Restaurant offers its own take on classic dishes

American Bistro opened in November 2012 offering traditional American dishes, many with a Southwestern flair.

Jerry Honnell Jr. and his wife, Coco, moved to Texas from New Mexico in 2010. They operated a food truck and hot dog cart in Austin before landing the 28-seat, casual dining restaurant location in which they now operate.

"We were planning to move to Georgetown but wanted to make sure we could get a business going first," Coco said. "We liked the area. It's quiet, a small community—it's just very homey."

Classic American dishes, such as hamburgers and meatloaf, make up most of the menu at American Bistro, but tinges of the couple's Santa Fe and Albuquerque roots appear in items such as the enchilada plate.

"[The hatch chile chicken enchiladas] are done Santa Fe–style," Jerry said. "In Texas, you roll them; this way, they're served flat."

Similar to lasagna, a serving of two enchiladas from Jerry's kitchen includes the tortillas layered with chicken, salsa and cheese. However, the dish does not include the traditional Tex-Mex sides such as rice and beans. Jerry said most people would not be able to finish it all, though the restaurant's side dishes are available to order.

Outside of the usual menu, American Bistro features chalkboard specials that change each week.

"You have to come in or call to find out what [the specials] are," Jerry said, adding that specials can feature anything from fish and chips to chopped steak served with the vegetables of the day.

Coco said she and her husband would like to expand American Bistro and add a second location, possibly in Round Rock, but are content to build their reputation in Georgetown first.

"It'll take about three years before we're totally established," Jerry said. "I try to do a lot of my business through word of mouth."

American variety

Co-owner Jerry Honnell Jr. cooks a variety of homestyle meals. Besides the hamburgers, patty melts and meatloaf listed in the menu, he also rotates through chalkboard specials, listed behind the register, to keep options fresh. Specials may include Santa Fe–style enchiladas, fish and chips baskets or a chopped steak plate. Daily soups, vegetables and desserts are also listed on the chalkboard as they change.

Locally made

American Bistro's menu features a variety of locally made ingredients produced in Central Texas, including bread products and fountain drinks. The buns used for sandwiches and hamburgers are delivered fresh from a bakery in Austin, and Maine Root sodas, sweetened with fair trade sugarcane and made in Austin, take up the majority of the nozzles at the self-serve soda fountain.

Homemade desserts

Dessert options at American Bistro change each day, and once they are gone, they are gone until the next delivery. The day's dessert menu is listed on a small chalkboard near the register. Jerry said the restaurant's pies are popular and may be served a la mode if requested. Pie flavors include caramel apple pie and German chocolate pie.

American Bistro, 1203 Leander Road, 512-240-5738 , www.american-bistro.co, Twitter: @AmerBstroTX, Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.