As many of you know, Maudie’s restaurants announced a while back that they were planning a new restaurant in the bustling Bee Cave area near the new Hill Country Galleria.  What remained a mystery to most of us was where exactly this new Maudie’s would be and when it might open. 

With the recent demise of El Arroyo Bee Cave, we’re all clamoring for a new place to get our Tex-Mex fill.  Iron Cactus is great, don’t get me wrong. I love the location right on the outdoor amphitheater; especially if there’s live music.  But, if I’m being totally honest it’s got a little bit of a Dallasy vibe to it that just doesn’t feel like Austin Tex-Mex to me.

Enter Maudie’s.  These folks have been putting food on the table in Austin since the 50s.  And in the early 90s when they changed the menu to Tex-Mex, they did it in a way that Austinites appreciate.  The Bee Cave location will be their 6th in town and it appears they are going to do it right.

Their plans have now been approved by the City of Bee Cave, but they are saying publicly that they are timing the start of construction in such a way that the restaurant will not open until June 2010 or thereabouts.

The restaurant site is located on the eastern entrance to the Shops at the Galleria behind the old Jim Bob’s BBQ (now The Trading Post Wine Bar and Grill.)  They plan to build a 5500 square foot free-standing restaurant with a 4000 square foot deck area and a rooftop cantina.  Key design points for the eatery include a “hillside cocktail/waiting area embracing the existing arroyo and oak trees” and an “open rooftop deck rimmed by cushioned buncos and serviced by an upstairs margarita bar and appetizer station.”  I can deal with that. 

Bring on June.  It’s gonna be a great summer in Bee Cave!