NEWS YOU CAN EAT

7 things to know in Austin food right now: Plant-based juicery presses into Rosedale

The cold-pressed juice biz has opened a second shop in Austin.

Courtesy of Pressed

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

Good news for fans of cold-pressed juice and plant-based snacks: Austin recently welcomed the second location of Pressed Juicery, a plant-based beverage brand dedicated to making high nutrition a realistic option for all people. Located in the Rosedale neighborhood, the new Pressed operation is celebrating its new arrival with an offer of $2 juices, smoothies, freezes, and acai bowls when customers sign up for Pressed Points, the company’s rewards program, through Wednesday, May 19. What’s more, the new outpost introduces delivery to the Austin area, which Pressed is celebrating by offering a special delivery promotion of $2 for any product, with free local delivery through June 12. Austin’s newest Pressed is located at 4800 Burnet Rd., suite 410, and is open from 8 am-8 pm every day.

Other news and notes

In other juicy news, an employee strike at Austin’s homegrown juice and smoothie spot, JuiceLand, took over social media late last weekend, leading at least eight of the company’s storefronts to shutter early or entirely in solidarity on Sunday, May 16. Led by the group United Front of Juice Crew (@juicelandworkersrights), the strike was organized principally to benefit JuiceLand production facility workers, who, according to a post on the group’s social media page “endured unsanitary, rough working conditions, and no hazard pay during the pandemic.” The group raised concerns of racism and sexism issues among production facility and shop workers, outlining anonymous accounts of such experiences in an Instagram post. JuiceLand’s official social media pages have so far remained largely silent on the matter, save for announcing a companywide guaranteed minimum pay rate of $15 an hour in response to the strike. “JuiceLand stands firmly by our core values of treating all employees justly, regardless of age, gender identification, or race,” says part of the email sent to employees from JuiceLand’s leadership team. “We will address the concerns expressed directly with the employees and are always open to listen to any concerns any team member may have.” The company’s $15 base rate offer was apparently rejected by the employees, and negotiations are ongoing between JuiceLand and the striking workers, who’ve since published a comprehensive list of demands, including increased wages for both production facility and shop employees. “As of right now the only need that has been met is our 17/hr wage. Steps towards proper physical conditions of the work environment have yet to be ... addressed or rectified,” read an anonymous post from a production facility worker made late Sunday evening. To follow the ongoing story, visit the @juicelandworkersrights Instagram page. There’s also a GoFundMe campaign to aid striking workers via financial support.

One Austin-based hard seltzer operation is racking up some serious clout. Father-and-son-owned Blue Norther Hard Seltzer recently won not one but three medals at the renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The only Texas-based hard seltzer to win among the 28 entrants in the hard seltzer category, Blue Norther took home the gold medal for its wild blackberry beverage, while it’s prickly pear flavor received silver and the agave lime won bronze. Blue Norther’s products are currently available at retailers throughout Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas/Fort Worth, and through delivery services such as Gopuff.

Elsewhere in local spirits news, Texas’ premier and currently only producer of the agave-based sotol spirit, Desert Door, is hosting an indulgent night of food and drink that’s not to be missed. To commemorate the launch of its second limited-release sotol spirit — the Toasted Barrel Texas Sotol (released as part of the operation’s environment-preservation-focused Explorer Series) — the distillery has teamed up with Dallas-based Italian favorite Cane Rosso. The collaboration’s four-course meal will include signature Cane Russo dishes like the caprese chop, meatball sliders, and truffle mac ’n’ cheese, each of which will be paired with an accompanying Desert Door beverage. (Hello, Toasted Sotol Desert float!) The event will take place Thursday, May 27 from 6-8 pm at the Desert Door Distillery, at 211 Darden Hill Rd. Tickets to the socially distanced event (which are sold by the table) can be purchased via Eventbrite.

Get ready for one of the state’s favorite burrito peddlers to look a heck of a lot different. (But don’t worry, the food’s still just as good.) Beloved burrito joint Freebirds World Burrito recently unveiled an interior and exterior design refresh that’s set to roll out at all 55 of its locations across Texas. The new interior elements include murals and colors inspired by Freebirds’ “deep-rooted state pride and heritage.” Guests are now greeted by a large “It’s Your World” sign against a blue sky with fluffy white clouds that “represent the infinite possibilities and free spirit that is Texas.” A second focal point of the design refresh is a “Welcome to Freebirds” mural, inspired by Texas’ famous graffiti murals. Each letter contains an image of a well-known Texas icon, reinforcing Freebirds’ proud Texas roots. “In addition to opening new locations, updating our tech stack, and innovating our menu, Freebirds continues to soar this year with a fresh look,” says Alex Eagle, CEO of Freebirds World Burrito, in a release. “The design refresh was thoughtfully planned to create an even more warm, welcoming, and uniquely Texan experience at Freebirds.”

