As I made my restaurant rounds in late September, I saw early signs of Austin’s favorite holiday: Halloween. So it’s appropriate that there was a bloodbath at Kitchen United where Bad-Ass Breakfast Burritos, Bad Mutha Clucka, Dog Haus, Grimaldi’s, Plant B, and Pollo Campero were all quietly Texas chainsawed. At 8023 Burnet Road, no one can hear you scream. Fortunately, steak-as-tough-as-Leatherface stopped the carnage there with no other casualties, although our Luby’s finally bit the dust and Austin Terrier no longer howls at the moon. The Radfish trailer quickly swam in and out of Pat’s Games.
Pinthouse Pizza and Chi’lantro have reopened after quick remodels, and reports of the demise of Sap’s Ver Fine Thai Food were exaggerated. Choo, purveyor of Japanese sandwiches, sushi, and omakase, is now open at 5222 Burnet. The juice bar pressed has moved into the former location of Fluff Meringues at 4800 Burnet. MrBeast Burger (sounds like good chow for All Hallow’s Eve) is now available for pick-up or delivery from the hidden heart of 2700 West Anderson. The Chinese restaurant, Seven Spice, is open at 3901 Spicewood Springs. Texas French Bread is baking again with its wares available through Farmhouse delivery. The 100% Watermelon Slush from Dawa at the 5000 Burnet Trailer Park (pictured) was rockin’!
A mysterious place called Austin’s Very Own Saltt is opening in Northcross. My sleuthing reveals that they will be cooking something with gas and selling mixed drinks. Sounds promising. There been more progress at coming locations for Carve American Grille, Verdad True Modern Mexican, Pita Fusion, Pokéworks, East Side Pies, and VooDoo Donuts. The Grove Market appears to be close to opening as they were stocking when I peeping tommed their windows. Near, new, and notable are ATX Grill RH, from the folks that ran Russian House downtown, which will be opening at the old Sala & Betty location on Airport, and Bulevar, from the same folks that brought us downtown’s ATX Cocina, opening up at the former location of Z’Tejas near the Arboretum.
The sustenance cyclones at Eater Austin recognized Cover 3 and Billy’s on Burnet as fun sports bars; EurAsia 3, Pokéworks, and Poke Poke as good poke joints; Dan’s and Top Notch as iconic burger slingers; Bufalina Due and The Peached Tortilla for cheap eats and drinks for happy hour; dipdipdip and Barley Swine on where to splurge on upscale dinners; Tumble 22 for affordable eats; Nissi Vegan Mexican VegMex and Citizen Eatery for meat-free dishes; and China Family, Tso, Chinatown, and Old Thousand for great Chinese. Open Table included Chez Zee among its best brunches. Thrillest gave shout-outs to Picnik and Tso for best vegan and vegetarian; dipdipdip and Fonda San Miguel for most romantic; and Picnik, Poke Poke, Jack Allen’s, Le Bleu, and Shu Shu’s as best places to lunch. Yelp recognized Barley Swine as one of the most photographed restaurants in Austin.
The Austin Chronicle recently presented its annual Best of Austin list. Upper Crust got the nod for Best Bakery, Hat Creek Burger Co. for Best Kid’s Menu and Best Playscape, Fonda San Miguel for best interior Mexican, Chi’Lantro for best Korean, JewBoy Burgers for Best Burgers, Jack Allen’s Kitchen for Best Chicken Fried Steak and Best Weekend Brunch, Amy’s Ice Creams for Best Frozen Treats, Thundercloud Subs for Best Sandwich, and JuiceLand for Best Juice/Smoothies. No tricks here: just treats!
I wrote this for the Allandale Neighbor.
austin wanderlist 