NEWS YOU CAN EAT

7 things to know in Austin food right now: Via 313 slices into hot suburb

Ahead of expanding into the 'burbs, Via 313 is teaming up with Tso Chinese on a special pizza to support the local Asian community.

Courtesy of Tso Chinese

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 re-openings

It’s been a busy week for Austin’s Detroit-style pizza godfathers, Via 313. On March 24, it was officially announced that the beloved Austin-based pizzeria would open its latest location at 2111 N. IH-35 in Round Rock. The expansion represents the first time the Hunt brothers’ pizza operation has ventured north of Austin, bringing with it the company’s variety of delightfully cheesy square-shaped pies. Elsewhere in tasty, square-shaped pizza news, Via 313 and Austin-based Asian food delivery company Tso Chinese will team up to create a special Rangoon-topped pizza to support Austin’s Asian community. According to the Austin American-Statesman, the Detroit-style pie, which will be available to order online, by phone, and in person at participating Via 313 locations beginning April 5, will be topped with real blue crab and Philadelphia cream cheese from the Chinese restaurant, along with crispy wontons, scallions and sweet chile sauce.

One of the city’s best street taco operations has made a triumphant return to its originating Seventh Street location. Asador is officially operating out of chic mezcal tasting room Las Perlas at 405 E. Seventh St. Returning after shuttering temporarily last June, chef Joe Becerra’s revamped operation introduces such enticing offerings as Modelo-habanero queso and quesadillas made with gooey asadero cheese. Asador is open Sunday through Monday from 5 pm to midnight, and Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am.

Great news for New Yorkers at heart. Local bagel masters Rosen’s Bagels and Co. have announced the opening of their first brick-and-mortar location, set to open this summer. The shop will be located just outside the Domain, at 11101 Burnet Rd. The restaurant space will also allow Rosen’s to offer an extended menu, including bagel sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, matzah ball soup, and salads with bagel croutons. Additionally, there will be a full coffee menu from Tiny House Coffee Roasters, including espresso, lattes, iced coffee, and more. Rosen’s will still continue to offer bagels wholesale to local businesses, including Biderman’s Deli, Patika, Jo’s Coffee, and Wright Bros. Brew and Brew, and will offer delivery service once the brick-and-mortar location is open.

Because no city can never have enough taco options, Austin’s ever-expanding chain Torchy’s Tacos will (finally) sizzle its way into South Austin this fall. Located adjacent to the Oaks at Slaughter H-E-B in Southpark Meadows, the chain’s 13th Austin location brings with it such “damn good” taco options as the Trashy Trailer Park and Baja shrimp, plus freshly squeezed, hand-shaken margaritas. In addition to Torchy’s upcoming South location, the brand will continue to grow in Texas this year with the opening of new locations in the greater Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio areas, and expand into new states, including Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina. Until then, those interested in living the taco dream, aka working at a revered taco shop, can visit torchystacos.com/careers to find open positions as Torchy’s approaches the Southpark Meadows opening.

Talk about a buzz! Local musicians Chris Brecht and Megan LaPrelle, perhaps best known by their group name, The Eastern Leaves, are getting into the lucrative world of Austin coffee trailers. The group’s trailer, dubbed Freewheelin’ Coffee, is now located on the same property as the new Long Play Lounge East, at 1910 E. Cesar Chavez St. Freewheelin’ Coffee is inspired by the boulangeries of France, where it is customary to window shop for baked goods, sandwiches, and pastries. At Freewheelin’, browse through a selection of delectables, including cookies, kolaches, and more. The trailer also serves the typical Austin espresso, coffee, and matcha drink options, including locally sourced coffee beans and teas from Texas Coffee Traders. Freewheelin’ Coffee is open 7 am to 2 pm Tuesday through Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Other news and notes
Fans of cinema virtuoso Quentin Tarantino definitely don’t want to miss the spring menu from east side speakeasy spot Whisler’s, which is paying homage to the director with a selection of 10 different Tarantino-esque cocktails. The specials include the Pulp Fiction-inspired 5 Dollar Milkshake (Smith & Cross Rum, apricot, vanilla, coconut, and pineapple), the Kill Bill-inspired Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique (Toki Japanese Whisky, pandan leaf, Meyer lemon, yuzu, and honey ginger), and the low ABV Flower Child (jasmine, lychee, and Strega), inspired by Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

