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Food

Matt’s El Rancho co-owner named Restaurateur of the Year

The Texas Restaurant Awards recognized a handful of foodservice industry favorites in the Austin area.

July 24, 2024 • 
Laura Figi
The Matt's El Rancho sign

The classic Tex-Mex restaurant has been in its current location since 1986, but originally opened in 1952.

Photo by Wally Gobetz

Hope you’re hungry, because Austin’s food scene is worth its salt.

The Texas Restaurant Awards recognized three Austin-area food industry favorites earlier this month.

The awards are put on by the Texas Restaurant Association, which represents the Lone Star State’s ~56,000 restaurants and $106.8-billion foodservice industry.

Here are the lauded locals:

Gloria Reyna, co-owner of Matt’s El Rancho | Restaurateur of the Year | Reyna’s leadership and entrepreneurial spirit led to this iconic Mexican restaurant serving 630,000+ meals in a year.

Nancy & Dan Garrison, founders of Garrison Brothers Distillery | Carmelo Mauro Spirit of Generosity Award | Awarded for outstanding philanthropy and ethics in the industry, this distillery was the first in Texas.

Dave & Lindsay Plante, owners of Blue Bonnet Cafe | Deep in the Heart Award | This beloved Marble Falls cafe was awarded for excellence outside of Texas’ major metros.

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