Austin Companies Are Picking Up the Tab for Well Over 40,000 Meals at Local Restaurants, and It’s Still Going

Several Austin-based brands, including Dripping Springs distillery Deep Eddy Vodka, jewelry brand Kendra Scott, and dating app Bumble, are giving away free meals while supporting local businesses as the historic winter storm with below-freezing temperatures continues. First, the Hill Country spirits maker purchased large numbers of meals at still-open Austin restaurants up front on February 16, which are available for free from each respective business. Kendra Scott and other brands joined the effort on the next day, matching Deep Eddy’s contributions, and numbers other companies have linked up since then.

“We are doing the best we can to support the community we love,” says Kathryn Finn, Deep Eddy’s assistant brand manager. The company reached out to its restaurant accounts to see who they could partner with. “From there, we purchased [a] lump sum of pizzas, hamburgers, meals, etc. to be given freely to consumers in need.” The organizers are also accepting requests through Deep Eddy’s Instagram messaging for those who cannot travel, mentioning that they’ve delivered water, snacks, and baby bottles to people.

Note: for the purposes of this list, Eater is including restaurants and trucks that are also giving away meals on their own, which are indicated.

Meals for Saturday to Sunday, February 20 to 21

• 20,000 meals from restaurants participating in an initiative from Whole Foods Market, Good Works Austin, Austin Food and Wine Alliance, and the Austin chapter of Les Dames. The list of restaurants and hours (with indicates for vegetarian meals) will be updated on its website. Participants include Contigo, Sala & Betty, Drink.Well, Confituras, Le Bleu, and Shortie’s Pizza.

Meals for Saturday, February 20

• Free drip coffee from downtown cafe Bandit Coffee and Matcha Bar starting at noon. (on their own)
• Food from Crestview brewpub Black Star Co-op starting at noon (via Slalom ATX and Adam Croissant)
• 200 grilled cheese sandwiches from Rainey Street truck Burro Cheese Kitchen starting at noon. (via Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• Chili, vegetable soup, tomato soup, and bread from East Austin brewery Central Machine Works starting at noon. (on their own)
• 600 hot meals from Rainey Street New American restaurant Emmer & Rye from 4 to 6 p.m. (via Best Wishes Studio/Integritek/Beacon Hill Staffing Group/Matt Schultz/Thanh Pham/ePayPolicy)
• 350 to 400 bowl of chicken or tofu with either Sedona lime or quinoa from the Arboretum location of fast-casual bowl cafe Honest Mary’s from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (via Branch Basics)
• Burgers and drinks from JNL Barbecue at Ranch Rider’s headquarters on Tillery Street from 1 to 3 p.m. (via Ranch Rider Spirits/44 Farms)
• 300 meals from West Campus truck JP Pancake Co. starting at 1:30 p.m. (via Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• 300 burgers from West Campus Mediterranean restaurant Moody’s for University of Texas at Austin students with identification starting at 1 p.m. (via Deep Eddy)
• 100 French toast fried chicken dishes and 50 ham and cheese breakfast sandwiches from Rosedale American restaurant Oakmont starting at 11 a.m. (via RVShare/Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• 50 fried vermicelli noodles with chicken from East Austin pop-up Penang Shack from noon to 2 p.m. with pickups via text message. (on their own)
• 100 vegan burgers from East Riverside truck Plow Burger at Buzz Mill Coffee starting at 2 p.m. (via Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• Free banh mi from East Seventh Vietnamese truck Saigon Le Vendeur starting at noon. (on their own)
• Biscuits and gravy from South First bakery Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop starting at 10 a.m. via walk-in orders. (on their own)
• 100 biscuits and gravy from East Austin bar the Cavalier starting at 3 p.m. (via Austin Winter Storm Relief)

