While pursuing a graduate degree at the Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of Texas, Greg Koury developed the idea for Manuel’s. Working with his Grandparents in their steakhouses while growing up, and later managing several local Austin establishments led him to the dream of opening his own restaurant. Rather than the typical Tex-Mex fare, Koury’s vision was to create authentic and artfully prepared dishes from Mexico’s interior and coastal regions.
In 1984 this dream became a reality with the opening of Manuel’s downtown at 310 Congress. As Austin grew and expanded – Manuel’s Great Hills on Jollyville Road in the Arboretum opened in 1998 to serve guests on the Northside of town.