Suerte and Este Owner Announces New Taqueria

Sam Hellman-Mass and chef Fermín Núñez plan to open a new taco restaurant on Manor Road in Austin.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A highly stylized, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeating grid of brightly colored, silkscreened taco icons in neon hues and heavy black outlines, capturing the modern, trendy vibe of a new taqueria opening in East Austin.A new taqueria from the team behind Suerte and Este aims to bring a bold, contemporary twist to Austin's vibrant Mexican food scene.Manor Today

Sam Hellman-Mass, the restaurateur behind popular Austin restaurants Suerte and Este, is expanding his culinary empire with plans to open a new taqueria on Manor Road. The new taco-focused concept will be developed in partnership with chef Fermín Núñez and will take over the longtime home of Hoover's Cooking, which is set to close this spring.

Why it matters

The addition of Hellman-Mass and Núñez's new taqueria to the Austin dining scene is significant, as the duo have already found success with their elevated Mexican and Tex-Mex concepts. This latest venture will likely bring their signature creative flair to the taco genre and provide another dining option for the city's passionate taco enthusiasts.

The details

Hellman-Mass recently acquired the property at 2002 Manor Road, which has housed the beloved Hoover's Cooking restaurant for the past 40 years. While Hoover Alexander will be closing Hoover's Cooking at the end of this spring, Hellman-Mass is trying to avoid drawing too much attention away from the restaurant's long history and legacy in the community.

  • Hoover's Cooking will close at the end of this spring (2026).
  • Hellman-Mass recently acquired the 2002 Manor Road property.

The players

Sam Hellman-Mass

The restaurateur behind popular Austin restaurants Suerte and Este, who is now expanding his culinary empire with plans for a new taqueria.

Fermín Núñez

The chef-partner who will be working with Hellman-Mass to develop the new taqueria concept.

Hoover Alexander

The owner of Hoover's Cooking, the longtime restaurant that has occupied the 2002 Manor Road property for the past 40 years.

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What they’re saying

“I don't want to sap the energy from Hoover and jump over him.”

— Sam Hellman-Mass, Restaurateur

What’s next

Hellman-Mass and Núñez are currently in the early planning stages for the new taqueria, and details about the concept, menu, and opening timeline have not yet been released.

The takeaway

Hellman-Mass and Núñez's new taqueria project represents the continued evolution of Austin's dynamic dining scene, as established restaurateurs expand their reach and bring new culinary experiences to the city's food-loving residents and visitors.