Austin Oyster Co. now has a brick-and-mortar restaurant six years after its founding. East Austinites can now enjoy Maine-grown oysters in addition to a full seafood menu.
On the menu
The restaurant includes:
- A raw bar featuring rotating oysters, dressed clams, tuna tartare, shrimp cocktail and curated seafood platters. Lone Pine Pearls, oysters harvested from Austin Oyster Co.'s farm in Maine, will be offered at the raw bar when available.
- Seafood dishes such as baked clam “stuffies,” a johnnycake with salmon bacon, Maine mussels and a lobster roll
- Nonseafood options such as the Texas Wagyu burger, steak frites and a bone-in pork chop
- Curated cocktails, wine and beer
The kitchen is led by Chef de Cuisine Clark Costello—previously of Este and Suerte—and the bar program is overseen by Kait Fleming—former beverage director at Kalimotxo and the Arrive Hotel.
The location
Austin Oyster Co.'s restaurant was built on the foundation of a home from the 1950s, according to a news release. Inside features a horseshoe-shaped bar made from the home's original longleaf pine where guests will be able to see the raw bar and watch the team shuck oysters.
In the near future, the Austin Oyster Co. team plans to start an herb garden to supply the kitchen and, later this year, a wine garden where guests will be able to shuck their own oysters, according to the release.
The history
The business launched in 2020 as a delivery and catering service focused on private, at-home events with the goal of making East Coast oysters accessible in Texas, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Brendan Yancy and Drew Ahumada—formerly of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, Le Cowboy and Carpenters Hall—partnered to open the restaurant, according to a news release.
Quote of note
"After years of lugging coolers full of oysters and ice all over town, we look forward to welcoming the community to our home—a space of our own that we have designed with care and intention,” Ahumada said in a news release.
