Austin-based traditional Mexican restaurant El Naranjo will close its doors on South Lamar next month, according to a social media announcement.
The restaurant will officially close its doors on July 18. Leading up to the closure, El Naranjo will have a selection of farewell specials to highlight its fan-favorite dishes.
“The restaurant has been one of the greatest journeys of our lives: a family business born out of love and a passion for cooking, built through struggle and hard work and sustained by your loyalty and support,” owners Iliana de la Vega and Ernesto Torrealba shared on Instagram.
On the menu
The menu is crafted with a selection of seasonal, scratch-made dishes including ceviche, guacamole, tuna tostadas, enchiladas and more. Behind El Naranjo’s menu offerings is chef and owner Iliana de la Vega, who was recognized with the 2022 Best Chef Texas award from the James Beard Foundation.
The dinner menu features a range of dishes made with in-house moles, including ones served with duck breast, chicken or vegetables. Another menu item is the A La Diabla, which is a Halibut in a spicy salsa diabla with a pineapple relish and white rice. El Naranjo also serves Sunday brunch with classics like rancheros and chilaquiles.
More details
The announcement also signals the restaurant’s second Austin closure. El Naranjo closed its Rainey Street location three months after opening the South Lamar spot in 2019, Community Impact previously reported.
In their own words
“Gracias, gracias to each one of you and to the city of Austin for opening your arms to us,” the owners shared in the social media announcement. “Thank you for welcoming our whole family when we had nothing but our recipes and hope. And for returning, again and again, to enjoy our history, traditions, culture and the food of our family, with us.”
