Chez Zee American Bistro, a locally owned restaurant founded by Sharon Watkins in 1989, is marking its 37th year as part of Austin's holiday celebrations with its annual Pies & Sides Holiday Catering menu, branded as “Everything But the Turkey!” The menu offers more than 30 varieties of whole cakes, pies and cheesecakes, all prepared from scratch in the restaurant's kitchen, along with a range of Southern-inspired sides.
The significance of the announcement lies in the restaurant's long-standing role in the community: last holiday season alone, more than 1,000 Austin family tables featured at least one Chez Zee dessert or side dish. That volume underscores how deeply the restaurant has become embedded in local traditions, from Thanksgiving dinners to Christmas gatherings.
“When we opened Chez Zee 37 years ago, I never imagined how many family celebrations we would become part of,” Watkins said. “It's wonderful to know that something made in our kitchen might be the pie a family looks forward to every Thanksgiving or the cake they share every Christmas. We're grateful that Austin has invited us to be part of those traditions.”
Traditional favorites on the holiday menu include Pumpkin Praline Pie, Apple Pie with Streusel Topping, Bourbon Pecan Pie, Italian Cream Cake, Carrot Cake, Pumpkin Cheesecake and Chocolate Decadence Cake. Signature creations include the Lemon Rosemary Cake, Apple Cranberry Pie, Coconut Tres Leches Cake, Strawberry Palooza Cake, Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake and Maida's Cake, a gluten-free favorite. This year's eye-catching additions feature a Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake with a decorative chocolate lattice, a White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake with Grand Marnier, an Orange Chiffon Cake and a Traditional Yule Log Cake. Other seasonal selections include the Andes Chocolate Crème de Menthe Cheesecake, nicknamed “The Grinch,” and gluten-free options such as Maida's Cake and Mocha Fudge Torte.
Beyond desserts, the menu offers scratch-made sides that combine Southern comfort food with Austin personality. Favorites include Jalapeño Cornbread Stuffing, Sweet Potato Pudding, Macaroni & Cheese, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Creamed Spinach, along with Roasted Maple Carrots, Parmesan Risotto, Brussels Sprouts with Asian Dressing, Southern Pecan Gravy and Cranberry Chutney. Charcuterie boards, quiches, salads, appetizers and breakfast specialties—including the signature Crème Brulée French Toast—are also available.
Part of what sustains the restaurant's consistency is its long-tenured kitchen team, including Executive Chef Vicente Jaramillo, Sous Chef Javier Aviles, Assistant Kitchen Manager Jose Guerrero and Bakery Manager Carlos Guerrero. Their commitment to preparing food in-house from scratch, without frozen or commercially prepared dishes, has helped make Chez Zee a place where generations of customers can return to familiar flavors.
For those with friends or family in Austin, Chez Zee offers a way to send local favorites from afar: out-of-town customers can purchase cakes, pies and other items for loved ones to pick up at the restaurant, and pie gift vouchers are available. A holiday gift card promotion also offers a $20 gift card for the purchaser with every $100 in gift cards bought.
Orders for the Pies & Sides Holiday Catering menu are available for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Thanksgiving 2026 order deadline is Monday, November 23, at 5 p.m., with pickup by Wednesday, November 25, at 3 p.m. The Christmas 2026 order deadline is Monday, December 21, at 5 p.m., with pickup by Thursday, December 24, at 2 p.m. Orders may be placed online, by phone or in person at 5406 Balcones Drive, Austin, Texas 78731; shipping is not available. More information is available at www.chez-zee.com.
For Austin's food and hospitality industry, Chez Zee's holiday program illustrates how a locally owned restaurant can build a durable seasonal revenue stream while reinforcing community ties. For readers, the takeaway is practical: a long-established option for holiday meals that emphasizes scratch preparation and offers a wide selection for gatherings of different sizes.
