Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ

"A popular Tex Mex BBQ joint that experienced a significant downfall in 2024." - Nadia Chaudhury

"It’s been a whirlwind of troubles for iconic Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex restaurant Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ in Buda, which closed abruptly on April 25, 2024. Husband-and-wife co-owners pitmaster Miguel Vidal and Modesty Vidal opened Valentina’s as a food truck in 2013, and moved throughout the city, from West Sixth at Star Bar to far south Austin on Menchaca Road. The couple always had the goal of opening a full physical restaurant, and that dream was fully realized in Buda with the help of investment and space from the City of Buda and the Buda Economic Development Corporation. The large space opened within the Buda Mill & Grain Co. development in June 2023. In April, the Vidals announced that Valentina’s would temporarily close through early May because their business would be sold to new owners and operate under new management. It was during this hiatus that Austin Business Journal reported allegations that of mismanagement at the restaurant and tip theft as well as a claims of debts owed to various parties. One of those was Austin financial hospitality tech startup InKind, which was Valentina’s senior creditor. CEO Johann Moonesinghe also expressed that he was in the process of buying the restaurant from the Vidals by creating a separate LLC to operate the business. Valentina’s was pegged to reopen on Wednesday, May 8, but that still hasn’t happened yet. And it turns out that the physical space has been put up for lease. And during this hiatus, the Vidals haven’t responded to any questions regarding the business." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ’s future is uncertain as it is currently up for lease. The restaurant temporarily closed in April for an ownership and management change but hasn't reopened as promised. The business is in debt for $2.3 million and faces allegations of paycheck and tip issues. InKind CEO Johann Moonesinghe indicated plans to purchase and reopen the restaurant under a new LLC. The Vidals, who started the restaurant as a food truck in 2013, had planned to open a physical space, which they did in June 2023 with support from the Buda Economic Development Corporation." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, known for its Tex-Mex and barbecue dishes, faced management and ownership changes amidst financial difficulties and an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour division. The restaurant, which started as a food truck in 2013, temporarily closed in April 2023 due to financial non-viability and significant past due rent, and owes over $2.3 million in debt. Johann Moonesinghe, CEO of InKind, is likely to take ownership and aims to pay the staff's back wages. The reopening is uncertain as of May 9, 2023." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ is a fusion of Austin’s greatest cuisines: Tex-Mex and barbecue. There’s nothing else quite like this food—especially their breakfast tacos. The foundation is the phenomenal flour tortillas that you’ll beg and plead and offer to trade in your car for a stack to take home (until you learn you can buy them by the dozen). Those get topped with exceptional barbecue (brisket or pulled pork), scrambled or fried eggs, and tomato serrano salsa, to make some of the greatest breakfast tacos in the entire known universe. Just know you have to get your order in by 11am—and there’s usually a line. What to get: Potato, egg, and cheese (add pulled pork); Real Deal Holyfield (with brisket) " - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion