AUSTIN, TEXAS · 2021
First a fried chicken drive-in restaurant in 1939, then later an established hamburger joint, Sammie's Italian is a nod to the beloved institutions that inhabited the space before it. The visitor is welcomed by a viewing window into the hotline of the kitchen, showcasing a custom wood fire grill and old fashioned checker-tiled walls. Looking to the iconic Italian-American eateries of Los Angeles and New York City, the restaurant uses deep red tones and dark, heavy wood accents throughout the dining room. Unlacquered brass accessories, custom millwork trims, and antique light fixtures are used throughout the space to give Sammie's an old world feel. In blending the old with the new, many of the existing components of the building were repaired and reused. The existing booths and red and black checkered vinyl floors were patched and repaired, and the ceiling tiling was replaced in kind. A hand-painted mural of Austin's West 6th corridor done by artist Rusty Arena, glows above the bar soffit, acknowledging the restaurant's history. With walls covered in old family photos, cozy lighting, and a mix a humble and ornate pieces, Sammie's provides the old school red-sauce experience Austin has missed.
