Bill > HR62

This resolution congratulates El Mercado, a long-standing Austin restaurant, on its 40th anniversary, recognizing the Villegas family's significant contribution to the local culinary and cultural landscape. Founded in 1985 by Camilo Villegas and his family, the restaurant began as a Mexican market on South First Street and gradually evolved into a popular Tex-Mex dining establishment, expanding to multiple locations over the years. The resolution highlights the family's dedication, with Camilo and his wife Gudelia working in the business until their deaths, and their son Tony continuing to manage the restaurants. It also notes El Mercado's unique character, which includes not just dining but also a live music venue called the Backstage, hosting various musical events and community-focused activities like a gospel brunch that raises funds for the Central Texas Food Bank. The resolution celebrates the restaurant's enduring presence in Austin's changing restaurant scene and extends best wishes to Tony Villegas and the restaurant's staff, symbolizing the Texas House of Representatives' appreciation for this local institution.

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=HR62