An end of an era is upon Austin's barbecue aficionados, as the beloved food truck LeRoy & Lewis prepares to bid farewell to its original setup at Cosmic Coffee + Beer. The food truck, known for its innovative approach to smoked meats, will cease operations on July 21 to switch gears and pour all its succulent resources into the recently-opened restaurant at 5621 Emerald Forest Drive, according to an announcement from Eater Austin.

Founded in 2017, pitmaster Evan LeRoy alongside Sawyer Lewis initially set out to redefine Texas barbecue, an aspiration that caught fire swiftly, culminating in the inception of their static restaurant earlier this year. A heart-warming "going away party" planned for their last day will trim the menu down to brisket, burgers, Sichuan beef ribs, kale Caesar salad, and Frito pies. As mentioned in a statement obtained by the Austin American Statesman, the owners shared, "We’ve made so many incredible memories and friendships over the past seven years at Cosmic, and we are looking forward to celebrating these last couple weeks and are excited to see someone special fill the food truck spot there to serve the South Austin community."

LeRoy & Lewis's pivot reflects a broader pattern in Austin's food truck landscape, with fellow barbecue giant, Micklethwait Craft Meats, also transitioning from wheels to walls in East MLK later this year. This movement signals a change that the once-dominant food truck scene in Austin is now channeling its smoky fervor into more permanent establishments, as reported by Eater Austin.

While the departures of LeRoy & Lewis and Micklethwait might cast a shadow, the barbecue food truck scene in Austin is not fading away. It's been a transition reflected in several other establishments joining forces with brick-and-mortar businesses, offering shade and a seat to customers seeking refuge from Texas' scorching climate. Despite the thinning ranks, stalwarts like Distant Relatives, Brown's BBQ, and newcomers like KG BBQ keep the coals hot, welcoming both old aficionados and new converts to their smoky realms. Cosmic Coffee + Beer, hosting the soon-to-depart LeRoy & Lewis, is currently looking for a new truck to fill the void left by their leaving, as noted in information shared by the Austin American-Statesman.

The final smoke-out at LeRoy & Lewis’s truck will run from 11 a.m. until everything sells out on July 21, giving patrons one last chance to sample their cherished fare from the confines of the truck that started it all. Beyond that, they aim to cater to the grab-and-go crowd with an expansion of packaged foods, including flat iron steaks, Citra hop sausages, beef cheeks, and more, creating a legacy that extends beyond the constraints of four wheels and a small kitchen space.