The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every way of life, including the restaurant industry. As the public health crisis continues, Eater checked in with Austin’s defining restaurants — based on the Eater 38, a map of the city’s standout dining destinations — to see how the businesses are handling these uncertain times, from low sales to quickly changing service models to figuring out how to configure dine-in services to expanding into new branches.
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How Austin’s Defining Restaurants Are Adapting to COVID-19
The city’s restaurant and food truck owners, operators, and chefs share how they’re dealing with the fluid situation that is the novel coronavirus pandemic
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January 25, 2021
How Classic Texas Restaurant Jack Allen’s Kitchen Is Adapting to COVID-19
"Our sales have taken a huge hit, but we know there will be an end," says owner Jack Gilmore. "When though, who knows?"
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January 12, 2021
How Brisket Icon Franklin Barbecue Is Adapting to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Sales are down, but co-owner Stacy Franklin says the curbside model will work until dining-in is safe again
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December 28, 2020
How East Side Tex-Mex Staple Tamale House East Is Adapting to COVID-19
"We went from being on track to having the best year ever to just being able to pay our employees," says co-owner Carmen Valera
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December 15, 2020
How Mueller’s Italian Standout L’Oca d’Oro Is Adapting to COVID-19
The Mueller restaurant’s co-owners Adam Orman and chef Fiore Tedesco are feeding food-insecure people and advocating for service industry changes while the dining room stays closed
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December 10, 2020
How Rainey Street Gem Emmer & Rye Is Adapting to COVID-19
"We’re definitely not where we were in 2019, but with our model, I wouldn’t feel comfortable if we were," says chef and co-owner Kevin Fink
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December 8, 2020
How Rainey Street Titan Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden Is Adapting to COVID-19
"With something as contagious as COVID, you can’t half-ass it," says owner Ben Siegel
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December 2, 2020
How Japanese-Texas Izakaya Kemuri Tatsu-ya Is Adapting to COVID-19
Chef and co-owner Tatsu Aikawa on new initiatives to reduce food waste and coping with frequent cancellations
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December 1, 2020
How Admired Farm-to-Table Restaurant Odd Duck Is Adapting to COVID-19
Bryce Gilmore shares his disappointment with the government, but praise for the Austin community
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November 25, 2020
How Taco Powerhouse Veracruz All Natural Is Adapting During the COVID-19 Pandemic
"A dip in numbers is okay with us as long as we are keeping people healthy," says Veracruz’s jack-of-all-trades Ryan Myers
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November 20, 2020
How Neapolitan Pizzeria Bufalina Is Adapting to COVID-19
Owner Steven Dilley talks about launching retail wine, selling pizza dough, and expanding seating options
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November 18, 2020
How East Austin Barbecue Spot La Barbecue Is Adapting to COVID-19
Previously known for long lines and three-day preorders, the famed barbecue spot is now adapting to having more availability
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November 17, 2020
How Thai Food Truck Dee Dee Is Adapting to COVID-19
Advanced online ordering has streamlined every aspect of service for co-owners Lakana and Justin Trubiana
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October 26, 2020
How Southern Restaurant Olamaie Is Adapting to COVID-19
Executive chef and owner Michael Fojtasek plans on keeping the restaurant’s casual offshoot Little Ola’s Biscuits around
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October 15, 2020
How Pasta Truck Patrizi’s Is Adapting to COVID-19
"We are in no rush to get things ‘back to normal’ until COVID is under control," says general manager Liz Nyfeler
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September 18, 2020
How Argentinian Restaurant Buenos Aires Cafe Is Adapting to COVID-19
"At this point, it is not about profit, it is about navigating this crisis to ensure we make it, and that we all have a job at the end of it," says co-owner Paola Guerrero-Smith
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September 17, 2020
How Butcher Shop and Restaurant Dai Due Is Adapting to COVID-19
Owner and chef Jesse Griffiths predicts that the changes he made to accommodate takeout service and casual food will stick around for his restaurant, and others
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September 4, 2020
How Banh Mi Truck Saigon Le Vendeur Is Adapting During COVID-19
Without tourists or office workers, the popular Vietnamese food truck is closing its downtown location.
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August 26, 2020
How East Austin Upscale Mexican Restaurant Suerte Has Adapted to COVID-19
Owner Sam Hellman-Mass talks about how they morphed the lauded Mexican restaurant into a casual taqueria and pausing construction for the forthcoming seafood restaurant
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August 25, 2020
How Barton Springs Tex-Mex Restaurant El Alma Is Adapting to COVID-19
Chef Alma Alcocer talks about the Bouldin Creek restaurant’s new at-home cooking subscription service and how the team feels supported by the community
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August 11, 2020
How Chef-Owned North Loop Restaurant Foreign & Domestic Has Adapted to COVID-19
Co-owner and chef Sarah Heard thinks running a business during the pandemic is like "push-starting a car uphill every day"
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August 4, 2020
How Italian Restaurant Intero Is Adapting During COVID-19
Many people want the dining experience that they remember as "normal." Co-owner Krystal Craig says that’s just not possible.
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July 30, 2020
How Tex-Mex Barbecue Truck Valentina’s Adapted During COVID-19
The takeout-friendly barbecue favorite has kept serving Austin, at first with meats by-the-pound only and now with its full menu, through the pandemic
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July 23, 2020
How West Campus Gastropub Hopfields Adapted During COVID-19
General manager Savannah Stiles shares how the restaurant figured out how to deliver perfect fries
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July 14, 2020
How Asian-Southern Restaurant The Peached Tortilla Adapted During COVID-19
Founder Eric Silverstein and the team dealt with an employee testing positive for the novel coronavirus, and the restaurant pivoted to, and then away from selling meal kits
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July 10, 2020
How Chic French Restaurant Justine’s Adapted During COVID-19
While reduced capacity and shorter hours means a more tranquil vibe, owner Justine Gilcrease is prepared to keep guests and employees safe