If you love free food, we have great news for you. On April 10, East Austin-based spot The Kebab Shop will offer free gyro wraps or boxes with standard fillings to followers of its Instagram page. Customers looking to take advantage of this deal can do so by ordering online at thekebabshop.com using the promo code TKSATX. This promotion is capped at a limit of one kebab or box per customer. Customers must display to the the shop’s team that they follow The Kebab Shop on Instagram. The promotion will take place from noon to 4 pm only at The Kebab Shop’s East Austin location at 1011 E. Fifth St.

Gobble On The Go

13 Austin restaurants serving Thanksgiving feasts in 2024

Photo courtesy of Mylk Collective

Have you ever fallen in love with a picture of turkey? (Pictured: Turkey special by Walton's Fancy & Staple)

Thanksgiving is around the corner (November 28), and with it the stress of having to plan one of the most important family gatherings of the year. Not everyone has the time or skills to spend an entire day perfecting the art of cooking a turkey, or glazed ham, or figuring out what everyone likes. Thankfully there are plenty of options in Austin to make this holiday a stress-free one.

Whether Austinites want to pre-order a delicious spread to take home, don’t want to worry about baking a pie, or just want to dine out on Thanksgiving Day, these restaurants have them covered. From traditional turkey meals to vegan and vegetarian picks, Austin has options for everyone.

Here are 13 places in Austin that have Thanksgiving covered.

Pre-orders & pick-ups

District Kitchen + Cocktails
District Kitchen’s meal packages offer various options no matter your family size. For 2-4 people, choose the half turkey meal ($110). The whole turkey meal ($199) feeds 6-8 people. Both options include cheddar mashed potatoes, sourdough stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and glazed Brussels sprouts. For bigger families, the Family Feast option ($550) feeds 10-12 people and includes challah rolls, mac and cheese, butternut squash bisque, and dessert. Deadline to order is November 22 through Toast.

Walton’s Fancy & Staple
Walton’s is offering a full, traditional Thanksgiving spread that is available as a package for up to 10 people or à la carte. Options include orange and thyme-rubbed turkey breast with gravy, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, shaved Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, and buttery dinner rolls. For dessert, Walton's offers 9-inch pies in the classic pumpkin, apple, buttermilk, or pecan flavors ($45). Pre-orders are available through November 25 via phone (512-542-3380) or email (catering@waltonsfancyandstaple.com).

Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar
For a deliciously fun spin on Thanksgiving, try Loro’s Thanksgiving package featuring the dishes we all know and love, infused with Asian flavors. It includes smoked turkey breast, turkey and sage gravy miso, confit marble potatoes, toasted brioche stuffing, yuzu and peach cobbler, and more. This package feeds 4-6 people ($190). Prefer just the protein? Order the smoked turkey breast and miso gravy ($65) by itself. Pre-orders are open until November 24 at loroeats.com.

Loro Thanksgiving spread Smoked turkey from Loro puts both Texan and Asian twists on the traditional spread.Photo courtesy of Loro

Central Market
Central Market’s chef-prepared meals never fail, and its Thanksgiving options are ideal for those looking for a convenient and affordable option. There are six meal options to choose from, like the traditional oven-roasted turkey meal ($149.99) serving 6-8 people, which includes cornbread dressing, whipped potatoes, green beans, turkey gravy, and cranberry sauce. Or, choose hickory smoked ham or beef tenderloin as a protein instead. Vegetarian meal options are also available. Online ordering is open until November 25 at centralmarket.com.

