As many Austinites know — often against their own will — it's hard to tell in March what's a South by Southwest (SXSW) event and what isn't. That's why we're not going to worry about it on this list of food news across the next two weeks; if it's worth going, it's worth going.
Openings and closings
Austinites — or at least the Austin press — were surprised when the Chinese restaurant Zoé Tong and its barbecue food truck Sí Baby-Q closed after just a year in business. Folks who miss the sweet pork ribs can soon be reunited with them once again. Sí Baby-Q and its original staff are returning, this time at Fierce Whiskers Distillery. It'll be open 4-9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 9 pm on Saturdays, and noon to 7 pm on Sundays. Returning fans might want to check the updated menu to see what's still available.
A new food trailer called Breeze and Bites Mediterranean Kitchen is dedicated to the art of the döner — Turkish kebab sliced from a vertical rotisserie grill. Turkish chef Ali Berkay explains on the website that the goal isn't to perfect a traditional döner, but to respect its past while modernizing it for American tastes. It's okay if Austinites are unfamiliar; Berkay loves seeing people "try their first real döner." An Instagram post also promises Turkish coffee coming soon. Çok güzel! Breeze and Bites is located in the Pink Flamingo Food Court at 7221 McNeil Dr. and is open Fridays through Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm.
As we mentioned in January, the opening of the new bodega Handsome Dan's was postponed due to vendor delays, according to a spokesperson. Here's an alert to locals that the space is open and has ironed out some of its early kinks. A great time to get acquainted if you missed the grand opening is coming on Sunday, March 9, when the sandwich shop will host Swedish bakery pop-up My Sweetish Friend with tunes by DJ Jah Karma, free stuff from Helium Mobile, and non-alcoholic drinks from Rick's Near Beer. Handsome Dan's is located at 979 Springdale Rd #124 and is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 am to 8 pm. The kitchen always closes at 4 pm.
Texas comfort food staple Jack Allen's Kitchen has opened a large new location in Hutto that spans 7,000 square feet and seats 216 inside and 56 on the patio. This is the sixth location for the Austin-area restaurant, which is known for presenting a somewhat upscale experience while holding onto the homey and rustic character diners love in Texan cooking. It also offers a popular happy hour. The new Jack Allen's Kitchen is located at 211 Co-Op Blvd. and is open Sundays through Thursdays from 4-9 pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 4-10 pm. A brunch service will be added "soon."
ICYMI: A lot has happened since we last hung out on February 13. Here's a quick recap of openings (followed by one closing):
- Mother's Ruin, a cocktail-meets-dive bar founded in New York that's now on its fourth location, this time on Sixth Street.
- The Wheel, the first outpost of the local bicycle-themed bar, which has taken over the South Congress space where Crow Bar used to be.
- Archies Fine Coffee, a luxe and CBD-enhanced San Antonio coffee shop that's expanded into San Marcos for its third location.
- Shipley Do-Nuts, a national chain that has just opened two of 15 planned Austin-area locations.
- The Greek Bar, a new family-owned concept serving traditional and modern Mediterranean food, plus Greek cocktails.
- Underdog, a Korean wine bar that is saying goodbye to guests March 9.
Other news and notes
50 Best, the organization that compiles the world's best restaurants, bars, and more, announced March 3 that a new list will focus just on North America. This isn't the first time North American cities are being considered — Austin already has five bars and two restaurants on the platform — but it does indicate a more in-depth focus in the region. Uniquely, 50 Best does not require fees to be included, and there are no rules for which restaurants can be considered. The organization followed the announcement with an invite-only dinner for influential chefs and media at Jeffrey's, a highly regarded steakhouse that seems poised to make the list when it arrives.
Aburi Oshi Sushi is a new concept in Austin that just opened in September of 2024. The next few days will be a great time to try it for the first time, with dual pop-ups at Hotel Van Zandt and Ellis by Fareground. The Hotel Van Zandt pop-up is more limited, only running March 7-12, from 2 pm until it sells out. The pop-up at Ellis will operate Tuesdays through Sundays from noon to 7 pm; that one starts March 7 and doesn't yet have an end date. This sushi restaurant stands out thanks to its signature technique: flame-searing the fish. Snacks at the pop-ups cost as little as $5.50 for a four-piece California roll.
A pair sibling restaurants — Suerte and Bar Toti — are hosting must-attend events in the next couple of weeks. Bar Toti, which shares a space with Este, has introduced a new Sunday dinner series focusing on Italian food by chef de cuisine Derek Zampacorta. The Tutti Al Toti menu will rotate weekly. Reservations are only open up to two weeks in advance on OpenTable. Next up, Suerte is celebrating its seventh anniversary (that sounds like a lucky one) on Sunday, March 23. Executive chef Fermín Núñez is joined by seven guest chefs including Austin's Rick Lopez (La Condesa); there will also be a DJ set, raffles, merch and more. Tickets ($100) are also available on OpenTable.
