The Signs Of Austin

Horseshoe Lounge
2034 S Lamar Blvd
Famous for its shuffleboard tournaments and jukebox, The Horseshoe Lounge was founded by Rene and Jimmy Gewing in 1965 after they took over the building’s lease from American Legion Post 83. The Gewing’s daughter Tennia started running the bar with her husband Brad in 2004, but rising rent forced the Horseshoe to close down in 2015 after 50 years in service. At the time, it was the oldest bar in South Austin. There were plans to move the bar and original sign to 153 E Riverside Drive and relaunch as Shoe.2, but permitting challenges at the new building prevented it from happening. The original location is now The Golden Goose bar.

Posted on March 08, 2024 under South Lamar
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar Blvd
The Broken Spoke is a time capsule on South Lamar. I think James White, who opened the dancehall in 1964, said it best. “It’s like going to the Alamo. You see all these big building and chain stores all around it, but when you go inside, it’s still the Alamo.” White modeled the Broken Spoke after the old Dessau Hall that he used to visit as a kid growing up in Austin. It’s stage has been graced by legends such as Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff, and George Strait. But perhaps more famous than it’s wagon wheel sign is the old 1948 Texas Top Hands band bus that used to be parked outside.

Posted on November 16, 2015 under South Lamar
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

Horseshoe Lounge

Broken Spoke

Matt's Famous El Rancho