6 Updates on Upcoming Restaurant Openings in Austin

ROUND ROCK — The new location of Pinthouse Pizza has been delayed further, although it looks like it will open in the coming weeks. The Facebook page promises a hiring fair soon.

ABIA — Local pizzeria East Side Pies is making moves around town. The location in the airport is coming along, as is the buildout of the Rosewood location.

RAINEY — Little Brother, the bar from the team behind Better Half, Wright Bros. Brew & Brew, and forthcoming Hold Out Brewing, has a real bar now. Given that the tiny place is only planned to have four seats (outside of a patio), seems like they’re more than halfway there.

CLARKSVILLE — Speaking of, Better Half’s next-door brewery Hold Out Brewing just got its liquor license.

CLARKSVILLE — Bar Peached showed off a stylish interior and cute wallpaper. The bar and restaurant from the Peached Tortilla’s Eric Silverstein is slated to open in January.

EAST SIXTH — The Arrive hotel is still on track to open across from Suerte in 2019. It’s currently being fitted with thick steel.

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October 2018

Torchy’s Tacos/Facebook

WESTLAKE — Sway recently had its alcohol permits cleared to serve until 2 a.m. The restaurant, which was announced in 2015, is scheduled to open in December.

DOWNTOWN — Tacodeli’s Congress location now boasts a sign. The restaurant is slated to open early next year.

DOWNTOWN — Not to be outdone, Torchy’s also showed off some new signage. The taco favorite should open in the Northshore complex by the end of the year.

ROUND ROCK — Pinthouse Pizza is still a-ways from finishing, but offers that hiring should take place relatively soon.

RAINEY — In what’s becoming a small empire, the Wright brothers showed off the inside their fourth restaurant Little Brother, which will serve (surprise!) booze and coffee. It will open this year.

CLARKSVILLE — The Wright Bros.’ brewery, Hold Out Brewing, is also showing progress. It’s taking over Better Half for a preview of its beers and burgers in November.

SMITHVILLE — Micklethwait Barbecue’s brick and mortar is coming along, though no opening date is set.

DOWNTOWN — Philip Speer shared progress on his new beer garden with Garage bar. There’s no opening date yet on the unnamed project.

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September 2018

Banger’s [Official]

RAINEY — The greatly expanded Banger’s should open in time for Oktoberfest next month, which means its massive tap wall is in place. The entire restaurant will boast 207 taps.

DOWNTOWN — Chispas, the casual Mexican restaurant from San Antonio chef Jason Dady, has lots of plywood up. It’s supposed to open soon in the former Fado’s spot.

DOWNTOWN — The downtown Torchy’s Tacos is getting a custom cedar and brass storefront. It looks a ways from completion, which is slated for the end of the year.

SOUTH CONGRESS — Joann’s, the McGuire Moorman and Bunkhouse Group restaurant at the Austin Motel, is getting closer to completion. The duo’s eye for color is certainly on display.

SOUTH LAMAR — The Carpenter Hotel showed off custom signs for the building. It was scheduled to open this summer with a restaurant, bar, and cafe.

ARBORETUM — Cheese and charcuterie spot Austin Cheese Co. is looking to open in the next few weeks. It will also serve wine and chocolate.

LINC — Easy Tiger’s new north location is getting close to completion. It’s supposed to open next month.

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

CAMPUS — The second location of Taco Ranch, the taco drive-thru from P. Terry’s, is taking shape on Martin Luther King Boulevard. It was supposed to open this summer.

DOWNTOWN — Hold Out Brewing, the brewery from the Wright Bros. Brew & Brew and Better Half team, certainly has the needed supplies for beer. The brewery, adjacent to Better Half, should open this year.

EAST SIXTH — Boutique hotel Arrive is getting steel window frames. One of many changes happening at Sixth and Chicon, the hotel with two restaurants and bars and a coffee shop, is opening in 2019.

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August 2018

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

DOWNTOWN — The Torchy’s Tacos heading to the Northshore apartment complex on San Antonio Street has put up a pretty cool mural featuring its devil mascot. It’s slated to open before the end of the year.

LINC — The north location of Easy Tiger is looking ready to open. The expansion of the downtown bakery should open in early October and it’s currently hiring for all positions.

ROUND ROCK — In other expansion news, the forthcoming location of Pinthouse Pizza up north has gotten the tanks in. The brewpub was announced last May, and should open this year.

HIGHLAND — Revelry’s expansion to North Lamar, dubbed Revelry on the Boulevard, gave a group of Austin food bloggers a sneak peak at the new location. It should open late this summer.

SEAHOLM — Malibu Poke, with a menu from Dallas chef Matt McCallister, has signs up for its first Austin location. The Dallas-based chain will open this fall.

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

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July 2018

Last Straw/Facebook

HOLLY — The transformation of shuttered neighborhood restaurant Chicon into easygoing bar and restaurant Last Straw is underway on East 6th Street. The space is being brightened up with tropical hues like oranges and pinks, and there’s a fancy new neon sign above the door. Helming the spot is former Nickel City bar manager JR Mocanu, and it’s set to open sometime soon.

