By Samantha Champion | September 1, 2014
Austin just gained something special, an exciting new addition to our city’s already impressive repertoire of dining and drinking options.
Jacoby’s Opens on Colorado River
Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile opened its doors on August 20, 2014. Austinites are welcomed into a modern dining room with rustic overtones that leads out to an equally charming, breezy back porch. This ranch to table spot is located on East Cesar Chavez at the far east side of town, along the banks of the Colorado River.
With an exceptional view and backyard feel, the porch at Jacoby’s will definitely become one of Austin’s favorite places to kick back and hang out this fall.
The Jacoby family ranch is located in Melvin, a tiny town east of San Angelo in the heart of Texas. The Jacobys have built quite a name for themselves in Melvin. In addition to the ranch, the family owns Jacoby Feed and Seed, a rail center and a café. Austin’s own Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile was born after one of their four sons, Adam, moved into town to attend UT and realized the capital city would make a perfect second home for the Jacoby business.
Quite simply, the restaurant and bar are absolutely beautiful. Exposed brick walls, wood-planked ceilings and stitched leather chairs are brightened up by huge windows, gallery-worthy photographs and tables set with wildflowers and bright blue mason jars. Let’s just say Creative Director and Interior Designer Kris Swift knows what he’s doing.
Dishes Inspired by Texas
I was lucky enough to attend an event at the restaurant the week it opened. I took it upon myself to taste everything in sight, in an effort to get the full Jacoby’s experience.
The Jacoby beef slider was unbelievable, with juicy beef, bread and butter pickles, complemented with garlic aioli. Try the full-size version on their Supper menu, or give the sirloin, strip or ribeye a
try. I stepped out of my former-vegetarian comfort zone and tried the beef carpaccio, a raw preparation of their famous meat that reminded me of a leaner, richer prosciutto.
Beyond beef, Jacoby’s serves up other Southern favorites like deviled eggs with radish and creamy pimiento cheese on kettle cooked chips. They also serve a sour cream and roggenier version of mac and cheese, as well as creamed corn with crimini mushrooms that I cannot wait to try.
The Jacobys can bake, too. The coconut cupcake I snagged was a not-too-sweet iteration that reminded me of Southern cornbread.
Beyond the Beef
The bartenders are friendly and fast, shaking up twists on familiar favorites such as Melvin Mules, West Texas Shandies and Mezcal Margaritas. Be sure to give the blackberry and basil Muskoka Smash a try, and definitely don’t leave out Shady Granny with lemon, strawberry and gin.
Jacoby’s blend of familiarity and freshness will easily draw people from all over town. Be sure to walk off your meal while strolling through the mercantile portion of Jacoby’s, filled with beautiful, handmade goods and specialty foods.
IMPACT ROUNDUP: Family ranch-to-table restaurant comes to East Austin
Jennifer C. | 8.27.14
What started as a family-owned feed and seed company has expanded to become Jacoby’s Restaurant and Mercantile, which opened Aug. 20 at 3235 E. Cesar Chavez St.
The ranch-to-table restaurant brings meats from Adam Jacoby’s family ranch, vegetables and Texas craft beers. In the mercantile portion, customers can go home with Jacoby’s meats, cheeses and produce.
There are chicken coops on-site, and the building materials, such as reclaimed wood, metal and brick, all come from the family’s ranch.
In addition, the business is located at 3235 E. Cesar Chavez St., which overlooks the Colorado River Wildlife Sanctuary. 512-366-5808. www.jacobysaustin.com
Mathew o. | 8/27
FOOD: Jacoby's comforting spot above the Colorado River.
The surprise view is sensational. The rushing Colorado River below Longhorn Dam. A green cliff leads to it. Diners at the new Jacoby's on far East Cesar Chavez Street can drink in this vision after passing rustic patio tables laid out with country-influenced settings. Because of the elevation and shade, the spot was cool and refreshing on a late August afternoon. The
food? Creative takes on comfort fare. This is the brainchild of Adam Jacoby, who grew up in West Texas ranch country, and Kris Swift, who has been working for years with East Austin artisans and included a super-cool take on a "mercantile" shop in this former electrical repair shop. Jacoby and Swift make quite a team. Jacoby's opens up a whole new frontier for eastside dining.
Hillary E. | 8.26.14
Keep Labor Day weird by making your way to the artsy-meets-western city of Austin, where three days is plenty of time to soak up the music, food, and bar scene.
WHERE TO EAT: Pleasant Storage Room, Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile, La Mancha Tex Mex
Sip a craft cocktail and overproof rum punch alongside Cuban-style street food at Pleasant Storage Room. Enjoy delicious ranch-to-table fare at Jacoby’s Restaurant and Mercantile, and chow down on some of the region’s classic Tex-Mex cuisine at La Mancha Tex Mex Tavern.
