A couple years ago I bought a t-shirt that showed a dumpster with “2020” written on the side and its contents on fire. I wish I could get an “s” added to the end of “2020” since our roaring twenties seem to be roaring out of control with the pandemic, war in Europe, and shooting after shooting. But as Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers.” So kudos to local-to-Allandale Chi’lantro, close-to-Allandale Drink.Well, personal-fave Justine’s Brassiere, and other restaurants around town for donating profits in late May to meet various needs in the aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting.
It’s been an active couple months for closings and openings. Way South Philly at 5222 Burnet closed at the end of April, telling Eater Austin that higher costs and lack of help sealed the deal. Higher labor costs also claimed Bill Miller Bar-B-Q at 8103 Burnet. It also appears that Local Foods’ presence at Kitchen United has sadly come to a close. Pacha Organic Café has moved from 4618 Burnet and down to 2915 Guadalupe.
Which Which over in Northcross Center has closed, but in its place, Russell’s Bakery has (quickly) opened (see review of Russell’s, also over on Balcones Drive, in this issue). Pflour Shop Bakery at 7413 Burnet Road is opening on June 18th. Fuddruckers is now rucking at Kitchen United. Burnet Go To, serving beer, wine, growlers, espresso, pastries, snacks, and soccer, has opened at 6800 Burnet, the old location of The Growler Room. I somehow missed Kapatad Kitchen & Café, specializing in Filipino food, opening over yonder on Far West last year.
Top Notch has opened a satellite location up in Hutto. If you miss Noble Sandwich Co., are willing to buy a ticket, and can bear the three-hour cavity check, the Co. is now resurrected at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Rise Souffle, somewhat delayed, is still expected to open in The Grove, and we still eagerly await East Side Pies at the old Hey Cupcake location on Burnet. Carve American Grille announced plans to open its second location at The Grove. In other news, Project Pollo will be on Shark Tank seeking venture capital. And Fonda San Miguel is now under the wings of two new chefs, Mexico City native Carlos Monroy and sourcer (not sorcerer) Blanca Zesati. Monroy and Zesati debuted their expanded menu on Cinco de Mayo.
The kudos keep coming, of course, to our fine establishments. Austin Culturemap included 5280 Burgers & Taphouse and Yeni’s Fusion in their list of the best new restaurants in town. Thrillest included Plant B, Citizen Eatery, and Tso in their list of best places for vegans and vegetarians. Thrillest also gave shout-outs to Taco Flats (breakfast tacos to try before you die), Pinthouse (essential craft brewery) and Fonda San Miguel and T-Locs (best Mexican). The monkeypoxxers at Eater Austin infected District Kitchen and Chez Zee for desserts, épicerie for breakfast sandwiches, Troy for Mediterranean, Ichiban for sushi, Picnik for fluffy pancakes, Andiamo’s and Bufalina Due for Italian, Bartlett’s and Little Deli for most underrated, and Bartlett’s for their 100-hour marinated-in-pineapple-sesame-and-ginger rib-eye.
I wrote this column for the Allandale Neighbor.
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