And yes, I will selfishly be including several of my favorite spots. What can I say? I want to know the stories! Through pure passion and perseverance, these 5 local businesses have established a permanent spot in Austin’s thriving culinary scene: 1. Leroy and Lewis Barbecue While I am writing this story begrudgingly, since I have yet to experience this BBQ magic for myself, I can almost taste the burnt ends as I read about Chef Evan Leroy’s rise to the top, beginning with his culinary journey traveling the world, learning from pitmasters of different backgrounds – Skills he would later use to create what is known to be one of the most innovative BBQ spots in the city.
Evan Leroy and Sawyer Lewis joined forces in 2017, opening a food truck in the Cosmic Beer Garden parking lot with a goal of moving to a permanent spot as soon as possible.
While the pipeline from food truck to brick and mortar didn’t happen as quickly as the pair hoped, Leroy and Lewis was recognized as one of the “most important and influential restaurant openings of the decade” in Austin Statesman as soon as 2019 with many awards and tv appearances to follow. Once the two found the right location to open in February 2024, their menu expanded and the aclamades began pouring in. Among their most recent accomplishments was a Michelin Star, one of the first 7 to be awarded in Austin, followed shortly with Leroy’s recognition as a semi-finalist for Best Chef: Texas in the 2025 James Beard Awards.
It’s crazy to think these two have become such a staple in Austin only a few years into the restaurant’s launch, but their journey is only beginning as Leroy describes in the Statesman, “Even though we have been in operation for seven years, it does feel like we’re just now getting started.” And personally, I can’t wait to see what’s next and experience the Michelin-awarded BBQ for myself. 2. Patrizi’s One of my all-time favorite places to eat in Austin, this family-owned-and-operated restaurant was founded in 1948 with its original location operating for 50 years in Beaumont, TX. However, Patrizis’ Austin debut came much later through the lense of the next generation…
In 2013, cousins Nic and Matt Patrizi revived their family’s culinary legacy by launching Patrizi’s, an Italian food truck in East Austin. Situated adjacent to The Vortex theater on Manor Road, Patrizi’s quickly became renowned for its hand-pulled pasta and authentic Italian dishes, attracting both locals and visitors.
Side note – The location described above was my first experience of quality Italian food in Austin and remains to be one of my favorites places in the city, partially as a result of the bar attached, The Butterfly Bar, which serves delicious cocktails and is lined with Christmas lights and quirky decorations year-round.
Building on the success of their food truck, the Patrizi cousins expanded their culinary offerings in 2016, when they introduced Vic & Al’s, a Cajun-inspired food truck, further diversifying their portfolio. Their dedication to quality and community engagement led to the opening of a brick-and-mortar location in the Austin Lake Hills neighborhood in May 2022. This new establishment not only offered their beloved Italian dishes but also expanded the menu to include breakfast and lunch options, marking a significant milestone in their journey from a single food truck to a permanent restaurant.
Throughout this story, Nic and Matt have remained committed to honoring their family’s rich culinary traditions while embracing the dynamic and diverse food culture of Austin. What a recipe for success! 3. Chilantro If you know me at all, you know that Chilantro has been a staple in my diet for many years, especially while I was running afternoon workout classes in Mueller Lake Park from 2020-2023. Now living at least 20 minutes away from any location, I still find myself making the trek anytime this places pops into my mind.
One thing I love about this business is the focus on community and the involvement of the owner, Jae Kim, who founded Chi’Lantro BBQ in 2010. Introducing a unique Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine to Austin’s vibrant food scene, the brand started with a single food truck after Kim invested his savings and maxed out his credit cards to bring his culinary vision to life.
Chi’Lantro quickly gained popularity, especially for its signature dish, The Original Kimchi Fries™—crispy French fries topped with caramelized kimchi, Korean BBQ, fresh herbs, sesame seeds, and homemade sauce. This innovative offering garnered attention from various media outlets, including features on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel.
By 2015, the success of the food truck led to the opening of Chi’Lantro’s first brick-and-mortar location in Austin. The brand’s growth continued, and in 2016, Jae Kim appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” securing a $600,000 investment from Barbara Corcoran for a 20% stake in the company. (This finance queen’s involvement is just another reason to love this place).
As of 2023, Chi’Lantro operates over ten locations throughout Austin and has expanded into Houston – And even after all this growth, you will find Jae Kim engaging with the community through Social Media, showing how much he cares about the integrity of the business. 4. Via 313 Ok, Ok… I am focusing solely on my favorite restaurants in Austin, apparently. Introducing the best pizza in the city! Which, of course, began as a food truck.
In December 2011, brothers Zane and Brandon Hunt, originally from Detroit, introduced Austin to authentic Detroit-style pizza by launching their first Via 313 food trailer. Inspired by the pizza they grew up eating in Michigan, the Hunts saw an opportunity to bring the thick, cheesy, caramelized-edge square pizzas to a city that, at the time, was largely dominated by traditional thin-crust and New York-style slices. (Gosh, I’m drooling just thinking about this crust.)
Starting with a single trailer outside the Violet Crown Social Club on East 6th Street, Via 313 quickly gained a following for its high-quality ingredients and dedication to the true Detroit-style pizza experience. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and it wasn’t long before the brothers expanded to a second food truck, located at Craft Pride on Rainey Street.
As demand for their unique pizzas grew, the Hunts decided to take the next big step – Transitioning from a food truck to a full-fledged restaurant. In 2015, Via 313 opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Oak Hill, allowing them to expand their menu, improve consistency, and offer a dine-in experience. I once lived 3 minutes from this location and boy was it a dream… And a curse. Haha
Over the years, Via 313 has continued to grow, gaining national recognition for its commitment to authentic Detroit-style pizza. The brand has since expanded beyond Austin, opening locations in other Texas cities and even out of state. 5. Leona Botanical Cafe & Bar – Coming Soon! What’s a trip to Austin without a breakfast taco from Veracruz? I’m not sure, since it’s the first place I bring a visitor, and it’s the food truck that seems to pop up at any given outdoor coffee shop in the city. (If you happen to find yourself in this situation, be sure to snag a Migas taco; They’ve got some of the best.)
And while Veracuz has a brick and mortar location of its own and definitely belongs on this list, today we are talking about Leona Botanical Cafe & Bar – A collaborative venture between the teams behind two of the city’s beloved food establishments: Veracruz All Natural and Dee Dee. This innovative project aims to blend diverse culinary traditions within a lush, botanical setting.
Set to open in early 2025, the concept for Leona Botanical Café & Bar emerged from the shared vision of sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez, founders of Veracruz All Natural, and husband-and-wife duo Lakana and Justin Trubiana, the proprietors of Dee Dee. Both teams have deep roots in Austin’s food truck scene and a mutual appreciation for authentic, family-inspired cuisine. Their collaboration was born out of a desire to create a space that honors their cultural backgrounds, while offering the community a unique dining experience.
Located at 6405 Brodie Lane in Sunset Valley, at this massive space you can expect:
• A café and bar
• An outdoor botanical garden
• A pavilion
• Three restaurants:
• Dee Dee’s first brick-and-mortar location
• A new Veracruz All Natural location
• An additional restaurant, yet to be announced
The botanical garden will also showcase over 80 species of plants! Count me in for the grand opening!
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Moral of the story: The food truck community in Austin is where local chefs make their mark, build community, and set up the foundation for the future of the Austin culinary landscape. That being said, if you’re ever looking to see what will be the next big thing in the city… Well, you know where to look. 🙂Craving more Austin foodie recommendations? Check out The Austin Corner of DGL to find more of my favorite food in Austin!
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