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San Antonio Bars Respond to COVID-19 Cases
There are a bunch of San Antonio bars that have closed on their own in light of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in respective neighborhoods, as reported by the San Antonio Current. Some closed preemptively, like Brooks Pub, The Well, Grasshopper Club, On the Rocks Pub, Hills & Dales Icehouse, and Babcock Social Pub as of June 12 because of increasing number of cases, with some planning to reopen after two weeks and/or its staff can get tested, and others just waiting it out.
Some closed so that its team could get tested because of staffers or customers with COVID-19 and spaces cleaned. A staffer at Chicken N Pickle tested positive as of June 12, but plans on reopening tomorrow, Thursday, June 17. Pecan Grove Drive Inn shared that it found out that several customers have tested positive and will remain closed for now. It also recommended that anyone who had visited the bars get tested too. A customer that tested positive had visited R&J Saloon, so the bar closed for cleaning.
Additional Austin Restaurants Close for Now Because of Staffers With COVID-19
Both South Asian restaurant and beer market Whip In and Cherrywood Tex-Mex restaurant El Chile are closed temporarily because of staffers testing positive for COVID-19.
Whip In found out about the positive employee on Monday, June 15 and had last worked at the restaurant on Sunday, June 7. The space is closed so that its staff can get tests and the space can be deep cleaned.
At El Chile, the front-of-house staffer received their positive test result, but hasn’t worked in the restaurant for the past week and had “extremely limited contact with staff,” according to a rep. The restaurant is closed as of today, June 17, so that its staff can get tested and the space can be cleaned but its curbside pickup and delivery services will continue, run by “staff who have had no opportunity of exposure from this case.” Both restaurants haven’t set reopening dates yet.
Generator Theft
Someone stole Central Austin coffee truck Squarepeg’s generator on Monday, June 15. In order to buy a new one, someone started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise the funds. It’s seeking $1,000.
Austin Best New Restaurant
Austin restaurant Nixta Taqueria made it onto Food & Wine’s annual Best New Restaurants list, released yesterday. Restaurant editor Khushbu Shah highlighted chef Edgar Rico’s house-made corn tortillas and “unconventional” fillings. As part of this year’s list, the publication shared how each restaurant had to change service models in light of COVID-19. Nixta shared that it made sure it had more than enough heirloom blue corn just in case, slimmed down the menu, and added tortas. The restaurant has since announced it will reopen its patio for reservations-only dine-in service tomorrow.
No Masks in Fredericksburg
It looks like many tourists in Hill Country town Fredericksburg haven’t been wearing masks, as reported by KXAN.
Vietnamese Restaurant Takes Over Old Tamale House
Vietnamese restaurant Heo Eatery moved from its previous North Lamar location into the 5003 Airport Boulevard address that used to house the legendary Tamale House. Heo moved as of June 11.
New Sandwich Chain Opens in Austin
The cannabis-themed, CBD-free sandwich chain Cheba Hut is opening its north campus-adjacent location on Monday, June 22 at 3016 Guadalupe Street. The space features an Austin-themed mural by local artists Candy Kuo and Fish. The release notes that it is opening with half-indoor dining capacity and will offer curbside pickups and DoorDash deliveries.