Meals for Friday, February 19

• Soups from Crestview brewpub Black Star Co-op as of 4 p.m. (via Slalom ATX and Adam Croissant)
• 100 meals from St. Elmo area food truck Brooklyn Breakfast Shop starting at 10 a.m. (via Brien Silver)
• 200 meals of milanese with potatoes, spaghetti with meatballs, and stew from East Austin restaurant Buenos Aires Cafe starting at 11 a.m. (via Pernod Ricard USA)
• 400 bowls from the North Burnet location of Chi’lantro starting at noon. (via Cotton Global Disaster Solutions)
• 300 soy-glazed chicken rice bowls from the West Parker Lane location of Chi’lantro from 3 to 5 p.m. (via Ranch Riders Spirits)
• 300 meals of chicken fried rice or chicken lo mein from Circle S restaurant China Harbor starting at 1 p.m. (via Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• 550 meals of flat-top burgers or Buffalo chicken sliders, both with chips, split between two locations of American restaurant Cover 3 in Round Rock and West Anderson Lane starting at 1 p.m. (via Red Bull USA/Consuela for Round Rock and Ranch Water/Players Reach/Yah Agency for West Anderson Lane)
• 50 tender and side meals from East Austin restaurant Dripping Springs Tenders starting at 1 p.m. (via Sam Ushiro)
• 600 hot meals from Rainey Street New American restaurant Emmer & Rye from 4 to 6 p.m. (via Best Wishes Studio/Integritek/Beacon Hill Staffing Group/Matt Schultz/Thanh Pham/ePayPolicy)
• 500 meals courtesy of women of color-centric marketplace and event group Frida Friday at East Seventh cafe Revival starting at 2 p.m.. Participating restaurants include Tamale House East, Casa Garcias, and TasteMaker Meals. (via Marco Garcia/Florecita/Topo Chico)
• Bento boxes with rice and either barbecue pork, chicken or duck from North Lamar restaurant First Chinese BBQ starting at 1:30 p.m. (via Chowbus)
• 100 chicken sandwiches with tater tots from the East Seventh location of Flyrite Chicken starting at noon (via Karbach Brewing and Bev Wine)
• 100+ chili cheese fries with a vegetarian option from East Sixth truck Golden Tiger from 3 to 5 p.m. (via Made In/Deep Eddy Vodka/Player’s Reach/Campari/Ali Wolf)
• Brisket chili and Spanish rice from North Austin truck Interstellar BBQ starting at noon (via Affinipay/Juneshine Co.)
• Meals of spaghetti bolognese, seafood chowder, French onion soup, ratatouille, etc. from East Austin French restaurant Justine’s starting at 3 p.m. for takeout orders.
• 200 crispy taco meals from catering company La Pera, with pickups from East Austin Culinary Studio starting at 3 p.m. (via Loreal Luciana)
• Bento box meal kits from South Congress Japanese restaurant Lucky Robot with a limit of tw per person starting at 4 p.m. (via Minamoto Foods)
• Stir-fried flat noodles with beef from North Lamar restaurant New Fortune Chinese starting at 5 p.m. (via Chowbus)
• 50 bagel sandwiches and 25 servings of two breakfast tacos, the former with Casper Fermentables bagels and the latter with items from Farm to Table, at around 2:30 p.m. at Central East Austin restaurant Nixta Taqueria
• 100 meals of penne bolognese cooked by Nixta/Doughboys/Trill Foods available at Central East Austin restaurant Nixta Taqueria with water from Rambler starting at 5 p.m.
• 200 meals split between the two locations of Chinese-American restaurant Old Thousand on Burnet Road and East 11th Street starting at 2 p.m. (via Cotton Global Disaster Solutions)
• 400 bowls of chicken or beef pho split between two locations of Vietnamese restaurant Phonatic, one on West Anderson Lane the ther in Round Rock, starting at 2 p.m. (via Koko sponsored by Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• Free banh mi from East Seventh Vietnamese truck Saigon Le Vendeur starting at noon. (on their own)
• Boxes of fried chicken and rice from North Lamar Korean restaurant Seoulju starting at noon. The restaurant is asking for donations for Austin Pets Alive via its Venmo (@seouljuatx). (on their own)
• 300 small sandwiches from the West Anderson location of Schlotzsky’s starting 11 a.m. (via Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• Coffee and tea from North Campus truck Square Peg Coffee Company from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (via Love by Austin Seminary)
• 1,000 tacos split between two Burnet Road locations of Tacodeli, one in Crestview and the other in Gracy Farms, starting at noon. (via Nutrabolt and C4)
• 50 meals from South Austin restaurant Thai Fresh starting at 11 a.m. (via Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• Rice or vegetable bowls from nearby restaurant TenTen and then chicken pho from Phonatic at downtown Austin restaurant the Well through pickups as of 11 a.m. (via 2nd Street District)
• 150 tacos and 200 coffee beverages at Central East Austin cafe Try Hard Coffee, along with bottled water from Richard’s Rainwater, starting at 9 a.m. (via Tecovas)
• Meals from Japanese truck Tsuke Honten at North Burnet brewery Hopsquad, with hours TBD. (on their own)
• 200 meals from North Hill Chinese restaurant Twin Lion starting at noon. (via Austin Winter Storm Relief)
• Tacos from pickup window of the downtown location of Veracruz All Natural at the Line Austin Hotel from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. two per person. (via Tecovas and Woom Bikes)
• 450ish meals of dirty rice and chicken thighs from Cherrywood Cajun restaurant Vic & Al’s starting at 1 p.m. (on their own)

