neutrals, opens up to the downtown property's pool.

"When planning Cantero, we knew we wanted to highlight local ingredients and Texas spirits," explained Line head of creative Stefan Merriweather in a release. "Sotol, a regional gem, stood out as something we hadn't yet encountered in a dedicated bar, and we saw an opportunity to introduce our guests to something fresh and unexpected."

Although the bar stocks other spirits, it has one of the broadest sotol collections in the region. While Mexican brands like Flor del Desierto are featured, Cantero stocks Texan trailblazers like Desert Door and Marfa Spirit Co.

Guests can enjoy sotol via standalone tastings or mixed in signature cocktails like the Yucca with Aperol, lemon cordial, habanero bitters, and soda; or the Strelitzia with ginger, lemon, and lavender-honey soda. Other liquors anchor more sippers, like the Dahlia with mezcal, green pepper, sweet corn, and smoked chili bitters.

The lounge also enjoys proximity to the Line's outpost of Veracruz All Natural. Guests can soak up the booze with the entire taco and appetizer menu from the Austin favorite, located adjacent to Cantero.

Cantero is now open from noon to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 10 am to midnight Friday through Saturday, and 10 am to 10 pm on Sunday.

Photo by Jade Hammer

Cantero is dedicated specifically to sotol.

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