Tim Bartlett
Our Founder
Tim originally hailed from a little town in west Texas called Anson. While in college, he began working in the restaurant business. He was part of the opening team for the first Houston's in 1977, and spent the next 13 years growing the company. In 1990 he came to Austin and took ownership of the store here and as they say, the rest is history.
In 2010, Tim decided it was time to become truly independent. So the name was changed to Bartlett's. Since then, we have embraced the independence and it has allowed us the freedom to continue to grow and mature as a local eatery.
We recently lost Tim in February 2013. However, his vision for the restaurant continues on. His concern for his fellow man combined with his love of the restaurant industry created a wonderful place to enjoy a meal and to work for as well.
Tim had an exquisite eye for detail and firmly believed that it was the sum of all of those little details that led to a great experience. He trained everyone that worked with him that no detail was too small, and that it was our duty to make sure that everything was the absolute best that it could be that day. To this day, each member of our team strives to make Tim proud, and it is our hope that you will enjoy the results of all the efforts of each and everyone that works here.
Alan Thomas
Owner, General Manager
I grew up in Virginia, but I got to Texas as fast as I could. Have been an Austin resident for over 30 years now, with most of them spent working at Bartlett’s.
I attended the University of Texas and along the way learned the art of bartending. It led me to working in restaurants where I learned to shuck oysters and got to know the kitchen better.
After graduating with a degree in psychology, I realized there was no better place to apply my education than in the fine art of running a restaurant. You see, it takes a lot of people to run a restaurant, but it is those same people that can make it a GREAT restaurant. I have been blessed to work with some of the very best and I am very proud of the fact that I have cooks, servers, bartenders and hosts that have been loyal, hardworking, and dedicated employees all these years. Come in and let us take care of you, I guarantee that you will leave satisfied and happy. If not, we will do everything we can to make it right.
Arik Skot Williams
Owner, Executive Chef, Wine Director
It was my heart that brought me to Bartlett's. When I was 20, I left Iowa and moved to New Orleans. I knew no one and had no job prospects. For three years I absorbed the world class food, drink, culture, and diversity as only a Midwestern kid can. And then Austin beckoned.
I moved here in 1995 and began working with Tim Bartlett and his passionate team. After six formative years running the kitchen, the natural next step was culinary school. I attended Austin's Le Cordon Bleu, cooked full time at night, and earned Valedictorian of my class. I became Executive Chef at a downtown Austin restaurant, then took an opportunity to train in Napa Valley. I watched wine move from ground to glass and made the connection that wine is food. It was time to come home to Austin and help create Bartlett's.
I am proud to be part of this restaurant from line cook to Executive Chef, Wine Director, and owner. I have been encouraged and supported to earn an Advanced Level Pass with Distinction through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Our program has again been recognized with Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence.
Now my passion has led me to move my family to a farm, where we grow fresh herbs for Bartlett's and are preparing to put in a vineyard. It would be easier to ignore my heart, but it yearns for genuine, soulful, and honest. That is what we strive for every day. That is what I hope you experience every time you dine with us at Bartlett's.