Austin's Bar-B-Q

Austin's in 2000 just before it was demolished. Thanks to Scott Dorn for use of his photo

Matchbook, probably before 1966.

"Tender as ol' Austin's Heart" was the familiar saying associated with this Oak Cliff favorite. Owner Austin Cook started the business at 2321 W. Illinois off Hampton Rd. in 1949 with five booths, three tables and five stools.In 1966, after several expansions the restaurant could hold 120 people. Officer J.D. Tippit moonlighted at Austin's in the early sixties, as crowd control on rowdy Friday nights. Austin Cook was active in the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce for many years, and he also owned the Big Daddy Grill on Highway 67 near Kiest.

The building was demolished to make way for a new Eckerd's (now CVS) pharmacy.

originally published 6-13-2009


COMMENTS from the old web site.

from Epi - 5-28-2010
KF5EUB.com
epicam1981 at  gmail.com
My wife’s grandfather worked there, everyone just called him “Red”, he was even buried in his Austin’s work shirt.

from Eric Cox   9-23-2012
reddaytonadog  at  yahoo.com
As anyone would tell you, there’s no way things today are like they were yesterday and there is no way tomorrow will be like it is today. It gradually changed and the something like this comes along and then it completes the cycle, there’s no way out. I only ate there once and it was back in 1994 or 1995. It’s sad we had to lose a piece of history in Oak Cliff, but still, progress sometimes dictates things that we don’t like.

from Linda   10-13-2012
lindaling1  at  gmail.com
My husband and I both have memories of the best cheeseburgers we ever ate coming from Austin’s. **sigh**