Tex-Mex concept Z’Tejas has closed its restaurants

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Z’Tejas, an Austin, Texas-based Tex-Mex concept founded in 1989, closed its last remaining restaurant on June 30.

A note posted to the company’s website reads, “After nearly three decades of serving communities across Texas and Arizona, it’s time to say goodbye to this chapter. With our lease coming to an end and the challenges of today’s market, we’ve made the very difficult decision to close (Z’Tejas) — our last remaining outpost.”

The original Z’Tejas opened on Austin’s 6^th Street, serving made-from-scratch Southwestern cuisine such as cast-iron cornbread, street corn risotto, and sizzling fajitas. Its menu also included handcrafted cocktails, curated wines, and local beer. Z’Tejas also offered brunch and private events.

Z’Tejas grew to 14 restaurants before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015. It was acquired by Cornbread Ventures, which filed for bankruptcy in 2017, according to AZCentral.com.

It was then acquired by Randy Cohen and Michael Stone and the system whittled down to four locations — two in Arizona, two in Texas — before shuttering. Cohen told the Phoenix Business Journal that he wants to sell the business to focus on other ventures.