Step by Cautious Step, Austin Restaurants Begin to Reopen
After a depressing two months of imposed inactivity, Austin’s restaurants are gradually reopening. From large establishments like downtown steakhouse III Forks to smaller mom and pop joints like Hoover’s Cooking and Homespun Kitchen and Bar in Dripping Springs, the process has been similar: thoroughly sanitizing surfaces and kitchen cookware, installing hand washers for customers, investing […]
The Harsh Reality for Restaurants in the Age of COVID-19
It’s been an amazing decade for both America’s and Austin’s restaurants. Diners have been able to indulge themselves in a gastronomic cornucopia of amazing concepts, with flavors from around the world crafted by brilliantly creative chefs. This unprecedented largess seemed infinite. Spectacular new restaurants opened around the country leaving restaurant critics, myself included, virtually speechless […]
Austin Restaurants Finally Welcome Customers in to Dine
May 1st was a date that local restaurants and their customers had been eagerly looking forward to. The date had been set by Governor Abbott for the “reopening” of the Texas economy, a ruling that included a variety of businesses along with restaurants. Specific heath guidelines were established along with the numbers of customers who […]
Chinatown Westlake Opens May 1
Chinatown, one of Austin’s longest running restaurant success stories, is opening at 25% capacity at the Westlake location on Bee Caves. Founder and owner Ronald Cheng called me with the news. They’ll have the same regular hours. Tables will be spaced and health protocols will be practiced by all servers and kitchen staff. My wife […]
Local Restaurants Weighing Decisions to Open May 1st
While there are unquestionably many Austin diners who are looking forward to sitting down in a restaurant and enjoying a meal, Governor Abbott’s May 1st reopening option has not been immediately embraced by all Austin restaurants. Some (like downtown steakhouse favorite III Forks) after careful consideration have scheduled openings May 1st while others (like all […]
What’s in Store if Austin Restaurants Reopen?
Mixed emotions here. As much of a restaurant fan as I am, the possibility of a “partial reopening of restaurants” is fraught with potential problems. To begin with, restaurants (assuming they actually have the cash on hand for a full reopening) face many logistical challenges. There has been discussion that before customers are seated, they’d […]
The Gift of Giving: Chinatown Restaurants Pay it Forward
In the Austin restaurant community, through good times and bad, there have always been owners who put needy people ahead of profits: people like Ronald Cheng (pictured above) and Hoover Alexander, stand-up guys who epitomize how great restaurants give back not only to their customers but to all people of need in the Austin community. […]
The Stark Reality for Some of Our Less Fortunate Local Restaurants
This letter and announcements like it that I’ve gotten from local restaurants tear at the heart strings. God bless them and here’s hoping that they can reopen soon!
Local Restaurants Like Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Adapt by Adding Groceries to Their Takeout Service
When I called in my order to Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q on 360 in Westlake on Sunday, they asked if I needed anything else. Somewhat surprised, I asked what that “something else” might be. I was told they had eggs, milk, cheese, butter, vegetables, red potatoes, bread, paper towels, chocolate bars, and a variety […]
Breaking News: III Forks Downtown Reopens for Curbside Service and Deliveries
Hands down, the most email I’ve gotten from our readers over the past month has dealt with the question of when III Forks was going to resume curbside service and deliveries. Talk about pent-up demand! Well, the good news is in! III Forks has resumed curbside and delivery services beginning today, Friday, March 27th. Hours […]
Popular Downtown Steak and Seafood Restaurant III Forks to Temporarily Suspend Curbside and Delivery Services
III Forks, one of the Balon family’s favorite restaurants, has announced that due to health concerns for their employees and customers (and to do their best to help Austin flatten the curve of the coronavirus’ spread), they will temporarily suspend curbside service and deliveries until those health concerns allow a resumption. The emphasis here is […]
