Former Austin Grill to House HenQuarter Restaurant

SILVER SPRING, MD — The former downtown Silver Spring location of Austin Grill, once a go-to spot for Tex-Mex and Mason Jar margaritas, will reopen this year as a Southern cooking eatery.

Thompson Hospitality, headquartered in Reston, gave Austin Grill a new look two years ago; the restaurants have been open for 20 years in the region. The Silver Spring location closed in late March, while an Alexandria site will close in May.

The restaurants will undergo a transformation and reopen as Southern-inspired HenQuarter, according to a recent report by Bethesda Magazine.

The Alexandria location will be the first to reopen with the new concept in July; the Silver Spring venue should open late this year.

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“We’re excited to launch a new concept from Thompson’s Table, brought to life by chef Fred Raynaud, named Hen Quarter—Southern Fare and Free Range Cocktails,” a spokeswoman for the restaurant's parent company told the magazine. “The concept features an elevated classic Southern menu, with some of the stars of the show being our craveable fried chicken, 48-hour braised short rib and exceptional bourbon bar. We look forward to meeting and serving our guests a big dose of Southern hospitality later this year.”

A look at Chef Fred Raynaud's Facebook page shows possible dishes to come, including an enticing-looking short rib dish.

The American Tap Room restaurants in Rockville and Bethesda are both former Austin Grill locations, the magazine says.

— With reporting by Mary Ann Barton