Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Garbo.
Hi Heidi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Garbo’s name goes back to the East Coast, where my three sisters and I learned to adore the local lobster shacks and the catch of the day. The ocean and sandy beach were our entire lives and created memories that we are happy to share with anyone dining at our restaurant. I took those East Coast ties wherever I roamed – from Connecticut down to the Florida Keys where I opened up the famous food truck “Garbo’s Grill” and met my husband, who somehow found a way to pull me away from the ocean to the only land-locked home I’ve ever lived in, Austin, Texas.
It didn’t take long for ocean itch to set in, and I found myself daring to serve my favorite food from home, lobster rolls in Texas. East Coasters flocked looking for a bite of home, and many were introduced to lobster rolls for the first time. Austin gobbled them up! Thanks to the overwhelming support of the Austin community, one truck opened, and another, and another until I opened up my first brick and mortar in the neighborhood of Wells Branch in North Austin and I expanded my menu to feature more nostalgic cuisine from home. It didn’t take long for my sisters, Sam and Hannah, to join me in my new pursuits. After five years in Austin, I decided to expand my restaurant….in 2020.
In 2019, I felt that it was time to grow beyond my first cozy restaurant. I set my eyes on an old crab shack, turned beer pub, now vacant off of Parmer and Mopac that was once Opal Divine’s. The building was desperate for a new tenant who could see its potential. I signed a 15-year lease and got to work, then, as fate would have it, COVID-19 hit.
Despite all of the naysayers and pessimism of 2020, I never let go of my dream. It wasn’t an option. My sisters and I, and the Garbo’s team pivoted to to-go/curbside orders at our small brick and mortar as renovations got underway at the new location until it was time to move in October 2020. Throughout the pandemic, patrons continued to love and support my dream. We’re fully open now with a giant dining room, lounge, private dining room, and patio. It’s been quite the journey, but it is worth it!
“Texas Strong” is now a badge of honor that these East Coasters are proud to wear. Together with you, we’ve weathered some vicious storms, including the winter storm of 2021. The unwavering support of the community, even though the toughest of times, is what I am most grateful for.
We’ve created quite the lobster family. I’m so happy to be able to serve my favorite food to my favorite people. Thank you, Austin!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Road? What road? There’s a road?! If there is one, we and all of the other Austin restaurants are far off of it and are operating in uncharted territory. We’re grateful that we’re one of the few that have made it through to the other side, but there were plenty of times where we didn’t think that would happen. We’ve really had to pivot the way we do business right out of the gate of 2020 and the pandemic is still affecting the way we do business. Lobster and other seafood prices from our suppliers have increased by 35% and don’t seem to be trend down anytime soon. It seems that pricing and availability for products that were once easy to come by are now expensive and scare. Like all Austin restaurants, great staff is really hard to find and keep these days. Overall running a restaurant isn’t like how it used to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are a lobster shack that serves East Coast cuisine with an Austin twist. If you haven’t come by before, you have to get one of our classic Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls! They are our top-selling menu item. We serve them in our roaming lobster trucks and at our brick and mortar.
Since we’re from the East Coast, we know what the cuisine should taste like and deliver it in every order. We have close ties with the best East Coast vendors to serve our customers the best and freshest flavors possible. I hope that everyone who visits our restaurant feels comfortable and at home with stellar service.
Tuesdays are $10 fish and chips. This serving is enormous and the fries are delicious!
Wednesdays are $2 oysters that were flown in fresh from Massachusetts and curated by my sister Sam Garbo.
Thursdays are $10 Burger & Fries
Follow us @garboslobster for seasonal rolls & specials
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@garboslobster.com
- Website: garboslobsteratx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garboslobster/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarbosRestaurant
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lobsterrollatx
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/garbo-s-austin
