Austin-based Tex-Mex restaurant, Trudy’s, has recently debuted their new branding at the reopening of the North Star and South Star locations. As part of the new branding, Trudy’s has introduced a new program, Women of Trudy’s, which recognizes ten local women who are pillars of the community. Local CEO and Owner Dan Smith has led the charge to not only rebrand the iconic restaurant, but to also renovate the three current locations along with revamping the restaurant’s menu while preserving old fan-favorites, as well as welcome award-winning Chef Julian Rodarte to their team. As part of their mission to protect and enhance the iconic brand’s legacy for generations to come.
“I am honored and extremely humbled to be a part of such an iconic restaurant brand,” said Chef Rodarte. “Many people have beloved memories from Trudy’s, and I am excited to be part of a team that will foster and create those great memories for many more years to come. My parents met working in restaurants here, in Austin, and have their own Trudy’s stories from over 30 years ago. I am ecstatic to join team members in the front and back of the house who have been with the brand for 15, 20, and even 30 years.”
A San Antonio native, Chef Rodarte is also a TV personality, a “30 under 30” chef and restaurateur with years of experience working as a concept chef for national brands. Chef Rodarte and his father recently opened Beto & Son at Trinity Groves in Dallas and at DFW Airport.
Rodarte offers several fan-favorite dishes, such as Trudy’s Classic Queso; Cholula Honey Chicken Fajitas served with onions, peppers, zucchini, squash, rice, and choice of beans; Trudy’s Famous Stuffed Avocado, a chicken-and-cheese-stuffed fried avocado, Suiza sauce, and melted cheese served with rice and choice of beans; and Flaquities, Trudy’s original Tex-Mex egg rolls available with chicken, vegetables, or brisket. Additionally, Trudy’s has brought back the Chorizo-Stuffed Chicken—discontinued years ago—with sauteed vegetables, pico, avocado slices, and queso cotija, served with rice and a choice of beans.
The revitalized Trudy’s menu debuted at the reopening of the South Star location and will be available when the North Star location reopens on Monday, August 2. Trudy’s is currently undergoing a system-wide schedule of remodeling, rebranding, and renovations, which will be finalized with the reopening of the Texas Star location later this summer.