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Eclectic Filipino sports lounge by Sazan Ramen partner opens in Austin

Interior of Oribello's Sports Bar
Oribello's is a new sports bar that blends Filipino culture and classic comfort foods. Photo courtesy of Oribello's

Just north of The Drag, at 519 W. 37th St., a new sports lounge has just opened its doors. Oribello's is not your traditional burger-serving American sports bar, though; this is a blend of Filipino culture and classic comfort foods, all in the familiar low-lit pub setting.

This family-owned concept is operated by Darrel Oribello, a well-known restaurateur and partner in Sazan Ramen and Endo Sushi, along with his sons, DJ and Wesley Oribello, and partner Brandon Kim.

“We wanted to create a space where people can come together to enjoy great food, spend time together, and cheer on their favorite teams,” says Darrel Oribello in a recent press release. “Oribello's is a labor of love with my sons that combines the flavors of our culture and family with the laid back vibe of a sports bar.”

DJ, Darrel, and Wesley OribelloThe sports lounge is family-owned and operated by DJ, Darrel, and Wesley Oribello.Photo courtesy of Oribello's

The menu at Oribello's features a mix of Filipino-inspired dishes like lumpia, katsu chicken sandos, and homemade ube tres leches, right alongside more classic American sports bar cuisine like 16-inch pizzas, Buffalo wings, and mozzarella sticks. It also includes a robust list of beers, wines, and signature cocktails like the Banana Old Fashioned, Spicy Tamarind Margarita, and Ube Gin and Tonic.

The menu may be why guests come to Oribello's, but the atmosphere is why they'll stay. This sports lounge has the look of a classic, old school dive bar with dark finishes; that long, highly polished Cheers-looking bar top; low, golden lighting; and, of course, TVs positioned around the room and the outdoor patio for game-day viewing.

Birria Pizza at Oribello'sThe Birria is one of several 16-inch pizzas served at Oribello's.Photo courtesy of Oribello's

Speaking of game day, Oribello's will be hosting a Super Bowl watch party with drink and food specials. If football isn't your sport, they'll also be hosting ongoing Fight Nights; and if sports aren't your sport, Oribello's will also play host to several non-sporting events like movie nights, a Cuban music night, and regular happy hours, Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm.

If all of this sounds like a total mishmash of cultures, it's because it is. According to a recent press release, Oribello's was originally inspired by the family's diverse American-Filipino-Chinese heritage, and a Navy chef great-grandfather who found love with a Mexican woman.

"Filipino cuisine, shaped by Spanish, Italian, and American influences forms the foundation of our unique offerings," says the press release. It's a "sports bar that celebrates family, heritage, and community."

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