WEST SIXTH — Creative art collective SprATX spray-painted a giant mural inside of forthcoming retro musical-themed bar Stereotype on Rio Grande. The restrooms feature red/shimmering gold and shimmering blue/silver tiles. It’s still expected to open in August.

SMITHVILLE — Barbecue trailer Micklethwait Craft Meats is making progress on its Smithville brick-and-mortar, starting with paint and cabinets. There is no projected opening date at this point.

DOWNTOWN — The as-of-yet unnamed Colorado Street restaurant from Philip Speer (of the former Bonhomie) and William Ball (of Garage) is starting to look like a real building, complete with what looks like the rooftop of the garden patio.

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

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June 2018

Lady Quackenbush’s [Official]

MUELLER — Quack’s forthcoming bakeries, Lady Quackenbush’s Cakery in Mueller and Captain Quackenbush’s Coffeehouse and Bakery in South Austin, are still a-go. The former’s walls are painted, floors tiled, and most importantly, the ovens installed. The bakeshop is aiming to open mid-July.

NORTH LOOP — Forthcoming bagel shop Nervous Charlie’s is gearing up for a summer opening. The cafe will ship bagel dough in from New York daily.

ROUND ROCK — Pinthouse Pizza’s third location is making progress. Once complete, the restaurant will be 13,000 square feet with a 4,500 square foot small production brewery.

DOWNTOWN — The long-in-the-works West Sixth bar Whiskey Tango Foxtrot debuted a slick new sign. There’s still no opening date.

DOWNTOWN — Phillip Speer’s unnamed bar and restaurant in collaboration with Garage already getting walls. The finished project will include a beer garden.

SMITHVILLE — Progress on Micklethwait Craft Meats’ new location outside of Austin is slow but steady.

LINC — The new, larger Easy Tiger location should open in September. Located in The Linc off I-35, the new location will have the familiar ping pong tables, an outdoor stage, and a new coffee drive-thru.

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May 2018

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

SEAHOLM — Essential coffee spot Epoch Coffee has a sign up for their forthcoming location at Gables Park Tower Apartments in Seaholm. This will be the fifth location for the coffeeshop.

AIRPORT — The airport location of The Peached Tortilla is “so close” to opening, joining many other new additions to ABIA. This will be the second brick and mortar location of the Mexican-Asian fusion concept, not counting the original food trucks and the event space, Peached Social House.

SEAHOLM — Cookbook Cafe, the restaurant in the new downtown library, is looking to have the same cool geometric aesthetic as the rest of the building. It will be run by the Elm Restaurant Group, which is also behind 24 Diner, Italic, and others.

MANOR — Breakfast purveyors Bird Bird Biscuit promises only a few more Saturdays left to wait for their biscuit sandwiches.

DRIPPING SPRINGS — The League Kitchen & Tavern is almost ready for the Belterra community. The neighborhood restaurant is staffing up to join Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew’s new spot The Switch and a Torchy’s Tacos in the development.

WEST SIXTH — Stereotype, the music-focused bar taking over Kung Fu Saloon on Rio Grande Street, is still hoping to open this month. The bar comes from Lion’s Share Hospitality — the group behind Parlor & Yard and Nueces Kitchen and Bar (formerly Coast Bar & Kitchen).

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March 2018

Nadia Chaudhury

MUELLER — Lady Quackenbush’s Cakery, the version of Quack’s Bakery that is taking over the shuttered Bribery Bakery spot in Mueller, has moved in and started construction. It will hopefully be open early this year.

SOUTH LAMAR — Loro, the highly anticipated collaboration between Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole/Hai Hospitality, shared a first look at lighting for the new space. The design is from local architect Michael Hsu, who also designed P. Terry’s, South Congress Hotel, and Uchi.

RAINEY — The expansion of hot dog and beer specialists Banger’s is still a good ways from complete due to construction delays. However, that didn’t stop the restaurant from creating a goofy montage video on the expected day of completion.

CENTRAL EAST AUSTIN — Sour Duck Market, from the team behind Odd Duck, shared some of its more far-out decorations. The restaurant is slated to open this year.

GOVALLE — The Brewer’s Table is starting to look more finished, adding design elements to complement the beer-focused restaurant. It’s hoping to open sometime this month.

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February 2018

The Brewer’s Table/Facebook

GOVALLE — The Brewer’s Table showed off its latest delivery: massive new brewing equipment. The beer-focused restaurant is set to open sometime this March.

SOUTH — The Funkadelic is adding some color to the space. The brunch-focused restaurant, formerly known as The Funky Brunch, had to change its name to comply with copyright law, which has gotta hurt since signs were already up.

SOUTH LAMAR — Chef Tyson Cole shared a video of the grill going into Loro. The collaboration between Hai Hospitality and Aaron Franklin can’t open soon enough (it’s pegged for late March).

