Friends of Eater Offer Headline Predictions for 2015

Melanie Haupt, restaurant critic for The Chronicle and author of Historic Austin Restaurants
2015 will be the year of the churro. Mark my words.

Megan Giller, editor of Zagat Austin
Basil seeds are the new It ingredient
Launderette Finally Opens!
Upscale Dessert Bars Are the Best Thing Ever (Ahem, Bribery)

Jane Ko, editor at A Taste of Koko and food photographer
The dining scene on South Lamar is going to blow up. Alamo Drafthouse, Odd Duck, St. Philip, aRoma Italian, Patika Coffee, Ramen Tatsuya, Cafe Medici's, and Chi'Lantro are joining the party.

Dan Gentile, staff writer at Thrillist
BBQ feud alert: Pitmaster X hates Pitmaster Y, Pitmaster Z has no comment (and better BBQ)
OMG read this SXSW breakfast taco guide
Raekwon to host guest chef's dinner at Wu Chow
Texas runs out of reclaimed barnwood
New downtown hotel puts food trailer in lobby, somehow
Live Nation purchases Uchi, Lenoir, and Franklin BBQ

Meredith Bethune, CultureMap and Serious Eats contributor
No idea, but I'll be watching from afar in DC.

Veronica Meewes, CultureMap and Austin Monthly contributor
I love the trend of fine dining chefs going back to basics and opening up fast-casual concepts. José Andrés described it to Vanity Fair as as "feeding the many instead of feeding the few" — and I love the idea of making higher quality food affordable and accessible to all. We'll get a taste of that when Todd Duplechan and his partners revive legendary fried chicken chain Youngblood's and when we get a highly anticipated Shake Shack early this year. I hope to see more of those types of projects from other chefs in 2015 (and hopefully some healthier fast-casual concepts too!)

Tom Thornton, CultureMap food and drink editor
A few surprise shutters due to market saturation; A lot of expansion from well-regarded local players; hopefully (please?) it will be the year where several people bring excellent Indian or Korean food to central or south Austin.

Patricia Sharpe, executive editor/food writer, Texas Monthly
You thought Austin was saturated with restaurants? Think again. Already announced are Laundrette from René Ortiz and Laura Sawicki; Italic from Drew Curren; Bullfight from Shawn Cirkiel; Mongers from Shane Stark and Roberto SanMiguel; Thai Kun in the Domain from Paul Qui; an unnamed place on Burnet from Bryce Gilmore; Boiler Nine from David Bull; Cantine, in Lamar Union, from Lisa and Emmet Fox; and an unnamed place also in Lamar Union from David Garrido. Besides that, at least two out-of-town chefs have their eye on us: Tim Love from Fort Worth is opening a Lonesome Dove and Jason Huerta from Dallas will open Counter 357. It’s exhausting keeping track of what’s happening here.

Melody Fury, Serious Eats and Eater Austin contributor and blogger at Gourmet Fury
Breakfast joints pop up across Austin, serving more than just tacos. (Waffles would be nice! Where can I get a decent Belgian waffle around here?)

Nadia Chaudhury, associate editor at Eater Austin
More crazy barbecue plus other food collaborations. Brisket coffee? Sure. Beef rib jello? Why not? Pulled pork smoothies? Go for it. The possibilities are endless.

Meghan McCarron, editor at Eater Austin
Brisket Fanatics Get Married in Franklin Barbecue Line

Paul Qui And Shake Shack Unleash SXSW-Only Poor Shack Bun

Bryce Gilmore's Burnet Road Taco Shack Gilmore Boys Opens Today