Welcome to an inside look at a dynamic husband-and-wife team who are reshaping Chicago’s dining scene. Tony and Taneka Andersons’s brainchild, TNT Rooftop Restaurant, marries elevated cuisine with a view in the heart of the Austin neighborhood. Fueled by travel experiences, personal passions, and a dedication to community, they’ve created a space that feels like home while delivering a top-tier culinary adventure. Beyond food, their mission is to inspire and uplift.
What’s the story behind the name TNT Rooftop?
Taneka: Well, the story behind the name — let’s get into that. TNT actually stands for Tony and Taneka, and also represents our children: Treasure, Nia, and TJ.
What challenges did you face getting set up?
Tony: The biggest hurdle was dealing with city requirements like rezoning. But we prepared. We bought the building in 2019 and took a year and a half for permitting. We started building in late 2022. Of course, not everything was smooth, but my wife and I have backgrounds in real estate development. We rehab our investments from top to bottom, saved our money, and put in hard work to achieve what you see now.
How do you curate that perfect blend of food, atmosphere, and experience?
Taneka: I basically took everything I love to eat and put it in one place. We add our own twist to each dish, and I’m huge on sauces — so every item has its own special sauce. We’re pescatarians, so we also offer plant-based options that genuinely taste great. We wanted a vegan or plant-based menu that could hold its own in an upscale setting. After about a year of planning, we came up with choices we’re proud of.
What’s one dish or cocktail that best represents TNT?
Tony: The Sampler. It’s lamb chops over asparagus, salmon over mashed potatoes, and chicken breast over fried rice. It’s like grandma’s gumbo — different elements coming together to create magic. That’s what TNT is: a combination of our upbringing, lessons learned, kids, everything in one spot.
What made you set up in Austin?
Tony: I grew up in Austin. I wanted to give back to my community and be relatable to people who share my roots. The South Side has a lot of restaurants, but the West Side needed something upscale, too. We set out to create a spot you couldn’t find anywhere else — especially in an urban community. We want to reset expectations and raise the bar right here in Austin.
How do you balance business and personal life?
Taneka: We’re together all day, every day. We ride to work together, run the business together, and go home together. It actually brings us closer because there’s no missing each other — he’s always right here!
Tony: When you marry, you become one. We started out with separate jobs, but over time, we’ve aligned everything: careers, goals, life. We decided to write our own checks rather than depend on someone else, and that keeps us building together.
Community is essential in hospitality. How has Austin embraced TNT?
Tony: At first, people couldn’t quite see the vision. But now, we get love from everyone, young and old. Neighbors stop by to tell us how much they appreciate what we’ve done. We get so much positive feedback.
Taneka: And they love the food! That’s all they talk about — how delicious everything tastes.
What do you want guests to take away from dining at TNT?
Taneka: We want them to feel like they’re at home. It’s not just our place — it’s a safe, upscale spot for everyone.
Tony: I want them to be shocked — in a good way — because many people don’t expect this caliber in Austin. I also want them to absorb the inspiration and dedication we put in. Beyond the food, we’re here to talk about anything, share knowledge, and be family.
