Walk this way

East Austin walk-up 'bodega' opens with to-go daiquiris and notary public

Wicky's Walkup offers New England-style shrimp rolls in both regular and vegetarian options.

Photo by Alison Narro

Have you ever wanted to order a breakfast sandwich, a to-go cocktail, and get something notarized at the same time? Well folks, do we have the place for you.

Wicky's Walkup, the newest concept from the all-star team behind The Cavalier and Taco Fuego, is opening on March 22 at 2400 Webberville Rd. Dubbed a "swamp-tiki walkup bodega," Wicky's is a fast-casual walkup window and patio where patrons can order sandwiches, cocktails, and breakfast biscuits, as well as purchase bodega essentials and notary public services.

Muffalettas and New England-style shrimp rolls, both served on Easy Tiger bread, are the stars of the menu, and available in vegetarian and vegan options (beets for the muffaletta and Jamaician-jerk jackfruit for the shrimp rolls). Rounding out the food offerings: salads, breakfast biscuits, sweet treats, and a section devoted exclusively to tater tots.

With Webberville Road designated as an open-container space, to-go frozen daiquiris — including a New Orleans-style Hurricane — are available, along with canned cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages like sodas and sparkling waters.

A small menu of "bodega essentials" — wine, beer, cigarettes, and liquor — are also on hand, as well as a notary public, which can be purchased for $4 per stamp, or is free with a purchase.

Though the concept is undoubtedly fun, owners Rachelle Fox and Chadwick Leger have had a serious battle to keep their family business afloat the last 12 months. During the early days of the pandemic, The Cavalier pivoted into a grab-and-go market for essentials before eventually reopening the patio with an updated menu of crave-worthy bar fare and cocktails. In December, the pair also launched Taco Fuego, a pop-up composed entirely of former Taco Bell items that have been removed from the fast-food chain's menu.

cocktails openings east-austin

Love and Drinking Games

Brewery named after famous character Old Gregg debuts in Austin suburb

Photo courtesy of Old Gregg Brewing Company

Old Gregg is now open in Pflugerville.

However far Austinites think they can stretch a comedy bit, they've got two rivals in Matt Luckie and Max Moreland. On November 22, the two beverage industry vets launched a new Pflugerville brewery called Old Gregg Brewing Company that makes plenty of references to the delirious 2005 Mighty Boosh skit, but is worth a visit even for those who don't get the joke.

The sketch, which follows a dilapidated Rocky Horror-esque water dweller, is famously lowbrow and chaotic. The new brewery, however, couldn't be more different in tone. The design at 1900 E. Howard Lane, Building H in Pflugerville is rustic but sleek, with no visual warning that someone may pose the memeified question, "You ever drunk Bailey's from a shoe?"

Old Gregg Brewing Company interior The inside looks nothing like the chaotic underwater world of Old Gregg.Photo courtesy of Old Gregg Brewing Company

Luckie and Moreland operate through FBR Management, which also runs Austin-area bars like Sign Bar, Midnight Cowboy, and Gibson Street Bar, among many others. The duo has been extra busy this month, having spent the day before Old Gregg's opening debuting a second location of the Johnny Cash-themed dive bar Mean Eyed Cat in Driftwood. For that one, they also had some help from Jed Thompson.

In this venture, the FBR Management duo is joined by head brewers and partners Matt Couch and Kirby Kirkconnell. Austinites may be familiar with Kirkconnell from his work as co-founder of Oasis Texas Brewing Company, the Lake Travis taproom famous for an amazing view.

Although the name Old Gregg Brewing is jokey, the brewery itself is real. It offers signature beers, plus its own hard seltzers, root beer, and Dr Pepper. There are also some cocktail options; notably a rotating menu for frozen drinks.

Old Gregg Brewing Company cocktails espresso There's more than just beer.Photo courtesy of Old Gregg Brewing Company

"Our experiences over the past years oblige us to share beers that encourage bringing people together from all walks of life," said Matt Couch in a press release.

There's more to brag about when it comes to food, which is covered by chef John Bates of Interstellar BBQ — one of the first-ever barbecue restaurants to receive a Michelin star this November. Bates is opening a new Chicago-inspired pizza concept called Deft Pies to live alongside his existing food truck Yellow Bell Tacos at Old Gregg. Customers can pick up their pies at a service window.

The release also points out that the space is located at the Howard Post adaptive-reuse development. It's managed by Topo, which also worked on popular East Austin complexes Canopy and Springdale General. Finally, it's designed by perhaps the most recognizable firm in Austin, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

The space was inspired by "vintage Texas barns," the release says, and a covered wraparound patio certainly brings back those old-fashioned cooling techniques. Beyond that, there are picnic tables and fire pits for more "flexible" seating.

Old Gregg Brewing Company exterior Old Gregg joins an unofficial network of other cousin bars with at least one connection between owners.Photo courtesy of Old Gregg Brewing Company

“We are thrilled to welcome Old Gregg to Howard Post,” said Topo founder and principal Daryl Kunik in the release. “Fun fact – Matt Luckie and I have been friends and partners since college and opened bars together like Oslo and Red Fez. There is a reason only one of us is still in the business. Matt and his team are excellent at what they do and will be a huge draw for Howard Post and the Pflugerville area.”

Old Gregg Brewing Company will be open Mondays through Thursday from 3-10 pm, Fridays from 3 pm to midnight, Saturdays from noon to midnight, and Sundays from noon to 10 pm.

breweries beer openings food trucks pizza tacos