Neighborhood restaurant Austin Terrier makes changes, keeps laid-back feel

Sanjay Rana was not necessarily looking to get into the restaurant business in 2017, but when neighborhood spot Austin Terrier came up for sale, the University of Texas graduate, who had built a career in software engineering, decided the local restaurant would be a strong investment.

Austin Terrier opened in 2012 and had become popular among the Northwest Hills locals, Rana said. The original owner was another first-timer in the restaurant business, Jamie Durnil, so it appealed to Rana, who said he expected an acclimation period of a few months.

A few months turned into a couple years as Rana learned the ropes in a chaotic industry that never allows owners a day off. Rana had experience managing large software projects, but he had never before needed to call late on a weekend night, needing an urgent repair to a piece of kitchen equipment.

“That aspect was something I think I didn’t quite realize. Now, I have a better feel for it. You have to go through each experience at least once,” Rana said.

After navigating the early transition, Rana said he is now making some tweaks. He made some changes to the decor and furniture in January, followed by menu changes in the spring—simplifying some of the descriptions while adding more vegan and vegetarian fare. In August, Austin Terrier received a full liquor license and became permitted to add cocktails to its beer and wine offerings.

“We’re finally breathing a sigh of relief, and things are going well. We want to keep that momentum going,” Rana said.

The response from the community at the laid-back, dog-friendly neighborhood spot has been positive, Rana said. After a whirlwind first few years, he said he has put his own stamp on the restaurant while maintaining the atmosphere that locals have always appreciated.

“I feel good. It feels like it’s my baby. I want to keep nurturing it and see what I can do with it,” Rana said.