12/13/2025
After 40 years of dedicated service, I have made the difficult decision to retire alongside the Villegas family from EL Mercado South. We will be passing the reins to Stephen Shallcross, the owner of 2 Dine 4 Hospitality Group, which includes De Nada Cantina, Sawyer & Co., SWOOP House, Lil’ Easy Cajun Food & Bar, and 2 Dine 4 Fine Catering.
El Mercado Restaurant & Cantina South, located at 1302 South 1st Street, will close its doors on December 17th, during the holidays, to undergo much-needed TLC and deferred maintenance. 2 Dine 4 is also investing in aesthetic upgrades, including new tables and chairs, a De Nada-sized number of plants, and Mexican decor to complement the historic property and existing trees.
Selling the property to De Nada Taco will allow us to preserve some of our cherished memories within the building. It will also give my neighbors a place to still call home rather than see high-priced condos or apartments built on the property. This decision ensures that the spirit of my father, who greeted customers, my mother and I who worked in the same office every day for over 30 years, also the memory of my daughter Vanessa growing up there, serving as the host at the age of 5! The buyer assured me that they will retain the employees, some of whom have been with me for 20 to 30 years, which is a blessing.
President and Managing Partner Stephen Shallcross expressed their excitement about honoring the 40-year commitment of keeping the restaurant unique and serving up great food and Austin hospitality. They emphasized their continued tradition of thoughtfully preserving Austin icons, starting with the transformation of Arkie’s Grill into Sawyer & Co. over a decade ago.
COO Eric de Valpine assured our customers that De Nada Taco will reopen with its beloved salsa and staff in mid-January, as soon as they can obtain enough new pink cups to serve the South Side of Austin.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, Michael and Denise for being there in the beginning, to my past and present employees and to our customers for the incredible journey we’ve shared. I want to specifically thank my parents for their unwavering belief in me 40 years ago. They taught me the value of hard work combined with love, and they were the best parents anyone could ever have.
FYI, EL Mercado North at 7414 Burnet Rd will remain open under the leadership of my partner, Gerald Stone, since 1990. Thank you, Reena, my loving wife, for working side by side with me for the last 16 years and making me the man I am today. My mother loved you and was so proud of you!
Once again, thank you to all, not only for being customers but also for being my friends. I will miss you all so much! 😢
Let’s keep it weird and the music alive for another 4 decades! See you on the other side, I mean the other side of the bar at De Nade taco! 🤣🙏🏼💕
