Dining
BY DACIA GARCIA
Manuel’s rst opened in downtown Austin in 1984 before opening its remaining Arboretum location in 1998.
COURTESY MANUEL’S
The Camarones Empanizados include wild-caught colossal Texas Gulf shrimp lightly battered and fried, served with salsa fresca, Mexican rice, guacamole and poblano chile crema, $34 .
The grilled wild-caught yellow n tuna steak is paired with lemon spinach, $38 .
DACIA GARCIA COMMUNITY IMPACT
COURTESY MANUEL’S
Manuel’s shines on as regional Mexican staple
Owned by Greg Koury and Jennifer McNevin, Manuel’s has contributed to the city’s culture since the opening of its rst location in downtown Aus- tin in 1984. Today, the duo focuses all their e orts on the restaurant’s sole location in the Arboretum neighborhood, which opened in 1998. The backstory Koury worked in the restaurant business throughout his time at University of Texas at Austin studying Latin American Studies, but took a short break between graduating and starting medical school in Kansas City. However, he soon grew to miss the industry and decided to move back to Austin and put all his energy into opening what the community now knows as Manuel’s. On the menu Diners can nd cuisine from various Mexican regions throughout the restaurant’s menu, from shareable appetizers and salads to entrees and desserts. McNevin said the business prioritizes locally sourcing all products to create fresh, nourishing dishes for customers. “Many of our customers know our priorities, some don’t, but even for the ones that don’t know the care we take in our sourcing and our prepara- tion, they know how they feel after they eat here,” McNevin said.
The atmosphere The team’s attention to detail ows from its kitchen throughout its decoration, with artwork created by McNevin’s brother in law, Aleah Koury. Each dining table is decorated with freshly-cut owers replaced weekly. The impact McNevin said the variety of customers that dine at Manuel’s represent the generations that have grown with the restaurant throughout its over 40 years of business. “The thing I like the most about Manuel’s is when I look around the dining room, I can see a group of sorority girls, a group that’s their parents’ age, a newer younger couple with younger kids and some seniors in there,” McNevin said. Latest update In August 2024, Community Impact reported about a redevelopment proposal for Great Hills Market, stating Manuel’s lease in the space was expected to end in December 2025. McNevin said the landowner’s redevelopment project has been put on hold inde nitely and the restaurant’s lease has been extended past its previous December 2025 date. While the team is keeping the exact lease extension timeline to themselves, McNevin said community members can rest assured that the restaurant is currently here to stay.
Manuel’s also o ers specialty cocktails.
COURTESY MANUEL’S
The business is owned by husband and wife duo, Greg Koury and Jennifer McNevin.
COURTESY MANUEL’S
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10201 Jollyville Road, Austin www.manuels.com
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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
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