Discover Austin: The El Arroyo Sign - Episode 84

In the newest episode of Discover Austin, I stop in at El Arroyo for Tex Mex, a frosty margarita, and a side of laughs from their famously funny marquee sign​.  If you'd prefer to read about the El Arroyo sign, the transcript can be found below the video.

Greetings!  I’m Craig Smyser with 1835 Realty.  I find it interesting that an Austin business can be on the minds on so potential customers for something completely unrelated to what they do.  So we’re going to visit the marquee sign that sits outside of El Arroyo on this episode of Discover Austin.

El Arroyo is a popular Tex Mex restaurant on West 5th that has been around since 1975.  The sign first appeared in 1987 as a way to draw attention to the restaurant by providing a chuckle to passing motorists.  Fast forward a few decades to 2012 when El Arroyo started to post a picture of the sign each day on Facebook, and the popularity of these witticisms took off.  Of course, you can now find them on Instagram and Twitter as well.  In fact, El Arroyo has well over 650,000 followers on social media who are from all over country.  In general, their signs revolve around food (especially queso and tacos), margaritas, current events, and general Austin things.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I also like this one, which the owner claims as his favorite (Last Queso stop before a bunch of yoga studios).  The sign itself is certainly not fancy.  In fact, I’m not even sure it was new when they started using it back in the 80s.  But I think the old changeable letters is what makes it so iconic.  If you want to put a smile on your face, just keep scrolling through their feed.  Of course, El Arroyo has several picture books available with some of the more popular sign sayings.  They also have other gift items that you can find on their website at ElArroyo.com. 

Yes, they have an awesome sign!  But let’s go check out the restaurant.  Is the food any good?  Of course, it is.

So the next time you’re heading to downtown, be sure to check out the sign and stop in for a bite.  I’m Craig Smyser with 1835 Realty, thanks for joining me for this episode of Discover Austin.  And remember, when you’re ready to buy or sell a home in Central Texas, I’m ready to help.

Post a Comment