County shuts Manchaca restaurant down

MANCHACA, Texas (KXAN) - The Manchaca Fire Hall Kitchen located in the small community will be no more come March 24.

Travis County Commissioners voted on Tuesday to revoke the license agreement with owner Clarence Vogel, 83, that has allowed him to operate his restaurant he runs out of the Manchaca Community Center which is owned by the county.

The court is giving the Manchaca community 60 days to come up with a proposal for operating the community center in a viable way that continues to benefit the community and preserve the tradition that Clarence Vogel has provided throughout its history. If a community-based solution is not achieved within the time frame, the County will pursue its own options as to how the community center can be utilized for the benefit of the community.

“There’s huge sadness in my heart for Clarence Vogel," said Commissioner Karen Huber. "But we have to be honest with the taxpayers and the legal obligations we have as a county."

The community center has long been a gathering place for a wide variety of groups and events ranging from youth groups to business organizations and weddings.

The county has worked with Vogel through the years to make it possible for him to continue his operation. Huber said in recent years, it has become increasingly challenging. There have been repeated violations of the license agreement and other government regulations required for safe and sound operations.

In August 2009 fire inspectors found a number of safety code violations which shut down the kitchen. Vogel set up a mobile kitchen in the back parking lot to continue serving customers.

Travis County recognizes that there may be future community events already booked at the Manchaca Community Center and intends to work with the community to accommodate these. Questions regarding future bookings may be directed to the Travis County Facilities Management Department to the attention of John Carr or Roger El Khoury at (512) 854-9661.