Following a successful yearlong run as a food truck in Wimberley Square, Neon Armadillo will transition into its permanent home at 9595 RR12, at the Junction, four miles east of the Wimberley Square. Blending Tex-Mex flavors and barbecue, it is scheduled to open its 30,000 square foot brick-and-mortar location in November.
Under the culinary direction of Chef Adam Puskorius, Neon Armadillo is reimagining familystyle Tex-Mex barbecue with an emphasis on sustainability. The restaurant sources ingredients from local ranchers and farmers committed to regenerative, pastureraised, and organic practices. Puskorius is currently the operating partner at Neon Armadillo’s sister restaurant, Creekhouse Kitchen & Bar.
Guests will find shareable starters such as smoked wings, baconwrapped, brisketstuffed smoked jalapeños colorfully called Neon Twinkies and Neon ‘Dillo salsa with beef, tallow– fried chips. Sides range from Tex-Mex potato salad and anasazi charro beans to chilled cucumber salad, as well as hearty salads and bowls. One standout is the Farmacy Burger, with Force of Nature regenerative beef with raw cheddar and all the fixin’s.
The bar will feature spirits with a focus on organic and sustainable brands, including Pantalones Tequila and Rosaluna Mezcal. Guests can choose from crafted cocktails and frozen drinks, along with draft Texas beers and refreshing non-alcoholic options like aguas frescas and house-made sodas.
Neon Armadillo is collaborating with Austin-based Force of Nature Meats to be the first restaurant in the country to serve their regenerative grass-fed brisket. The Tex-Mex barbecue menu includes tri-tip, lamb carnitas, pulled pork, smoked chicken and other items with a south-of-the border slant.
Neon Armadillo marks the continua- tion of a decades-long friendship and professional partnership between Puskorius and co-founder and operating partner, Ryan Zachry. Friends since high school, the two first dreamed of opening a restaurant together more than 20 years ago. The Neon Armadillo is owned by WTX Investment Group, a group of Wimberley families led by Micah and Molly Bowen. WTX created Creekhouse Kitchen & Bar, where Zachry has overseen operations since 2021. The restaurant is designed by the multi-talented Molly Bowen of Wimberley Way Hospitality, an attorneyturned- designer and real estate investor. For updates, visit neonarmadillowtx. com and follow @neonarmadillow on Instagram.
