Our Favorite Austin Restaurants Owned and Operated by Women

In the constant furor over whose doing what in the uber hot Austin dining scene, we often forget that there are a boatload of successfully and highly entrepreneurial women who have found their niche in what used to be a business dominated by men. That is, as you will see, is no longer the case.

Freda Cheng: Freda’s Seafood Grill

Freda Cheng had a highly profitable Chinese restaurant in Georgetown, but she gave it all up to open a gorgeous building on Pecan Park off 620. Freda is the older sister of the mercurial Ronald Cheng of Chinatown fame, and it appears they are both cut from the same cloth.

The concept has been seafood and steaks with a Cajun flair, and that’s still the case. Consulting chef J.P. LaCoste came in for a refresh last Fall, and the food is better than ever. Try the Stacked Seafood Salad and see if you don’t agree. But the key to it all is Freda. It’s not the same when she’s not there working her own charming style of customer hospitality. She is a vivacious and very caring woman, and it comes across at her restaurant. This is one of my favorite spots in North Austin. Great bar as well.

Dr. Foo Swasdee: Satay

Foo Swasdee has been around the Austin food scene since the early 80’s. Her Satay on West Anderson Lane is a landmark for innovative Thai dining. Unknown to many, Foo has a PhD in Food Science from Texas A&M. So she sees meals at her restaurant from an entirely different perspective. She also imports her famous Thai sauces from a small office around the corner of her restaurant. She is an iconic figure, and continues to produce quality dishes that stand with the best in the city. Her husband is an engineer who also likes to cook and is responsible for the delicious soy chocolate pie that the restaurant serves. (And yes, it is delicious.) And you would never know that soy is the base ingredient.

Sharon Watkins: Chez Zee

Sharon Watkins is a study in resilience and street smarts with regards to restaurants. When her partners left her holding the bag, so to speak, for the successful Chez Fred franchise (including the one on Walsh Tarleton in Westlake), she didn’t panic. Instead, the former Austin advertising agency owner formed a plan and stuck to it. She paid down the debt while negotiating to buy a piece of property at 2222 and Parkcrest. That ultimately became the site of what is now known as Chez Zee, and the rest is Austin Legend.

Chez Zee is the ultimate home of the ladies who lunch, and a late night supper mecca for the Austin cognoscenti. It also goes on a waiting list for Weekend brunches. Her crème brûlée French toast is so popular it can be shipped around the country. And her dessert showcase is a work of art. Sharon is indeed a class act and I have great respect for her.

Heidi Garbo: Garbo’s

I love hearing stories where popular little trailers morph into brick and mortar restaurants. None better than Garbo’s, an emporium for fresh New England shell fish where nothing is ever “off,” and is always pristine and fresh.

Garbo’s occupies the location on Bratton Lane where Michael and Yoli Amr began the original Gumbo’s. No doubt there are some good vibes in this space because Garbo’s has hit the ground running.

Heidi’s dad is a fish exporter in New England and what better place to get your shellfish from. The two most popular sellers from this cornucopia of product and are the Fried Clams with Whole Bellies and the Lobster Rolls.

Now a whole Fried Clam differs exponentially from a Fried Clam Strip. The strip give you just the neck of the steamer. The whole clam gives the bellies as well and the difference is enormous. Eating only a Fried Clam strip is like taking a shower with a raincoat on and Heidi Garbo knows the difference.

The Lobster Roll is the Classic tradition from Maine to CT. I grew up with rolls crammed full of claw and leg meat and and served on a grilled bun with drizzled butter.

Daniella Marcone: Andiamo

This is a great story. Andiamo was originally opened at Rutland and Burnet by an enigmatic Iranian owner who kept telling people that he hurt his arm in the war. Luckily he moved on, and the place was bought by the jovial Joe Melomo. All through these transitions, a young women from Naples, Italy was working there is various capacities. When Joe tired of the day-to-day work of owning a restaurant, Daniella Marcone saw her opportunity, got a family loan, and made Joe an offer. What occurred after that was the rise of Andiamo to first rate Northern Italian restaurant (and I could really give a flip that the Fearless Critic doesn’t agree). Daniella fused the creative forces that remained at the restaurant in to one smooth operation, and hired some new personnel to fill the gaps.

The result has been a consistently pleasing operation that has thrived despite its somewhat dubious location. The classic Veal Porcini has always been my favorite, and the engaging and always al dente gnochhi has run a close second. Like Freda Cheng, Daniella knows how to work a room and the place is adorned with gorgeous photos of Umbria and the Amalfi Coast. It’s also, like most Italian joints, a good placer to linger. You can look up our most recent video review of Andiamo on YouTube and at the same time get to hear the lovely Daniella.

Coming next week in part II…

Caroline Huntsberger: Quality Seafood
Rosie Avila: Joe’s Bakery
Mary and Sarah: Angel’s Ice House
Fabienne: Rolling in Thyme and Dough
Sonya Cote: Eden East