Shady Grove in Austin

Sad News

​Yesterday I learned from my son, that Shady Grove is closing. This isn't the first sad news of closures.

For a couple of months, we've been hunkering down at home, along with the rest of the country.  Restaurant closures are happening. It's one of the many miserable consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Barton Springs Road

Shady Grove has always been a favorite. Since there are a million unusual, one-of-a-kind restaurants in Austin, that says a lot.

The business has been sitting on Barton Springs Road for nearly 3 decades. The neon sign and stone building make it look like it's closer to 80 years old. With the towering trees, it reminds me of a roadside cafe on old Route 66.

2016

We haven't been to Shady Grove since 2016.

​And that's only because we no longer have kids living in Austin. We don't get back as much.
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​The last time, was in April of 2016. Don and I met our daughter for dinner. 

Heidi rode her bike and and parked it near one of the trailers.

The outdoor dining grounds were already filling up. ​​

​Summertime Feel

The old metal chairs, towering trees and grass, always made me feel like I was stepping back into the summers of my childhood. 
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Patio
​

We found a spot on the patio, where umbrellas and trees kept diners cool.

​Food Choices

We studied the menus, with options like Queso Catfish, Truckstop Meatloaf and Hippie Sandwich.

Cheers to Margaritas!
​

Heidi and I ordered margaritas and toasted to our little get-together.  ​​

Were they watermelon flavored? I don't remember, but they were delicious.

Evening

​The colored lights at the outdoor bar, came on first.

We were too early for any musical performances. Live music used to attract a lot of guests to Shady Grove.

Food

​I'm pretty sure these were the Airstream Chili Cheese Fries.

I remember Heidi said we had to get them, because they were the best.

I remember the Thai Grilled Chicken Salad. I guess Don got a burger and chili. It's hard to tell from the photo and it's been too long.

Trees and Fresh Air

Looking at these 4-year-old photos makes me extra sad, to know they must close.

With restaurants beginning to reopen this May, it seems they could have managed somehow. We're told that patio dining will be the safest, of all restaurant dining. It's hard to imagine how different it would feel, to dine under those trees... at spaced-apart tables, looking around at mask-wearing guests. 

Howdy

I'll miss the patio and I'll miss the Airstream bathrooms.

I loved the idea of "powdering my nose" in a trailer. I loved the door with howdy written above.

I wonder what will become of these trailers and the neon sign and the stone building.

I'm really feeling frustrated that I never made it inside to see what the interior dining area looked like! 

​Shady Grove... Relaxed Dining! I will miss this place!