Two of the most popular names in the Austin restaurant world have come together to bring life back to a South Austin landmark and create a new home for a legacy brand.
Bartlett’s owner Trey Wolslager has partnered with the prolific and stylish McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality to open a location of the beloved American grill in the space at 301 W. Riverside that was home to Threadgill’s for 22 years.
Wolslager has considered expanding the brand since purchasing the North Austin restaurant in 2023. But he wanted to find a partner he could trust to run the legacy business, which late owner Tim Bartlett operated as Houston’s from 1986 to 2009 before changing the name in 2010.
It turns out Wolslager wasn’t the only longtime fan of Bartlett’s. MML co-founder Larry McGuire has long loved the American bar and grill and had actually made a run at buying the restaurant when it was for sale several years ago.
Barbecue ribs are one of the items turned out of the wood-fired grill at Bartlett’s. (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman)
Barbecue ribs are one of the items turned out of the wood-fired grill at Bartlett’s. (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman)
A mutual friend and investor connected Wolslager to the Crockett family, who have owned the property for more than 100 years. Wolslager knew MML was the only operator in town with the expertise to execute the brand extension.
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“I think they do a phenomenal job,” Wolslager said of the group that operates more than 20 restaurants and bars in Austin, including Perla’s, Clark’s and Jeffrey’s. “Anybody who talks about Bartlett’s, it’s all about consistency. It’s not just the food, it’s the staff and the environment. I think Larry and his team always deliver that same consistency.»