AUSTIN, Texas — A longtime East Austin favorite is closing its doors on Saturday.
The food kitchen known as “The Gizzard Store” will serve its last customers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the Manor Food Mart #1 convenience store at Manor Road and Loyola Lane. That’s where it’s been serving up chicken, fish and gizzards for nearly 20 years.
The kitchen’s owner told KVUE the reason for the closure is “a long story” and said he would share more later. He did say the property owner didn’t want his business there any longer.
Just after 11 a.m. on Saturday, a sign at the kitchen’s front counter showed gizzards were sold out.
The food kitchen drew loyal customers for years, including employees at the auto repair shop and barber shop across the street.
“I’m going to be pretty mad about it, I’m not going to lie,” said customer Damion Sorrells Jr. “We’re going to miss him being there. A lot of the spots around this area, they had the same food for so long, and he’s here every day, consistently, has a long line every day. It’s going to hurt. I’m going to miss him.”
Sorrells Jr. told KVUE he’s been a customer for about six years.
“I just give him his flowers,” said Sorrell Jr. “He’s a real good dude, always been super nice to us. So, I definitely wish him the best since he’s going a different way now.”
The owner told KVUE he’s not sure where he’ll go next.