What the hell happened in the Austin food scene in 2015? Even those of us deep in the trenches, a gossipy bunch for sure, might have trouble answering. It was another year of national interest, of nice guys finishing first (at least when it comes to the James Beard Awards), of restaurant expansion far beyond I-35. But those moments of triumph couldn’t mask the nervousness as solid concepts shuttered, chefs hung up their hats, and new eateries were welcomed with little more than a sigh. But for all the uncertainty in culinary ATX, we still found plenty – both old and new – to inspire us, to delight us, and to applaud. Maybe it’s a difficult adolescence, but we are looking forward to the next wave of rebellion. It’s still our town – zits and all.
This article appears in 2015.