Austin Takeout and Delivery Chinese Food Service Expands Into South Austin

Chinese Restaurant Expansion
Growing food company Tso Chinese Delivery is expanding into South Austin. Its third location will be found at 2407 South Congress Avenue in the St. Edwards neighborhood starting sometime in early 2021. The restaurant, which only offers pickup and delivery Chinese food, began in 2017 on 3909 North I-35 in Cherrywood, followed by the 9333 Research Boulevard location in far north Austin.

Texas Unemployment Pandemic Check Clarifications
Texas Tribune clarifies the stipulations for those additional $300 weekly unemployment pandemic checks from the Texas Workforce Commission. People who did not note that they lost their job because of the pandemic and those who receive unemployment checks of less than $100 are not eligible for these extra payments. Of the former, people can indicate that they did lose their jobs because of the pandemic when making future payment requests.

Austin’s COVID-19 Risk-Based Guideline Stage
The City of Austin and Austin Public Health has downgraded its COVID-19 Risk-Based Guideline level to stage 3 this week. Stage 3 recommends that high-risk people avoid traveling, dining, and shopping that isn’t necessary; and that everyone avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people, though these aren’t required. The guidelines are based on the seven-day moving average of virus-related hospital admissions, as well as the positivity rate in Travis County.

“As much as possible, though,” says Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott, “we would like individuals to continue to act as if we were still in stage 4, so that we can be in a better place as school starts.”

Churro Truck Shutter
Sweets truck Churro Co. has closed its 2505 Webberville Road location (within the same lot as Veracruz All Natural), in order to concentrate on its 1906 South First location instead. This is because co-owners David Martinez and Leo Mendoza want to “better navigate these uncertain times,” according to its Instagram account, “and to reduce our overhead.”

Probably Tex-Mex Restaurant Shutter
Looks like the Triangle location of Austin mini-chain Maudie’s Tex-Mex is probably closed permanently, according to Austin 360. The restaurant company has been locked out of the 4600 Guadalupe Street space by the landlord, according to a note on the door. The restaurant is “likely permanent,” as a rep told the publication, “although the door is still open if the landlord decides to re-enter negotiations.” Maudie’s other six locations remain open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in services.

Restaurant Patio Architecture
Austin architect Michael Hsu talked to Austin Business Journal about how restaurants are focusing on building and/or renovating existing patios and outdoor dining spaces, in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. This includes expanding seating areas (since there are no capacity limits, though businesses are still supposed to adhere to social distancing measures), upgrading furniture, adding weather protection (shade, heat), etc.

Italian Restaurant’s Birthday Wine
North Burnet Italian restaurant Andiamo is celebrating its 16th birthday by offering half-off its to-go wine bottles through the end of September. To-go orders can be placed over the phone, and the restaurant has reopened for dine-in service too.

Wine Award
Chris Brundrett, the co-owner of Hye, Texas winery William Chris VIneyards, is one of wine publication Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40 Tastemakers of the year list. It’s the first time that a Texas winemaker has made the roundup, which highlights people who have greatly impacted the wine world. The publication noted that he is a “vocal and tireless advocate” for the Texas wine scene.