Remembering the Legacy of the Frisco and Night Hawk | Eater Austin

"Founded in 1932, this long-running restaurant chain is remembered for the force of its founder, Harry Akin, and for playing a visible role in local social history. Staff stories emphasize mentorship and loyalty—employees like Frank Young and Hoover Alexander rose from busboys into management, and Akin even helped Young set up automatic savings from his paycheck. The chain was notable for small but telling touches (it used real silver place settings, which became coveted souvenirs) and for legendary staff like pie-maker Roy Mallett, whose recipes endured for decades. It also figures in desegregation lore: when a server refused to work with a Mexican-American colleague, Akin fired her on the spot and the woman she defended went on to work there for fifty years. The restaurants drew a steady stream of celebrity diners—from TV actors to wrestling stars like Andre the Giant—and host memorable anecdotes, including a visit by President Lyndon B. Johnson who quipped about still entering through the backdoor after the Civil Rights Act, prompting a cheeky reply from a server. Together these stories paint a picture of a community-minded chain with deep local roots and a reputation for comfort food and hospitality." - Erin Russell