Sips on SoCo

Far-out patio and bar opens at legendary Austin Motel

A fresh option for outdoor sips is now open on South Congress. Austin Motel hosts the grand opening of its new patio bar, Fine Foods, on Friday, April 28.

This is all part of a new era for the legendary motel. It was scooped up by Greenfield Partners LLC, which owns Hotel San Jose and several other SoCo spots, last year.

In March 2017, Austin Motel debuted a new look, courtesy of Liz Lambert and hospitality group Bunkhouse. The change in ownership led to the closure of Snack Bar, the kitschy restaurant attached to the property. That space is still being renovated, and a new restaurant is expected to open this summer.

Until then we can enjoy Fine Foods, the new patio bar, and its selection of beer, wine, and craft cocktails. Sips include Ann Richard's Revenge (rums, apricot syrup, pineapple juice, and lime juice); Cold Fashioned (frozen old fashioned with rye, citrus, and bitters); and Kinky's Pinky (tequila, lime, orange, and sangria).

"Like the Austin Motel itself, this menu is fun, new, fresh, and a little bit weird," says bar manager Breezy Mayo in a release. "Yet it still maintains the understanding of the importance of the city's history and the culture of never taking itself too seriously."

Food comes courtesy of Jo's Burger Box, a food truck situated in the parking lot next door. The menu from chef Lou Lambert, mastermind of Lamberts Downtown Barbecue and brother of Bunkhouse queen Liz, includes a hamburger, cheeseburger, and veggie burger. Sides are fries and beer-battered onion rings.

A grand opening party for Fine Foods is scheduled for April 28, with drink specials and live music from John Powell.

Hours are Monday through Thursday, 3 pm to midnight, and Friday through Sunday, 11 am to midnight. Jo's Burger Box is open daily from11 am to 10 pm.

Burger, fries, and onion rings from Jo's Burger Box.

Photo by Nick Simonite

Burger, fries, and onion rings from Jo's Burger Box.

hotels openings

News You Can Eat

Plant-based tacos and an unserious bowling league win Austin food news

Spare Birdie/Facebook

These are not the Big Lebowski's bowling snacks.

Summer isn't keeping Austin restaurants down — although it may be keeping them inside. Whether that's an uptick in bowling, a desire to eat more veggies, or another speakeasy just to feel something, here are some new developments in Austin this week.

Openings and closings

A new bar that's literally underground has opened in the basement of Tiger Lilly at 400 Colorado St. — the former home of Estelle's. There's been a lot of change since Estelle's closed in late summer of 2024. Newcomer Bar Hacienda keeps up the fancy aesthetics and the involvement of industry vets: this time, co-founders Terance Robson and Jack “Slim” Hogan, who both worked on Austin speakeasy Here Nor There. The cocktails have tropical personality and the music will blend hip hop and R&B. More on this is coming soon. For now, visit them Tuesdays from 5 pm to midnight, and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 pm to 1 am.

Things are looking colorful at Gelato Lab, now open at 1500 S. A.W. Grimes Blvd., Suite 160, in Round Rock. Videos on Instagram show off the freshly made gelato's stretchy texture and handmade waffle cones. There are also dairy-free options.

Hawaiian restaurant Shoyu Sugar posted on Instagram on Monday, June 23, that the restaurant is for sale, effective immediately. The current owners plan to operate until Friday, July 18. "Though this decision is very difficult as we have become entrenched with this City and its culture, The Valentino’s will be moving back to Hawaii to spend time with family and care for our Kupuna," the post says, using the Hawaiian word for "grandparent" or "elder."

Other news and notes

Wine Spectatorhas release its 2025 Restaurant Awards, which applaud 23 Austin restaurants for their wine programs. Many of them are the usual suspects — including a big clump of steakhouses downtown — but there are a few that are farther flung. The handful of restaurants that aren't downtown are Steiner Ranch Steakhouse, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille at The Domain, Eddie V's Prime Seafood at the Arboretum, Siena Restaurant Toscana, Birdie's, 68 Degrees Kitchen, and It's Italian Cucina. See the full list at winespectator.com.

Award-winning, taco-forward restaurant Suerte launches its expanded "Lucky Hour" on Saturday, June 28. The restaurant is now offering deals every day, instead of just weekdays: new hours are weekends from 3-5 pm, and Mondays through Fridays from 5-6 pm. During these times guests can get $10 signature cocktails, $2 discounts on draft beers and glasses of wine, 25 percent off bottles of wine, and 50 percent off mezcal, tequila, and destilado pours. There are also all-night discounts on Mezcal Mondays.

Taco Pegaso, one of Fareground's current food hall tenants, has just launched a supplemental new plant-based menu developed by chef-influencer Leslie Durso. The menu includes vegan queso; corn ribs; tacos, bowls, burritos, tortas, and quesadillas based on portobello mushrooms or Abbots chorizo; and two desserts, gluten-free chocolate chip or oatmeal cranberry cookies.

Spare Birdie, an entertainment venue with surprisingly fancy pub fare and signature cocktails, is hosting a "Not-So-Serious Summer Bowling League" from July 1 to September 9. That lack of seriousness means both beginner and advanced bowlers are invited to join. The league will meet every other Tuesday and compete for a prize fund of $10 per person. Teams need to be 3-6 people.

In March, Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa was featured in the PBS special "Hidden Gems of Texas Hill Country." If anyone's been looking for an excuse to get out there and see it in person, the resort is hosting a screening event on Thursday, July 10. The screening will be accompanied by live music and beer, wine, and bourbon tastings. Guests can also take advantage of a special two-night package through August.

vegan tacos news you can eat openings closings wine awards happy hour hill country