Restaurant on Rainey
First look inside Javelina, Rainey Street's newest bar and first restaurant
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Javelina on Rainey Street is days away from opening and bustling with activity. There is a constant stream of deliveries as new staffers pace back and forth across the outdoor patio.
Javelina, opening Friday, is the first restaurant to come to Rainey Street, the quickly changing entertainment district tucked in just southeast of downtown.
“We’re first out of the gate on that one,” said general manager Carlos Gacharna. “Everyone else has a food trailer we have a true dedicated kitchen.”
Built into a small cottage, the vision for the bar was a laid-back Austin bar. Stripped wood on the back bar and inside walls gives the bar a well-worn, almost rustic appeal, something the owners — who have all been in Austin since college — were aiming for. The place fits in with the attitude of their neighbors.
“We’re first out of the gate on that one. Everyone else has a food trailer we have a true dedicated kitchen.” - Gacharna, General Manager
Built-in benches and picnic tables in front of the house have a great view of the Mexican-American Cultural Center across the street and the seemingly world’s away downtown skyline. Along the side of the lot is a tall raw-mesquite fence and more seating. Another brick patio with picnic tables fills out the backyard.
The menu is nothing fancy, but a well-made stable of favorites. Burgers, sandwiches, pulled pork tacos, a couple of salads, and chips and queso will be made in house with the prices kept low. The burgers, topping out around $7 will be made on site with brisket and ground chuck. The buns will be delivered fresh from Moonlight Bakery on South Lamar.
“It’s a place people can eat everyday and not get bored,” Gacharna said with a hint of pride. “And it won’t kill your wallet.”
Gacharna sees the restaurant, nestled at the southern end of the street, as a part of the district’s growth. “The ultimate end result is to have a vibrant neighborhood,” he said, pointing out that right now it is only bars, lacking restaurants and retail. “If you have all bars its great at night, but during the day, it’s a ghost town.”
All of the draught beer will be Texas-made and the rest of the beer will be in cans. Gacharna hopes by doing that they will be able to recycle all of the cans and cut down on waste. The bar will also have a handful of specialty cocktails on the menu including the Margarita Flaca that is topped off with agave nectar and Topo Chico and the Ouija Board with Makers Mark, ginger beer, and lime.
The bar will be open from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. and the kitchen will be open from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. The partners are open to opening for lunch and staying open later if the demand is there. They will also host a breakfast taco brunch on Sundays starting at noon. The regular menu will also be available Sundays.
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Javelina is at 69 Rainey Street. It is open from 4p.m.-2a.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-2a.m. on Sundays.
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