MANOR — Bird Bird Biscuit is inching closer to providing delicious breakfast sandwiches, The restaurant shared progress of its forthcoming east side digs.

CLARKSVILLE — The sister to Wright Bros Brew & Brew, Better Half Bar is making progress on the bar. The casual spot should open early this year.

ROSEDALE — The marble counter is literally part of the final push at seafood restaurant Guild. Operated by the Chameleon Group (Wu Chow, Swift’s Attic), it’s set to open imminently.

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January 2018

Loro/Facebook

SOUTH LAMAR — Aaron Franklin posed with his new smoker for Loro, the fast-casual collaboration between Uchi’s Hai Hospitality and Franklin Barbecue. The restaurant is gaining national attention in anticipation of an opening in early 2018.

DOWNTOWN — Kitchens are complete at food hall Fareground, and the restaurants are showing off dishes. Fareground opens this week with stalls like Ni-Kome from Kome, Henbit from Emmer & Rye, Dai Due taqueria, and more.

MANOR — Biscuit and chicken specialist Bird Bird Biscuit provided a look at the new hood (as in, cooking equipment). The restaurant, run by the owner and former general manager of Thunderbird Coffee, is scheduled to open this spring.

ROSEDALE — In other kitchen news, forthcoming seafood restaurant Guild highlighted its new equipment. A new project from the group behind Swift’s Attic and Wu Chow, Guild is slated to open this month.

AIRPORT — The Peached Tortilla’s new location at the airport may not look like much yet, but it will start serving the famed Asian-Mexican fusion dishes this year. This is one of many exciting changes coming to the airport food courts.

CAMPUS — Poke spot Poke Bowl is starting to rebuild after a car crashed into the storefront in November. There’s no re-opening date set.

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December 2017

Courtesy of Guild

ROSEDALE — Seafood-focused Guild is scheduled for a January opening, though there’s still work to do. The newest restaurant from the owners of Swift's Attic and Wu Chow, Guild will serve brunch, lunch, and dinner and is helmed by a former Uchiko chef.

LAKELINE — Massive Korean supermarket H Mart has signs up in anticipation of its January opening. The grocery store will have a food court that features a location of fried chicken spot Sunday Bird from San Francisco chef Deuki Hong.

ABIA — The airport location of The Peached Tortilla has begun its transformation, looking to open in February.

CENTRAL EAST AUSTIN — Odd Duck’s casual all-day restaurant, Sour Duck Market, has its custom smoker installed. The restaurant is looking to open in early 2018.

Better Half/Official

CLARKSVILLE — Better Half Bar, the sister restaurant to Wright Bros. Brew & Brew, provided a look at construction progress. The restaurant should open early 2018.

SOUTH CONGRESS — Cosmic Coffee and Beer has furniture now. The coffee shop doesn’t have an opening date yet, but barbecue trailer LeRoy & Lewis is set to relocate to its yard.

EAST SIXTH — Also joining the furniture club is Suerte, the Mexican-focused restaurant from Odd Duck partner Sam Hellman-Mass. The restaurant is also testing some pretty colorful dishes.

Fareground/Official

DOWNTOWN — Anticipated downtown food court Fareground is so close to opening. The official opening date is January 18.

GOVALLE — The Brewer’s Table almost has an actual table. The beer-centric restaurant is humming right along for its spring opening.

DRIPPING SPRINGS — Family Business Beer Co., the brewery from Supernatural star Jensen Ackles and his family, is inching closer to an opening. The sweet custom draft tower is installed, and kegs are just waiting to be filled.

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November

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

SOUTH LAMAR — Hotly anticipated restaurant Loro, the Asian smokehouse collaboration between Aaron Franklin and Uchi’s Tyson Cole, has its Texas dance hall look on full display. Loro is scheduled to open in early 2018.

NORTH LOOP — After six years in the old digs, Eater 38 restaurant Kome is sprucing things up with colorful murals and patterns in the new location on Airport Boulevard. It’s set to open on Tuesday, November 21.

DOMAIN NORTHSIDE— Sway Thai’s Rock Rose location is looking a lot like the South First original. This location has been in the works since 2015, with no opening date announced.

CLARKSVILLE — Better Half Bar, the sister restaurant to Wright Bros. Brew & Brew, has walls now, which is usually a good thing. The cafe was slated to open this year, but that’s likely getting pushed back.

SOUTH LAMAR — Coming soon to the Lamar Union, TLC revealed its partially built bar, which will eventually hold 30 taps. The comfort food restaurant should open this month.

GOVALLE — The Brewer’s Table is finding time between pop-up appearances to make progress on construction. The restaurant also has a geotag on Instagram now, meaning it’s almost ready for primetime (and on schedule for a spring 2018 opening).

SOUTH CONGRESS — Cosmic Coffee and Beer is looking woodsy with a freshly installed bartop. The restaurant is hiring, so opening should be fairly imminent.

