Austin Restaurant Experts Sum Up 2015 in One Word

Since the end of 2015 is near, Eater asked a group of friends, industry types, and local bloggers for their takes on the past year. The annual survey spans eight questions from dining surprises, best dining neighborhoods, to restaurant grievances. All answers will be revealed as the week rolls on—cut, pasted, (mostly) unedited, and in no particular order. Readers, add your answers in the comments below. Third up:

Describe the 2015 Austin’s restaurant scene in one word.

Jane Ko, blogger at A Taste of Koko
Crowded—over 100 restaurants opened in Austin this year, but 80% of those are just meh.

Brandon Watson, food editor of Austin Chronicle
Exhausted.

Jolène M. Bouchon, critic for Austin Monthly
Exploding.

Kathy Blackwell, editor in chief of Austin Way
Frenetic.

Tom Thornton, food and drinks editor of CultureMap Austin
Communal.

Melanie Haupt, freelancer writer and contributor of Eater Austin
Teeming.

Melody Fury, freelance food writer, blogger at Gourmet Fury, and contributor of Eater Austin
Promising.

Patricia Sharpe, executive editor and food writer for Texas Monthly
Explosive.

Dan Gentile, staff writer at Thrillist
Flood.

Anastacia Uriegas, contributor of Thrillist
Expensive.

Katie Friel, editor of Tribeza
Burgeoning.

Sofia Sokolove, assistant editor of Tribeza and contributor of Eater Austin
Transitioning.

Veronica Meewes, editor of Zagat Austin
Flourishing.

Nadia Chaudhury, editor of Eater Austin
Growing.