Just as we started venturing out, here comes Delta, kicking up confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and, soon, deaths. Even though we are vaxxed to the max, Delta has given us pause on venturing out until the wave has passed. Even those who are vaxxed have a ~15% chance of getting delta (upwards of 40% if you J&J’d). I expect that Delta—four time as transmissive as O.G. covid—will rage through the unvaccinated over the next couple of months. Austin health officials recommend that we all mask back up when indoors.
Fat City, the Peached Tortilla’s slider side hustle, is now open at Yard Bar along with a new concrete parking lot. The Houston sammich-slinger, Local Foods, has opened its pop-up at 5350 Burnet and is available for pick-up and delivery only. Project Pollo, a fake chicken joint out of San Antonio, is now open over by Hopdoddy. Haru Ramen is rebranding as Ichi-Umi Ramen (which means “widest ocean”). China Family looks like it’s close to opening while Bird Bird Biscuit appears to finally be working on its new near-us location at 1401 Koenig. The revolving kitchen door at Kitchen United saw the openings of Camile Thai, Greenleaf, and Mekata (South American chow). East Side Pies will return to our area after moving into 5530 Burnet (the old Hey Cupcake location).
Sadly, we’ve had a couple closings (and near closings) over the past two months. It’s been a hard coupla months for Mediterranean food with Sarah’s Mediterranean Grill on Burnet and Tinos Greek Café, over yonder next to Dos Batos Tacos, both closing. Trudy’s North Star has been closed for remodeling but expects to reopen on August 2nd. Luby’s must be a cat, because they’ve survived yet another near closure. The Chicken Salad Shoppe has moved out of the ‘hood to brick and mortar at the Furniture Mall of Texas at I-35 and Parmer. Austin Daily Press closed up shop at Kitchen United, and the Little Beast Slider Co. rolled out of the trailer park at 5000 Burnet. Someone on Nextdoor posted that Fresh Plus had bought out Arlan’s Market over in Crestview; however, half the people on Nextdoor are daydrinkers, so we shall see…
Thrillest named the Wundershowzen from Juiceland, Southern Fun at The Peached Tortilla, and the coconut crème pie at Chez Zee American Bistro as among the “Most Essential Food Experiences in Austin.” Thrillest’s list of “Best Kolache Shops in Austin” included Austin Kolache & Koffee Shop and Lone Star Kolaches. The Austin American-Statesman included the French Dip at Bartlett’s and the Apricot Chicken Salad at The Chicken Salad Shoppe as among the city’s best sammiches. Not to be out mustarded, Eater released its own best sammiches list which included Bidermann’s Deli, Little Deli & Pizzeria, and Way South Philly.
Until next time: keep on chowin’!
I wrote this article for the Allandale Neighbor.
austin wanderlist 