We’re in “Best of” season, but before I slather the kudos on our hood’s chowslingers, let’s see what’s new, coming, and closed. By the time you read this, Tikka Shack Indian Grub should be open at 2438 Anderson Lane. Ziki, a Greek-Mexican trailer, has pulled into 5100 Burnet. Cuter-than-a-button-cactus Cheri Coffee & Flowers opened at 6727 Burnet. Verdad True Modern Mexican in The Grove announced its opening for December 11th. Newly announced for the spring is Snarf’s Sandwiches at 7301 Burnet. Austin’s Very Own Saltt is still slowly crawling toward an opening. H-Mart is still under construction.
Kitchen United suffered another All Hallow’s Eve bloodbath (much be one-year leases) with the apparent deaths of Benvolio’s, Burger&Sons, J. Fermentos, Little Juliet, Pokaii, Pomodoro, Scooped Cookie Dough Bar, Teji’s Indian Restaurant, and What The Farm leaving only Fuddruckers and Hawaiian Brothers behind.
Now for the kudos!
The American-Statesman’s Matt Odam, Austin’s second-best restaurant reviewer, honored Yamas on his list of the year’s best restaurants and included the Shiitake Dumplings at Barley Swine, the French Dip at Bartlett’s, the Duck Enchiladas at Fonda San Miguel, and the Beef Enchiladas at Enchiladas y Mas on his list of iconic Austin dishes.
Austin Chronicle’s Melanie Haupt lists Eldorado as Austin’s best restaurant and Little Deli as the town’s eighth best. Readers recognized Fonda San Miguel (Interior Mexican, Ambiance), Phoenicia Bakery & Deli (Mediterranean), Bird Bird Biscuit (Breakfast Sandwich), Thundercloud Subs (Sandwich), JewBoy Burgers (Burgers), Eldorado (Enchiladas), Amy’s (Ice Cream), Juiceland (Juice/Smoothies), and Chez Zee (Weekend Brunch).
In terms of my fave local-to-the-hood dishes, I bequeath my Slow Bite award to the Cedar Plank Fried Redfish at Carve, the Ancho Relleno San Miguel at Fonda San Miguel, the Baklava at Yamas, the Birria Tacos at Que Divino Cocina Mexicana, the Spicy Ahi at Pokeworks, the Scallops at Gràcia Mediterranean, the Beef Enchiladas at Enchiladas y Mas, the chicken pirata tacos from Dos Batos, the Ichiga Daifuku from Asahi Imports, the Touchdown Tim from Pita Fusion, and the key lime pie from Bartlett’s.
I wrote this for the Allandale Neighbor. (December 2023, v 38, i 6, p 12-13)
austin wanderlist 