Hopdoddy Goes Fusion, Tso's Gets a Jjim/Bom Bonus, Antonelli's Appears IRL, Garrison Bros x South Congress Cafe, and More

Here’s some of what’s happening in Austin’s culinary scene, as wrangled from numerous PR releases, official posts, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings …

We told you (rather excitedly) about L’Oca d’Oro’s reopening with outside dining, but let’s also mention that the Italian culinary powerhouse will be continuing with their curated mealbox subscriptions, too – once they’ve gotten a few details squared away. Because sometimes a mid-pandemic pivot turns into a convenient, wine-enhanced, post-pandemic sideline where everybody wins …

And, as a reminder, no one needs to continue suffering quarantine to reap the benefits of what Austin’s own Green Cart Pantry will deliver right to your home. Or, for that matter, what Farmhouse Delivery will provide. Or – *waves to the hardworking folks at Johnson’s Backyard Garden* …

Popular local burger chain, Hopdoddy, as if not getting enough business already, is currently supercharging their regular menu with a series of new flavor combos and collabs. For instance, this upcoming Kimchi Burger collaboration with Chi’Lantro. Also, they’ve already got a Jamaican jerk chicken sammich (the Nine Mile, by name) available this month, and, yeah: More yum, basically, where plenty of yum already existed …

Speaking of remarkable collaborations … in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, Tso Chinese Delivery has joined forces with two fellow Asian-owned, local businesses – Jjim Korean Braised BBQ and Bom Bakeshop – to add a pair of limited-edition collab dishes to their May menu. Tso + Jjim = Braised Short Rib Rangoon. Tso + Bom = Mandarin Orange Mochi Donut. This sort of thing + the tragic march of time itself = omg, get ‘em while you can. And get ‘em with the knowledge that proceeds will benefit their #TsoGiving program that provides meal assistance to people facing hunger in Austin …

Something else about barbecue, wasn’t there? Like, really great barbecue? Oh – yes! If you’ve not read it yet, don’t miss Veronica Meewes’ profile of Cairo-to-Austin transplant Kareem El-Ghayesh and the wonders he’s committing with slow-cooked brisket and more, here in his newly adopted home …

And what's this about filmmaker and pop-culture provocateur Kevin Smith and the live, actual, in-person version of his Mooby's restaurant in Austin? Our own Kevin Curtin's got that wild-ass reportage for you ...

Antonelli’s is hiring, did you know? And those fabulous Hyde Park cheesemongers are also gearing up for the return of in-person (and outdoor) classes and events – like the cheese-and-charcuterie pairing they’ll present at Easy Tiger’s south location on Wed., June 9 …

Be aware, whiskey lovers, that there’ll be a five-course Garrison Brothers Bourbon Dinner at South Congress Cafe on Tuesday, May 25, and you can get tickets now. It’s $90 per person, the generous pairings of the Brothers’ finest will be foundationed with the likes of white asparagus vichyssoise and halibut crudo and lamb chops with sweet corn succotash and bourbon-infused tiramisu and – yeah, click right here already …

Hard seltzer? If we hear just one more thing about hard seltzer, we might lose our goddamn minds. Still, it’s worth mentioning that the Austin-based Blue Norther brand recently took triple medals at the 21st annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Their Wild Blackberry won gold, the Prickly Pear received silver, and Agave Lime was awarded a bronze. Congrats, then, to those meticulous fizzmongers …

Oi! Futbol! Pluckers Wing Bar, the Austin FC's exclusive wing partner, will be hosting an official watch party outdoors at their Linc location on Saturday, May 15, beginning at 1pm – for the Austin FC match against LA Galaxy. Raffles! Prizes! Live DJ!

Remember when we told you about that big new Irish pub, Cork & Barrel, that’s opened a little north of our usual stomping grounds – up there in Round Rock? And how, with all the culinary, whiskey-abetted goodness going on there, it was well worth the drive even if you don’t already live north of Pflugerville? Well, now that same Cork & Barrel has launched their Sunday brunch service, word to the wise. But you might be familiar with the journey from already having an occasional brunch at the Jack Allen’s Kitchen up there, right? Or because you’re a regular at the even closer Taste of Ethiopia? So many good places to eat in Austin that aren’t even … in Austin. Oh, cruel tyranny of choice!

And – you know Yelp, right? No, not the sound that a terminally overgroomed Bichon Frise makes when you accidentally tread upon its tiny paw, but the website where the people of the land – the common clay of the new West – unleash the full frothing force of their often baseless opinions. And if you’re not actively trying to make a living in the restaurant business, maybe you don’t even hate Yelp and its relentless, internet-enabled hordes of Karens, right? And your Chronicle Food News Buffet team likes to provide all the news that’s fit to get your taste buds quivering, after all. So, dear reader, please be informed that Yelp has released its list of their Top 100 Restaurants In Texas …

Now y’all stay safe out there, eat as well and tip as big as you can, and watch out for those pesky ’ronas.