Local Look For SoCo

Famous booze brand gets hip Austin makeover from local design firm

Southern Comfort is getting a new flavor — and a face lift. The alcohol brand teamed up with Austin-based design firm Helms Workshop to form a bolder, hipper look for Southern Comfort. Although it keeps the same spirit (pun intended), the new identity brings a modern twist to the company's century-old history.

"The goal was to highlight what makes Southern Comfort unique," says Helms Workshop owner Christian Helms.

"We dug in and internalized the history and personality of the brand in order to craft something authentic and meaningful for modern-day drinkers," said Christian Helms, designer and owner of Helms Workshop, in a press release.

Southern Comfort's origins date back to 19th century New Orleans when bartender Martin Wilkes Heron created a sweeter liqueur to mix in his cocktails. Heron's signature is still emblazoned on every bottle, and Helms Workshop said it took care to draw inspiration from the company's heritage.

“We dug in and internalized the history and personality of the brand in order to craft something authentic and meaningful for modern-day drinkers,” said Helms.

Some of Helms Workshop's recognizable work in the Austin area includes Pinthouse Pizza's logo, Frank's overall brand identity and Austin Beerworks' logo and packaging design for its famous Peacemaker Anytime Ale 99-pack. Outside of Austin, Helm has worked on other big name brands like Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and Pabst Brewing Company.

But what about this new flavor also hitting shelves, you ask? Caramel will be the latest addition to the Southern Comfort family, which already includes the bourbon-mixed Original Reserve in addition to cherry and lime flavors.

Stay sharp, because the roll out for Southern Comfort Caramel — and the new branding — begins in early March.

Austin-based design company Helms Workshop gave Southern Comfort a design face lift.

Southern Comfort__soco_new logo_Helms Workshop

Courtesy of Helms Workshop

Austin-based design company Helms Workshop gave Southern Comfort a design face lift.

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News You Can Eat

A frozen custard closure and New Year's menus renew Austin food news

Culver's/Facebook

People in North Austin can still go to Culver's if they're willing to drive to Leander.

As folks in Austin digest their Christmas and Hanukkah meals, the restaurant scene also takes a bit of a siesta. That's good news for anyone who need to catch up on openings and closings over the next few weeks — or plan a nice meal on an upcoming day off.

Openings and closings

A longtime spot for frozen custard and burgers has reached its melting point. Culver's, technically a franchise out of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, has become a local staple over its decades at 2240 W. Braker Ln., but it's now closed. A Reddit user snapped a picture of the sign on the location's last day. It read: "Count down 1 day / Thank you Austin for a great 26 years." Other users pointed to a condo development that will be taking the restaurant's place. Community Impactreports that the replacement location will be at 1631 Crystal Village Blvd. in Leander, and will open in February 2025.

Speaking of chains in Leander, the California chicken sandwich chain Daddy’s Chicken Shack has recently moved in. Located at 3501 N. Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 110, this is the first restaurant in the Austin area. It's up-and-coming in Texas, but so far there are just three locations across the state. What sets this chain apart is its pressure cooked crispy chicken, but guests can also opt to have their chicken grilled. On the menu are sandwiches, chicken and waffles, popcorn chicken, wraps, loaded fries, and more. Hours are daily from 7 am to 11 pm.

Farmhouse Delivery, a high-end grocery delivery service, is back in action, having made its first deliveries on December 24. The service shut down in May 2024, promising it would just be temporary. Although it's known for its prepared foods, it seems like its bread and butter (pun intended) right now is à la carte, uncooked ingredients. There's no word yet on the upcoming storefront or move away from packaging. (Those changes are covered in more detail here.) Right now, a newsletter says, the goal is getting delivery capacity back up to speed.

Farmhouse Delivery tenderloin This tenderloin is on Farmhouse Delivery's seasonal menu.farmhousedelivery.com

ICYMI: We've published stories about several closings and openings in the past week — some temporary — so let's recap.

Although the 29th Street Ballroom plans to stay open through most of its upcoming renovation, it will feel refreshed in March when the superstar new management team officially presents the new bar, which will be open even when there are no events scheduled.
Fine dining restaurant Hestia is also undergoing some renovations, so exclusive social club The Pershing is hosting the team for ticketed pop-ups throughout January.
Basil & Bites, a new sister concept to Pflugerville's Broth & Basil has been announced in Hutto. It'll serve Vietnamese cuisine with Texas influences.
Confituras Little Kitchen, specializing in fruit preserves and baked goods, is closing its brick-and-mortar and returning to the farmers market. Some products will remain available as retail at other businesses.
A Dallas project called La La Land Kind Cafe seeks to help youth transition from the foster system into adulthood by providing professional training while they work at the cafe. It recently announced it's found a location on South Congress Avenue in Austin. Expect a full coffee menu, fancy toasts, iced coolers, tea, and more.

Other news and notes

Those who need a little luck going into 2025 can get some at Thai Fresh. On New Year's Day, guests can order from the regular menu or the Lucky Foods menu, which features Texas black-eyed pea salad, cabbage soup, fried whole fish, pad mee, and some special desserts. All these dishes were selected because at least one ingredient is said to have lucky properties — and lucky for diners with a gluten sensitivity, everything on the special menu except the pad mee is gluten-free.

"Fish are a symbol of prosperity due to their scales resembling coins and their forward motion," says the menu announcement from Thai Fresh.Photo by Jody Horton, courtesy of Thai Fresh

Quince ATX is debuting its new executive chef in style on New Year's Eve. Julien Hawkins has been chef de cuisine at Austin Proper Hotel and Hestia, and worked in the kitchen at Asador Etxebarri, a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant in Spain. He'll serve a five-course meal featuring lobster tail thermidor, prime beef tenderloin, Cajun specialties, Baked Alaska, and more for $150. Then the party continues until 2 am with DJ Brigham of San Miguel de Allende. Reserve via OpenTable.

OpenTable, the online reservations platform, has compiled a list of the 10 most-booked restaurants in Austin. Whether you're reading out of curiosity or calibrating your reservations strategy, may the bookings be ever in your favor.

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