Barton Springs Road Restaurant Will Close Soon

South Austin Restaurant Shutter
Barton Springs Road restaurant Zax is closing, as reported by CultureMap Austin, though the exact date isn’t known yet. The restaurant had been open since 2003, originally as Zax Pints & Plates. Development company Endeavor Real Estate Group bought the property containing Zax in June. The group also purchased the next-door plot that includes restaurant and volleyball spot Aussie’s Grill & Beach Bar this month, though there is no word on what will happen to that establishment yet.

Double the Franklin Cookbooks
Publishing company Ten Speed is putting together a Franklin Barbecue boxed set, combining pitmaster Aaron Franklin and co-author Jordan Mackay’s two cookbooks — Franklin Barbecue and Franklin Steak, as reported by Stained Page News. It will be available starting on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

Another Austin Airport Restaurant Opening
Now all-hours Austin restaurant 24 Diner is open at the Austin Bergstrom-International Airport, as of Monday, December 16, though it is not open 24/7. The airport location of the diner is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The menu features a selection of breakfast items like hash and frittatas, burgers, sandwiches, and, yes, chicken and waffles and fried chicken. There is still no word of whether that Rock Rose location is actually still happening.

New Restaurant Takes Over Old Burger Restaurant
A new restaurant and bar boasting American fare is replacing the only Austin location of Portland restaurant Little Big Burger at 1630 East 6th Street. Drop Kick will be run by executive chef Francisco Baca (who worked in various San Francisco restaurants, including upscale New American spot The Saratoga) and general manager and bar director Matt Ortiz. It’s aiming to open in January 2020.