East Austin's culinary landmark, Cisco's Restaurant Bakery & Bar, which has served up Tex-Mex staples like migas and huevos rancheros since the 1950s, recently secured a grant aimed at preserving its storied location. The $50,000 boost comes courtesy of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a partnership with American Express, which distributed funds to 50 small, historic restaurants nationwide, reported KVUE.
Not merely a beneficiary, but a vessel of generational memories, Cisco's represents a tangible connection to Austin's past amid its rapidly evolving urban tapestry, with a presence on East Sixth Street that dates back to 1914. In a statement obtained by The Austin Monitor, Matt Cisneros, who took over the family business in 2017, expressed his determination not to let, his grandfather's legacy fade into obsolescence in the face of relentless urban development.
The capital infusion is part of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, totaling $2.5 million in grants for this year's selected establishments. Each of these historical dining spots, including Cisco's, received $50,000 to support their continued operation and preservation. For the dedicated clientele, such as longtime customer Gardner Selby, who told KVUE, that the restaurant represents a perennial fixture offering "a taste of Austin 50 years or older."
Cisco's plans to allocate the funds for maintenance, including restoration work on the building's exterior and the repainting of graffitied murals. Cisneros detailed to The Austin Monitor that these efforts are not just aesthetic, but would aid in the overall cash flow to employees. "(Cisco’s) is an encapsulation of time in a city that’s just ever-changing," he said, underscoring Cisco's role as a no-judgment, casual gathering spot.
The grant not only ensures the restaurant's survival but stands as a reminder of the city's heritage. Cisneros hopes Austinites will take the restaurant's restoration as a prompt to recall the historical relics that have contributed to making the city what it is today. "Eat at all the places you want to eat out," he says, "Places like Cisco’s and other historic spots made the city cool," echoing a sentiment shared with Austin Monitor. With such support, traditions like Cisco's seem set to continue serving the community for generations to come.
