Super Coffee Invades, Still Austin Celebrates, Trudy's Brings the THC, Bird Bird Almost, and More
All the news that’s fit to get your taste buds quivering
By Wayne Alan Brenner, 2:35PM, Wed. Sep. 15, 2021
Here's some of what's happening in Austin's culinary scene, as wrangled from numerous PR releases, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings.
Yes, it’s your Food News Buffet for the third week in September, Year Two of This Stupid Plague …
Nuts to you, Big Apple. Seems that the #3 bottled coffee brand in the U.S. (behind Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts) – that javalicious powerhouse called Super Coffee – has recently relocated its former NYC headquarters to right here in the ATX. (They’re at 1005 St. Elmo.) On the one hand, we say “Howdy, and welcome!” OTOH, we did have quite enough coffee purveyors in this town already, didn’t we? But, listen: Super Coffee was included on Inc.’s 2021 Best Workplaces list, which recognizes brands that did the most to support their employees and keep them engaged through a turbulent year. So they’re A-OK in our book, regardless …
Also along that southern stretch, Still Austin Whiskey Co. (in The Yard at 440 E. St. Elmo) celebrates their fourth anniversary on Sat., Sept. 18, noon-10pm, with the Bearded Baking Company bringing the best brunch in town (until 3pm) and live music from Pike & Sutton at 7pm …
We hear through the grapevine that Asti Trattoria owners Lisa and Emmett Fox have sold Hyde Park’s beloved Italian joint to their wine curator Chris Moore, who, far as we know, will continue the venue’s tasty reign in that same spot. And so, yeah, with Asti, and Quack’s Bakery across the street, and Julio’s, and the new Curra’s location, and Uncle Nicky’s, and Hyde Park Bar & Grill, and Antonelli’s nearby – we mean, holy shit, what a neighborhood!
Meanwhile, over in Crestview: Is Bird Bird Biscuit – long heralded to take over the space where Thunderbird Coffee used to be on Koenig – is that delicious purveyor of bread and chickens and more actually going to open soon? The Magic 8-Ball still says “Uncertain, Ask Again,” but we did see a new sign on the building that says COMING SOON, so our salivary glands are already getting down to business …
Dude! Trudy’s is honoring National Queso Day by partnering with Earlybird CBD to offer a Hemp-infused Loaded Queso from Sept. 20-26. Srsly, chef Julian Rodarte has updated the popular dish to include a legal 5mg of THC and 50mg of CBD from Earlybird's full-spectrum tincture. Duuuuuude …
In other philanthropic news, the Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas is hosting its 32nd annual Bandana Ball, and they’re doing it virtually – on Friday, Sept. 17! Support and enjoy it all right there in the comfort of your own home, with signature cocktails, an enticing meal from Austin Catering, music by DJ Gatsby, and a live auction of marvelous merch and experiences via Zoom. Bonus: The silent auction is open to everyone, even if you’re not signed up for the Ball …
And be informed, gregarious citizen, that those community-loving Buzz Mill honchos are getting close to unveiling the Buzz Mill East Side venue (at Seventh & Waller), wherein they’re partnering with Brunch Bird (part of the Plow Burger family) to bring the neighborhood another fine coffee-and-beer-and-good-noms socializing spot …
And we’ll tell you more about it soon, but right now nota bene: Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden (the best of Rainey Street, we’d insist) will be rocking a three-day Oktoberfest celebration starting on Sept. 23 …
But this weekend, yo, there’s a Dunk Smash Birthday Bash at dog-friendly Yard Bar … and that incredible Pitmaster’s Potluck from LeRoy & Lewis … and, oh! Both the breakfasty powerhouse Patika on South Lamar and the sushi-forward TenTen on West Sixth are boasting new menus, recently unveiled for maximum autumnal yum …
And you already know the winners of the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival this year, right?
And that the Texas-based but world-conquering whiskey savants of Garrison Brothers are in the midst of their 2021 Bourbon Takeover of America?
And that Vaquero Taquero has opened a second location Downtown?
And that Austin’s own Julie Holden has won the 2021 Pillsbury Bake-Off?
[Note: Aaaaah! So! Much! News!]
Now eat as well as you can, tip like it’s going out of style, and watch out for those pesky Delta variants.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.