Austin Terrier Owner Jamie Durnil
This guest blog article is by Cindy Plata.
When Jamie Durnil opened Austin Terrier in the fall of 2011, he was hoping for a mid-scale place with good food, a great atmosphere, and even better customer service. Almost two years later, he has accomplished all of the above and more.
In just two short years, Austin Terrier has become a favorite place for locals and visitors alike, and word-of-mouth keeps new faces coming through the door. Named one of Austin’s “Best Kept Secrets” in 2012, Austin Terrier is a secret no more.
What’s in a Name?
So what’s the story behind the name, Austin Terrier? “Austin is obviously pet-friendly, and there are a lot of pet owners here, especially dog owners. We wanted a fun play on words, but also to embrace the city’s culture and the vibe here,” said Jamie.
The place itself is an ode to the Boston Terrier dog. Both the signs outside and the menus are topped with the face of a Boston Terrier. The breed serves as the restaurant’s theme and logo.
Boston Terrier KISS mural
There are also two murals on the inside walls that pay tribute to The Beatles and KISS in their own “Austin Terrier” way. The faces of the band members are replaced with the faces of Boston Terriers. The murals are my favorite part of the décor in Austin Terrier. While an ode to the Boston Terrier, they also pay subtle tribute to Austinites’ LOVE for music.
We also love our dogs, and Austin Terrier is proud to be a dog-friendly establishment. You’ll find a perfectly shaded patio sure to please both you and your favorite four-legged friend!
Take a Bite and Enjoy!
Austin Terrier is no ordinary sandwich shop. They offer a variety of sandwiches, salads, and pizzas to satisfy even the pickiest of palates. The Trio of Fries under the appetizer section is always an appealing choice. Our waitress, Christina, highly recommended it as their most popular appetizer on the menu. The plate sounded too good to pass up, so we indulged!
Trio of Fries: Sweet Potato, Truffle & Parmesan and Paprika & Mustard
The Trio of Fries comes with- you guessed it – a trio of fries! The flavors are: Sweet Potato, Truffle & Parmesan, and Paprika & Mustard. They are served with a spicy ketchup and garlic aioli, and they are to die for! If you don’t go to Austin Terrier for anything else, go for these fries! They are a MUST TRY!
My favorite sandwich, which Jamie says is also their most popular, is called the Getty. It contains sliced chicken breast, pesto mayo, tomatoes, spinach, and provolone and feta cheese. You can choose from white, wheat, and pita bread. For gluten-free, there is a lettuce leaf option. You can also get the Getty hot or cold. I ordered my Getty hot on pita bread, as I always do. As always, it did not disappoint!
Getty Sandwich at Austin Terrier
The chicken and cheeses were buried under the spinach and tomatoes, but that didn’t mean they were holding out. There was a mound of chicken and cheese to make for a perfectly delicious sandwich. The cheeses and the mayo added a creamy goodness to the chicken and the veggies, and I enjoyed every single bite!
Come One, Come All
Jamie Durnil has created a place where anyone can go and enjoy the atmosphere and the food without emptying their pockets. Austin Terrier’s versatility ranges from mid-scale to family-friendly. There is even a section of the restaurant dedicated to “little ones,” with books (all dog-related) and a giant black chalkboard where they are free to draw and color.
“I think we provide a casual environment with a price point where anyone can come and enjoy both the consistency in our food and our customer service”, says Jamie on the environment his place provides for customers.
Austin Terrier’s dog patio
“I hope people enjoy coming to eat our food, but I also want to make sure that people come and enjoy the customer service as well. Whether they’re coming for a dollar cup of coffee or a fifty dollar bottle of wine, the service should never change. It should always be at the highest level possible.”
With Jamie’s devotion to responding to what his customers ask for, his dedication to providing great food and top-of- the-line customer service, and the welcoming vibe he provides for every person visiting his place, Austin Terrier is sure to gain even more popularity in the years to come.
Austin Terrier is located at 3435 Greystone Dr. near Mopac and Spicewood Springs.
Cindy Plata is a freelance writer, and loves all things Austin. She enjoys exploring places around town and occasionally getting lost in her adventures.
Photos courtesy of Johanna Cortez.
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