Say It Ain't So Satay

Austin dining institution closes after 29 years in favor of something new

Satay is closing its doors after 29 years of service.

The onslaught of restaurant closures continues. Austin’s beloved Thai eatery Satay has decided to say goodbye after almost 30 years of serving our local community.

Since 1987, Satay has offered Thai and South Asian cuisine from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The oldest Thai restaurant in Austin, its home on Anderson Lane has been a neighborhood staple, offering delicious and affordable gourmet meals in a comfortable setting.

But this isn’t the last you’ll hear from Satay. Chef and owner Dr. Foo Swasdee has announced a new concept she’s trying out at the same location. Called Sumptuary, this innovative aims to be the nation’s first rentable restaurant.

“I love to create, to cook and entertain, plus mingling with my customers, especially those who come regularly, every week,” said Swasdee in an announcement. “I’m going to miss all those friends and families, generations of families. I’m not just walking away from Satay without keeping my fans in my culinary world.”

Swasdee invites her loyal customers to become part of the “members only” club. Featuring pop-ups from chefs in and around Austin, these culinary stars will cook their menus for a couple of days or weeks at Sumptuary, as reported by Austin360. This is part of Swasdee’s “retirement with a big bang” plan, with more details to come soon.

Thursday is the last night you can dine at Satay before it officially closes up shop on June 17. While this is a sad farewell for fans of the 29-year-old restaurant, Swasdee appears optimistic about her new endeavor and the space’s future.

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Burger Birthday

San Marcos bar famous for its burgers is throwing 30th birthday bash

The Taproom/Facebook

The Taproom is turning 30 at the end of this year.

The Taproom, a longtime San Marcos bar and eatery, is celebrating 30 years with a 90s birthday bash. A party on December 28 — three days before the actual anniversary on New Year's Eve — will have Central Texans partying like it's 1994. It's all going down at 129 E Hopkins St. from 11 am to 10 pm.

With so much to do, it's hard to know where to start, but the bar is a safe bet. The first 100 guests will get a commemorative 30th anniversary pint glass.

True to form, The Taproom will be serving up hourly drink specials that feature specific breweries or distilleries including Starbase Brewing, Saint Arnold’s Brewing, Meanwhile Brewing, Altstadt Brewing Company, New Belgium, Shiner, and Garrison Brothers Whiskey, according to a release. There will be some tastings and glass giveaways, too.

Plenty of food will keep the energy up for the all-day party, including "throwback retro menu items," says the release, plus birthday cake and a chance to win free burgers for a year. Hopeful burger-lovers can get started now by signing up for the Taproom newsletter, but they'll have to wait until the live drawing at 8 pm on December 28 to find out if they won.

On top of those base offerings there will also be a 90s photo booth, 90s R&B and hip hop courtesy of DJ Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice, flash tattoos, and a game of Wingo Wango Bingo Bango, in which guests can win prizes from breweries and Happy Clouds Smoke Shop.

Finally, The Taproom is welcoming two guests of honor: bartender and original Taproom owner David Dishman and the bar's first "regular" Kenneth Fitzgerald, who installed the draft lines that helped get business started.

The Taproom is now owned by Samantha Strahan and Sara Chavez, who purchased it in late 2021.

Just a couple of blocks from Texas State University, this bar became popular with college students. However, it's more than a college bar, especially thanks to its reputation for a great burger. On the other end of the building is The Porch, a sister space for live music that opened in 2013. The Porch is hosting an afterparty for late-night anniversary revelers.

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