Texas Restaurant Chain Black Walnut Cafe Closes Austin Locations Permanently

Two Austin Restaurant Shutters
Houston-based restaurant chain Black Walnut Cafe closed both of its Austin locations on Monday, June 22. According to its website, “this was the best course of action we could take for our operations and teams as a whole” because of “this unprecedented situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.” Black Walnut had locations on 10817 Ranch Road 2222 in Four Points, which opened in 2013; and 11101 Burnet Road near the Domain, which opened in 2015.

Threadgill’s Auction, Take Two
Now that the last remaining location of the iconic Austin restaurant and music venue Threadgill’s is closed, owner Eddie Wilson is auctioning off all sorts of memorabilia. This includes vintage concert posters, signs, records, clocks, and more. The auction takes place on Saturday, June 27 at 10 a.m. through ICollector.com.

Tracking Austin Restaurants and Bars Closing Temporarily Because of Staffers With COVID-19

• A Franklin Barbecue employee tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, June 23, and now the restaurant is temporarily closed for several days. Pickup orders for those days are canceled for now. The Facebook announcement noted that the staffer worked in a “support role,” which meant they didn’t interact with guests. The restaurant will be cleaned during this time.
• There is also an ongoing Google Document recording businesses with coronavirus-positive staffers, sourced from news publications, the businesses themselves, and Reddit.

Cautionary Temporary Closes Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic

• East Austin bar Yellow Jacket Social Club doesn’t have an employee with COVID-19, but it preemptively closed on June 22 so that its staff could get tested and reopened on June 23.
• In San Antonio, both Asian fusion restaurant Hot Joy and pizzeria Barbaro have closed temporarily as of June 23 because of the “alarming local data from last week,” regarding the increasing case numbers and hospitalizations due to the virus, and that “there’s simply too much risk” to stay open. Both will reopen when it’s safe to do so.

Texas Farmers Market’s Donation Call
Since the Texas Farmers Market has been losing money since the beginning of the pandemic because of increased operating costs and declining customer numbers, it is now asking for donations in order to stay open. The goal is to raise $31,000 by Friday, July 31. The nonprofit also canceled its annual Austin Fermentation Festival, which usually took place in the fall.

Sandwich Shop Opening
Local sandwich shop Austin Daily Press is opening a third location in the city. This comparatively smaller one will be found within Lavaca Street Bar’s 3121 South Lamar address starting on Wednesday, July 1. On deck will be its usual menu of tortas, tacos, nachos, and salads. The bar already reopened for drink-in and dine-in service, and ADP will also offer delivery and pickup services. The partnership came about because ADP is already neighbors with Lavaca Street Bar’s parent company FBR Management’s other bar The Wheel along East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. This also means that Turf N’ Surf Poboys has closed in that area, but its location at Lavaca Street Bar’s Rock Rose and downtown remain open.

Torchy’s Removes Political Tacos
Austin-based taco chain Torchy’s Tacos minimized its menu during the pandemic for easier service. This meant it removed the politically inspired Republican and Independent tacos (grilled jalapeno sausage and battered and fried portobello mushroom strips respectively), while keeping the Democrat (barbacoa). KXAN reported that a spokesperson said that the removal had “absolutely nothing to do with taking a political stance or making a political statement.”