A Guide to Austin’s Most Exciting Pop-Ups Right Now

Pop-ups have consistently flourished in Austin, serving as an exciting way to explore and experiment with dishes and cuisines in temporal settings. Here is Eater’s guide to the best of Austin’s pop-ups so far in 2022, listed in somewhat chronological order. This list will be updated throughout the year.

Red Rocket Wiener Wagon

La Barbecue often pops up with its very own cart dedicated to hot dogs. The next takes place over Fourth of July weekend.
Dates: Sunday, July 3, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: La Barbecue, 2401 East Cesar Chavez Street, Holly
How to Attend: In person.

Bom Bakeshop

The mochi doughnut pop-up from Teresa Kwon and chef Anthony Kim has been popping up with pickup orders. The next one is summery with flavors like cherry-limeade, Arnold Palmers, and Mexican vanilla-strawberry.
Dates: Saturday, July 2, 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Where: Asahi Imports, 6105 Burnet Road, Brentwood
How to Book: Online, with some walk-up availability.

The Fiery Talon

The delightful Dungeons & Dragons-themed fried chicken pop-up from Olamaie chef Amanda Turner and Daniel Ohly is teaming up with East Austin Mexican restaurant Suerte on a collaboration taco. The Fiery Talon Fried Chicken Taco includes a spicy buttermilk-panko fried chicken thigh with chili oil; there will be a mild version and the spicer one. Half of the taco proceeds will go to teens-focused reproductive rights nonprofit Jane’s Due Process, and the Fiery Talon team will match those sales up to $300. It’s part of Suerte’s regular taquero takeover series.
Dates: Tuesday, July 5, 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: Suerte, 1800 East Sixth Street, East Austin
How to Book: Available for dine-in service with indoor and outdoor areas, reservations available online.

Nicolai McCrary/Eater Austin

Bad Larry Burger Club

It’s a simple pop-up from Matthew Bolick, the co-owner of Better Half/Brew & Brew/Little Brother/etc., etc., all about beautifully crafted smash cheeseburgers. And, yes, the Eater Award-winning burgers are that good. The next one takes place with Austin bar Jackalope, with burgers, horror movies, drinks, and live music.
Date: Monday, July 11, starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Little Brother, 89 Rainey Street, Downtown
How to Attend: In-person

Midnight in the Garden

This supper club series highlights local and traveling chefs in a decadent atmosphere. The next July dinner will be announced on Sunday, July 3. Previous dinners of this relatively newer supper club series have included Arlo Grey chef de cuisine Alejandro Munoz, Distant Relatives chef Damien Brockway, and mysterious forthcoming Austin restaurant Emma Diner, among others.
Date: Sometime in July
Where: To be disclosed after purchase.
How to Book: Instagram direct message, prices TBA

Comadre Panaderia

The Eater Award-winning Latin American pop-up bakery from Mariela Camacho has landed a regular stay in Austin. Her really amazing pastry goods will be available at the backyard space of Central East Austin restaurant Nixta Taqueria on the weekends. Expect conchas, cookies, empanadas, cakes, tortillas, and much more. Some days will feature advanced preorders, others with walk-up availabilities.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, check Instagram for exact dates and service-styles
Where: Nixta Taqueria, 2512 East 12th Street, Central East Austin
How to Book and Attend: Online for preorders, in-person for walk-up days.

Mama Kong Cambodian

The Cambodian food pop-up, run by couple Sherry and Brandon, is operating in two different ways. First, there’s the weekly set dish special on a weekly basis, with previous items ranging from cha kreung (stir-fry chicken with jasmine rice) to pork chops with sñgow (vegetable soup). Then, keep an eye out for its next supper club.
Dates: The weekly specials are available on weekdays with timed pickups; the supper club is TBA.
Where: Weekly special pickup locations are disclosed after ordering; the supper club is TBA.
How to Book: Weekly dish preorders are placed online, payments are made through Venmo; supper club tickets are TBA.

Austin Kuih Co.

Ava Pendleton’s pop-up focuses on Malaysyam desserts and sweets. Keep an eye out for her next event.
Date: TBA
Where: TBA
How to Attend: TBA

Che Cazzo

The American-Italian pop-up offers fun dishes and suppers. Keep an eye out for their next event.
Date: TBA
Where: TBA
How to Attend: TBA

Gan Bei Gals

The Asian pop-up from Gabby Phi, Jackie Fu, and Michelle Kao have varied in the past, ranging from in-person hot pot dinners in the before times to virtual hot pot dinners for Lunar New Year. Keep an eye out for their next event.
Date: TBA
Where: TBA
How to Attend: TBA

Le Beef

There’s always room for more burgers, and this particular burger pop-up is run by Justin Huffman, who is the executive chef of French restaurant Justine’s. He knows his burgers: he spent time at Los Angeles burger pop-up Kronnerburger. While the team is taking a break for vacation in July, expect pop-ups in August.
Date: TBA sometime in August
Where: TBA
How to Attend: TBA

Penang Shack

The Malaysian food pop-up from (sometimes Eater Austin photographer) Nicolai McCrary uses his family recipes for his every-so-often pop-up. Keep an eye out for the next event.
Date: TBA
Where: TBA
How to Attend: TBA

Know of any pop-ups taken place in the city? Let Eater Austin know through austin@eater.com