BEE CAVE — Also hiring: Greater Goods Coffee. The philanthropic roastery in Dripping Springs is opening a cafe in Bee Cave, supposedly this month.

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October

Cosmic Cafe/Facebook

SOUTH CONGRESS — Cosmic Coffee and Beer sticks with its sustainable roots by repurposing on-site materials from the previous Buzz Mill Coffee. The coffee shop should be opening this fall, with nearby new school barbecue trailer LeRoy & Lewis set to relocate to its yard.

ST. ELMO — Skull Mechanix Brewing, another addition to the burgeoning boozy district, posted progress on the “ambiance” of the place on Instagram. Next step: tables, chairs, and beer.

MUELLER — Hoisting a new sign up, Colleen’s Kitchen is one step closer to bringing Southern fare to Aldrich Street. The restaurant is slated to open later this year.

DOWNTOWN — The new library’s cafe, Cookbook Cafe gave an sneak peek at the space. The cafe will be operated by ELM Restaurant Group, which runs several restaurants around town including 24 Diner and Easy Tiger.

SOUTH LAMAR — HayleyCakes and Cookies is waiting on one permit away to start buildout on the South Lamar expansion. Owner Hayley Callaway-Evans estimates the opening is still a month away.

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September

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

DOWNTOWN — The new downtown location of Polvo’s has a sign up. The expansion of the South First restaurant was previously scheduled to open in August, but there is no updated date.

GOVALLE — “Slowly but surely” was the caption that accompanied a photo of progress at The Brewer’s Table. The brewery/restaurant hosted its first pop-up almost a year ago, and is set to open in 2018.

NORTH LOOP — Kome showed evidence that the restaurant’s patio at its new home is coming along. The new location will have more seats, which the popular sushi restaurant could definitely use.

ST. EDWARD’S — Cosmic Cafe and Beer (which is taking over Buzz Mill’s abandoned South Austin location) is hanging neon signs, indicating the crowdfunded cafe is closer to opening.

SOUTH LAMAR — The interior of sushi restaurant Soto is looking sleek and industrial. It’s taking over Cantine’s space in the South Lamar Union.

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

HOLLY — Greater Goods Coffee shared progress on the planned flagship cafe in East Austin. The charitable Dripping Springs roasters, which also have a grab-and-go shop in the works at The Chicon development, donates a portion of the purchased coffee bags to local charities.

MUELLER — Southern-inspired Colleen’s Kitchen is coming along. Expect favorites like fried chicken and deviled eggs from the patios, dining room, and takeout window this fall.

EAST SIXTH — Suerte, the Mexican-focused restaurant from Odd Duck partner Sam Hellman-Mass, has walls now, which is an improvement from last time. Suerte is projected to open by the end of the year.

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August

DOWNTOWN — Texas Reds and Whites, a wine bar that exclusively features vineyards using Lone Star grapes, provided photos of the new space. The “Texas modern chic” decor is quite a transformation for the Austin Convention Center parking garage, which will also house Central District Brewery. An opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 16.

NORTH SHOAL CREEK — Be More Pacific has a sign up at the site of new brick and mortar on West Anderson Lane. The food truck services are scaling back in preparation for opening, currently scheduled for late September/early October.

DOWNTOWN — The ELM Group’s Congress Avenue food court, Fareground, is looking great from the outside, anyway. Coming late fall, the highly anticipated space will include a new Easy Tiger, Henbit and dessert cart Honeybit from Emmer & Rye; Dai Due's taco offshoot; Kome's sushi and ramen spot Ni-Kome; Contigo; and Antonelli's Cheese Shop.

Nadia Chaudhury

SOUTH LAMAR — The patio at It’s Italian Cucina looks ready for business, and the restaurant is scheduled to open in less than two weeks. The east-side market moved south and changed names, but will focus on the same Northern Italian cuisine and sundries.

DOWNTOWN — Yummi Joy, the collaboration between Toy Joy and Sweet Ritual vegan ice cream, has started painting the shop. The theme appears to be appropriately candy-colored.

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July

CAMPUS — Though not exactly a sign, the newest Austin location of hot dog specialists Frank, in Urban Outfitter’s Space 24 Twenty, is looking slightly more branded. The restaurant is due to open later this year, joining Lucky Lab Coffee’s first brick and mortar and food truck Austin Açaí Company.

EAST SIXTH — Suerte, the Mexican-focused restaurant from Odd Duck partner Sam Hellman-Mass, described the construction process as “first we knock it all down, then we put it all together!” They seem to be taking the first steps towards actual building, with the property getting a new slab. Suerte is projected to open by the end of the year.

MUELLER — Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches, featuring Micklethwait barbecue, is getting closer to becoming the dream one-stop-shop for many Austinites. Electricity is on (after “months dealing with bureaucracy that would make Kafka cry and made the film Brazil look like a RomCom”), a neon sign is up, banquettes are in, and benches are outside. No opening date is set, just that it will happen “very soon.”

