AUSTIN, Texas — In 1975, Tom Gilliland and Miguel Ravago dreamt of establishing the first Texan restaurant to serve a menu of exclusively authentic Mexican cuisines. Fifty years later, Fonda San Miguel now stands as a cultural pillar for Mexican heritage in Austin.
The pair took a unique approach, concentrating on both food and art to shape their vision. Fonda San Miguel’s interior walls feature Gilliland’s personal collections of museum-quality Mexican artwork and international decor. For their menu, the duo whipped up a constantly revolving collection of authentic recipes from Mexico’s interior and coastal regions.
To celebrate 50 years of serving the Austin community, Fonda San Miguel published its second cookbook with over 100 recipes and photographs of the art that adorns the restaurant’s walls.
“Many exciting events will be taking place as we count down to our 50th celebration!” Gilliland said in an online statement, “A half-century of creating unique dining experiences for every person who walks through our door proves what we’ve strived for since the day we opened, and that is to create an enduring legacy by continuing to evolve, continue to push the envelope and consistently making everyone feel welcome, seen, and loved.”
Written by Gilliland, “The Soul of Fonda San Miguel: Fifty Years of Food and Art” is more than just a cookbook. It is an “immersive” tribute that uplifts the restaurant’s rich history and artistic significance.
Readers can dive into five seasonal chapters that offer recipes, reflections on the restaurant’s founding and heartfelt anecdotes from long-standing customers.
The book was released Oct. 21 and is now available for purchase. Gilliland will discuss its creation further during a Texas Book Festival event Nov. 8 at The Contemporary Austin.