An Austin summer always threatens a slowdown in food and entertainment, but the food scene isn't showing any signs of flagging yet. A food truck switch-up at Radio Coffee and Beer, a new pop-up for Broadway lovers, and an energy infusion for a longtime bakery are all keeping the ball rolling.
Openings and closings
Wow Poke, a local handful of food trailers for Hawaiian-inspired bowls, is now parked at Radio Coffee and Beer (4204 Menchaca Rd.). On the menu are house poke bowls, hot poke bowls (with teriyaki chicken or pan-fried salmon), wraps, snacks, and dessert. Briskets, Veracruz All Natural, and Shortwave remain at Radio, but the Thai trailer Dee Dee is now closed. Dee Dee fans, fear not: the restaurant will be reopening in a brick-and-mortar space.
Health-conscious chain Honest Mary’s is opening a new downtown location, this time in the Seaholm District, the area that surrounds the Central Library and where Shoal Creek meets the Colorado River. The new location at 222 West Ave., Suite 120, will open in early 2026. Honest Mary's specializes in grain bowls and salads.
As spotted by Community Impact, the Southern comfort food trailerSistas Just Cookin' is now parked at 1 Indian Meadows Dr. in Round Rock. From the business' Instagram feed, fried chicken and fish look like the main staples, along with sides like mac and cheese, yams, green beans, and more. Hours according to Google Maps at 10 am to 9 pm Thursdays through Saturdays.
A pop-up perfect for grown-up theater kids is now singing at Wanderlust Wine Co. in East Austin (702 Shady Ln.). The Broadway Sing-Along Bar hosts nightly singalongs and weekly drag shows, and presents a fun environment even if cocktail lovers would rather listen than sing. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets ($20) are available via bucketlisters.com.
Pizzeria Sportiva, a 2024 sister restaurantsister restaurant to the neighboring It's Italian Cucina, has undergone a rebrand and is now called Bella Lounge. Chef Al Fini says all the decor has changed, and the space is now more relaxing with an "enoteca" feel (referring to local wine shops in Italy). It's Italian Cucina is well-known for its standout wine program, which has received Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence since 2018. Events in the space include Tuesday Trivia from 7-9 pm; half-price wine bottles all night on Wednesdays; complimentary, expert-led wine tastings from 6-8 pm on Thursdays; and karaoke on Fridays from 10 pm to midnight.
Other news and notes
After 15 years, Sweet Treats Bakery on US-290 has changed owners. Anna Neave (née Tauzin) is now at the head of the business founded by Jackie McGrath, which is primarily known for wedding cakes. Neave has received notable recognition from Lunchbox and Nation's Restaurant News, is a former president of Les Dames d’Escoffier Austin Chapter, sits on the advisory board for SXSW, and co-hosts the podcast Restaurant Masterminds. On June 20 and June 21, the bakery starts its first collaborative pop-up, featuring Austin pastry chef Jules Stoddart of Hardware Pastries. See the menu here.
Established in Austin in 2006, Mandola’s is celebrating 50 years since its founder, Damian Mandola, started his first restaurant in Houston. Mandola's comes from the same family as Carraba's, but only has 10 locations while Carraba's has more than 200. To mark the occasion on June 16, Mandola's is dropping the price of its spaghetti and meatballs to $2.25, what the dish originally cost in 1975. The offer is only available to the first 50 people who arrive at each location.
