We welcome you and your tummy to 2025! The rumors (and my reporting…) of Genuine Joe Coffeehouse closing on Anderson Lane were greatly exaggerated. Joe’s closed but quickly reopened after the regulars convinced the owner to keep beaning. Kesos Tacos on Spicewood Springs started dolloping queso on their tacos. The Venezuelan trailer Venexico rolled into the T x R parking lot at 6546 Burnet. The Michelin folks were in town and bequeathed a well-deserved star to Barley Swine.
Shortie’s on Shoal Creek quietly closed down last October. Oddly, there’s no information on their web page or socials. Rumors on Nextdoor suggest remodeling or rebranding and reopening on February 1st. Here’s to hoping that’s true because we adore those New England Greek-style pizzas. Also closing its doors was our outpost of Flyrite on Burnet. If you miss the Austin entry into the chicken sandwich wars, you’ll have to fly the coop to their other locations in town. Toastique closed after running their toasters for only a few months. Trudy’s announced the closing of the North Star on Burnet, the last Trudys in town. My Sweetish Friend rolled out of its spot on Burnet but still provides pastries via pick-up or delivery (www.mysweetishfriend.com). I’m still waiting for H-Mart and Tzintzuntzan to open.
Since everyone else listed their top tens at the end of last year, here are the top ten dishes I ate in 2024 in the hood: (1) Chicken Fajita Tacos from Torchy’s, (2) Brisket Cheeseburger from Black Gold, (3) Shrimp and Grits from District Kitchen, (4) Chicken Quesadilla from Asado’s Taqueria, (5) breakfast tacos from Chyngon Tacos, (6) Green Chile and Pepperoni Pizza from East Side Pies, (7) Pollo Pirata Tacos from Dos Batos, (8) mini bundts from Nothing Bundt Cakes, (9) a tiny cherry pie from Tiny Pies on Pi Day, (10) soup dumplings from Ling Wu.
Until next time, keep eatin’!
austin wanderlist 