SOUTH LAMAR — Aviary Wine + Kitchen, beloved neighborhood spot that’s been closed for renovations since 2016, gave an inside peek at ongoing construction on Instagram. The new space will have a full kitchen (overseen by Thomas Calhoun, formerly of Lenoir), as well as a raw bar, but no re-opening date yet.

SOUTH LAMAR — Lamar Union’s impending comfort food spot TLC (the acronym is up for interpretation), has a sign up. Given the recent departures of Cantine and El Burro, the mixed-use complex is probably eager for more dining options. TLC, a family-friendly indoor/outdoor restaurant from the group behind J. Black’s, is scheduled to open this year.

WEST SIXTH — Whiskey-focused and cheekily named bar Whiskey Tango Foxtrot now has a roof for its patio. The icehouse has been under construction since 2015, with no opening date set yet.

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Previous Updates

June

NORTH BURNET — Veracruz All Natural’s brick and mortar is reportedly one task away from finishing its inspection, which means there is no opening date just yet. A placeholder date is set for August, but that’s expected to change. The beloved tacos on fresh tortillas are currently served out of three locations right now, two trucks and one Round Rock restaurant.

SOUTH AUSTIN — Still, Austin’s first whiskey distillery since Prohibition, is now officially making whiskey, though it’s not quite ready for its public debut. The distillery will join a full lineup of beverage purveyors at The Yard, which includes St. Elmo’s Brewing Co., Austin Winery, and Spokesman Coffee.

HIGHLAND — Construction has started on the second location of East Sixth locale Revelry Bar + Kitchen. The new space, which is three times the size of the original location, will be family- and dog-friendly, with lots of parking and three covered patios, and is slated to open in early fall.

NORTH CAMPUS — The first Austin location of The Halal Guys, a food beacon in New York City, is finishing construction and looks to be opening soon. Popular for late-night dining, the franchise is known for chicken or gyro over an infamous white sauce, and currently has Texas locations in Houston and Dallas.

EAST CESAR CHAVEZ — The much-anticipated Pitchfork Pretty grows ever closer to serving its Hill Country-inspired fare, recently releasing its menu, teasing hauls from the garden, and bagel testing, though no opening date is set. The restaurant from Seth Baas and chef Max Snyder will start by serving breakfast and dinner, with down-home items like fried chicken, buckwheat cornbread, and lemon ice box pie.

HILL COUNTRY — Last year, Jester King Brewery announced an intention to turn adjacent land into a working farm, orchard, and eventual restaurant. Looks like those plans are now coming to fruition with sprouting watermelon plants.

AIRPORT (THE BOULEVARD) — Oddwood Ales, a brewpub focusing on American-style wild ales, is hard at work to finish construction before an expected August. It's got a deck and odd branch light fixtures.

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

AUSTIN AIRPORT — From the owners of Annies Cafe, I Vini is close to opening in the airport. The restaurant, market and wine bar will have Italian offerings like pasta, ciabatta sandwiches, gelato, espresso and of course, vino.

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April

EAST FOURTH — The swanky hostel Native is opening soon bringing to life its motto of "curating a culture of fuck yes.” Virginia Pharr, previously with now-defunct Lady Luck trailer, will be the executive chef of its all-hours restaurant and cafe focused on hyper-American cuisine. Plan on diner-inspired dishes and a classic drinks menu. One of the four six-person Loft Rooms is pictured above.

SOUTH AUSTIN — More is coming to the new mixed-use development The Yard on St. Elmo Road in the form of Still Austin Whiskey Co., a grain-to-glass distillery. It will be Austin’s first whiskey distillery since Prohibition. It has been teasing out progress (such as building whiskey cases and mocking up labels) on social media. Expect the doors to open in a few weeks.

EAST CESAR CHAVEZ — East Cesar Chavez will continue to strengthen as a culinary hub on the East Side with the impending addition of Pitchfork Pretty. The Hill Country-inspired restaurant will kick things off with breakfast including bagels, spreads, pastries, juice, daily muesli, a potato and egg roll sandwich, and more. The project from Seth Baas has recently shared sneak peaks of details including plates from Austin-based Foxwares Ceramics, a sign, and more.

SOUTH AUSTIN — Spokesman, pegged as a bike-friendly roast house cafe with draft beverages, will also be joining the Yard soon. The warehouse building will house a cafe up front and coffee roasting will occur in the back. The roaster arrived last week, and the coffee shop received its certificate of occupancy yesterday, so expect its debut very soon.

NORTH AUSTIN — Austin’s original craft brewery Celis Brewery is returning soon thanks to Christine Celis. Her father, master brewer Pierre Celis, is credited with reviving the tradition of Belgian witbier (white beer) and his Austin-based Celis Brewery was arguably one of the biggest influencers of today’s craft brew culture not only in Austin, but in the country. The brewery found on North Burnet recently shared photos of its nearly finished tap room.

