Southside Market & Barbecue, the popular restaurant and store chain, plans to open a nearly 8,000 square foot Leander location, according to recent public records. The restaurant will be located at 10744 E Crystal Falls Parkway, in a growing area underpopulated by restaurants.
“Leander is a great community,” CEO and owner Bryan Bracewell says about the restaurant’s upcoming location. “Leander has the feel of a small town while being poised for growth. It’s a well-defined community and it fits our model.”
One of the aspects which makes Southside notable in an area dense with barbecue options is perhaps the longevity of its recipes, such as its signature Elgin sausage, made as it was in the 19th century.
“The base of the recipe is the same as it was then, but I’m sure there have been some adjustments over the years,” Mr. Bracewell explains. “The recipe actually wasn’t written down when my grandfather acquired the business. There was a worker there, Bud Frazier, who had been there since 1902, something like that, and my grandfather was able to observe Bud’s process enough to write it down.”
To this day, that sausage stands as the brand’s best-seller, and one of Mr. Bracewell’s top picks from his menu.
“The sausage is our biggest seller, along with our brisket and pork rib. 80% of our sales are comprised of those three items. If we’re having a good day on those items, we’re having a good day overall.”
When asked about potential opening dates, Mr. Bracewell foresees a late 2023 opening.
“We’re waiting on permits from the city of Leander. As soon as we receive our permits and close on the property, we hope to start construction in March and hope to be open by the end of the year.”
Until the Leander location opens its doors, readers can find the brand’s locations in Elgin, Bastrop, Austin, and Hutto.
