Uchi Co-Owner Buys Location of Former Tex-Mex Spot Trudy’s

Uchi Co-Owner Takes Over Former
The co-owner of higher-end Japanese restaurant Uchi, Daryl Kunik, bought the last remaining former location of Tex-Mex restaurant Trudy’s at 13059 Four Star Boulevard last week, as reported by Austin Business Journal. This sale of Trudy’s Four Stars was separate from the auction of the company’s other locations over the summer. Kunik, who also owns development company Central Austin Management Group, bought the southwest Austin restaurant for $4.1 million.

This particular location of Trudy’s closed in January 2019, ahead of the company’s bankruptcy filing in January 2020 and subsequent auction in July. The winner of the auction is company Private investment firm Hargett Hunter Capital Management, LLC. as of late July. Trudy’s north and south restaurants remain open for service, but the West 30th Street restaurant is still closed after a fire in November 2019; the company also includes South Austin restaurant South Congress Cafe. Central Austin Management Group developed Uchi, Uchiko, Springdale General (home to several restaurants), and music venue Emo’s.

A rep for Kunik said that “there are no immediate plans for the space,” but it’s safe to expect some sort of restaurant, considering the previous tenant.

Virtual Beer Festival
The annual Texas Craft Brewers Festival is going virtual this year. Run by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, programming will include panel discussions (the impact of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic will be covered), access to online booths from participating breweries, and chats. Breweries will also offer beer to-go beforehand.

In order to attend, there’s a donation page (suggested amounts range from $5 to $100, which comes with a cooler) and people can go pick up beers to-go at participating breweries beforehand. It takes place on Friday, November 13 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Thanksgiving Bake Sale
The Austin chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier is hosting a holiday bake sale this month, to raise money for its scholarship program. On deck will be bags full of sweets (brownies, cookies, etc.) made by baker and pastry chef members for a $10 suggested donation. It takes place on Saturday, November 14, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at four locations: Boggy Creek Farm, Con’Olio Oils & Vinegars, Make It Sweet, and Confituras.

Food Truck Relocation
Roaming Southeast Asian-Southern food truck SXSE Food Co. now has a permanent home at North Austin brewery 4th Tap Brewing Co-Op as of November 7, which is open for on-site and takeout services. Chef and founder Bob Somsith will also offer a chef’s table menu focused on Laotian American dishes, available through reservations only.