The Austin food scene has a new permanent resident: Bad Larry's, a brand known for their pop-up Smashburger prowess, is setting up a brick-and-mortar location in East Austin. The all-day bar and restaurant, poised to become the new go-to spot for burger aficionados, will open early next year at 2027 E. Cesar Chavez St., in a space that once housed Quickie Pickie.
Matthew Bolick, the mind behind Bad Larry Burger Club and co-owner of Brew & Brew and Better Half, has teamed up with Open Road Hospitality for this new venture. Open Road is a collaboration between notable Austin scene architects including Nathan Hill of White Horse and Frazier's Long & Low, and Jeremy Murray of Kitty Cohen’s, according to Eater. The partnership also involves design input from KKDW design studios and participation from Frazier's general manager Heather Muir.
Bad Larry's will offer the iconic Smashburger that gained them acclaim, made with a chuck and brisket mixture from Austin’s K&C Cattle Co. This local favorite is dressed simply, opting out of veggie fixings like lettuce and tomato. Beyond their signature offering, the menu also includes breakfast options such as a Breakfast Larry, silver dollar pancakes, and a potentially tantalizing "meatball/parm smashburger situation," as per an Austin American Statesman interview.
In addition to the food, the establishment is set to serve a wide array of drinks ranging from "fun, trashy, cheeky cocktails and frozen," maintaining the distinct and irreverent brand persona that's resonated with Austinites. "If you look at early White Horse days, that is what we did. We took the business seriously but the persona was just wild and crazy guys" Hill told the Austin American-Statesman. The space will also host regular events, mirroring the lively atmosphere of the Bad Larry pop-ups.
Despite the coming restaurant, the Bad Larry Burger Club is not saying farewell to its pop-up roots. The club plans to continue appearing around town for limited-run events, keeping the thrill of the chase alive for their Smashburger devotees.
