Z’Tejas Closes All Locations After 36 Years of Tex-Mex and Southwestern Flavor
TEXAS – It’s official — Z’Tejas, a name synonymous with bold Southwestern spices and sizzling Tex-Mex plates, has closed its final location in Kyle, Texas, ending a delicious legacy that stretched across three decades and multiple states.
As someone who has wandered into a Z’Tejas after a long drive through Austin or sat on a patio with cornbread and margaritas in hand, this one stings. The food wasn’t just filling — it felt like the warmest welcome home.
From a Downtown Austin Gem to a Regional Favorite
Z’Tejas first opened in 1989 on Austin’s iconic Sixth Street, led by a passionate crew that included Paul Fleming (of Fleming’s Steakhouse fame) and local restaurant legends Guy Villavaso and Larry Foles. With founding chef Jack Gilmore behind the menu, the place quickly gained traction as a go-to for fresh takes on Southwestern fare — a culinary category that was just gaining national attention at the time.
Over the years, Z’Tejas expanded across Texas, Arizona, and California, reaching as many as 14 locations and even relocating its headquarters to Scottsdale, Arizona. If you were lucky enough to try their diablo pasta, green chile barbacoa, or that signature jalapeño cornbread, you know they weren’t playing around.
Bankruptcies, Buyouts, and a Final Attempt to Revive the Magic
The road wasn’t always smooth for Z’Tejas. The company faced bankruptcies in 2015 and 2017, followed by a buyout led by Randy Cohen, founder of TicketCity. There was real hope in the air — I remember reading about the $1 million investment and new location in Kyle and thinking, “Maybe this comeback will actually work.”
Sadly, it didn’t.
Despite renovation efforts and a re-energized brand image, the final location in Kyle shut down on June 30, citing market challenges and lease issues. “Restaurants are in a pickle right now,” Cohen told the Phoenix Business Journal — and I believe him. It’s hard out there, especially for legacy names trying to reclaim old glory in a post-pandemic world.
What I’ll Miss About Z’Tejas (Besides the Cornbread)
Let’s be honest — Z’Tejas wasn’t just a restaurant. It was a place where college friends reconnected, where dates turned into long-term memories, and where that avocado shrimp ceviche hit like nothing else after a Texas summer day.
The thing I’ll miss most? The cornbread. That thick, slightly sweet square in a hot skillet — fluffy, golden, and comforting. Paired with a smoky enchilada or spicy green chile mac? That was peak Z’Tejas.
Even when the chain started thinning out, that cornbread remained a kind of signature — a flavor that somehow made everything feel okay, even when you were down to your last spoonful.
One More Southwest Star Fades
Z’Tejas joins a growing list of once-beloved restaurant brands that just couldn’t make it through the storm. For many, this wasn’t just a closure — it was the quiet end of an era. An era of smoky flavors, regional flair, and that warm Texas hospitality you felt the second you walked through the door.
Their goodbye note said it best:
“After nearly three decades of serving communities across Texas and Arizona, it’s time to say goodbye to this chapter.”
To that, we say: Thank you for the memories. And the cornbread.
Have a Favorite Z’Tejas Memory?
Did you visit Z’Tejas in its Austin heyday or fall in love with their spicy mac & cheese? Drop your favorite dish or memory in the comments — we’d love to hear how this Tex-Mex legend made an impression. Let’s keep its story alive, one craving at a time.