May 14, 20187 yr This place has generally begun to suck since the Abel's guys took it over a couple of years ago. Now, it seems that they are behind on their rent on the West 5th store and a fight has ensued over the El Arroyo trademark. Perhaps the high-rise that ends up getting built there will preserve the daily marquee postings? https://www.mystatesman.com/business/sign-the-times-fight-brewing-over-arroyo-restaurant-name/KmvJZFeWHwZrVDFvnN44tO/
May 15, 20187 yr Par for the course for those guys. They have a longstanding reputation of running restaurants into the ground.
May 15, 20187 yr Maybe it’s just me but I’ve always thought it has sucked. Last time I ate there was probably 7 years ago and it was terrible.
May 15, 20187 yr I haven’t been to the 5th Street location in over a decade, but the one on Far West started sucking shit a few years before it closed.
May 15, 20187 yr 10 hours ago, Chet Steadman said: Par for the course for those guys. They have a longstanding reputation of running restaurants into the ground. Who keeps loaning them money to do exactly that?
May 15, 20187 yr Haven't been since the Clinton Administration Haven't cared that I haven't been Their Monday Enchiladas Del Mar was fucking awesome (3 crab/shrimp for $6.50 Monday nights). Once they stopped that I stopped them.
May 15, 20187 yr I know what happened on the trademark. Common scenario. The original owners (Ogdens), never bothered to register the trademark, they just called it a "trade name." The agreement probably says something like "the right to use the trade name "El Arroyo.'" The lawyers who did the buy-sell paid no attention to the IP, so the name didn't get handled properly. The buyers (Cozumel) registered the trademark as the users/owners. Now the sellers are claiming they only had a license to the mark, not outright ownership and that the buyers thus fraudulently registered and renewed the trademark. The seller's end game is that they want to keep the name and license it to someone else when the current El Arroyo goes el busto. Reason I bring this up, if you have a business where the name is even a marginally important asset, register that fucker. And even if you don't register it, treat it like a valuable trademark even if it may not be. I see this way too often. Edited May 15, 20187 yr by TwiceHorn
May 15, 20187 yr Just now, miguelito said: If the new one is called The Arroyo, is that different enough to not get sued? Probably not. Funny thing, I see this in my practice fairly often coming out of smaller towns (most recently Waco from a transaction in 2003) , where the lawyers just aren't that cognizant of IP and trademarks. Austin certainly no longer fits that bill, but this was early 90s Austin. A bit of a sign o the times, if you will.
May 16, 20187 yr 12 hours ago, TwiceHorn said: Also, I see that the Winstanley bros own The Tavern now. Does it suck? The even screwed up the hamburgers. I mean how do you fuck up a hamburger. Looks like they sold it to the Esther's Follies owners back in February https://austin.eater.com/2018/2/14/17013288/the-tavern-esther-follies-new-owners-raymond-tatum-menu Edited May 16, 20187 yr by Texas007 Duh
June 4, 20187 yr On 5/15/2018 at 5:30 AM, South Austin said: I haven’t been to the 5th Street location in over a decade, but the one on Far West started sucking shit a few years before it closed. Yep. We used to take the brood up there every once in awhile but eventually it just wasn't worth it. Clammy cheese, sauces seemingly out of a can, etc.
August 18, 20187 yr Worked a couple of blocks from there for seven years, and probably ate there 5 times. But I did like driving past the marquee every day.
September 7, 20187 yr On 5/15/2018 at 9:54 AM, TwiceHorn said: Also, I see that the Winstanley bros own The Tavern now. Does it suck? Case in point: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/hill-cafe-close-south-austin-location-bound-for-new-development/u4HZmeveZJdNHtViDYrmBN/
September 7, 20187 yr Author 14 minutes ago, Chet Steadman said: Case in point: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/hill-cafe-close-south-austin-location-bound-for-new-development/u4HZmeveZJdNHtViDYrmBN/ There are enough data points to create a compelling downward trend line involving these guys.
September 7, 20187 yr 3 hours ago, utee94 said: You'd think eventually they'd run out of money? Unless it's a drug-laundering front.
September 9, 20187 yr On 5/15/2018 at 7:25 AM, Stunns38 said: It sucked back in 2006, the last time I went. Same here. The food was never great. It was a place to go after class on Thursday afternoon for $1 ritas. Anyone who has ever gone there for any other reason was doing it wrong.
September 9, 20187 yr The food has always sucked. The location is the only reason I assumed it was still open. The drug laundering would also make sense
September 1, 20223 yr Author Wow. With a bit of PE money, the Winstanley's plan to expand their footprint of suckage! El Arroyo, Austin restaurant famous for funny signs, is expanding across Texas The home of the iconic marquee sign will open multiple locations in the state in the next few years. https://www.mysanantonio.com/food/article/el-arroyo-austin-new-locations-17405032.php Edited September 1, 20223 yr by DalTxHornFan
September 1, 20223 yr Has anyone actually eaten there recently? I heard a rumor the food has improved, but I haven't been in 15 years.
September 1, 20223 yr Last time I ate there was on the way back from ACL Fest in 2021. I was starving and drunk, so didn't care about quality and don't remember much about it, other than it didn't make enough of an impression for me to go back there.
September 1, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, Spoosner said: Has anyone actually eaten there recently? I heard a rumor the food has improved, but I haven't been in 15 years. A few months ago. It was ok.
September 1, 20223 yr Author 1 hour ago, Spoosner said: Has anyone actually eaten there recently? I heard a rumor the food has improved, but I haven't been in 15 years. Cold chips out a bag and crappy salsa, both likely straight from the Sysco truck. Hard to overcome that. Sad. I used to love that place in the Doug English and Clay McPhail, et al. era.
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