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The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is undergoing a serious culinary overhaul, with the addition of numerous local restaurants from Tacodeli to Peached Tortilla to Jo’s Coffee. The changes will also include expansions of all-hours 24 Diner and downtown New American spot Parkside, as reported by Community Impact.
Also included in the new food court are Torchy's Tacos, Noble Sandwich Co., Austin Beerworks, Jugo (a juice shop from Parkside Projects), and the returning Sushi-A-Go-Go. The latter was a former beloved sushi trailer from Kayo and Take Asazu, but they shut it down in 2011 to open brick-and-mortar Kome. It’s expected to open in 2019.
Parkside Projects chef Shawn Cirkiel confirmed the group’s intention to open in the Austin Airport, describing the second Parkside as a "miniaturized" version of the Sixth Street restaurant with a shorter menu.
The choice of Torchy’s and Jugo are interesting, since the other food court will include Tacodeli and JuiceLand.
The two restaurants are part of the new proposal package from Host International Inc. that the airport's purchasing office is recommending to the Austin City Council today. However, Threadgill’s owner Eddie Wilson believed that his iconic comfort food restaurant and music venue should be considered as well. It’s part of a second-place bid from Paradies Lagardère.
Wilson presented his case to the Austin City Council this week because he felt like the group should be aware of all the options. Mayor Steve Adler called it "an impossible choice," adding "This is a really, really, really hard call for me,” as reported by Community Impact.
24 Diner is run by chef Andrew Curren and his restaurant group ELM. The diner is also expanding into Rock Rose for its second location sometime by the end of summer 2018. This airport location would be Parkside’s second-ever location from chef Shawn Cirkiel and his restaurant group Parkside Projects.
Threadgill's Riverside location was in danger of closing next year because of rising rents, but he managed to negotiate a three-year lease extension. The original location on North Lamar remains open and safe.
This article has been updated to reflect the Austin City Council’s decision.
- New Austin airport restaurants named after ‘impossible’ City Council decision [Community Impact]
- Threadgill’s fighting for airport contract [Austin Monitor]
- A Guide to Austin Airport’s Upcoming New Dining Restaurants and Bars [EATX]
- All Coverage of 24 Diner [EATX]
- All Coverage of Parkside [EATX]
- All Coverage of Threadgill’s [EATX]
- All Coverage of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport [EATX]