Silver linings

Iconic Austin Chinese restaurant quietly closes for new neighborhood concept

District Kitchen + Cocktails is opening a new location in the former home of Suzi's China Grill.

In this tumultuous year of constant shutters and uninspiring openings, it has been difficult to find the good in Austin’s restaurant scene. Leave it to one of Austin’s famously sunny restaurateurs to bow out with a major silver lining.

For more than 30 years, Chinese cuisine in Austin had one name — Suzi Yi. The consummate host has been a fixture on the local dining scene since opening her first namesake restaurant on South Lamar Boulevard in 1990, growing the brand to a mini-chain of four Suzi's China Grills locations with help from family and restaurant developer Frank Seely.

Now, she is moving on to the next chapter. According to a rep, she quietly closed the last of those outposts at 7858 Shoal Creek Blvd. on December 15.

The building won’t stay vacant long, however. On December 18, Amir and Ali Hajimaleki announced in a release that they were leasing the space from Yi to open a second location of neighborhood restaurant District Kitchen + Cocktails. The new restaurant is expected to open in spring 2019.

The changeover is a win for both restaurateurs. For the Hajimaleki brothers, it will allow expansion of a growing restaurant group, which includes Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar in Northwest Austin and upcoming Middle Eastern concept Roya. For Yi, it will mean some long-deserved rest.

Although Yi did not respond to a request for comment at press time, she did tell the Austin American-Statesman that the rental income from District (as well as current tenants Be More Pacific and Mattress Firm) will allow her to retire.

There will be some changes to the space. Amir, working with chef de cuisine MacKenzie Viglianco and executive pastry chef Dennis Van, will focus on New American offerings like scallops and risotto, burgers, and Wagyu steaks instead of Suzi’s pan-Asian fare and sushi. Architectural firm Design Hound will also redo the space, keeping the general feel of the original Slaughter Lane District with revamped touches like new lighting fixtures and furniture.

But at least one aspect is set to remain. Although relative newcomers, the Hajimalekis made a mark as much for their hospitality as much as their creative menus. That’s something very much in step with Suzi Yi’s spirit.

openings closings

Genuine Surprise

Austin coffee shop announces return immediately after sudden closure

Genuine Joe Coffeehouse/Instagram

Genuine Joe Coffeehouse is now under and optimistic spell.

An Austin coffee shop has experienced a roller coaster over the past week. On October 31, Genuine Joe Coffeehouse announced it would close, but after some community help, it's back on track to stay open with some changes to make the business more stable going forward. One of those seems to be a new location that hasn't been announced yet, according to a social media post.

The original message announcing the closure was posted on Instagram: "Genuine Joe is closed for the foreseeable future," it said. "Yesterday was our last day of business. We are sorry to the community for the short notice- it surprised all of us too."

As Genuine Joe owner Josh Brown explained to KVUE, the property he rented had been sold to build condos in 2021. After that, the coffee shop only had a lease for up to six months at a time. Finally, KVUE reported, a hard demolition date has been set for February.

In the shop's next Instagram post, management thanked fans for their comments and established a GoFundMe page, which they explicitly said would not go toward reopening. "Donations will not go towards reopening, relocating, or any debt incurred by Genuine Joe Coffeehouse. Everything will go to the staff," wrote Leann Tipton, who is listed as the organizer of the fundraiser.

Just days later, another post went up announcing that Genuine Joe would reopen and continue business at the original location — meaning 2001 W. Anderson Ln. According to the post, what was raised from the now-disabled GoFundMe ($7,762) went entirely to staff in limbo.

The most explanation the post offers is that "a few special members of the GJ family" stepped up to help. It does not mention whether the help was financial or otherwise. It also announced some changes: an increase in prices, reduced hours, and fewer non-core offerings — namely, breakfast tacos.

This is, of course, not the whole story. The post promises to share more news later, specifically detailing the demolition and a new location.

Genuine Joe's current hours according to the post at 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and 8 am to 7 pm on weekends. Customers had strong reactions, and it looks like none bemoaned the reasonable changes.

"Crying tears of joy….. my family and friends are going to be so relieved they don’t have to hear me mourn genuine joe on the daily anymore," wrote one commenter. They weren't the only one in tears, if the rest of the comments were any indication.

coffee openings closings