Half-Price Pizza, SXSE Laotian Party, Boozy Miracle on Fifth Street, the Embiggening of Micklethwait's, Hex Kitchen Sorcery, and More

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: It’s your Food News Buffet for the second week of November, Year Two of This Lousy Plague.

Of course the ATX is still home to American-style football, too; and in that sport, at least, the local teams sometimes actually win a game or two. Yes, the Longhorns are back in town this weekend (UT versus Kansas), and Jet's Pizza is celebrating by offering 50% off to anyone who places an order for pick-up from 10am-5pm on Mon., Nov. 15. Sound like a good deal to you? Use the code UTvKU1 – and that’ll work for all three of Jet's Austin locations …

We mentioned a while ago that chef Bob Somsith’s excellent SXSE food truck was opening a second location, adding some Laotian culinary glory to the outside of the Wanderlust Wine Collective at 702 Shady Lane. Well, that happened, and things are running well and mmmmmm damn tasty. And now, this Saturday (Nov. 13, 4-10pm) is SXSE's grand opening celebration there …

And you already know, right? That a new China Family Express also opened in late October, with a tapas-like selection of dishes served up in an Asian-inflected high-rise interior that’s a touch more posh than its sibling eateries? This is just a reminder, then: The venue is at 2525 W. Anderson #110, and they’ll be tossing in some crab rangoons, gratis, with every order until the New Year rolls around …

But there is, oh, a holiday or two before January first. And thus do those brilliant boozemongers of the Roosevelt Room commandeer their own Eleanor event space for the return of Miracle on Fifth Street, supercharged by concoctions from NYC’s legendary Mace and the toolmakers of Cocktail Kingdom. (Note: Originally conceived in 2014 by Mace owner Greg Boehm, this Christmas pop-up bar concept has expanded to more than 90 locations worldwide.) Master Miracle maven Joann Spiegel has created a plethora of holiday-themed libations – including the Elfing Around, Jolly Koala, SanTaRex, Yippie Ki Yay Mother Fucker!, Jingle Balls Nog, and more – and these will be served in unique mugs and signature glassware. This shiny sheasonal shindig will deck the Eleanor’s halls from Nov. 19 to Dec. 28 – which is a fine excuse for gathering large parties of festive friends before the year draws to its close; but, naughty or nice, you’d better reserve a spot in advance …

Micklethwait Craft Meats – recently featured among the top joints in Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ list – is embiggening its longtime Eastside location with 10,000 square feet of shaded seating and a walk-up service window. Yeah, you thought they had a sweet set-up before, wait’ll you get a load of this urban ode to relaxation. Saddle Up, the new HQ-and-beer-garden at 1309 Rosewood, will be an indoor/outdoor gathering spot for drinks, craft barbecue, Tex-Mex, scratch-made sweets, and more. [Pro tip: Sure, the ’cue itself is near perfection, but don’t forget that Tom Micklethwait’s jalapeño cheese grits will change your mouth’s life for the better, every damn time.] The new space opens on Thu., Nov. 18 with hours of Thu.-Sun., 10am-10pm. They’ll throw a grand opening party in early December, and we’ll be sure to let you know when it comes ‘round …

WUXTRY! Austin Eastciders, that apple-centric crew who like to mix it up with seasonal variations, are releasing their new Spiced Peach limited edition at their lively Collaboratory on Springdale this Saturday … and Suerte’s Fermín Núñez has teamed up with LoLo Wine for a seafood-centric brunch and then a music-fueled afterparty this Sunday … and Desert Door, those Hill Country purveyors of sotol (you know: like tequila’s more mysterious and sexy cousin), they worked a deal with the whiskey savants of Garrison Brothers a while back; and now they’ve released Driftwood Cowboy, a sotol aged in Garrison bourbon barrels, which imbues the familiar elegance of their Texas Sotol with subtle notes of leather and baking spices. And maybe, just mayyyyyybe, you can score a bottle before Desert Door's Fourth Anniversary Party on Nov. 18th …

Speaking of liquor, how about a sextet of canned cocktails for your perusal?

Finally this week, we note that local author Stephanie Fazio is publishing Hex Kitchen, the first book in her fifth fantasy series, the narrative of which involves a cooking tournament – kind of like Hell’s Kitchen or Master Chef – along with elements of arcane magic, murder, and romance. Seek her weirding literary wares right here, good citizen …

Now eat as well as you can, tip like it’s going out of style, and watch out for those lingering ’ronas …