The inspiration
Austin’s Very Own Saltt opened in December 2023. Owned by Brandon Underwood, Jamal Malveaux and Stephanie Malveaux, the restaurant replicates Bruce’s Seafood Deli in Port Arthur, Texas, Underwood's "favorite seafood place in the world."
“Every time I go home to visit my parents and leave Austin, I don't eat for the entire day,” Underwood said. “It's a four-hour drive, so when I'm about 30 minutes out, I call Tommy at Bruce's, I place my order, and then I go and pick up a daiquiri... my food, I get a dessert, and then I go to my parents' house and I pig out like I don't do when I'm in Austin.”
They made some changes unique to Austin including the addition of a brunch menu and a larger dining space with a mural featuring Austin icons and locations. However, the menu recipes stay true to the Southeast Texas comfort food and cooking.
“Our seafood in Southeast Texas is the best because you have a lot of the seasonings from the Louisiana area, it's right on the border, right on the coast so you get fresh seafood, fresh seasonings, put them together... that's how you get Austin's Very Own Saltt,” Underwood said.
What’s on the menu
Austin’s Very Own Saltt serves a variety of seafood and fried entrees with salt and pepper seasoning including shrimp, catfish and fish fillets shipped fresh from the southeast coast. Underwood said the restaurant is named after the seasoning, which is a combination of several different spices.
“I've been eating this food for years,” Underwood said. “It's just good food. I would encourage everyone, to just try everything on the menu. You'll like it. Everything [on the menu] is hand-selected, hand-picked, the best dishes.”
The menu also includes seafood tacos, grilled entrees and weekend brunch. Underwood said the chicken and waffles are a crowd favorite. Daiquiris are liquor-based and flavors like strawberry and sour green apple are offered.
Looking ahead
Austin’s Very Own Saltt celebrated its first anniversary in early December. Underwood said he’s proud of reaching the milestone and that their current focus is letting the neighborhood know who they are and what they serve.
- 2525 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. 130, Austin
- www.austinsveryownsaltt.com