NEWS YOU CAN EAT

6 things to know in Austin food right now: Local burger sensation buddies up to the ’burbs

Buddy's is moving into Round Rock this year as part of a company expansion.

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings and closings

A local drive-thru joint that opened in June 2020 and has since buddied up to Austin burger fanatics is bringing its meaty must-haves to the ’burbs. Buddy’s Burger, the family-owned concept that maintains a wildly popular location at 9001 Cameron Rd. in North Austin, will open a second burger shack at the corner of Sunrise Road and Old Settlers Boulevard in Round Rock. Slated to open in late 2022, the new Buddy’s will serve up the same classic hamburgers and cheeseburgers made with 100 percent Angus beef that have snared Austin eaters, as well as handspun milkshakes, and those super craveable seasoned fries and Smack Sauce. “We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received from the community since opening during the pandemic,” says co-owner Isha Fidai. “This is what has allowed us to successfully expand to a second location and share our family’s fresh, handmade burger recipe with more people. This second location is also a big step towards our overall goal to open multiple locations throughout Central Texas and beyond.”

In other burgers-in-the-’burbs news, a Connecticut-based nostalgia-driven franchise that teased Austin in July with news of a Cedar Park location is finally “moo-ving” ahead. Wayback Burgers, which specializes in cooked-to-order burgers, hand-dipped milkshakes, and a community-focused approach to hospitality, will begin construction on its 1,700-square-foot eatery at 500 W. Whitestone Blvd. on February 1. According to a state filing, construction is expected to be completed by April 1. Wayback currently operates a location in Round Rock, and according to the company’s website, more burger spots are planned for Austin (at 12909 N. I-35), near the Walmart in Killeen, and in Leander, off Highway 183.

Also popping up soon in Cedar Park is another location of ubiquitous coffee shop Starbucks, which, according to a state filing, will open a new 2,390-square-foot location at 1951 Bagdad Rd. Construction is expected to start May 1 and be completed by December 1, just in time for that oh-so-delicious holiday beverage season.

In another-one-bites-the-dust news, a rustic downtown restaurant is the latest to be taken down by the pandemic. Italic, the West Sixth Street Italian eatery from the minds behind Easy Tiger and 24 Diner, has closed permanently after supposedly temporarily shuttering at the onset of the pandemic, in March 2020, according to a report from Eater. Though the Italic website notes it is closed temporarily, its Instagram page hasn’t had a new post since June 2020; its Facebook page seemingly no longer exists; and its Twitter account has been suspended — all indicators the eatery doesn’t have plans to reopen. Eater reports Lonesome Dove will be moving into the Italic space, having closed its Colorado Street restaurant just before Christmas in anticipation of the move.

Other news and notes

If you’re working your way through a Dry January and rebuffing the booze for a month, here’s some news that’s cause for a non-alcoholic toast: Spiritless, the Austin-based non-alcoholic craft cocktail business that launched last summer, was featured in a recent segment on the Today Show. Entitled the Best Drink Alternatives to Enjoy for Dry January, the segment featured hosts Al Roker and Craig Melvin, who are both participating in Dry January, and lifestyle expert Maureen Petrosky, who recommended Spiritless’ Kentucky 74 as a go-to non-alcoholic spirit for bourbon lovers, highlighting the drink’s “smoky, delicious, and interesting” flavor.

If the turn of the new year has you leaning into rather than pulling back from some of your favorite indulgences, this is the time to check out the quirky themed confections from cupcake purveyor Sprinkles, which has a location at Domain Northside. The bakery has partnered with popular astrology app Sanctuary to whip up a cosmic cupcake collaboration that was perhaps written in the stars. Sprinkles’ astrology cupcake series launches Monday, January 24 with Aquarius. Highlighting the “inventive nature and out-of-the-box thinking” of the typical Aquarius, Sprinkles is crafting miso caramel cupcakes in the sign’s honor. Available for a limited time, they’re caramel cakes filled with miso-spiked caramel and finished with cream-cheese frosting. Sprinkles will unveil a new cupcake for each zodiac sign throughout the year, each created by the Sprinkles culinary team alongside Sanctuary astrology experts. The cupcakes will be available at the local Sprinkles for pickup and delivery, and pre-ordering is recommended.

breakfast burgers cocktails desserts coffee news-you-can-eat

Omakase for Everyone

New South Austin restaurant swims against current of expensive omakase

Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi keeps things simple.

