Pluckers' Wingo Is No More, Verts Rebranding, and More

BINGO WIRE — The Texas Lottery Commission shut down Pluckers’ weekly Wingo games earlier this week. In an email to customers, the beloved Austin-based hot wings chain stated:

Over the past several months, we have been working with the Texas Lottery Commission to ensure that our WINGO event falls within new legal standards. Unfortunately, we have been instructed to cancel WINGO effective immediately.

Pluckers locations around Texas awarded prizes like gift cards and ACLfest tickets to winners in the Bingoesque series. [Reddit]

CHEF SHUFFLE — Jacoby’s has appointed Albert Gonzalez as its executive chef after Carlos Ysaguirre departed the position last month. Gonzalez previously worked at Apothecary and Banger’s. He will represent the restaurant at the Austin Food & Wine Festival in April. [EaterWire]

REBRANDING WIRE — Following the lead of everyone who ever refers to the kebap chain in spoken conversation, VertsKebap has shortened its name to Verts, effective immediately. This change will be followed by a more extensive rebranding of packaging design, restaurant interiors, and a website. Culinary director Jason Donoho will oversee the rollout of new entrees and sauces over the next few months. The fast-casual Mediterranean chain also plans to open 20 new locations in 2016, including one on the East Coast. [EaterWire]

[Photo: Verts/Official]

PEDICAB WIRE — SkinnyPop Popcorn will be offering free pedicab rides to SXSW partiers from noon to 8 p.m. on March 11–13 and March 18–20. Riders will also receive complimentary SkinnyPop popcorn to help fuel their completely responsible debauchery. [EaterWire]