Are There Really Jinxed Locations?

We’ve all discussed how some locations in and around Austin simply can’t seem to sustain a profitable restaurant, regardless of the concept. I don’t know if the jinx thing has any real valence, but you have to agree, it is a bit strange!

Probably the worst spot is in Westlake, at Bee Caves and Walsh Tarleton. Since the early 1980’s, restaurants from a place called Interurban, to Chez Fred, to Serrano’s to Rock Fish and finally to Red Bud Grille, and I’ve probably left out another half dozen or so, have all failed at that location.

Another disastrous location was on Barton Springs next to Chuy’s. The final victim was Wan Fu II which stayed around far longer than it should have. Prior to that at least 8-9 restaurants (including an ice cream parlor) failed there. You would think they would have done OK just on the enormous overflow from Chuy’s. But not so.

Still another problem spot has been on W. 6th next to The Belmont. It’s the current location of Maiko (which doesn’t appear to be packing them in) but before that it housed Demi Epicurious, Sardine Rouge, Pfuzzi all of which were damned good restaurants and all of which failed. Go figure.

And how about that ultimate disaster on Lake Austin Boulevard? While the Hula Hut across the parking lot continues to mint money, the place that originally housed the Lodge at Lakeview followed by The Dam View, the disastrous Eldorado, and even The Boatyard (launched by the Hula Hut people) has yet to house a winner. When Mike Young and his gang can’t make money on a location there’s really something wrong.

And how can we forget the location out at Davenport Village on Highway 360? It most recently housed the failed white table cloth version of the Salt Lick and before that for or five other disasters.

Personally, as a some-time statistician, I do not subscribe to jinxes. These spots are probably just statistical anomalies. Places where concept, execution, and operation all fail to coalesce… again and again and again. Hmmmmmmmmm!