Inked - April 2008

inked spots | AUSTIN

DIABLO

ROJO

2604 Guadalupe St.

Austin, Texas

512-476-7656

diablo-rojo.com

Established: 2001

Artists: Doug Curtis, Raul Arevelo,

Ryan Dodson, Leo Calleros,

Mike Belzel, Jai Devore

At 26th and Guadalupe Streets, right across from the University of Texas

campus, Diablo Rojo has “probably one of the best locations in town, ” accord-

ing to owner Doug Curtis. Though it’s within earshot of the school, the shop

is for the most part custom, according to Curtis. But the weekends do have a

tendency toward a “street shop atmosphere.” The shop itself is spacious and

well-designed, featuring two fl oors with large, neon red crosses at the doorway

entrance and an elaborate mosaic tiled fl oor. A vast selection of body jewelry

(tribal, stretch, and fi tted) is sold right alongside the veteran crew of tattooers

plying their trade. “We have a range of artists that vary in style from Japanese

and portraits to traditional,” Curtis says. All the artists in the shop have been

tattooing for at least 10 years, since seasoning and experience are key at Dia-

blo Rojo. “We don’t have any new kids or apprentices,” Curtis explains.

DRINK: Hole in the Wall, 2538 Guadalupe St., 512-477-4747. With

a well-earned reputation for good times and great music, this campus-area

institution hosts live music every night. A large front room plays host to a stage

surrounded by portraits of regular patrons, and the back room has pool tables,

booze, and shuffl eboard.

EAT: Kerbey Lane Café, 2700 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-445-4451. Migas,

omelets, and gingerbread pancakes make the South Austin location of this

chain the place for homegrown Texas grub. Plus, it’s open 24 hours a day.

SHOP: Toy Joy, 2900 Guadalupe St., 512-320-0090. Caution: If you bring

a kid (or a kid at heart) here, he may explode. Filled to the brim with retro, new,

and hard-to-fi nd toys, candy, robots, wind-ups, and mobiles hanging every

which way from the ceiling, this is Austin’s version of Wonkaland.

text by ERICH WEISS photos by CAMBRIA HARKEY

Mike Belzel, Doug Curtis, Brian Dodson, Johnny Cash Curtis

92 | INKEDMAG.COM

Inked0408_090-095_Austin_jb.jg.indd 92Inked0408_090-095_Austin_jb.jg.indd 92 2/22/08 8:47:08 PM2/22/08 8:47:08 PM