Austin Diner Magnolia Cafe Closes for Now Because of COVID-19 Staffer

Magnolia Cafe Closes Because of COVID-19 Staffer
Austin diner Magnolia Cafe is now closed temporarily after a staffer tested positive for COVID-19 as of Saturday, June 13. There is also a second staffer that might potentially have the virus as well. The confirmed staffer last worked at the restaurant on Sunday, June 7, and the potential staffer on Wednesday, June 10.

During the shutter, the space will be deep-cleaned. The restaurant won’t reopen until its staff is tested for the virus and the results are negative. Before this, the diner had reopened for takeout service on June 3 and expanded into dine-in service on its patio on Friday, June 12, just the day before it closed.

Austin Bakers Against Racism Bake Sale
Many Austin bakers are participating in the nationwide Bakers Against Racism bake sale this week, from Monday, June 15 through Saturday, June 20. Participating bakers will offer special menus, and donate all proceeds to selected nonprofits supporting black communities and social justice causes. In Austin, orders can be placed starting today through Thursday, June 18 (via contacting each baker through email or Instagram direct-message), and everything will be available for pickup or delivery (depending on the baker) on Saturday.. Participating bakers include Natalie Gazaui, Jules Stoddart, and a long list of home bakers.

Hut’s Hamburgers Is Mostly Gone
The building that housed longtime classic downtown Austin restaurant Hut’s Hamburgers, has been mostly taken apart over the weekend, as discovered and shared by a Twitter user. Austin restaurant group McGuire Moorman Hospitality is turning the 807 West Sixth Street address into an Italian restaurant called Sammie’s, originally pegged to open sometime in the fall of 2020. Real estate blog Towers noted that the restaurant’s facade will remain standing.

Likewise, Towers’s James Rambin also shared a tentative menu for the restaurant, as indicated by permitting. It spans antipasti (clams casino), salads, pastas, fish, grilled meats, vegetables, and sweets. Hut’s closed in October 2019 after 80 years of service, 50 of which took place at the West Sixth building.

New Alcohol Delivery Service
The city is getting yet another alcohol delivery service with the expansion of Saucey. Orders can be placed through the app or the website. Already operating in the city is Drizly and Minibar Delivery, plus all of the to-go alcoholic cocktail kits available from Austin restaurants and bars.