Franklin Barbecue’s Holiday Vacation, Rachael Ray’s Donation, and More A.M. Intel

— For the holidays, Franklin Barbecue is closing up from Sunday, December 25 through Wednesday, December 28, and then again on Sunday, January 1. This means you could presumably pick up Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve briskets.

— Austin chefs disclosed their usual holiday customs with Austin Chronicle. Eden East's Sonya Cote likes to celebrate the winter solstice, L'oca d'Oro is hosting the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes, and Russian House throws a buffet for Orthodox Christmas.

— Celebrity chef Rachael Ray is donating $10,000 to Austin Pets Alive!

— The Republic Square Park renovations will include a food vendor, and the Downtown Austin Alliance is now taking proposals for potential restaurants. It should open sometime in late 2017.

— The Parkland Events Task Force examined the impact of events that take place in Austin parks (i.e. SXSW, ACL, Food and Wine Festival), which includes substitute location suggestions

— Make Texas-style latkes with JewBoy Burger's recipe for the potato dish, which adds hatch green chiles.

— Delivery app and service Favor rounded up the most popular food items for the year, topped off with burgers and fries, followed by tacos and queso, then sushi and pizza. For Texas, tacos were the most-ordered dish.

— Longhorn fans really crave booze during sports events. Alcohol sales at the Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium jumped over 70 percent this year.

— Restaurant ceramicist Keith Kreeger uses his potting kilns to keep Franklin barbecue leftovers warm.

— Architectural Digest includes Garage in its round-up of the country's best speakeasies, because of its literal parking garage location.

— Learn how to make Whisler's season-perfect Fallen Leaf cocktail from Playboy.

— Hudson’s on the Bend is the featured restaurant of 2017’s Somms Under Fire on Sunday, January 29. Judges for the wine competition include McGuire Moorman Hospitality’s June Rodil.

— Austin Eastciders received $1 million in investment funds.

— Someone has been arrested for allegedly robbing a Five Guys Burgers location in Round Rock in a clown mask.

— Actress Adrianne Palicki stopped by Wu Chow for dinner this week.