News you can eat
Homegrown burger chain fires up expansion plans 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 regular roundup of the freshest Austin restaurant news.
Beloved burger chain P. Terry’s is heading outside of Austin for the first time. In 2019, the eatery plans to spread the love to Pflugerville, San Marcos, and Georgetown. Founder Patrick Terry also offered out-of-state fans some hope that the three new markets are only the beginning. "Next year, as we dip our toe out of the Austin market, it should give us an indication of future growth and perhaps allow us a presence in other major markets in Texas,” he tells CultureMap. “And from there, who knows?"
Fledgling taco chain El Tacorrido is also in expansion mode. Just a few months after debuting a Burnet Road location in May, the company is gearing up to open a new location at 1701 E. Riverside Dr. A store employee confirmed the plans but did not yet have a target opening date.
Venezuelan food truck Four Brothers is celebrating the rollout of its fourth outpost at 1511 S. Congress Ave. on August 30. Although it was rumored that it was moving into Hotel San Jose based on an Instagram post picturing the luxury hotel’s steps, that photo was part of a larger hype campaign featuring neighborhood landmarks.
The Dripping Springs dining scene continues to explode with yet another new opening in the Belterra Village development. On August 12, contemporary Thai eatery Spoon + Fork Kitchen opened its doors with a menu including classic curries, spring rolls, and must-try mains like pan-seared salmon served with panang curry, bell peppers, broccoli, and avocado.
East Austin’s Rosewood will be launching lunch service on September 4 with a menu that will include pumpkin seed hummus with seasonal crudité and quinoa crackers; a field pea salad with heirloom tomatoes, sprouted lentils, and fresh ricotta; and a flat top burger with poblano queso, tomato jam, and brioche. That day will also mark the debut of patio service on the restaurant’s lawn, available to walk-in customers during dinner, lunch, and brunch.
Meanwhile, Hideaway Kitchen & Bar has launched a weekend brunch down south. The menu features a selection of house Benedicts ranging from a light avocado version on sourdough toast to a chili cheese fries take topped with everything but the kitchen sink. Drinks include a variety of Bloody Marys and mimosas.
Two Austin chefs are big fishes in the 2018 Ora King Salmon Awards, a culinary competition that invited chefs from across the world to interpret a work of art using the company’s products. As two of six semifinalists, Lucky Robot’s Jay Huang and Lenoir’s Mia Li will now be battling to make the finalist round of three contenders, which will be announced September 17.
Downtown favorite Swift’s Attic is saying cheers to a new whiskey program. Over the past five years, bar manager Curtis Hansford has slowly been building up the bottle collection to over 100 different varieties and now is debuting an encyclopedia of pours with prices ranging from $8 to $200. A word of warning, however: we will not be contributing to your GoFundMe campaign.
The Contemporary Austin has announced the culinary lineup for its swanky benefit Camp Contemporary, held on October 20 at Laguna Gloria. Andrew Curren and Mary Catherine Curren (Elm Restaurant Group); Sarah Mcintosh (Epicerie); Melissa Carrol and Gerard Kenny (Le Politique); Larry McGuire (McGuire Moorman Hospitality); and John Brand (San Antonio’s Supper) will be showcasing their skills for the happy campers. Chameleon Cold-Brew will also host a special dessert pop-up.
Some recent staff shuffles to know: Edgewise Hospitality, the owners of Contigo and Contigo Fareground, have promoted Dana Curley to service director, Patrick Bellenoit to Contigo chef de cuisine, and Black Star Co-op co-founder Johnny Livesay as culinary director.
Smoked turkey from Loro puts both Texan and Asian twists on the traditional spread.Photo courtesy of Loro
SusieCakes is ready to make the cutest things on the table.Photo courtesy of SusieCakes