2 Dine 4 Taking Over El Mercado South

After 40 years, Tony Villegas of Mercado Market & Restaurant Inc. has handed the reins over to Stephen Shallcross of 2 Dine 4 Hospitality Group, owners of De Nada Cantina, Sawyer & Co., SWOOP House, Lil' Easy Cajun Food & Bar and 2 Dine 4 Fine Catering.

El Mercado Restaurant & Cantina South, at 1302 South 1st Street, will close over the holidays for some much needed TLC and deferred maintenance. 2 Dine 4 is also investing in aesthetic upgrades, new tables & chairs, a De Nada-sized number of plants & Mexican decor to complement the historic property & existing trees.  

"We look forward to honoring their 40-year commitment of keeping it weird and serving up good food & Austin hospitality," President & Managing Partner Stephen Shallcross said. "We'll continue our tradition of thoughtfully preserving Austin icons that began with Arkie's Grill being transformed into Sawyer & Co. more than twelve years ago."

COO Eric de Valpine assured fans that "we will reopen with beloved salsa and staff in mid-January as De Nada Taco as soon as we're able to get enough new pink cups to serve the South Side of Austin."

left-to-right: Rockie Mendoza, Assistant Manager; Jon Grant, Assistant Manager; Kyle Coffman, Bar Manager; Jorge Cavazos, Executive Chef; Sean Maguire, General Manager; Erika Casillas, Lead Host; and Stephen Shallcross, President & Managing Partner