Food-o-File
Schmidt Family Barbecue opens next week, while Shake Shack promises to shake up the burger scene
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., Oct. 25, 2013
Ever since last year's announcement that the third generation of one of Lockhart's legendary barbecue families intended to bring a restaurant to the Bee Cave area, Central Texas barbecue lovers have eagerly awaited the opening of Schmidt Family Barbecue (12532 FM 2244 in the Hill Country Galleria). Well, the wait is finally over. The pits are fired up and the aroma of meat smoked over post oak will perfume the air. Cousins Keith Schmidt and Susie Schmidt-Franks and Susie's husband, Chad Franks, all of whom learned the barbecue business at Smitty's and Kreuz Market in Lockhart, will begin welcoming guests to their new restaurant on Monday, Oct. 28. See you there.
Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group announced last week that the first Texas outlet of the company's popular Shake Shack concept is slated for the Lamar Union shopping center (South Lamar & Treadwell) in late 2014. Shake Shack is beloved for burgers, hot dogs, and frozen custard complemented by a selection of wines and craft beers. It will join the reopened Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar and the HighBall, as well as Emmett and Lisa Fox's casual Italian eatery, Cantine, in that multi-use development. What I'm wondering is, once we have an In-N-Out Burger (4508 N. I-35) and a Shake Shack, what's that going to do to the lines at Hopdoddy?
Local nonprofit Manos de Cristo hosts their annual end-of-the-year tamale fundraiser to benefit dental and basic needs services for low-income individuals and families. Five varieties are available for $12 per dozen: pork, jalapeño pork, chicken, bean, and vegetarian. Place orders by contacting Christina Valentine at 512/477-7454 ext. 111, or [email protected] now through Monday, Dec. 2 for pick-up on Friday, Dec. 6 at their central office (4911 Harmon).
Amidst the festivities of what feels like the busiest week of the busiest event month of the year, Goodall's Kitchen & Bar is now open in the newly refurbished boutique Hotel Ella (1900 Rio Grande). The kitchen will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, and the bar opens daily at 2:30pm. Also, Eden East (755 Springdale) adds a four-course, $45 prix fixe menu of Thursday night dinners to their schedule, and Salt & Time Butcher Shop & Salumeria (1912 E. Seventh) is now serving dinner Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9pm, and Friday-Saturday, 5-10pm.
Although owner and pastry chef Loïc Duchesne recently passed away unexpectedly, Cinnamons Bakery (6406 N. I-35, #2475) manager Kyle Hill and the bakery staff will keep the bakery open while Duchesne's family arranges to sell the business.
Longtime Chronicle wine writer Wes Marshall's sporadic "Wine of the Week" column is moving exclusively to our On the Range blog (austinchronicle.com/blogs/food), where it will appear on the first and third Thursday of every month.
