Editor’s note: As I was getting ready to publish today’s scheduled post about the Austin Burrito Company, I came across this message from the Walker Family that was posted on the company Facebook Page yesterday. Please do what you can to help support this local business and Lake Travis family. Here’s the message from the Walker Family:
Honesty has since the beginning been a key tenet of the Austin Burrito Company. This is why we’re reaching out to you all this early this morning.
Simply put, we need your help.
Starting a new and independent restaurant is incredibly hard. It’s required years of hard work and sleepless nights (such as this one) to open our doors.
It’s also very expensive. Our family’s entire savings has gone into this effort. Everything.
And now, just weeks after opening, we’ve encountered a serious challenge.
The final invoices from our general contractor far exceeded their initial bids and what we in turn expected in our financial planning. This, and a related issue requiring additional construction work required to be in full compliance of the Americans with Disabilities Act, has sapped away virtually all of the operating capital we had set aside to stay up and running during our formative months.
So now, just as we most need strong sales, we’re in the winter doldrums where retail struggles as everyone tries to recover from the flurry of holiday spending.
Plucky small businesses running on fumes is almost a cliche, now. We assure you it’s a lot funnier on TV than in reality.
And that’s where you come in.
We’re asking for your help to spread the word and send more friends and neighbors our way.
If you like our food and appreciate our philosophy of fresh, never frozen offerings made from scratch every day, we’d be hugely grateful for your support.
It’s certainly humbling to approach you all like this, hat in hand. However, we’ve worked incredibly hard to this point, and under no circumstances will waver from our guiding principles in a desperate attempt to cut corners and save a few bucks here and there.
If we can find even a little tailwind to get us through the next few weeks and into our breakfast taco service, we should be okay. If not, at least we went down trying to do the right thing.
Thank you for your time.
– The Walker Family
A burrito shortage in the Lake Travis area
Bryan Walker began his burrito endeavor in 2014 testing recipes and preparing for the full-time focus with Austin Burrito Company officially opening November 2015.
“We knew there were no good burrito-format places to eat in the Bee Cave/Lakeway area, and felt that there was a prime opportunity to take the format up a notch with better food and a customer experience that resonated with the local community,” said owner and long-time Lake Travis resident Bryan Walker.
Fresh and local ingredients
All meat delivered to them is never frozen, hormone free, and with no antibiotics.
Additionally they wrap burritos up in fresh, thick tortillas that can withstand all the items you choose to have rolled up. You no longer have to waive the white flag and use a fork to finish your burrito.
Your taco, burrito, quesadilla, or salad can be filled with your choice of steak, grilled veggies, chicken, carnitas, or slow-cooked brisket (which takes over 15 hours to prepare).
Build up your meal with potatoes, rice, beans, or a large variety of vegetables then top it off with seasonal salsas or some tasty queso. Finish it off with your choice of local craft beers and Maine Root sodas.
Everything’s built around fresh and local at the Austin Burrito Company.
Walker has plans to roll out seasonal recipes with recommended combos and pairings that will include Hatch Green Chile, Fredericksburg peaches, and Poteet strawberries.
A challenging location?
Quite a few different businesses have come and gone at this location at the Shops at Galleria including A Trip To Bountiful and Two Saints Baking Company & Cafe.
Like many other local Lake Travis area restaurants, they’ve ran into staffing issues during their first few months. However, they’re committed to being a good neighbor and employer. They’re currently advertising open positions with benefits including paid time off and a 401K.
Live Local in Lake Travis
It’s good to have another locally-owned option for eating out in the Lake Travis area … and it seems that many Lake Travis locals agree. I’ve driven by Austin Burrito Company on Friday afternoons where the line is Chick-fil-A-esque and out the door.
Let’s do what we can as a community to support our local businesses … and see what kind of yummy concoctions are coming up next at the Austin Burrito Company.
