The Signs Of Austin

Hut's Hamburgers
807 W 6th St
There are two histories to tell—the story of the building and the story of Hut’s. Both involve hamburgers. The Joseph family owns the building at 807 W 6th, the same family that ran Favorite Liquor (another Sign of Austin and now Favorite Pizza). In 1939, Sammie Joseph opened a drive-thru burger joint in the Hut’s building called Sammie’s, which later became Eli’s Lounge and the Picante Restaurant. The original Hut’s Hamburgers opened in 1939 on South Congress until Homer “Hut” Hutson bought the lease from Joseph and moved in 1969. Kim and Mike “Hutch” Hutchinson took over Hut’s in 1981 and ran it for 38 years before serving their last burger on October 20, 2019. The only remaining Hut’s location is at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Posted on March 24, 2024 under 6th
Favorite Liquor & Wine
801 W 6th St
Sammie Joseph was capitalizing on the repeal of Prohibition when he opened his liquor store in 1939. At the time there were more than 20 liquor stores on East Sixth Street, but Favorite was the only one to last and is the oldest liquor store in Austin. Mr. Joseph also owned the building that houses Hut’s Hamburgers, which used to be called Sammie’s Drive-In. Mr. Joseph’s grandfather opened a candy store on Congress Avenue in the 1880s, and his brother opened the El Patio and Centennial Liquor on Guadalupe. Favorite Liquor is currently run by Mr. Joseph’s son, Sammie Joseph, Jr.

Posted on January 12, 2016 under 6th
Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz
320 E 6th St
The Ritz has a long and colorful history that starts with J.J. Hegman in 1929. He built the theater to screen talkies and ran it with his son until they had to close in 1964 due to the popularity of television. After a few years showing adult films, it was re-opened in 1974 by Jim Franklin as an extension of the Armadillo World Headquarters. In the 80s it was a notorious punk rock club and the temporary home of Esther’s Follies. In 2007 it was restored to its original glory as the new home of the downtown Alamo Drafthouse.

Posted on November 02, 2015 under 6th
Katz's Deli & Bar
618 W 6th St
Katz’s does unfortunately close. Opened in 1979 by Marc Katz, this authentic New York deli served drunken downtowners for nearly 31 years before shutting down in 2011. Mr. Katz was also a bit of a local celebrity. Oftentimes you’d find his yellow Cadillac DeVille convertible parked in front of the restaurant, and he famously ran for mayor in 2003. Katz’s son, Barry, still runs a location of the deli in Houston. The old Austin location has since been home to several generic clubs.

Posted on October 09, 2015 under 6th
Grove Drugstore
209 E 6th St
The Morley Brothers founded their drugstore in 1874 and sold it to Vernon Grove in 1933. For decades the tall, brightly lit neon sign was a 6th street landmark. After 100 years in operation, the building was converted into the Austin Visitor and Information Center. While they’ve done their best to repurpose the original sign, it’s just a shell of its former glory.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under 6th

Hut's Hamburgers

Favorite Liquor & Wine

Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz

Katz's Deli & Bar

Grove Drugstore