Growing Grocer
Tiny Grocer dream team announces a French restaurant at the second location — a renovated Austin post office
Tiny Grocer owner Steph Steele (right) and former Eberly chef Jo Chan (left) joined forces to create Bureau de Poste in the second location's historic home.
Tiny Grocer isn't looking so tiny nowadays. The well-loved South Congress grocery store and deli, recognizable by its black-and-white-striped awning, is expanding into Hyde Park with a new in-store restaurant opening in tandem "late this summer."
The store had been announced nearly a year ago in July, but details about the restaurant, Bureau de Poste, are new.
The name comes from the history of the building Tiny Grocer renovated at 4300 Speedway. This former post office affords the business a lot more space, allowing for more seating both indoor and outdoors and, thus, a more complete execution on the eatery portion of the business.
There will still be a deli, as many fans expect given the popularity of the one at the original location. The deli will open the day with a casual service and close at 4 pm; Then, at 5, Bureau de Poste opens.
Steph Steele, the widely loved owner of Tiny Grocer who became a symbol of perseverance after opening the business as a part of a pandemic career shift, invited Chef Jo Chan to collaborate on this new venture. Chan brings experience at one of Austin's most upscale restaurants, Eberly, recognition from her time on Top Chef, and a similar business ethos to Steele.
The two chefs have even been using many of the same products, which are among the 3,000 grocery items available at Tiny Grocer — good news for restaurant guests who want to bring a piece of the meal home.
In case the name did not immediately give it away, Bureau de Poste will be serving French food. Steele has been excited about the steak frites for a long time, which will join a menu also including moules frites (mussels and fries), a halved and roasted chicken, french onion soup, escargot, and confit duck legs.
The menu is not quite done; Steele recently embarked on a food-finding mission in Montreal to make a few final decisions on what to offer. Patrons can also enjoy wine, beer, and "several [non-alcoholic] cocktail options."
The opening has been delayed from its original target, and no official opening date has been announced yet. Check for updates or follow Bureau de Poste on Instagram or at tinygrocer.com.
