Birdie's

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox restaurant | embed = | name =  | title =  | logo = | logo_width = | logo_alt = | image = | image_width = | image_alt = | image_caption = | mapframe =  | pushpin_map =  | map_alt = | map_caption = | map_size = | established = 2021  | closed =  | current_owner = Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Arjav Ezekiel | previous_owner = | manager = | head_chef = | chef = | pastry_chef = | food_type = | dress_code = | rating = | street_address = 2944 East 12th Street | city = Austin | county = | state = Texas | postcode = 78702 | country = | coordinates = {{Coord|30.2764|-97.7046|format=dms|type:landmark_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}} | seating_capacity = | reservations = | other_locations = | other_information =  | website = {{URL|www.birdiesaustin.com}} }}'''Birdie's''' is a restaurant in Austin, Texas.The restaurant is among the most acclaimed in America and was named a Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit Magazine, Esquire and landed on the inaugural issue of the New York Times "The Restaurant List," in 2021. in In 2023 it was named ''Food & Wine''<nowiki/>'s Restaurant of the Year. Birdie's is also a two time James Beard Finalist.Chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel was nominanted for Best Chef Texas in 2024 and Arjav Ezekiel was nominated for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service in 2025. The ''New York Times''<nowiki/>' Eric Asimov in 2024 called it "one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the country".

== History == The restaurant was opened in 2021 by chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and sommelier Arjav Ezekiel, who are husband and wife.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Chris |date=2021-10-22 |title=The Powerhouse Duo Behind Birdie's Brings a Refreshing New Take on the Wine Bar |url=https://www.austinmonthly.com/the-powerhouse-duo-behind-birdies-brings-a-refreshing-new-take-on-the-wine-bar/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Austin Monthly |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shah |first=Kshushbu |date=15 September 2023 |title=Birdie’s in Austin Marries Destination-Worthy Dining With a Sustainable, Supportive Workplace |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/2023-restaurant-of-the-year-birdies-7963193 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Food & Wine |language=en}}</ref>

== Business and service models == Birdie's is a counter-service restaurant and wine bar.<ref name=":2" />

The restaurant's business and service models, which ''Austin Monthly'' calls a "new take", maintain a minimal front-of-house staff; it takes no reservations, all diners stand in line to place their initial orders and seat themselves, and further service is not assigned to a single server.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=The Dish:Birdies |url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/7_iA8lZxFNoMeDy38WWvIN1EjHFyaTd9/ |website=CBS}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Sharpe |first=Patricia |date=2022-01-18 |title=Are You Ready for Fine-Casual Dining? |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/fine-casual-dining-birdies-austin/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Lisa |last2= |date=30 June 2023 |title=This restaurant closes for 4 weeks every year to give its workers a vacation |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/restaurant-closes-4-weeks-every-year-give-its-workers-vacation |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Restaurant Business |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

All workers are paid an hourly rate that does not assume tips; tips are pooled among all staff proportionately to the hours worked that week.<ref name=":0" /> The restaurant closes for two weeks in August and two weeks in late December/early January to provide staff paid time off.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":0" /> It offers paid family leave and health insurance.<ref name=":0" />

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday.<ref name=":0" /> It sometimes closes to become a pop-up Italian restaurant called Aiello's, named after Malechek-Ezekiel's grandfather, who immigrated from Calabria.<ref name=":0" />

== Reception == The restaurant was named to the ''New York Times'' 2021 Restaurant List.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2021-10-11 |title=The 2021 Restaurant List |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/dining/favorite-restaurant-list-america.html |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The ''Austin American-Statesman'' named it Austin's best new restaurant of 2021.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Odam |first=Matthew |date=2021-11-11 |title=This is the best new restaurant in Austin in 2021 (so far. |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/entertainment/dining/restaurant-reviews/2021/11/11/birdies-best-new-restaurant-austin-texas/6384405001/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref> Birdie's was also named a Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit and Esquire Magazine.

In 2023 ''Food & Wine''<nowiki/>'s named Birdie's its Restaurant of the Year, calling it "the restaurant that everyone wants in their neighborhood".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Richard |date=2023-10-02 |title=How Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel Created Hit Restaurant Birdie’s |url=https://appetitomagazine.com/features/how-tracy-malechek-ezekiel-created-hit-restaurant-birdies |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Appetito |language=en}}</ref> According to the ''New York Times''<nowiki/>' Eric Asimov, writing in 2024, it is "one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the country".<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Asimov |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Asimov |date=26 August 2024 |title=Now an Acclaimed Restaurateur, He Long Concealed a Secret |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/26/dining/drinks/arjav-ezekiel-restaurateur-undocumented-immigrant.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb&ngrp=mxn&pvid=4A1465BB-B5F6-4839-BC70-F0F4BA75968C |website=New York Times |access-date=2024-09-28}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Restaurants in Texas Category:2021 establishments in the United States Category:Restaurants in Austin, Texas