For the second time in two years, a pizza joint is closing at 5111 Airport Blvd. In a July 24 Facebook post, later confirmed by an employee, Turntable Eatery announced it will shutter at the end of dinner service on July 31.
The neighborhood restaurant opened in May 2018, eight months after House Pizzeria ended its run in September 2017. The latest concept from the team behind Barfly's, Turntable didn’t veer too far from the former occupant’s formula, serving a similar menu of pizza, salads, beer, and wine.
Neighbors won't have to wait long for the building's newest concept to swoop in, however. Shortly after Turntable broke the closure news, Cluck-n-Burger owners Kassandra and Aaron Esserman revealed they were taking over the space for a brick-and-mortar version of their acclaimed food truck.
That concept debuted in January 2018 with a menu of burgers, wings, charcuterie, and sides like street corn and crispy red potatoes. Now the couple operate two locations at Violet Crown Social Club and South Austin Beer Garden. Aaron assures CultureMap that both will remain open after the permanent space debuts later in 2019.
As for Turntable, the Facebook post says the concept wants to “go out with a bang.” Starting next week, the eatery will be begin offering specials leading up to the closing.
The restaurant's owners did not offer a reason for the closure but did say that Turntable employees have been offered other positions within the company. Owner Marcos Canchola's portfolio includes Bender Bar, Hideout Pub, Mugshots, Pour House Pints & Pies, and Violet Crown Social Club.
And Cluck-n-Burger is moving in.
A map of all the attractions at this year's Festival of Lights.Photo from Mozartscoffee.com