Updated 2:28 p.m. CST May 27



Lone Star Grille & Bubba's Back Yard opened May 26 in Cedar Park. Read our updated story here.



Original story posted March 25



Central Texas entrepreneur Rick Redmond confirmed March 25 that he plans to reopen the former Reunion Grille location as Lone Star Grille and Bubba's Back Yard as early as May 5.



The restaurant originally opened as Reunion Grille in June 2012 and closed in mid-November. Former operating partner Barret Brannam said the kitchen's size was not conducive to the type of service the company hoped to provide.



The new restaurant will bring concepts from former Austin-area restaurant Lone Star Cafe back to the region, Redmond said. During lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Lone Star Grille & Bubba's Back Yard will feature classic Southern dishes such as chicken-fried steak and also introduce Cajun flavors from Redmond's upbringing in New Orleans.



"It's going to be Texas comfort food and a little bit nicer steaks," Redmond said.



One of the chefs from Redmond's lakeside restaurant, Shore Club Volente Beach, will work at the new Cedar Park eatery, he said.



Some renovations will begin in late March, including the addition of an outdoor bar, front door entrance improvements and the installation of garage doors to transition the indoor and outdoor spaces. The property's new setup will also feature two or three food trailers to serve guests.



"If you have big events, it's almost impossible to get service if you are doing it just from the one restaurant because it's not really big enough," Redmond said. "We will have two or three different food trailer concepts and then we will have another bar. That way, when we have a major concert or something going on—whether it's St. Patrick's Day or a big crawfish boil—you won't have to come in the restaurant unless you want full service."



Large concerts will be reserved for Friday and Saturday nights but the restaurant is slated to have a local music schedule Thu.–Sun. The second floor of the restaurant will be used as a sports bar and stay open until 2 a.m. Thu.–Sat., Redmond said.



Dogs and children are welcome to play in the outdoor area, he said, but the restaurant will turn more "adult-friendly" after about 9 p.m. The restaurant aims to open by May 5.