Chow Chow to Open in East Austin Later This Fall
The new restaurant will offer a meat-and-three menu in the building formerly home to Hoover Alexander.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Dining Out
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East Austin diners will see a new meat-and-three option this late fall when chefs Amanda Turner and Jonathan Sánchez open their long-term residency, Chow Chow, in the building that formerly housed Hoover Alexander for nearly 30 years.
Why it matters
The project aims to bring accessible meal options to the East Austin neighborhood, filling a spot with a long-standing culinary history while introducing a price-conscious menu to the area.
The new restaurant will offer a meat-and-three meal for $18 and a daily special for $10, establishing a baseline cost for the residency. These figures follow nearly three decades of service provided by the building's previous occupant.
The players
Amanda Turner
A chef with an 18-year career who is co-owning and operating the new restaurant.
Jonathan Sánchez
A chef who is co-owning and operating the new restaurant alongside Amanda Turner.
Sam Hellman-Mass
The property owner who purchased the site and is overseeing the renovation and future site development.
Hoover Alexander
The local chef whose restaurant previously occupied the building for nearly 30 years.
The details
Chefs Amanda Turner and Jonathan Sánchez are taking over the property, which was purchased earlier this year by Sam Hellman-Mass. The menu will focus on traditional proteins like fried chicken, catfish, and hambāgu paired with three sides. While the restaurant prepares for its debut, Hoover Alexander's legacy remains present with merchandise still available for sale at the entrance. Future plans for the site also include a separate taqueria on the eastern end of the lot.
Timeline
Earlier this year, Sam Hellman-Mass purchased the property.
Chow Chow is scheduled to open in late fall 2026.
The Texas Context
This transition follows a pattern of adaptive reuse at a well-known local culinary site, maintaining the building's identity while shifting the service model. It marks the latest evolution for a property defined by the 30-year operational history of Hoover Alexander in East Austin.
East Austin neighbors can expect a new spot for $10 daily specials and $18 comfort-food plates starting later this fall. The property will also feature a new taqueria on the eastern portion of the lot as part of the broader site renovation.
The takeaway
Locals should keep an eye on the transition at the former Hoover's building as renovations move toward an opening date later this fall. The new management will retain original merchandise at the front of the restaurant as a nod to the location's long history.
Further reading
Find more updates on the local culinary scene in Dining Out.
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