It’s difficult running a restaurant in the best of times and horrific when times aren’t good. And times aren’t good. Over the past five years, both food and labor costs for the average restaurant have surged by approximately 35 percent, putting massive pressure on lean pre-tax margins of typically just five percent. Because of added labor costs, restaurant prices rise faster than those at the grocery store, especially at mom-n-pop grills that don’t have the bulk buying ability of chains. I shudder a bit when a date night out to a local fast-casual taco joint quickly rings up to $50 bucks with no alcohol. I raise my spork and, in my best old man’s voice (which is sounding more and more like my regular voice), yelp “I remember when a damn taco only cost a buck!”
Accordingly, many of our restaurants are suffering. The stylish Black Gold, one of the best recent openings in these parts, smothered their fires in mid-August after a mere 10 months. The Michelin-recommended dipdipdip tatsu-ya also closed its swinging doors in mid-August. JewBoy Sub Shop closed in late July after their lease came up for renewal. Finally, Andiamo, the best Italian joint in Austin, closed back in June. Not in the hood but spiritually devastating are the closings of Aster’s Ethiopian and the last Z’Tejas. Them’s a lot of good eatin’ gone.
But the brave continue to open and announce new places! Jet’s Pizza is now open at 7301 Burnet as is BANJOO (Korean) at 5222 Burnet. SOSU Izakaya & Sushi Bar is opening at the old Sub Shop location. The Tatsu-Ya boys seemingly plan to open a new concept at the dipdipdip location. Neon Belly at 8312 Burnet hopes to be slinging espresso and sourdough by mid-September. In other food news, Wheatsville bought our Fresh Plus, so expect to see some changes in the aisles.
Velvet Taco is making good progress on its 6539 Burnet expansion. We are still waiting on Foxtail Lounge, Mama Betty’s, Tzintzuntzan, La La Land Kind Cafe, and H-Mart to open. A drunk driver took out Gusto for a second time (but Gusto is back with gusto [and hopefully concrete bollards]). Something (fancy?) is fixin’ to open at ye olde Shorties at 7858 Shoal Creek.
In the kudos file is Bird Bird Biscuit for the 66th best sandwich shop in the country according to Yelp. CultureMap recommended The Percolator from Juiceland, the Iced Mojo at Epoch Coffee, and the Iced Upsidedown Latte at our upcoming La La Land Kind Cafe for cold caffeinated drinks in Austin. And many thanks to Black Gold (RIP), Hopdoddy, Mama Betty’s, P. Terry’s, Whataburger, and others for helping flood victims.
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