Emergency Closure

Favorite Austin pizzeria More Home Slice temporarily closed after fire

More Home Slice Pizza Austin South Congress

More Home Slice is closed for now, but plans to reopen soon.

Update: More Home Slice Pizza reopened October 21.

A favorite South Austin pizzeria caught fire in the evening of October 19. More Home Slice Pizza, the takeout hub for Home Slice Pizza on South Congress Avenue, is temporarily closed while recovering from the blaze.

Home Slice, at 1415 S. Congress Ave., is open for guests dining in, and the North Loop location (501 E 53rd St.) will be handling takeout orders. A recorded greeting briefly explains this over the phone, and a staff member confirms that it is up-to-date as of 11:10 am on October 20.

Home Slice posted a simple message on Instagram: "We had a fire and had to evacuate. We'll reopen as soon as the fire department clears the building. All unfilled orders will be refunded — thank you for your patience and understanding."

As reported by KVUE, the Austin Fire Department says the fire happened in the empty space around an oven exhaust vent. The fire was put out in less than two hours, and there were no injuries.

Commenters on social media wasted no time in suggesting a fundraiser, but the business has not called for one at the time of this article's publication.

Home Slice is known for New York-style pies and other classic pizzeria offerings, including an Italian sub that is one of the most popular sandwiches around town. The business opened in 2005 and now has four locations, including one in Houston.

pizza closings

Coco Competition

12 Austin bars participate in national coquito cocktail contest

Photo by Kevin Torres on Unsplash

The bartender with the best coquito will get a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Austin isn't a grinchy place by any means, but sometimes it feels a bit silly to act like a white Christmas is right around the corner. That's why the Texas capital may have a leg up in the Holiday Coquito Competition, organized by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) in partnership with Bacardi USA.

Bartenders from 13 regions across the U.S., including Austin, Dallas, and Houston, will compete for the best version of the tropical cocktail, and festive coconut-lovers can try all of their town's submissions from now through December.

The Puerto Rican coquito combines rum, evaporated milk, coconut cream, sweetened condensed milk, and warming spices, according to TOTCF. However, there are tons of variations in different households, and these bars are encouraged to put their own twist on it, too.

The bartender who wins will get an educational trip to Casa Bacardí, the world's largest rum distillery, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. And there's no favoritism: the drinks will be judged blind. Judges are looking for "creations that honor tradition while showcasing contemporary technique and flavor innovation."

Up to eight entrants per market will advance to local in-person competition events throughout January (that means at least four Austin contenders will be eliminated).

Here are all the Texas bars serving competing coquitos:

Austin, TX
- Amelia Social Lounge
- Canje
- Coconut CLub
- Daydreamer
- Firehouse Lounge
- Hanghart
- High Noon
- Midnight Cowboy
- Small Victory
- The Roosevelt Room
- Trona
- Veracruz Fonda
Dallas, TX
- Atlas
- Atlas Bishop Arts
- Catbird
- Double D’s
- Gingers
- Ladylove Lounge and Sound
- Nickel City
- Sunset Rooftop Lounge
Houston, TX
- Bayou Heights Bier Garten
- Behind Closed Doors
- Blue Lagoon Bar and Grill
- Daiquiri Time Out
- 93 til
- The Toasted Coconut
- Tikila’s
- Trash Panda Drinking Club
- Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Drive

Since judges have the critiques covered, all Austinites need to do is show up to participating bars, order a coquito, and enjoy.

cocktails contests bars puerto rico holidays