Hold the Bacon

Austin's popular bacon-obsessed restaurant suddenly closes up shop

Bacon is no longer makin' bacon.

Bacon Restaurant/Facebook

Austin's aptly named pork-obsessed restaurant, Bacon, has closed. The last day of service was Sunday, October 16, owner Jed Taylor tells CultureMap.

A letter on the restaurant's website addresses the closure. "It is with a heavy heart that after five years of great bacon, delicious beers, wonderful people, fun times, hard work, ups and downs, the owners of Bacon have decided it's time to move on to the next location," reads the statement.

With its hearty sandwiches and all-day breakfast, the restaurant served everyone from bacon-loving Austinites to celebrities like Kevin Bacon since it opened in 2011.

The decision to close the West 10th Street spot is attributed to the frequent flooding of North Lamar Boulevard. During the Memorial Day floods of 2015, waters from Shoal Creek poured into businesses along the busy corridor.

"After years of disabling flood problems, it is time to give Bacon the opportunity to focus on better facilities," reads the note. "This has been a very difficult and emotional decision and we are so sad to say goodbye, but a healthy restaurant takes priority."

Bacon's statement ends with a tribute to its "dedicated, hardworking, and friendly staff" and a nod to future plans: "Stay tuned for the next months for our next Bacon venture."

closings

News You Can Eat

Barbecued gator and local anniversaries slow cook Austin food news

Photo courtesy of RedFarm

RedFarm is celebrating its first anniversary with free chocolate soup dumplings.

It seems that the Austin food scene is feeling festive in the coming days. We have three anniversaries, two tailgates, and some openings focusing on the finer things — ice cream and churros. Just brace yourself for one piece of sad news as we say goodbye to a longtime coffee shop.

Openings and closings

A user who frequently has inside scoops on the ATX Asian Food page on Facebook says they've uncovered that SomiSomi, a popular chain for soft-serve ice cream and taiyaki (fish-shaped pastries with sweet filling), will be opening its first Austin location at The Linc (6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd.). There is no official post to back it up, but they shared a site map that placed the new store between Easy Tiger and FedEx, matching a claim by another poster in the comments. It's definitely plausible; SomiSomi already has six locations in Texas.

San Ginés has been sitting mysteriously at 2072 S. Lamar Blvd. for quite some time, now, and it's finally ready to open. The churros and chocolate chain from Madrid posted on Instagram that its soft opening in Austin will take place November 15 from noon to 10 pm. Austinites might already be familiar since Olé by San Ginés, a food trailer, is already open at 511 Industrial Blvd. However, the new space is brick-and-mortar and bears the main brand's name. If the existing Miami Beach location's menu is any indication, Austinites can expect salads, breakfast plates like pancakes or eggs with sides, paella, croissants, and sandwiches. It hasn't shared hours beyond the soft opening yet.

Genuine Joe Coffeehouse has said goodbye to Austin after 19 years. An October 31 Instagram post by the shop states "Genuine Joe is closed for the foreseeable future. Yesterday was our last day of business. We are sorry to the community for the short notice- it surprised all of us too." The next day, the shop set up a GoFundMe with a clear disclaimer that funds would only be used to help staff looking for jobs, rather than keeping the shop going any longer.

Other news and notes

At least three Austin businesses are celebrating anniversaries in the upcoming week. First up is Meanwhile Brewing Co., which is celebrating four years with lots of live music and specials from the onsite food trucks on November 8. On the same day, Chinese restaurant RedFarm is marking its first year in Austin with free chocolate soup dumplings for people who book through SevenRooms. Then the Dirdie Birdie is turning two years old and celebrating with food and drink specials, a mini-golf tournament, and more from November 13-16. RSVP ($10) here.

Sports fans who'd like to try barbecued gator are in luck when the UT Longhorns play the University of Florida Gators. Eastside Boilers is visiting Sign Bar on November 8 for a tailgate featuring rotisserie gator plates served with jalapeño-bacon mac and cheese and potato salad, plus two other entrees: sausage subs and gumbo. Then they're doing it all over again November 16 in honor of the game against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, this time spit roasting a pig with the same sides, plus cole slaw. Tailgaters need to order their food ahead of time at the links above. Buying an entree makes you eligible to win a pair of tickets to the Two Step Inn music festival in Georgetown.

news you can eat openings closings coffee free parties tailgate beer desserts ice cream