Photo by Joe Lanane
Photo by Joe Lanane
Photo by Joe Lanane
Photo by Joe Lanane
Photo by Joe LananeBurnet Road diner touts decades of history
Longtime Austinites and curious newcomers collide at The Frisco Shop, a Burnet Road restaurant with more than 60 years of history.
The diner, once part of a locally renowned chain of steakhouses, seeks to adapt to an increasingly changing Austin without betraying its long-term patrons.
As general manager since 2010, Deborah Donovan has been tasked with maintaining that balance for co-owners Julia and Harry Akin, the latter of whom is the nephew of the original owner who opened The Frisco Shop in 1953.
Dr. Tom Burns and Darin Davis also co-own the restaurant.
"There's so many stories," Donovan said of customers. "We have generations of parents and grandparents coming in with their children."
But nostalgia alone does not keep a restaurant running, said Donovan, who has worked on updating the restaurant aesthetics and menu options to help attract a broader customer base. However, she still strives to appeal to veteran Frisco customers.
"It's kind of like 'Cheers'—we know your name, and we know what you like," Donovan said. "The big thing I'm told is, 'Don't change a thing,' so we try not to change too much. I just add some new items."
She has incorporated some former daily specials such as the meatloaf and pork chop meals onto the menu as well as some vegetarian, vegan and grilled options. Donovan also tries to maintain the diner feel to which she became accustomed while growing up in Pittsburgh.
"What was starting to become a rarity in Austin was food you could eat on a daily basis, something you would cook at home if you had the time," she said. "Families need a place to go to eat food their mom cooked."
The Famous Frisco
Friscos's most famous burger is topped with shredded lettuce, American cheese, relish and secret sauce on a toasted bun. Other burgers include The Down South with assorted toppings, the Justin Lane Burger with bleu cheese crumbles, the Anderson Lane Burger with sauteed mushrooms, the 2222 Patty Melt on Texas garlic toast, The Nighthawk with a sirloin patty and the jalapeo bacon cheeseburger. $5.75–$8.75, fries $1.35, onion rings $1.95
Top Chop't Steaks
A longtime Frisco staple, steaks come in 4-ounce, 6.5-ounce and 9-ounce servings—called the Steakette, the Regular and the Texan, respectively—and can include fries, cole slaw, salad, a baked potato or other sides. $8.55–$13.55
Julia's Tomato Ketchup Meatloaf and Grilled Pork Chop dinner
These two former daily specials have been upgraded to menu regulars. The meatloaf includes house-made tomato sauce topped on the loaf and is served with two sides. The 8-ounce pork chop, grilled and topped with apple chutney, also includes two sides. Meatloaf $10.95, pork chop $12.95
Coconut cream pie and chocolate pie
Both pies, including the award-winning coconut cream pie, are made in-house at least three days a week by a 40-year employee of The Frisco Shop. $4.25 per slice.
The Frisco Shop, 6801 Burnet Road, 512-459-6279, www.thefriscoaustin.com, Hours: Sun.–Mon. 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Tue.–Sat. 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
