The Signs Of Austin

EZ's Brick Oven & Grill
3918 N Lamar Blvd
EZ’s is a San Antonio-based restaurant chain that was founded in 1989. In another life their North Lamar location was home to 2Js, a popular spot to grab 19 cent hamburgers before heading out to the Chief Drive-In at the corner of Koenig and Lamar. It was also a frequent hangout for the students of Dillon High School. The EZ’s sign looks like it is from the 50s because it was adapted from the original 2Js sign by Ion Art.

Posted on September 02, 2015 under North Lamar
Sandy’s Hamburgers
603 Barton Springs Rd
A cold dip in Barton Springs Pool followed by frozen custard at Sandy’s has long been an Austin tradition. Named after their daughter, Andy and Julia Harris opened the iconic burger stand in 1946. Although the neon sign looks original, it’s actually a replica built by Lewis Signs. The original sign was hit by a car in 2006 and had to be replaced. å

Posted on August 22, 2015 under Barton Springs
Austin Motel
1220 S Congress Ave
The Austin Motel’s land was purchased by German immigrants in 1888, and their children built the motel 50 years later to capitalize on the automobile boom. It has been in continuous operation since 1938, and run by three generations of the Thompson family since 1961. Their rooms are known for having their own unique theme, and the neon sign is the original one that was erected in the 30s.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under South Congress
Top Notch Hamburgers
7525 Burnet Rd
Originally opened as Burkhart’s Motor Dining in 1964, Ray and Frances Stanish bought the restaurant in 1971 and re-opened it as Top Notch. They ran it for close to 40 years, only recently selling it in 2008. Although the fried chicken at Top Notch is hard to beat, it’s probably most famous for being the setting of Richard Linklater’s 1993 film Dazed and Confused.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under Burnet
Matt's Famous El Rancho
2613 S Lamar Blvd
The Martinez family has been serving some of Austin’s best Mexican food since 1952. Matt Martinez was a golden glove boxer that got his start in the restaurant business by selling his wife’s tamales from a pushcart in East Austin. They settled into their current location in 1986. Rumor has it that Matt’s was a favorite of President Johnson, and he would send Air Force 1 to fetch their famous chili relleno.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under South Lamar
The Hole In the Wall
2538 Guadalupe St
The welcoming yellow glow of The Hole In the Wall marquee has been a fixture on The Drag since 1974. With legendary venues such as Liberty Lunch and Armadillo World Headquarters long gone, The Hole epitomizes the original spirit of Austin’s music scene. It was almost shut down for good in 2003, but was saved at the 11th hour by the owners of Austin’s Pizza.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under Guadalupe
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
Kruger's Diamond Jewelers
722 Congress Ave
In the early 1900s, Sam Kruger began making watches in his native Ukraine. After immigrating to America in 1904, he started the Kruger Jewelry Company in Fort Worth. Along the way, he gave a job to his nephew Morris Zale and helped him open his own store in Wichita Falls. Kruger settled into his downtown Austin location in 1939 which is currently run by his grandson David.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under Congress (Downtown)
Emo's
603 Red River St
One of Austin’s most beloved music venues actually got its start in Houston. The second location of Eric “Emo” Hartman’s club opened up in a former country & western bar on Red River St in 1992. The club mysteriously shut down in 2011 and was moved to a location on Riverside Drive that was the former home of the influential Back Room. The Houston location has been closed down since 2001.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under Red River
Quality Seafood
5621 Airport Blvd
In 1938, Quality Seafood got its start as a stall in Starr’s Fruit and Vegetable Market across from the Capitol. The original owner was Garnet Lenz, and he moved the business around until settling into a storefront on E MLK Blvd (then 19th Street). They were forced out by The University in 1970 and moved into a former bowling alley on Airport Blvd to capitalize on the opening of Highland Mall.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under Airport
Capitol Saddlery
1614 Lavaca St
Built in 1878 to be one of Austin’s first firehouses, Buck Steiner bought the building in 1932 and turned it into Capitol Saddlery. Their boots were famously made by Charlie Dunn, who was immortalized in a Jerry Jeff Walker song and known as the “Michelangelo of cowboy boots.” Steiner’s grandson, Bobby, moved the business in 2007, and the building was later turned into a residence.

Posted on August 22, 2015 under Guadalupe

EZ's Brick Oven & Grill

Sandy’s Hamburgers

Austin Motel

Top Notch Hamburgers

Matt's Famous El Rancho

The Hole In the Wall

Grove Drugstore

Kruger's Diamond Jewelers

Emo's

Quality Seafood

Capitol Saddlery