As a longtime Round Rock resident with his own family roots in the city, Mingo Hernandez found himself chatting with friends about the lack of family-friendly hangout options downtown.

With business experience and a drive to bring something new to the table, Hernandez and his fellow co-owners Johnny Ontiveros and David Solis opened Backporch Social in October 2023.

How we got here

With a shared business background of Rockey’s Piano Bar, the trio is familiar with the downtown Round Rock scene, but wanted to create a more inclusive space for the various types of residents who call the city home.

The establishment features picnic tables, yard games, an arcade, a jumbo outdoor screen and swing seats at the bar, promoting an inviting atmosphere filled with entertainment for all ages.


“We have [Rockey's] Piano Bar over there and that's a different crowd than this one is,” Hernandez said. “We get a lot of families and we have a lot of company corporate events and birthday parties, graduation parties and stuff like that. So, that's what we wanted to cater to.”
The BPS Burger includes lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles and is served with a side of fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, potato chips or onion rings for $14. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The BPS Burger includes lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles and is served with a side of fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, potato chips or onion rings for $14. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
Must-try menu items

Hernandez’s favorite menu item is the burger, which is made with fresh meat that is delivered once or twice a week and comes with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles with the customer’s choice of side. Diners can find unique menu items that typically can only be found at fairs or festivals, including funnel cake, churros, fried Oreos, chicken on a stick and Frito pie.
The business' menu features classic state fair bites including funnel cake for $6. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The business' menu features classic state fair bites including funnel cake for $6. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
Part of the inspiration behind the menu came from Hernandez's high school years spent in San Antonio, where Fiesta San Antonio takes place once a year and is known to serve similar items.

“I was like, ‘Where can you get chicken on a stick?'" Hernandez said. “Everybody craves it once a year during Fiesta and we have it here.”
The Chicken on a Stick menu item was inspired by San Antonio's annual festival, Fiesta. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The Chicken on a Stick menu item was inspired by San Antonio's annual festival, Fiesta. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
Hernandez said he wanted to make the establishment as family friendly as possible. So while customers can order cocktails and alcoholic beverages, specialty drinks such as a Shirley Temple or frozen drinks are made without alcohol.
Backporch Social is owned by Mingo Hernandez, Johnny Ontiveros and David Solis. (Courtesy Backporch Social)
Backporch Social is owned by Mingo Hernandez, Johnny Ontiveros and David Solis. (Courtesy Backporch Social)
The impact

Hernandez's favorite part of owning the business has been being able to host meaningful events at the space. Since the passing of his co-owner’s brother, Jeff Ontiveros, friends and family have joined together to participate in a golf tournament annually in his memory.


“My friends from out of town come and they come and hang out,” Hernandez said. “People I went to high school with and a lot of people from Round Rock that you hardly ever see—[former] Texas baseball players and the Round Rock alumni all congregate. So that's cool.”

The business has become a hot spot for special event bookings from wedding rehearsal dinners and graduation parties to birthdays and reunions. The venue also regularly hosts live musicians on Thursdays as part of its KOKE FM partnership.