What is the history of Il Saporis?

Il Saporis began in the fall of 2019 as a popular food truck at the South First Food Court in South Austin. The food truck closed in May 2023 to expand into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Austin called Sapori Italian Roots.

Where is the new restaurant located and what is it called?

The brick-and-mortar restaurant is called Sapori Italian Roots and is located at 800 Brazos Street, Suite 215, in downtown Austin.

How does the menu at the downtown restaurant compare to the original food truck?

The downtown restaurant features an expanded menu with more pasta dishes, burrata, cicchetti, salads, and desserts than the original food truck. It also offers beer and wine service.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Il Saporis in Austin

What to know

Originally starting in the fall of 2019 as a popular food truck at the South First Food Court in South Austin, Il Saporis quickly gained a loyal following for its authentic flavors. The beloved food truck officially closed its window over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, 2023, to prepare for a major transition to a permanent, brick-and-mortar home. On Thursday, August 10, 2023, the business officially reopened as Sapori Italian Roots, a fast-casual brick-and-mortar restaurant located at 800 Brazos Street, Suite 215, in downtown Austin. This exciting new chapter allows the establishment to serve traditional Italian food with warm Texan hospitality, creating a welcoming and comfortable dining experience in the heart of the city. The transition to a permanent space brought a significantly expanded menu that goes far beyond what the original food truck could offer. Guests can now enjoy a larger selection of handmade pasta dishes, fresh burrata, salads, and desserts, alongside the introduction of cicchetti, which are traditional Italian small plates. To complement these dishes, the restaurant also introduced beer and wine service. The culinary inspiration behind the menu is deeply personal and rooted in family tradition. Owner DeStefano was raised in Texas, but his father was born and raised in Italy. Serving as his son's mentor, DeStefano's father provided crucial culinary knowledge and helped prep items when the food truck first launched in 2019, ensuring that genuine Italian heritage is felt in every bite. Today, this blend of Italian roots and Texan upbringing defines the restaurant's unique identity.

Visitor tips

Head to 800 Brazos Street, Suite 215 to find the brick-and-mortar restaurant.
Pair your handmade pasta or cicchetti with their selection of beer and wine.
Look out for their expanded dessert options to finish your fast-casual meal.

Nearby context

Located at 800 Brazos Street in downtown Austin, Sapori Italian Roots sits in a bustling urban hub. This central location makes it an easy, accessible stop for office workers, state capitol visitors, and tourists exploring the heart of the city. It brings a cozy, family-inspired culinary option to the downtown dining scene, bridging the gap between South Austin's casual food truck culture and the high-energy downtown atmosphere.