North - Northwest Austin Edition | August 2023

DINING FEATURE The Bon Aire Midwest-inspired eatery serves up aordable bar food, beer T he Bon Aire team prides itself on oering a simple menu of American classics at some of the lowest prices in the city. Owners Frederick “Fritz” Beer and Scott Hillen, two high school friends from Alton, Illinois, ocially opened the eatery in July 2020. The pair were inspired by their hometown bar Fast Eddie’s Bon Air, which they frequented as college stu- dents. Fast Eddie’s, Beer and Hillen said, is known for its neighborhood pub feel: beer, sports and good food at good prices. “We always loved the concept and thought it would work anywhere,” Beer said. “[Fast Eddie’s] concept was that he had a half-pound burger for a dollar, so people loved to go there. ... We got a lot of advice from them.” The Bon Aire features walkup a-la-carte kitchen service and a large wraparound center bar. Along with $3.99 half-pound burgers, $0.39 jumbo peel-and-eat shrimp and a skewer of large bone-in wings for $5.99, the menu includes pork sirloin and beef tenderloin kebabs, bratwurst, toasted ravioli, shoestring fries and a couple vegetarian options—all under $10. The secret to staying cheap is keeping it simple, Hillen said. “We don’t have an expensive salaried chef back there. Everybody works the line and they’re tipped employees,” Hillen said. “Everything is made fresh here in-house. Not only is the food super inexpen- sive, it’s high quality.” In keeping with their inspiration from Fast Eddie’s and other Midwest-style pubs, The Bon Aire has over 20 beers on tap, happy hour drink deals, regular trivia nights and sports game watch parties on the at-screen TVs. “We get all types of people here,” Hillen said. “There will be a guy in a suit and tie sitting next to a guy in a softball uniform. Everybody likes a good deal.” BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Scotty Hot Brat ($4.99) : A house-made St. Louis-style bratwurst hot dog with jalapenos.

COURTESY THE BON AIRE

Big G & Big T ($5.99) & ($4.99) : Pork and beef kebabs with onion or green pepper.

From left: The Bon Aire is owned by Fritz Beer and Scott Hillen.

BRITTANY ANDERSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COURTESY THE BON AIRE

Fast Freddie Burger ($3.99) : A half-pound seasoned and charbroiled beef patty.

Hot Chix on Stix ($5.99) : Five large bone-in wings tossed in a spicy dry rub.

COURTESY THE BON AIRE

The Bon Aire 9070 Research Blvd., Ste. 101, Austin 512-284-7038 www.bonaireatx.com Bar hours: Mon.-Thu. 3-11 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.- midnight, Sun. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Kitchen hours: Mon.-Thu. 4-10:30 p.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023