Chicken Tender Haven Happy Chicks Opens in Brentwood

New Chicken Tender Restaurant Opening
The third location of chicken tender restaurant Happy Chicks is now open in Brentwood on 6425 Burnet Road, as of Monday, December 9. The fast-casual restaurant took over what had been a location of taco chain El Chilito, which closed last year. The menu is the same as the other two downtown locations of Happy Chicks: original or spicy chicken tenders, along with fries, roasted cream corn, bacon mac and cheese, plus newer items like chicken nuggets and the chicken sandwich. The restaurant’s hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Another National Chain Set for Austin Airport
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport had been known for featuring (mostly) local restaurants. But, as its dining and drinking options continue to expand, there have been more and more national chains. This also means the airport will get not one, but two Starbucks Coffee cafes, as reported by Austin 360. Both are expected to open by January 2020. Other local coffee options include Caffe Medici, Ruta Maya Coffee, and Jo’s Coffee.

Culinary Grant Award Winners
Austin Food & Wine Alliance announced the winners of the organization’s annual grants (totaling $70,000) for the eighth year. The 12 awardees include recent taco restaurant Nixta Taqueria to help fund educational opportunities at local farms for its employees as well as contribute towards a commercial tortilla machine; and Sweet Ritual to help the ice cream shop develop allergen-friendly butters and support its Go Project. The rest of the awardees are Boggy Creek Farm, Two Hives Honey, catering company Huckleberry Hospitality, cheese and charcuterie board company Casero (recently featured in East Austin’s gift guide), Urban American Farmer, The Cook’s Nook, Pure Luck Dairy, Front Steps, Hutto High School for the Premiere Events, and Farmshare Austin.

Texas Wine Accolades
Texas wineries won big at several wine competitions this season. First, Bending Branch Winery (found outside of San Antonio) received the Grand Champion awards from the first-ever Texas Sustainable Winegrowing Competition.

Over at the annual San Francisco International Wine Competition, several bottles of Duchman Family Winery (Driftwood) received recognitions, including the tempranillo award along with double-gold honors). Likewise, Bending Branch received gold for its Texas tannant, Brennan Vineyards (Comanche) with gold for its super nero, and Spicewood Vineyards with gold for its estate tempranillo.

Then, finally, at Rodeo Uncorked, Bending Branch received double-golds for its Tallent Vineyards tannat; Brennan with a double-gold for its tempranillo; Duchman with a gold for its tempranillo; Pedernales Cellars with gold for its tempranillo; and Spicewood with a gold for its sauvignon blanc.