Tradition in the Making
Good Ingredients Powered by Wood-fired Flavor
Words Abby L. Johnson | Photos Baptiste Despois
There’s nothing brash or rude about the family-friendly pizza joint called Loudmouth, dreamed up by the duo behind brunch darling Paperboy.
In November 2024, the new Italian American concept took over the historic Haynes-Delashwah Home, which most recently hosted the lamented fine dining destination Rosewood Chophouse. Ryan Harms, the hospitality half of veteran restaurant group Daybreak Hospitality, alongside chef Patrick Jackson snatched up the opportunity when the Rosewood proprietors came knocking. The enviably spacious house and lot are on home turf, just a minute’s walk away from Paperboy’s inaugural brick-and-mortar.
For a decade, Ryan and Patrick built their fan base one breakfast bite at a time in Central East Austin. Paperboy started as a trailer across the street and then developed into a brick-and-mortar in 2020. “Definitely the stars aligned for that specific location,” Ryan admits.
Though the timing and location were just right, the recipe for an Italian American restaurant anchored by wood-fired pizza had been bubbling like fresh mozzarella under the watchful eye of an open flame for a while.
Patrick comes from an Italian family and, according to Ryan, has spent half a decade or more developing his passion for wood-fired pizza. Even though the space was certainly galvanizing, “Pat’s desire to do something like this and put something like [Loudmouth] into the world on the culinary side for sure was a driver,” Ryan shares.
While this historic stretch of East Austin is bustling with good music and good food, most of the businesses in the area cater to smaller groups. And Loudmouth bridges that gap. “That lawn out front was just begging to be a patio,” Ryan grins. On any given evening (Loudmouth is open seven nights a week), passersby can catch a whiff of fragrant red sauce in the air and hear the happy chattering of satisfied families spread out across the expansive outdoor lawn.
The restaurant is a peaceful, but lively, beacon for harried parents, dog-lovers, large groups, and last-minute planners. Reservations are not required to dine; in fact, they’re not accepted—a slightly unusual policy when it comes to establishments serving this premium level of dressed-up dough.
The pies are one size only: modest. But the upside of a pie just north of personal size is that it’s totally manageable to try a few different specialties.
One of the handful of specialty pizzas that is a must to decorate the tableau is the Lone Star, a cheeky take on a California Pizza Kitchen classic. A smoky sauce painted delicately across the thin, perfectly-chewy and lightly-charred crust holds up the simple, but delicious, combination of cheese, chicken, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Perhaps the name is a subtle bite back on the so-called Californication of Austin? Barbecue sauce is ours.
When Ryan’s family eats together at Loudmouth, they get a couple of pizzas (two young kids means divergent pizza opinions), meatballs and wings for the table, and they never skip the tiramisu. Whether for a special occasion or just a break from the kitchen, cozying up at Loudmouth is sure to become a beloved new tradition for Austinites who pull up a seat.
Don’t Sleep on the Sandwiches
Tomatoes are the humble star of the show at most Italian-influenced eateries. Loudmouth is no exception, but chef Patrick’s menu takes it beyond the usual. “The sandwich section for me is kind of a surprise and delightful moment on the menu,” divulges Ryan. His favorite is the fried green tomato sandwich. It’s “out of this world.”
Contact:
1209 Rosewood Ave.
loudmouth.pizza
@loudmouthpizza
