Courthouse dining elevated: Veracruz All Natural contracts with county courts facility

Veracruz All Natural, which makes some of Austin’s most acclaimed tacos, will open an outpost downtown to serve the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility.

The facility opened earlier this year, with about 2,247 square feet of real estate located on the first floor of 1700 Guadalupe Street. And its cafe space has been unoccupied since, said Gabriel Stock, the interim director for facilities management – until now.

Stock said the agreement with Veracruz All Natural will last five years with possible renewals. “I’m sure everyone’s very excited,” he said.

Stock mentioned the restaurant is still finishing up the city’s permitting process, but that it expects to be functional in the next two to three weeks. “I’d say early September is probably the most likely time frame,” he said.

County Commissioner Brigid Shea said that there’s excitement about the new eatery, since there aren’t many food options near the new courts facility. “So all the jurors, all the staff, all the judges – it’s been frustrating for them to go out at lunchtime and get food,” she said.

Shea added, “Thanks to whoever helped put this together. I’m grateful that we have this, and they won’t really have to do anything, because that cafe is all set. The kitchen, dining area, everything’s already there.” Stock mentioned that Veracruz plans to bring in a few additional pieces of equipment into the space.

Commissioner Jeffrey Travillion said that going through the bidding process for prospective cafe occupants was important, even if it meant delaying food options at the court facility.

“While it took time, I think the results of this process will render something that not only can we be proud of, but it was done by the book,” Travillion said.

County Judge Andy Brown mentioned the owners of Veracruz All Natural – sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez – started with a food trailer on Cesar Chavez Street.

“They have now grown into this amazing brick-and-mortar empire of tacos,” Brown said, adding that they recently made a foray into Los Angeles. That pop-up location, dubbed Hot Tacos, closed early in 2022. The Vazquez sisters currently operate a half-dozen Central Texas eateries.

“Great local success story,” Brown said.

“I’d like them to serve tacos out of the basement here,” said Commissioner Ann Howard, jokingly referring to giving the Commissioners Court its own taco joint. “It’s ready to go; it looks all set up.”

“Baby steps,” said Stock.

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

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