After more than a year of creative pivots, BBQ-Asian fusion operation Kemuri Tatsu-Ya has announced a return to its popular a la carte izakaya service. The new service replaces the operation’s previous Omakase “TV dinner” club format, although guests looking to leave their selections to the chef can still select the option to do so. Highlights of the revamped menu include a focus on thoughtful presentation paired with in-house creation of koji products, misos, ferments, and even bonito flakes made from scratch. In addition to craveable dishes like brisket-and-smoked-gouda-stuffed tofu Hot Pocketz and a Guaca Poke item with tuna sashimi and guacamole, the new izakaya service includes such vegetarian delights as yuki green beans served with yogurt-cashew dare, and hana skewered with grilled cauliflower. The Tatsu-Ya beverage team has curated a new menu of cocktails to complement the meals, including the Matcha Painkiller 2.0 and the Yaupon-Ki. Kemuri Tatsu-Ya is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 6-10 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 6-11 pm. Reservations are available online or by calling 512-803-2224.

Just in time for summer staycation season, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa is bringing on some serious talent. The 405-acre resort, located just outside of Austin and near the city of Bastrop, recently appointed chef Chris Cummer to the position of executive chef. Joining the resort from Hyatt’s Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort in Maryland, Cummer brings with him 28 years of culinary experience. He began career working in hotels as a banquet chef at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines and was quickly promoted to the resort’s chef tournant, where he oversaw the banquet kitchen. Cummer’s other previous positions include chef de cuisine at Hyatt Regency Dallas, executive sous chef at Hyatt Regency Jersey City, and executive chef at Andaz Wall Street in New York City. Cummer says he looks forward “to utilizing the property’s 405 acres to enhance our sustainable offerings and to build relationships with local purveyors that provide sustainable and quality products.” Get more info about the property and its offerings online or call 512-308-1234.

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Lord of the wings

16 Austin restaurants face off in CultureMap's Ultimate Wing Showdown

Photo courtesy of Pluckers

Chicken wing-lovers have their own preferences, but only one can win.

Nothing says getting together to watch sports with friends quite like a big plate of wings. As part of The Tailgate presented by Verizon — CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit — we’re asking a simple question:

Which bar, restaurant, or food truck in Austin serves the best wings?

To answer that question, we’ve created the Ultimate Wing Showdown. CultureMap editors have selected 16 nominees that we think have a shot at the title. Just like we do for the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Best New Restaurant tournament, we’re asking readers to vote in a bracket-style, head-to-head tournament that will produce Austin's ultimate wing joint.

True to the diversity of Austin, the nominees cover a wide range of styles and cultural influences — everything from a classic crispy Buffalo wing to wings coated in Sichuan pepper or even powdered sugar. Read on for more about the nominees, then click here to vote for your favorites.

People may vote once per day, and the results will be closely monitored to ensure a fair outcome. We’ll reveal the winner on stage at The Tailgate event on Thursday, December 12 at Distribution Hall.

The night will also include celebrity appearances, games, food from local restaurants, and drinks from the event’s sponsors. Verizon and CultureMap are even giving away a VIP trip for two to Super Bowl LIX*. More details on how to enter here for a chance to win.

Read more about The Tailgate here, and follow all the details in our special editorial series. You won’t want to miss it, so get your tickets today.

Here are the nominees in the Ultimate Wing Showdown:

Spicy Boysvs.Tommy Want Wingy
The only thing hotter than Spicy Boys' chicken is its reputation, having won several awards and become a go-to for chicken lovers who want something just a bit outside of the norm. The Asian flavors like Indonesian sambal were a hit, but will voters rally behind a current focus on boneless options? "Nugs" are $10.99.

Tommy ain't the only one who want Wingy. This food truck "take[s] all the fuss and mess out of the chicken wing" by shaping it into a "lollipop." Sauces start pretty standard and move into more unique territory, like the Spicy Pineapple with Sriracha or the Holy Schnikes, which comes with a warning: "Painfully hot!" Combos start at 5 pieces with fries for $15.68.

Pluckers vs. Wingzup
If there's a classic Austin wing, it's at Pluckers. The popular chain started at the University of Texas and has expanded to dozens of locations as far away as Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Some interesting flavors outside the classics include maple chipotle and Dr Pepper. Five wings start at $8.75.