SOUTH AUSTIN — Cosmic Coffee and Beer Garden at 121 Pickle Road promises to be a unique space offering specialty coffee, local beer, cocktails, live music, performance arts, food trailers, and a sustainable garden. Cosmic recently raised nearly $9,000 thanks to a crowdfunding campaign on IndieGoGo. If the address sounds familiar, that's because former Freedmen’s pitmaster Evan LeRoy recently launched a barbecue truck dubbed LeRoy & Lewis there.

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Previous Updates

March

Batch/Facebook

EAST AUSTIN — Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches, the bakery/beer garden/taproom/retail craft beer shop at 3220 Manor Road near Mueller is finally getting close to opening. Its Facebook pages is hinting at a debut within the next month. The menu will span eight different kolaches, along with four rotating options, including those newsworthy Micklethwait Craft Meats ones, and some sweet choices too. Wash it down with local beers on tap, or choose from more than 400 bottles and cans available for purchase.

MUELLER — On Saturday, April 8, Lick Honest Ice Creams is holding its soft opening of its upcoming Aldrich Street shop in the Mueller development’s Diamond Building (across from the Thinkery). The scoops shop—which will be its fourth area location—is holding its grand opening on Wednesday, April 12. Expect a Free Scoop Night and all proceeds from opening day to benefit local nonprofit Urban Roots. This location will also have the most outdoor seating of any of its shops.

EAST CESAR CHAVEZ — Slated to open early next month, Pitchfork Pretty will serve up Hill Country fare thanks to a powerhouse team under the direction of owner Seth Baas. San Francisco chef Max Snyder is helming the kitchen, Chére Loris, from the now-closed Bar Congress, is the bar manager, and Alexander Dubey, formerly with Otoko and Apis, is the general manager. The restaurant will open with breakfast service (look for its signature potato and egg roll sandwich made with fermented chilies) and then add dinner later, which will feature open-fire cooking with meats and veggies.

Night Owl/Facebook

WOOTEN — Earlier this week Night Owl teased out that it is opening its doors in just a few weeks. The cozy Central Austin neighborhood hangout will offer a beverage menu of classic and signature house cocktails, alongside beer in cans and bottles, and wine. The co-owners, Danny Parrott and Jonathan Insley, also oversee Old School Bar & Grill on East Sixth Street.

Charles Reagan Studios

EAST FOURTH — Pegged as an upscale hostel, Native near 1-35 is scheduled to open in early April with its all-hours restaurant and cafe focused on hyper-American cuisine. Virginia Pharr, previously with now-defunct Lady Luck trailer, will be the executive chef. Expect diner-inspired dishes: fried chicken sandwiches, Scotch eggs, house-made Twix bars, and grab-and-go items, alongside a classic drinks menu.

SOUTH AUSTIN — Austin’s first whiskey distillery since Prohibition Still Austin Whiskey Co. will be making its boozy debut this spring and will offer tours and tastings. The team shared that they are "ramping up the distillery testing lab this week". Once open, find it in the mixed-use development The Yard on St. Elmo Road.

Celis Brewery/Facebook

NORTH BURNET — With forthcoming Celis Brewery a legendary brewery born in Belgium will return home to Austin. Christine Celis, Pierre Celis’ daughter and partner in Austin’s original Celis Brewery, is restoring her family’s legacy with a new brewery under the same name. The brewery will have the capacity to brew more than 50,000 barrels per year—including Pierre’s original recipes from both the Austin Celis Brewery and his early days in Belgium. It is set to open this spring.

Nadia Chaudhury

DOWNTOWN — Construction on Austin's first food hall, Fareground, in is underway at One Congress Plaza’s lobby on 111 Congress. It will house a variety of local food and beverage vendors in an indoor and outdoor space that will include Easy Tiger’s third location and five yet-to-be-named additions. ELM Restaurant Group, which runs the beer garden and bakery, is the food hall's operator of dining concepts. The space is being designed by the city’s restaurant starchitect Michael Hsu and is set to open in September.

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February

Vigilante Gaming Bar/Facebook

CRESTVIEW — Vigilante, the bar and restaurant focused on all-things board games, is opening Friday, February 17. Despite having to postpone the opening date from late January to next week, the game-lovers haven has accomplished significant progress including having hired and started training employees and receiving equipment, furniture and—most importantly, games. An update on social media over the weekend revealed that lights and tables were being constructed. Food, drink and game menus have been posted too.

Native Hostel Austin/Facebook

EAST FOURTH — Native, an upscale hostel pitched as “a melding of boutique hotel service with hostel sex-appeal intended to make travel affordable yet noteworthy”, is schedule to open in March with an all-hours restaurant and cafe focused on hyper-American cuisine. The hostel has appointed Virginia Pharr as executive chef. Pharr previously helmed the now-shuttered Lady Luck trailer, which was parked in the back of Hard Luck Lounge.

ALLANDALE — Philip Speer’s French-bistro-meets-American-diner Bonhomie set in the Amli apartment building on Burnet Road is very close to opening. The restaurant has been teasing out details such as custom aprons and coasters on Instagram. French onion eclairs, roasted chicken, and what's promised to be an awesome burger is nearly within reach.

