Making waves

Austin Tex-Mex favorite makes a splash with new seafood restaurant

It's an ocean of flavors at the new Trudy's Del Mar.

Photo by Jane Yun

With the notion that there are plenty of other fish in the sea (and a whole lot of Mexican martinis), one Austin Tex-Mex institution is moving into a long-loved brunch spot with a new concept that’s sure to hook seafood lovers.

The Trudy’s restaurant group — known for its array of enchiladas, queso, tacos, fajitas, and stiff cocktails — will open its newest concept, Trudy’s Del Mar, in the space that previously housed South Congress Cafe, the elevated diner spot that opened in 2003 to much acclaim.

Trudy’s Del Mar will open for business at the revitalized spot, at 1600 S. Congress Ave., on Wednesday, December 29.

The Trudy’s group, which has always owned and operated South Congress Cafe, recently closed the restaurant to remodel the space in preparation for the Trudy’s Del Mar opening, with Trudy’s CEO Dan Smith noting the café concept “was greatly in need of a facelift.”

To that end, the company has decked the restaurant in sea-inspired design elements, including nautical textures, shell-shaped tiles, a wave mural, and mosaic tiles featuring tiny seashells and textures of the ocean. South Congress Cafe’s iconic aqua-colored steel front doors will remain, though as the entrance to the new Trudy’s Del Mar patio.

The Trudy’s Del Mar kitchen will be led by Julian Rodarte, an award-winning 30 Under 30 chef who’s graced the limelight on Food Network and the Travel Channel, and is the owner of acclaimed Dallas eatery Beto & Son.

Rodarte, who also oversees the culinary operations at Trudy’s South and North Star restaurant locations, has crafted a Trudy’s Del Mar menu of unique seafood offerings, which were inspired by traditional recipes often found on the Mexican coast.

Menu highlights include the Daily Catch Veracruzana, seared fish topped with a Veracruz sauce; peppercorn-crusted New York strip topped with a Garrison Brothers rajas cream and served with roasted potatoes and sauteed veggies; seared tuna garnished with grilled pineapple pico; surf and turf fajitas made with fajita steak, lobster, fajita peppers, and onions, and served with cilantro-lime rice and beans; and a seasonal selection of crudo and ceviche. The menu also features tacos, botanas, soups, salads, queso, and guacamoles (it is a Trudy’s restaurant, after all).

But with the aim of also delivering the “special qualities” and menu items that made South Congress Cafe so endearing — including its excellent brunch and handcrafted cocktails — Trudy’s Del Mar will feature fan-favorite brunch specials from the café, including sweet potato beignets and carrot cake French toast, as well as such menu items as a breakfast Benton BLT, carnitas hash, migas, and crab cakes. A late-night menu will also be offered.

Of course, the Trudy’s brand — which has been feeding Austin since 1977 — is well-known and universally loved for its cocktails, and the new restaurant will not disappoint in that regard, with the bar serving up desirably delicious sips like a smoky mezcal margarita, a house-made infused Bloody Mary, red and white wines, top-shelf liquors, select domestic beers, and yes, Trudy’s legendary Mexican martinis.

“We have always wanted to open a unique Tex-Mex seafood concept and knew we had to find the perfect location to introduce it,” Smith says. “We thought it was the perfect place and time to bring the best of both worlds to this location, as Trudy’s Del Mar will offer Mexican-inspired seafood dishes while honoring South Congress Cafe’s tremendous brunch and classic specialties in a beautiful ambiance. Bringing this new concept to life has been such an amazing endeavor for the company as we explore this culinary world of seafood with new, exciting dishes that we can’t wait to share with the city of Austin.”

Check out Trudy’s on social media at @trudystexmex for updates about the new eatery.

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Omakase for Everyone

New South Austin restaurant swims against current of expensive omakase

Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi keeps things simple.

Austin had no shortage of beautiful sushi restaurants, but a new one at Lantana Place is doing drawing the trend away from the center of the city and sticking a lower price tag on the experience. Tancho Sushi, offering "everyday omakase," is now open at 7415 Southwest Parkway.

The thought of casual omakase feels like a bit of an oxymoron in Austin, where the service style — which tasks the chef with choosing what the diner will eat — is almost synonymous with something fancy and expensive. Factor in the interior design at Tancho, which certainly doesn't look pedestrian, and it's hard to believe it's actually an everyday meal.

But all things considered, these prices seem reasonable: $29 for the lightest dinner option, and capping out at a $59 feast. Lunch is even less expensive, starting at $24.

Tancho Sushi interior The airy space takes advantage of its surroundings outside of the city.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

In some omakase experiences, the chef might factor in a diner's taste, the special ingredients that are available that day, and any number of other factors to determine what hits the table. But at Tancho, these prix fixe options are predetermined, doubtlessly contributing to the more accessible pricing.

The 50-seat restaurant also uses a clever marketing angle to get diners in who aren't necessarily experienced in sushi, or might otherwise be intimidated by letting a chef choose unfamiliar foods. "With thoughtfully curated preset menus, Tancho simplifies the dining experience by eliminating the guesswork so guests can focus on enjoying their meals," a press release announcing the opening says.

The release was sent November 22, but it looks like Tancho has been serving customers in a soft opening capacity for about a month, based on its Google reviews (which are stunningly high for a new restaurant at 4.7 stars).

Offerings at Tancho are simple.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Although each menu is different, there is a shared arc. All four experiences start with sunomono salad, a cucumber-based dish with red seaweed and sesame. Then there's tuna sashimi with smoked yuzu ponzu and scallions, and the rest depends on what the diner chooses.

Some standout items across the dinner service are sea bream on the light menu; akami (very red meat along the spine of a tuna) on the standard omakase menu; a lobster open hand roll on the rolls-only menu; and a tuna flight on the grand omakase menu.

No menu item is especially complicated. The focus is on doing each ingredient right, including the temperature the fish is served at and even the flavor of house-made soy sauce and ponzu.

“We keep the focus on the ingredients,” said co-founder Brad Van Otterloo in the release. “By stripping away unnecessary flourishes, we allow the quality of our fish to take center stage. This is a Texas-born concept through and through, and we’re proud to contribute to Austin’s growing sushi reputation.”

The open hand rolls are a signature for the restaurant.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Despite all this talk of omakase, it is possible to order à la carte items: some appetizers, nigiri (sliced fish on top of rice), and rolls. There's also a carefully curated beverage program, which largely focuses on sake. That includes the Kubota Manju or “Ten Thousand Celebrations" ($79), renowned in Japan for its complex layers and smooth mouthfeel.

“As Austin continues to grow, we wanted to introduce a fresh take on the sushi experience,” said Van Otterloo. “We’re here to make sushi approachable for Austinites while honoring the integrity of this cuisine. It’s about creating a space where everyone can discover and enjoy sushi at their own pace – no pressure, no pretense.”

Tancho Sushi exterior This restaurant is meant to be approachable.Image courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi is located at 7415 Southwest Parkway, Building 4, Suite 300. It's open daily from 11 am to 10 pm, offering both dine-in and takeout. There are no reservations.

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