Texas Toast, a concept celebrating old-school diner nostalgia with a mix of Austin's unique flair, has taken over the former location of Torchy’s Tacos near The University of Texas at Austin.

The story

Tenured service industry leader Danny Romo opened his first concept on Hudson Bend near Lake Travis in 2023, the name a tribute to his mother’s uncle who looked after him as a child, regularly cooking him pancakes.

“Every Sunday we had a ritual, he would make me pancakes," Romo said. "I realized when I was about 10- or 12-years-old, because he was poor, what he was really giving me with syrup was a piece of Texas toast. That's where I got the name from."

This month, Romo announced the opening of the company’s newest installment on Guadalupe Street.


The menu boasts a collection of breakfast and burger options, while the counter-service and bar serve up tacos and other Mexican food items for lunch and dinner.

Guests can also enjoy late-night street tacos utilizing the walk-up service window, with seating available on the open-air patio.

“One of my favorite sounds is sauté pans clanking,” Romo said, highlighting his longtime passion for the food industry. He shared his love for working with fresh ingredients, crafting sauces from scratch and serving hot meals to hungry guests.


Things to consider


Torchy’s did not renew its lease, which ended in November, due to planned changes in the area, according to a sign posted on the door in the days before the closure.

Previous reports from the company indicated that rising rents throughout the city has contributed to the chain’s plans to close the location. However, this area near campus—referred to as The Drag—is also set to experience additional changes in coming years, with Project Connect’s light rail route plotted down Guadalupe Street.

Plans for the light rail project include the acquisition of several properties along the street.

Romo said he isn’t worried though because his new restaurant is located directly across from a landmark establishment, the century-old burger joint Dirty Martin’s Place.


Dirty Martin's currently has pending litigation against the project; however, the property was removed last year from the original list slated to be impacted by the light rail development, an Austin Transit Partnership spokesperson confirmed.

"The design progress for Austin Light Rail Phase 1 is ongoing with the continued objective of reducing or avoiding property impacts wherever possible and information will evolve based on the ongoing design and engineering needs of the project," ATP officials wrote in an email June 26. "ATP will develop a business assistance program this year to help businesses along the alignment navigate and prepare for the construction process."