DOWNTOWN — In more Speer family news, pastry chef Callie Speer is opening Bombshell, what she describes as a punk rock diner at 509 Rio Grande Street. The downtown destination will serve up a casual menu during the day and transform into a bar at night. The projected opening date is sometime in April.

Alamo Drafthouse Mueller/Official

MUELLER — Alamo Drafthouse Mueller is anticipated to open any day now making it the company’s sixth Austin area theater. Recent blog posts have revealed the theater’s construction progress including details such as luxury recliners with individual tables. The six-auditorium theater will feature Barrel O’ Fun bar complete with a dance floor. The bar/entertainment area will have a family focus during the day before transforming into a more adult-centric atmosphere in the evening.

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

EAST CESAR CHAVEZ — The A-frame looker Pitchfork Pretty, an anticipated project from Seth Baas, is slated to bring Hill Country Fare to the East Side next month. San Francisco chef Max Snyder has been secured to helm the kitchen while Alexander Dubey (with credits at Otoko and Apis) is the general manager. Expect the ever-popular open-fire cooking approach with meats, vegetables, fruits, and fried chicken playing a starring role on the menu.

MUELLER — Construction continues on the J.T. Youngblood’s project, an effort by local restaurateurs and the Youngblood family to revitalize a Texas institution. The fast-casual restaurant is focused on fried and rotisserie chicken, healthy-ish sides, house-made pies and yeast rolls, soft serve ice cream and shakes. There will also be a full bar. The dedicated take-out window (think picnics around the Mueller park) is being constructed now. It is set to open sometime in March.

LeRoy & Lewis

SOUTH AUSTIN — In anticipation of his upcoming restaurant, pitmaster (and pop-up king) Evan LeRoy is launching a barbecue food truck called Leroy & Lewis on Pickle Road. The lunch-only truck will fire up familiar fare like brisket and pork ribs and unexpected offerings such as whole hog, quail, lamb, duck, and more. It will debut this spring.

SOUTH AUSTIN —Once open, Still Austin Whiskey Co. will be Austin’s first whiskey distillery since Prohibition. It is another addition to the new mixed-use development The Yard on St. Elmo Road. As a grain-to-glass distillery, it will be making its booze in-house from milling and mashing and fermenting to distilling, barreling and bottling. Last month, Still shared encouraging progress — the research and development bourbon lab is nearly ready for whiskey business.

Batch/Facebook

EAST AUSTIN — Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches, the family-owned and operated bakery, beer garden, taproom, and retail craft beer shop at 3220 Manor Road is getting closer to opening. The daytime cafe-slash-evening tavern has been teasing waiting fans with images of brisket pickle and swiss kolache featuring Miklethwait smoked brisket , Strawberry Sweet Cheese and Chocolate Caramel Pecan options, and more. Get a preview of the good stuff during two kolache pop-ups on Sunday, February 11 and Sunday, February 26 at Hops and Grain on Calles Street.

El Chipirón/Facebook

SOUTH AUSTIN — Pinchos, Spanish craft beer, and raw cider alert. El Chipiron, coming soon to 2717 South Lamar Boulevard, aims to bring “Spain’s food, culture and passion to celebrate life” to Austin. Menu highlights include potato coulant stuffed with Cordoba-style oxtail, creamy black rice, and confit cod with a garlic, olive oil and cayenne pepper emulsion, among other dishes. Expected to open this spring.

EAST AUSTIN — Friends and Allies Brewing is projected to open this spring at 979 Springdale Road adjacent to the Austin Eastcider’s Experimental Facility. Among the signs of progress, the bar is being constructed. Tip: Two of its beers are already in rotation in local bars and restaurants thanks to partnership with North Austin’s 4th Tap Brewing Co-op.

Night Owl/Facebook

WOOTEN — Expect a cozy and welcoming gathering spot for the Central Austin neighborhood when Night Owl debuts. The beverage menu will balance classic and signature house cocktails, beer in cans and bottles, and wine. Co-owners Danny Parrott and Jonathan Insley—also responsible for Old School Bar & Grill on East Sixth Street—have been teasing out details from the space such as a show-stopping ceiling, the bar, and a dark-colored tufted banquette.

Spokesman/Facebook

SOUTH AUSTIN — Spokesman, pegged as a roast house cafe with draft beverages (specifically 20 beer taps), will open up at 440 East St. Elmo Road as part of the Yard. The warehouse building will hold the cafe in the front, whereas the coffee roasting will occur in the back. There is also planned outdoor area too. Co-owners C.J. West and Trey Ramirez have already stressed its connection to the biking community, so expect the cafe to quickly become a magnet for riders.

