Austin's Sammataro restaurant changing names after parting with founder; second location planned

Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read
The restaurant at 900 W. 10th St. that has been operating as Sammataro since January will soon change its name, according to owners, who recently parted ways with the pizza brand's founder.
The restaurant at 900 W. 10th St. that has been operating as Sammataro since January will soon change its name, according to owners, who recently parted ways with the pizza brand's founder.

One of Austin’s best pizzerias will soon have a new name, though owners say customers can expect the same quality of food and familiar faces.

The owners of the Sammataro pizza brick-and-mortar restaurant, which opened in January, are planning to change the name of the 10th Street restaurant after parting ways with founder Isaac Flores, according to Chris Fagan, a partner in Wisteria Venture Partners, the majority owner of the restaurant business.

Fagan also said WVP is planning to open a second location of the soon-to-be-renamed restaurant in the next six months at a yet-to-be-named location.

“We are excited for what the future holds as we continue to operate and grow the business,” Fagan told the American-Statesman on Monday.

Neither WVP or Flores would comment on what led to the split.

More: Sammataro pizza truck closed until late August; restaurant version remains open

WVP, in which Fagan is partnered with attorney Hari Kalyan, is a micro-venture fund that invests in multifamily property, hospitality, technology and healthcare industries, according to its website.

Flores announced last week on Sammataro’s Instagram that he had temporarily shuttered the East Austin trailer, and told the American-Statesman the closure was to clean the trailer and give his staff some rest. The trailer reopened Thursday and is currently operating for dinner service Tuesday-Sunday. Customers can order via a link on Sammataro’s Instagram page, as the trailer is in the process of changing its website address. The original Sammataro website (sammataro.love) is connected to the restaurant business.

Related: Austin's best pizza trailer opening first brick-and-mortar Jan. 20

WVP and its partners are also involved as founders, investors or partners in infrared spa Sweatland, bar the Silver Medal, and bar Little Brother in Austin; Lightnin’ Bar in Elgin; and Randolph Beer, Bluestone Lane, Wilson bars, the Garret bars, Little Ways and the Flower Shop in New York City, according to Fagan.

Flores originally opened Sammataro as a pop-up in fall 2020. The trailer moved several times in the intervening years before landing at 1108 E. 12th St. The move by WVP to get out of business with Flores is not the first time there has been a partnership split at Sammataro. Daniel Sorg and chef Townsend Smith left their partnership with Flores to start AllDay Pizza, which serves New York-style pizzas from a window at Flo’s Wine Bar and Bottle Shop at the north end of Tarrytown.

More pizza news

New York, New York: Bufalina owner opening NYC-style pizza restaurant in East Austin

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Sammataro owners changing restaurant name, planning second location