Photo: Thomas Meredith FOR THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN
As reported by Austin 360, El Gallo, the longtime, family-run Tex-Mex restaurant on South Congress, is shutting down.
The current owner Abel Kennedy’s parents opened El Gallo in 1957. Kennedy’s mother, Maria died in May 2015 and her children are now prepared to move onto other ventures.
“This was mom and dad’s place. They put their heart and soul into it,” he said. “It had just gotten to be that time. This is a single-family restaurant. I’m the youngest of five siblings — and I’m pushing 60.”
Increased costs played a factor in the decision to close the establishment. Annual property taxes for El Gallo have increased from $25,000 to $145,000, General Manager Sandra Madrid told the Austin American-Statesman.
Owner Abel Gonzalez Kennedy said the final day of service will be Sunday, Jan. 29th.
