The visionary team behind Taco Flats, East Austin’s mezcal bar La Holly, and Smithville bar and Smoked Meat Taco concept Carne Lenta, announce the recent purchase of the Riata Bar and Grill and the opening of their latest location, Taco Flats Riata. The team at Arrowhead Construction is responsible for transforming the space, (located at 12221 Riata Trace Pkwy STE 100, Austin, Texas 78727), over the past couple months. The Riata Bar and Grill was a Northwest Austin hangout in the early 2000s, but was put up for sale earlier this year. Taco Flats Riata will open on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.

“This Northwest section of the city has dense neighborhoods, tech, fintech and general offices etc. making the area a perfect fit for our neighborhood bar concept,” said Taco Flats Founder and Owner, Simon Madera. “The original wrap around bar, existing kitchen and bathrooms paired with a large parking lot made the purchase viable.”

The Taco Flats team is also thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of Taco Flats Lakeway located at 900 Ranch Rd 620 S c104, Lakeway, Texas 78734. In February 2022, Taco Flats purchased the former Castro’s Bar & BBQ and have been meticulously renovating the space to make way for the new location. This location is slated to open mid-September 2022.

“I never thought Lakeway would be an option for future expansion, but the rapid city growth made the decision to go west possible,” said Madera. “I feel like the families moving to Lakeway are getting younger, which is a customer demographic that over the last years has embraced the Taco Flats brand.”

Both of the new locations will serve their widely-celebrated homemade taco offering with broader brunch options available on the weekends. A full bar highlighting its famous spicy margaritas, beer and wine on tap will all be part of the rotation. While the Riata location will serve a more routine demographic who live and work in the area, the Lakeway location will cater perfectly to its residents, golfers and boaters due to its proximity to Lake Travis.

Taco Flats was founded in Austin in 2014 by Simon Madera, who was inspired by neighborhood bars in Mexico City and the unique recipes carefully crafted by his mother, Esther. Over the years, this Austin hangout has become known for more than its good food and drinks - it’s their long-time staff that sets them apart from other restaurants in town. Culturally, Taco Flats is one big family; professionally, it’s an environment that allows its people to grow within an organization that is more than just a restaurant group. Taco Flats currently has locations in Allandale, Clarksville, Q2 Stadium and The Pitch on Parmer. Simon Madera is the Founder and Owner, Mike Vasko is the Director of Operations and Gerardo Lopez is the Culinary Director. For more information on Taco Flats, please see here.

“Local establishments are exiting the food and beverage industry at a rapid pace, which is a sad reality created by the uncertain times that stemmed from Covid,” said Madera. “We are hoping to keep bringing our local energy to other areas of Austin.”