EAST 11th — Zane and Brandon Hunt, the brothers behind Austin's favorite Detroit-style Via 313, are moving beyond pizza with their new whiskey-focused bar, Nickel City, at Longbranch Inn's former spot at 1133 East 11th Street. The duo is also planning to open an on-site food trailer dubbed Delray Cafe that will dole out Detroit classics such as Coney dogs, sliders, and cheese fries. Expect fish fry Fridays too. Nickel City will open sometime in the spring.

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January

EAST CESAR CHAVEZ — Both the neighborhood’s dining scene and Austin’s infatuation with wood-fired fare continue to run full steam ahead with Pitchfork Pretty, the highly anticipated project from Seth Baas. San Francisco chef Max Snyder will helm the kitchen, that will be dishing out Hill Country-inspired cuisine.

ALLANDALE — Philip Speer’s return will come soon in the form of Bonhomie, a relaxed neighborhood spot in the Amli apartment building on Burnet Road. A strong team will support Speer’s efforts including Sean McCusker, responsible for New Orleans’ successful Sylvain, sommelier Darrin Ylisto as the beverage director, and Uchi alum Jared Ferguson, who also assisted Speer with cocktail bar Garage’s menu. The French-bistro-meets-American-diner-inspired restaurant is projected to open later this month.

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

MUELLER — Local restaurateurs have partnered with the Youngblood family to revitalize a Texas institution, now called J.T. Youngblood’s. The fast-casual restaurant will dole out its legendary fried and rotisserie chicken, plus sides, house-made pies, shakes, and more. Located in the the Aldrich Street Shopping District, the restaurant plans to be open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner, and it will have a dedicated take-out window. It is set to open in March.

Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

SOUTH LAMAR — Construction continues for Hai Hospitality’s secret project at 2115 South Lamar Boulevard, across from Black Sheep Lodge, but still no word on what the restaurant will entail. Hai was formerly the Uchi Restaurant Group.

Flemish Fox Brewery & Craftworks/Facebook

NORTH AUSTIN — Flemish Fox Brewery & Craftworks, founded by Christine Celis, will brew Belgian-style ales, including the original witbier that her father Pierre Celis brewed in Hoegaarden. It recently received the original brewing equipment used by Pierre Celis and will brew his original Belgian recipes in the restored equipment on special occasions. The brewery/taproom/beer garden/music venue is expected to open early this year. Find it at 10001 Metric Boulevard; Detroit brewery Atwater Brewery will be adjacent to the project.

EAST SIDE — Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches, the anticipated family-owned and operated bakery, beer garden, taproom, and retail craft beer shop, shared an image of it neon sign made by Lockhart-based Big Dog Neon. The daytime cafe-slash-evening tavern at 3220 Manor Road is projected to open next month.

PS35/Facebook

ROUND ROCK — Round Rock is getting a taste of New York this spring with the opening of pizzeria PS 35 (named for its proximity of Highway 35, and to convey a New York City public school vibe). On the heels of opening Old Thousand, SMGB Hospitality is preparing to open the New York-style pizza spot with former 40 North pizza slinger chef Clint Elmore. The menu will include family-style Italian entrees, beer, cocktails, and soft-serve gelato. There will be outdoor space for games.

Alamo Drafthouse Mueller/Official

MUELLER — Alamo Drafthouse is getting very close to welcoming its sixth Austin area theater. Recent blog posts have revealed the theater’s construction progress including that kitchen and service bar equipment is in, wallpaper is up, seats are being installed, and the Barrel O’ Fun bar is being constructed. The six-auditorium theater will focus on family programming.

Saint Elmo Public Market/Official

SOUTH AUSTIN — The mixed-use Saint Elmo Public Market, located on South Congress near Ben White Boulevard, is aiming for an early 2018 opening. The hummingbird-shaped neon sign was recently installed on the property. The site won’t house the Austin music institution Saxon Pub.

Wholly Kabob/Facebook

ALLANDALE — Cheesesteak alert. Way South Philly’s recently-announced brick and mortar is near completion at 5222 Burnet Road. Look for it to start slinging those signature sandwiches, tater tots, and Italian sausages later this month, but first it is hosting a pre-grand opening Saturday, January 14th from 3 to 7 p.m. with complimentary food and drinks.

EAST AUSTIN — Located on Springdale Road adjacent to the Austin Eastcider’s Experimental Facility, Friends and Allies Brewing is projected to open this spring. Thirsty for a preview? Two of its beers are already in rotation in local bars and restaurants thanks to partnership with North Austin’s 4th Tap Brewing Co-op.

OAK HILL — Slab BBQ’s will bring its massive barbecue sandwiches, draft beer, and that old school hip-hop vibe to Oak Hill when it opens its second location next month. It's currently hiring for both part-time and full-time positions.

DOWNTOWN — The 24-story mixed-use residential and hotel development near Austin’s Republic Square Park (on West Fourth Street, between Guadalupe and Lavaca Streets) is underway with a completion plate date slated for 2019, reported BuildingATX. The project will house Gables Republic Square, Hotel ZaZa Austin, restaurants, a bar and spa.

• Fall 2016’s Plywood Report

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