Wingzup is similarly committed to the art of the wing, with more than 20 sauces and rubs to choose from. That list goes all the way from a classic garlic parmesan to a Jamaican jerk, Korean gochujang, or even ghost pepper. Guests who win the ghost challenge get a $20 gift card and a shirt. Five wings start at $8.49.

Tiki Tatsu-Ya vs. hiwings
Tiki Tatsu-Ya is perhaps the most unexpected pick on the list, which really goes to show the strength of its wing game. The mochiko wings are coated in sweet rice flour, then a mapo-miso glaze and Karashi mustard. These aren't as spicy as they are mouth numbing; they'll rearrange your tastebuds. An order upstairs at The Nest is $13.

Hiwings are also made with sweet rice and other flour, and patrons can choose among 10 sauces, plus more for dipping. They can also opt for "naked" wings, which have no flour coating at all. Hiwings says those are how wings are "supposed" to taste; voters will be the judge of that. Five wings start at $9.99.

Halal Wingsvs.The Potluck
Austinites don't have to commit to a halal diet to enjoy these very crispy wings. These chefs create spice blends for their take on wings from several cuisines, including Mexican, Chinese, Mediterranean, and Cajun. But the Halal Hot is the pinnacle for those brave enough to try it. Six wings start at $7.99.

The Potluck food truck and catering company is known for one wing above all: the crack wing, which is dusted with powdered sugar. It has plenty of other obscurely named flavors, plus sides you don't usually see at a wing place like shrimp étouffée and rice and beans. Six wings are $10.66.

Nickel Cityvs.Industry East Side
A great wing is paramount, but good atmosphere elevates everything. Nickel City offers both, and it's natural that the Buffalo, New York-inspired bar would have a solid wing on offer. Most important, it doesn't get too flashy with sauces — it's just the classics, plus Franklin Barbecue sauce. A pound of wings (about six) is $12.69.

Industry, an East 5th Street bar and restaurant that largely courts hospitality industry workers as clientele, keeps wing-lovers' options open with mix-and-match platters. Combos can be made with Buffalo, lemon pepper, barbecue, blackberry-habanero, and plain flavors. Six wings are $12.

Stiles Switch BBQ vs. Home Slice Pizza
A barbecue joint may not be most people's first choice for wings, but Stiles Switch is out here converting nonbelievers. Since it would be a crime to cover up the flavors of oak smoke, it makes sense that the only four flavors are pretty simple: garlic parmesan, Alabama white sauce, Buffalo, and honey barbecue sauce. Six wings are $14.

Austinites can't be blamed for having a one-track mind at Home Slice Pizza, but just ordering pies means missing out elsewhere on the menu. One of its incognito menu items is a plate of wings in the style of Buffalo's Anchor Bar, served with blue cheese dressing and celery. Home Slice's version is known for being very crispy. Six wings are $10.50.

Anchor Bar vs. Haymaker
For Buffalo wings, Austinites can go back to the source — or at least an outpost. There are now 16 descendants of the New York restaurant where the recipe was invented, and one is in Round Rock. Anchor bar won't pigeonhole itself, though. It serves wings with 25 sauces and rubs. Ten wings are $17.99.

Haymaker is mostly known for its laid-back environment, but its elevated pub fare also draws customers in. Like most of the nostalgic menu items, its crispy wings are kept simple: mild Buffalo, hot chipotle, garlic parmesan, Carolina gold barbecue, lemon pepper, and tangy teriyaki. Half a pound of mixed pieces is $10.

Casino El Camino vs. Thunder Chief
Casino El Camino is a surprising foodie favorite considering its downtown dive bar status. In addition to great burgers, it has solid Buffalo wings served with celery, carrots, and blue cheese or ranch dip. Although it's just one style, they come in four heat levels from mild to "downright explosive." Eight wings are $14.50.

Thunder Chief, the kitchen inside the Lavaca Street Bar on South Lamar Boulevard, has balanced the arts of both heavy and carefully crafted foods, including its tea-brined chicken wings. They're crispy without breading, meaty, and elegantly plated. Adventurous flavors appear on a rotating basis. Five wings are $9.

Made up your mind? Vote here for your favorites.

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The Tailgate is presented by Verizon and sponsored by HOWDY, Houston Powder Coaters, EIGHT Beer, and more to be announced.

*The NFL Entities shall have no liability or responsibility for any claim arising in connection with participation in this sweepstakes or any prize awarded. The NFL Entities have not offered or sponsored this sweepstakes in any way.

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