Austin's culinary landscape is set to welcome a new addition in March 2025, as Fonda San Miguel, a stronghold of regional Mexican cuisine, prepares to open a new venue named Tzintzuntzan. Located adjacent to the original restaurant, Tzintzuntzan will serve breakfast and lunch, extending Fonda's longstanding tradition of evening service to earlier in the day. According to Eater Austin, the new spot aims to complement Fonda San Miguel's dinner-only offerings.
The new establishment at 2330 West North Loop Boulevard in the Allandale neighborhood is set to emphasize daytime meals with "extraordinary items from a genuine panaderia," as mentioned in a statement by Fonda San Miguel's owner Tom Gilliland, which was obtained by Community Impact. Tzintzuntzan, which translates to "place of hummingbirds" in the Purépecha language, sports a design crafted by Miró Rivera Architects, featuring a hummingbird-inspired logo with an orange color scheme. Guests will soon get to preview the menu at an event scheduled for September 15, aligning with the celebrations of Mexican Independence Day.
Natalie Gazaui, the executive pastry chef of Fonda, is poised to take the helm as the executive chef of Tzintzuntzan, said Eater Austin. Patrons can expect a culinary exploration through Mexican baked goods, ice cream, and regional dishes hailing from areas such as Merida and Mexico City. This venue further deepens the roots Fonda has cultivated since its opening in 1975 when it became one of Austin's first establishments to focus specifically on high-quality interior Mexican cuisines.
Integrating a patio and garden area, Tzintzuntzan and Fonda San Miguel will share an outdoor space, yet operate independently. Designed to foster a sense of community and connection, lead architect Juan Miró stated, "A memorable space that is connected to a communal activity is one of the best things that humans can do because it’s where we feel that connection as humans." This was reported in el Restaurante.
The anticipation for Tzintzuntzan not only reflects Fonda San Miguel's vision for culinary expansion but also signifies an evolving Austin, where gastronomic endeavors and architectural artistry come together. With a history enriched by traditions of Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, and Yucatan, Fonda San Miguel stands poised to continue influencing the landscape of Mexican cuisine well beyond its upcoming 50th anniversary. A preview of Tzintzuntzan's offerings and celebration of this legacy will occur on September 15 at Fonda San Miguel, with tickets available, as noted by a listing on TRIBEZA.
