News you can eat
Popular food trucks on the move and more Austin food news
Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the what’s what and who’s who of Austin food. But we have you covered with our roundup of the freshest Austin restaurant news.
Holy Roller already has the brunch game figured out. Now chef Callie Speer is looking to dominate dinner with the introduction of a Blue Plate Special menu geared for the evening hours. The menu includes Cereal for Dinner, a savory snack mix; hot brick chicken with no mayo potato salad, green beans, and malt vinegar chicken skin; salsa verde skillet enchiladas; a pan roasted pork chop with Brussels sprouts, baked apple and parsnip, and a mustard vinaigrette; and a chicken pot pie (also available vegetarian).
Lick Honest Ice Cream is introducing a limited edition flavor with all proceeds benefiting culinary nonprofit the Austin Food and Wine Alliance. Roasted Mesquite Bean is a collaboration with two previous winners of the organization’s culinary innovation grants: Sandeep Gyawali of Miche Bread and Texas Mesquite Movement and Bob Williamson of SRSLY Chocolate. The ice cream will be available at all Austin shops February 1-7.
Antonelli’s Cheese Shop is celebrating its eighth birthday by giving Austin a huge present. February 5-9, participating restaurants and bars will be giving out free cheese plates starting at 5 pm each day until supplies last. Leading up to the big day on February 11, special classes, including owners Kendall and John Antonelli’s first class at the new Fareground shop, will also be offered.
Gabriela’s Downtown, a new modern Mexican restaurant from owner Gabriela Bucio and chef Arturo Bucio, is set to open in the former home of ill-fated pizza chain 100 Pizzitas at 900 E. Seventh St. by the end of February.
Dee Dee, the cult Thai food truck from owners Lakana and Justin Trubiana, has moved to dive bar Kellee’s Place at 2500 E. Sixth St. beginning February 1. The pair is also working on a new truck, although the concept is not being divulged. Hummus Among Us, which was also operating from the same lot, is moving as well to 2207 E. Cesar Chavez St., home of the Curcuma and The Lucky Belly food trucks and Trapeze Texas. After a short break, Hummus Among Us will be back in business on February 17.
A new nightclub is coming to the Rainey Street area. Rainey Social is moving into the space formerly occupied by the second iteration of legendary gay bar Chain Drive at 84 East Ave. Judging by a Facebook video, no major renovations have been done to the interior and the large dance floor appears to be left intact. Although no opening date has been announced, the bar is available for SXSW buyouts.
Speaking of Rainey, international chain Burgarim will be moving into SkyHouse Austin by the end of 2018. The franchise specializes in sliders with an Israeli twist with beef, merguez sausage, falafel, and lamb fillings.
