Austin Beer Garden and Bakery Easy Tiger Relaunches Under MML Hospitality
New partnership brings refreshed menus with North reopening Aug. 18 and South Lamar in September
Easy Tiger, the Austin institution beloved for its breads, pastries and lively beer gardens, is entering a new chapter this fall as McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality (MML Hospitality) takes over as managing operator.
Easy Tiger reopens Aug. 18 at The Linc, 6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Rd., and in September at 3508 S. Lamar Blvd., reviving its day-to-night menu of pastries, breads, burgers and beer-friendly snacks.
David Norman, who founded Easy Tiger in 2012, will remain closely involved as the bakery enters this next chapter.
MML Hospitality, the Austin-based group behind a wide-ranging portfolio of restaurants, hotels and retail projects, operates some of the city’s most recognizable dining spots, including Clark’s Oyster Bar, Swedish Hill, Ski Shores Café and Pecan Square Café.
“I have known Larry for years and have admired what he and Tom have done, especially with places like Jeffrey’s and Swedish Hill,” he added. “They both let me know they have been fans and customers of our breads and I knew they would respect the core pillars of what we do, while bringing new ideas and their expertise to the table.”
A new chapter
Norman said that while Easy Tiger worked to deepen community ties and even expand during the pandemic years, the business struggled to define itself.
“I am excited by the vision of the very talented team at MML and their desire to steer us back towards many of the things that distinguished Easy Tiger when we started the Beer Garden and Bake Shop over a decade ago,” he said. “For me, this next chapter means renewed energy and inspiration.”
That next chapter will also lean into collaboration between Norman and Master Baker Ben Hershberger, MML’s vice president of bakery operations. Hershberger, whose background includes Per Se in NYC and French bistro Bouchon, oversees bakery programs across MML’s portfolio and will guide Easy Tiger’s pastry line.
“The talent and resources within the MML Hospitality family are vast,” Hershberger said. “Our goal is to keep Easy Tiger’s pastry program unique and special while refining and improving the offering with some new, exciting introductions.”
Easy Tiger relaunches in time for annual Oktoberfest celebrations
When asked if longtime customers should expect surprises beyond their favorite classics, Hershberger said, “Absolutely! There will be some exciting additions to the lineup. If I told you what they are, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”
Norman, who favors Old World baking methods, said he welcomes Hershberger’s innovations.
“Our core line of breads, especially our sourdoughs, reflect this commitment to European traditions and I am pleased that everyone is onboard with keeping those breads as they are,” Norman said. “On the other hand, having fresh ideas, especially for our pastry line, is exciting and I believe even our regular customers will find new favorites.”
Easy Tiger will mark the relaunch with its annual Oktoberfest celebrations on Sept. 21 and 28, featuring live music, beer specials and a return of the community spirit that first made the bakery-beer garden hybrid a fixture in Austin’s food scene.
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