Two Restaurant Closings That Really Surprised Me

In Texas, we love our restaurants. They're our go-to points when we just don't feel like cooking or breaking out a bowl of cereal. Some stay around a long time, others stay a little long, and others don't make the cut. Still, though, some places are good enough to make it in the cities they've expanded into. And there are those who had lots of customer loyalty and tradition, and they suddenly close up shop for good.

Yes, there are lots of food stories along with the findings of the folks who make them. Recently, I found out about two Texas hangouts that I never thought would close in the places they're in.

Number one is Threadgill's in Austin. This one was a shocker to me. They say it closed because of COVID-19. Okay to a degree, but they could have offered to-go options. I thought it was a bit overreactive. Now, they had two locations prior to 2018: the original on North Lamar Boulevard and its sister joint on Riverside Drive, with the latter closing two years ago due to high rent costs. I'm just surprised that the north location was shuttered back in April, never really given any chance at all of getting through the pandemic for which, at this time, two vaccines are being distributed to fellow Americans. Here's the big deal about Threadgill's: It meant so much to so many Austinites. They had live music and Texas food. A lot of what they had was pretty good, but you can't argue with long-term success. And Threadgill's was popular in Austin. If I ran that place, then it wouldn't have closed. Heck, it could have been back open in the summer time when Texas was opening back up.

And who knows? Maybe Eddie Wilson (the owner who closed North Lamar) could reconsider and bring the institution back at another location. Never say never.

Now, for number two. That place is Mac's BBQ in Lubbock. It was in West Lubbock on Slide Road amid the flurry of fabulous local and national spots. In the Hub City, one can never have too much barbecue. Yet, Lubbock can be a bit fickle over time, but I think the reason for Mac's closure here had more to do with COVID, and, in this case, it's a more legitimate case than the Threadgill's North Lamar episode. Mac's was another 'cue joint which began in Brady, Texas (which happens to also be where Hard Eight BBQ, another Texas legend, got its start). They've expanded Mac's into Midland, where it is number one among Permian Basin diners, and Fredericksburg, giving Hill Country foodies another good choice. So, a move to Lubbock made perfect sense, as the Hub City is the largest in this region and civic leaders are always welcoming new talent to town. Its presence in Lubbock gave the city some strong barbecue clout, what with Evie Mae's in nearby Wolfforth a formidable stop for 'cue aficionados, and Texas icon Rudy's Country Store on Texas Loop 289. Losing Mac's hurt in Lubbock, as I had considered trying that place on my next visit out there. Guess I'll have to wait for Midland or Fredericksburg to give their Angus brisket a try.

The surprising thing about Mac's Lubbock closure is that West Texans do love their barbecue, and that, if a successful outpost did well in Midland, then it would certainly do well in Lubbock. Thanks to COVID, barbecue growth in the Hub City will have to wait a little longer. It's shattering, considering that Lubbock had not only lost Mac's, but also The Shack and The Rib Crib in recent years. Had all three stayed open, this would have been beyond formidable in competing with other West Texas cities.

Restaurants do come and go. I applaud those who work hard to stay on for as long as possible. If the food is very good, then people will always want to come back.