Austin Grill, the longtime Tex-Mex brand that once had a strong presence across the DMV, will celebrate its return with a grand opening on Tuesday, Feb. 4, in Sterling, Virginia, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page and website.
The opening-day celebration will include two rounds of giveaways. From 11:30am to 2pm, the first 50 guests will receive a mix of merchandise, gift cards, and freebies. A second round of giveaways is scheduled from 5pm to 7pm. The restaurant teased the comeback with a nod to its roots, writing, “This ain’t our first rodeo… we’re ready to kick things off with a bang.”
Austin Grill was founded in 1988 by restaurateur Robert Wilder, with the original location opening in Glover Park, D.C. The concept quickly became known for its “AustinThentic” Tex-Mex, built around scratch-made salsas, warm flour tortillas, wood-grilled flavors, and a lively neighborhood vibe.
At its peak, Austin Grill expanded throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, becoming a familiar name to many local diners. Signature menu items included Mason Jar margaritas, wood-grilled wings, and classic Tex-Mex staples that made it a go-to spot for happy hours, family dinners, and casual nights out.
In 2006, the brand was acquired by Thompson Hospitality, which later experimented with smaller-format “Austin Grill Express” locations in malls and on college campuses. Despite those efforts, many of the traditional full-service Austin Grill restaurants closed or were converted into other concepts by the mid-2010s, leaving longtime fans wondering if the brand was gone for good.
The Sterling opening marks Austin Grill’s latest attempt to reestablish itself in the region where it built its reputation. The company says menus, weekly events, and specials are available on its website, signaling plans for a full return rather than a one-off reopening.
For many in the DMV, the comeback brings a wave of nostalgia, and for newer residents, it offers a chance to experience a once-iconic local Tex-Mex name making another run at the spotlight.