Austin had no shortage of beautiful sushi restaurants, but a new one at Lantana Place is doing drawing the trend away from the center of the city and sticking a lower price tag on the experience. Tancho Sushi, offering "everyday omakase," is now open at 7415 Southwest Parkway.

The thought of casual omakase feels like a bit of an oxymoron in Austin, where the service style — which tasks the chef with choosing what the diner will eat — is almost synonymous with something fancy and expensive. Factor in the interior design at Tancho, which certainly doesn't look pedestrian, and it's hard to believe it's actually an everyday meal.

But all things considered, these prices seem reasonable: $29 for the lightest dinner option, and capping out at a $59 feast. Lunch is even less expensive, starting at $24.

Tancho Sushi interior The airy space takes advantage of its surroundings outside of the city.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

In some omakase experiences, the chef might factor in a diner's taste, the special ingredients that are available that day, and any number of other factors to determine what hits the table. But at Tancho, these prix fixe options are predetermined, doubtlessly contributing to the more accessible pricing.

The 50-seat restaurant also uses a clever marketing angle to get diners in who aren't necessarily experienced in sushi, or might otherwise be intimidated by letting a chef choose unfamiliar foods. "With thoughtfully curated preset menus, Tancho simplifies the dining experience by eliminating the guesswork so guests can focus on enjoying their meals," a press release announcing the opening says.

The release was sent November 22, but it looks like Tancho has been serving customers in a soft opening capacity for about a month, based on its Google reviews (which are stunningly high for a new restaurant at 4.7 stars).

Offerings at Tancho are simple.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Although each menu is different, there is a shared arc. All four experiences start with sunomono salad, a cucumber-based dish with red seaweed and sesame. Then there's tuna sashimi with smoked yuzu ponzu and scallions, and the rest depends on what the diner chooses.

Some standout items across the dinner service are sea bream on the light menu; akami (very red meat along the spine of a tuna) on the standard omakase menu; a lobster open hand roll on the rolls-only menu; and a tuna flight on the grand omakase menu.

No menu item is especially complicated. The focus is on doing each ingredient right, including the temperature the fish is served at and even the flavor of house-made soy sauce and ponzu.

“We keep the focus on the ingredients,” said co-founder Brad Van Otterloo in the release. “By stripping away unnecessary flourishes, we allow the quality of our fish to take center stage. This is a Texas-born concept through and through, and we’re proud to contribute to Austin’s growing sushi reputation.”

The open hand rolls are a signature for the restaurant.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Despite all this talk of omakase, it is possible to order à la carte items: some appetizers, nigiri (sliced fish on top of rice), and rolls. There's also a carefully curated beverage program, which largely focuses on sake. That includes the Kubota Manju or “Ten Thousand Celebrations" ($79), renowned in Japan for its complex layers and smooth mouthfeel.

“As Austin continues to grow, we wanted to introduce a fresh take on the sushi experience,” said Van Otterloo. “We’re here to make sushi approachable for Austinites while honoring the integrity of this cuisine. It’s about creating a space where everyone can discover and enjoy sushi at their own pace – no pressure, no pretense.”

Tancho Sushi exterior This restaurant is meant to be approachable.Image courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi is located at 7415 Southwest Parkway, Building 4, Suite 300. It's open daily from 11 am to 10 pm, offering both dine-in and takeout. There are no reservations.

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