News You Can Eat
Longhorns watch parties, robot bartenders, and all-you-can-eat seafood top Austin's tastiest food news
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
This week, the opening on Austinites' minds is that of the college football season. Sorry for the psych-out, but there's food news coming. The Longhorns' first game is on September 2, and there should be no shortage of places to drink a beer and watch the game. The following three are a little fancier than your staple neighborhood sports bar.
The newest option will be Victory Lap, which opens on the same day, unveiling its masculine vintage interior with lots of smart, upscale design snuck in. Wax Myrtle's, always ready with a theme, is joining the fray. It's showing the game on all its TVs and offering drink discounts, plus 50 percent off wings and pulled pork sandwiches. Live DJ sets will add excitement to every game this season. On East 6th Street, Lefty's Brick Bar is a great place to start the party. Enjoy themed cocktails, $2 draft beers, and lawn games, as well as free wings when you share the event on Instagram.
Other news and notes
Kinship Milk Tea, a bottled beverage company by UT Grad Caitlin Cash, was selected as a participant in Whole Foods Market's Local and Emerging Brands Accelerator Program (LEAP). That means the company will be considered for placement on Whole Foods shelves and a potential $25,000 equity investment. The participants were narrowed down to 10 from 1,000 new applicants, so even if Kinship doesn't win, this is Austinites' heads up that this brand is going places.
Yes, robots taking jobs is a little scary, but when the job is pouring beers in massive venues, not too much has been lost. TendedBararrived in Austin at Circuit of the Americas first, in June of 2022. Now it's expanding to college stadiums including those at Texas A&M and UT. These drink-making machines eliminate the need to shout an order over a crowd or carry a payment option. They also make more than 100 drinks, so don't worry — your super-customized drink order is as available as ever.
Die-hard fans of Barlata may not have made it back since El Ravaltook over, but here's a nudge: a series called "Sundays in Barcelona" brings brunch to the contemporary Spanish restaurant, with items like jamón conserva, boquerones (anchovies), eggs and paella, and cold shellfish platters. Live entertainment will lend an even more Spanish vibe, for total immersion. Reservations are recommended on OpenTable.
Upscale neighborhood restaurantLenoir offers a spin-off to its popular old-fashioned Backyard Beefsteak Dinner on September 3, this time with a coastal twist. The all-you-can-eat Backyard Beach-Steak Dinner features a raw bar with ceviche, as well as whole grilled fish, seasonal sides, desserts, and more. Beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase. A portion of funds from the event go to Austin Pets Alive!, a leading no-kill shelter. Tickets ($95, discounts for kids) available on Resy.