Mr. Natural
No need to miss out on traditional Thanksgiving if you are vegan or vegetarian. Mr. Natural is offering a Thanksgiving feast that includes seitan turkey, green beans with almonds, gravy, dinner rolls, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Choose from a family feast for up to 6 people ($157.25), dinner for two ($57.25), or individual plates ($23). À la carte seitan turkey is also available. Pre-order by November 23 at mrnaturalatx.com.

Desserts

Mañana
If you'd rather watch a bake-off than participate in one, pre-ordering dessert is the way to go. Mañana’s holiday pie lineup includes caramel apple, spiced pumpkin, and chocolate bourbon pecan pie. You can also order classic vanilla and toasted cinnamon ice cream pints, and homemade whipped cream to pair with your pie. Pre-orders are available now until November 22 through Toast.

Gati’s Ice Cream
Special diet or dietary restrictions are covered at Gati’s, which will be offering gluten-free desserts and vegan ice cream options for Thanksgiving. Choose from classic pie offerings such as apple, pumpkin, and pecan. For cakes, there are a variety of options such as the pumpkin bundt cake with chocolate or a pumpkin roll with cream cheese. Or, add a pint of a seasonal ice cream flavor. Online pre-orders are available until November 17 at gatiicecream.com.

SusieCakes
Famous bakery chain SusieCakes is offering a wide variety of sweet treats to pre-order for Thanksgiving. Options include the spiced pumpkin cupcakes, assorted cupcakes that say "thankful" in frosting, pumpkin cheesecake, cranberry orange cake (available in two sizes), and turkey-shaped sugar cookies. DIY kits add fun for the entire family. Pre-orders are open until November 23 at susiecakes.com.

SusieCakes Thanksgiving treats SusieCakes is ready to make the cutest things on the table.Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Dine in on Thanksgiving Day

Carpenters Hall
Gather with loved ones at Carpenters Hall for a family-style feast. Each guest receives mulled cider, butternut squash soup, and Brussels sprouts to start plus pumpkin pie for dessert. Options ($45 - $77 per person) include smoked turkey breast and stuffed turkey leg with cranberry sauce, spiced pork loin with hot honey glaze, wagyu ribeye with black truffle jus, poached cod loin with lemon butter sauce, or a vegetarian spread with black truffle jus along with an assortment of sides. Reservations required via Resy.

Acre 41
If your ideal Thanksgiving starts with lunch, consider Acre41’s Thanksgiving feast, available starting at 11 am. The special menu ($75) features slow-roasted turkey breast with traditional sage stuffing and cranberry sauce, plus Texas jalapeño mac and cheese, roasted baby carrots, and mashed potatoes. For dessert, patrons can enjoy a caramel pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

Crú
Crú’s Italian-inspired Thanksgiving special returns this year with a 3-course menu at both Austin locations. Some of the options include lobster and saffron risotto, roasted turkey, pan-seared salmon, pumpkin ricotta tortellini, buttery rolls, and jalapeño cornbread, plus pumpkin cheesecake or apple pie for dessert. The Thanksgiving dinner ($55 per adult, $28 for children under 12) will be available starting at noon. Reservations available at cruwinebar.com.

Truluck's
Truluck’s is offering a special Thanksgiving dinner at both of the seafood restaurant's Austin locations, but reservations only remain at the downtown location. While patrons can also enjoy the signature seafood dishes, there will be a 3-course holiday feast ($29 per child, $59 per adult) including a herb-roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry apple compote, along with the choice of pumpkin cheesecake or carrot cake for dessert. Wine and bourbon pairings are also available for an additional cost. Reserve online at trulucks.com.

Yamas
Enjoy a taste of Greece on Thanksgiving Day at Yamas. This local and family-run restaurant will be offering a pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu inspired by Greek flavors. Options include turkey with herb stuffing, greek salad, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, garlic parmesan carrots, homemade cornbread, and pumpkin pie. The regular menu will also be available all day. Reserve on OpenTable.

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