The new faces of Grinder’s; Tom and Penny Klapperich take ownership of Austin deli
Published 9:13 am Wednesday, April 3, 2019
- Penny and Tom Klapperich are the new owners of Grinder’s Deli in Austin. Photos by Mike Stoll/mike.stoll@austindailyherald.com
Regulars to Grinder’s Deli may notice a new face behind the counter, that of new owner Penny Klapperich. Penny worked her first day as owner of the longtime Austin restaurant on Monday.
Penny and her husband, Tom, purchased Grinder’s Deli from their friends, former owners Mark and Sue Nagle, who approached them with the offer.
“It was never really officially for sale,” Penny said. “Sue said she just wants to slow down a little. They’ve had (Grinder’s) going on 29 years.”

Tom and Penny in front of Grinder’s Deli.
The Klapperichs are no strangers to the food industry. Tom worked in the food and beverage and hotel industries for many years and previously owned a pizza and pasta restaurant at Oak Park Mall for several years. In the 80s, Penny’s parents owned the Taco Shop at Oak Park Mall, where she worked as a teenager. She also has prior food experience at Applebee’s and Holiday Inn.
“(The food industry is) just something we wanted to get back into and the opportunity came up,” Tom said. “We’re both from Austin and we know a lot of people, so it’s been a good transition.”
And while some new menu items may be added in the future, Penny says they do not plan to change Grinder’s Deli as it is.
“It’s been super successful for many years, people love it for what it is and we’re not looking to complicate anything, “ she said. “We’re looking to have some fun and continue on a great tradition in Austin.”
“We’re looking forward to taking over a successful business and continuing to move it forward,” Tom said.