Pizzeria, pub becomes neighborhood staple

Marcos Canchola and Brian Hyde are no strangers to operating bars and eateries. Since 2002 they have opened six businesses together with potential to grow that number throughout Austin.

Their newest venture, open since October 2013, is Pour House Pints & Pies on Jollyville Road in a building that has housed restaurants for decades, including the former Antonio's Mexican Restaurant and Jollyville Bar & Grill.

"All of our places are multigenerational bar/restaurants," Hyde said.

That will change next summer when the original Pour House Pub reopens in a new mixed-use building at 6701 Burnet Road. The Pints & Pies venture was a way to continue the Pour House name in case reopening the pub did not work out. The duo are keeping the Pour House name and theme for the Jollyville establishment.

"The demographic is great," Hyde said. "A lot of people have lived here a long time. There are a lot of families and people who've grown up with us."

Every couple of years Hyde and Canchola consider their options for a new establishment. Pizza, they said, was a big change from their other bars, which mostly serve American grill food. The Pour House menu offers traditional and specialty pies with a combination of toppings not typically found at pizza joints.

"The biggest issue was the dough," Hyde said. "It's all made in-house. It's pretty scientific in keeping the dough the same every day. We wanted a classic chewy but crunchy crust."

The menu also reflects a diversity of flavors in its pizzas, salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes. Canchola said the goal was to have enough options for customers to try something different during each visit.

Pour House Pints & Pies also offers lunch specials with 43 beers on tap, more than half of them from local breweries, such as 512 Brewing, Austin Beerworks, Hops & Grain, Independence Brewery, Live Oak Brewing, Real Ale Brewing and Thirsty Planet Brewing.

Canchola, who lives near Pour House Pints & Pies, said the neighborhood response has been positive.

"I think they were skeptical at first that something was going to come," he said. "But we've shown we're good operators of bars and restaurants. People have enjoyed the quality of food we're producing and the prices."

Hyde said a second location of Pour House Pints & Pies could be a possibility for their next venture.

"This concept, the neighborhood's really taken to it," Hyde said. "I feel like it would fit in many other neighborhoods. Austin is not overwhelmed with local Italian or neighborhood [places]."

The starting line: Appetizers

Crispy fried mozzarella: Panko-crusted mozzarella served with marinara ($7)

Osso Bucco Wings: Four wings with a choice of golden buffalo, spicy barbecue, afterburner or garlic parmesan flavor ($8)

Cannellini bean and roasted garlic hummus: Pureed white beans and roasted garlic served with toasted pita, cucumber, carrots and celery ($6)

Beer-battered fried pickles: Spicy beer-battered pickle slices served with a buttermilk ranch dressing ($6)

Slice by slice

Pour House Pints & Pies has a variety of specialty pies to delight any palate. Prices are $7–$15 for specialty pies. Customers may create their own pizza by choosing from a plethora of toppings. The restaurant also offers vegan cheese and gluten-free crust from Austin-based Smart Flour Foods.

The Dude: Parmesan white sauce, marinated chicken breast, crispy bacon and artichoke hearts

The Italian Stallion: Marinara, crumbled Italian sausage and roasted red peppers

The Mexico: Tomatillo sauce, chorizo, red onions and cilantro

Potato Pizza: Parmesan white sauce, Yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onions and fresh rosemary

Pour House Pints & Pies, 11835 Jollyville Road, 512-270-4740, www.pourhousepintsandpies.com, Hours: Mon.–Fri., Sun. 11 a.m.–midnight; Sat. 11 a.m.–1 a.m.