The available meals for Thursday, February 18, include:

• Vanilla or chocolate mochi donuts from Bom Bakeshop at Violet Crown Clubhouse from 2 to 4 p.m. 150 donuts, one per person (via Yelp)
• Soy-glazed chicken bowls from the Domain location of Chi’lantro starting at 12:30 p.m. (via A Taste of Koko)
• Sesame chicken or shrimp fried rice from China Harbor starting at noon (via Bumble)
• 150 meals from South Austin Tex-Mex restaurant Curra’s Grill through text ordering at (512) 695-1860, with free deliveries to people over the age of 65 and pregnant people. (via Yeti).
• 275 meals of brisket or pork tacos with duck or turkey wings from South Lamar truck CM Smokehouse starting at 3 p.m. (via Samantha Ushiro).
• Wild boar manicotti at Dai Due starting at noon (via Yeti).
• 50 tender and side meals from East Austin restaurant Dripping Springs Tenders from 1 to 5 p.m. (via Austin Eastciders)
• 150 chicken sandwiches with tater tots from the East Seventh location of Flyrite Chicken starting at noon (via Karbach Brewing and Bev Wine)
• 200 free meals from downtown Austin restaurant Hestia from 2 to 5 p.m. at 3:30 p.m. (via Spa Sway, Made In, and Simply Rainwater)
• Breakfast tacos and coffee from Jo’s Coffee (the South Congress location and the downtown location) from 2 to 4 p.m. (via Bumble).
• 50 karaage bentos from North Loop restaurant Kome at 4 p.m. (via Yeti).
• 115 pizza pies from Cedar Park restaurant Maggiore starting at 11:30 a.m. (via Affinipay)
• Breakfast tacos, water, and beer at Nixta Taqueria (via Made In)
• 150 meals from West Sixth bar Play starting at 5 p.m. (via Red Bull USA)
• 25 meals from Mueller vegan deli Rebel Cheese starting at noon (via Austin Eastciders)
• Beef tenderloin pho, chicken pho, or chicken rice plate starting at noon at the pickup window of Sip Pho (via 365 Things Austin/A Taste of Koko/Mylk Collective)
• Pizza from the East Cesar Chavez location of Southside Flying Pizza, available through walk-up pickup orders only from noon to 3 p.m. (via The Zebra)
• 200 meals from South Austin restaurant Thai Fresh starting at 1:30 with curbside pickups available through text at (512) 200-7423 (via 365 Austin).
• Meals from East Austin bar the Cavalier from 3 to 6 p.m. for pickups (via 365 Things Austin/A Taste of Koko/Mylk Collective)
• 125 10-piece chicken wings and fry meals from South Congress truck Tommy Want Wingy starting at 11 a.m. (Red Bull USA)
• 100 breakfast tacos and coffee beverages at Try Hard Coffee (via Redeemer).
• 400 dishes of pasta bolognese or vegetarian red sauce with pasta from Uncle Nicky’s frm 2 to 6 p.m. (200 are available each location, one in Hyd Park and the other on East 11th Street via Affinipay)
• Tacos and beans at Vaquero Taquero, two tacos per person (via Red Bull and Deep Eddy Vodka — though this has already run out, they are still giving away food)
• Tacos per person from pickup window of the downtown location of Veracruz All Natural at the Line Austin Hotel from 5 p.m., two per person. via mypoint.tv)

The available meals that were available on Wednesday, February 17, include:

• Pizza from the East Cesar Chavez and Menchaca locations of Southside Flying Pizza, available through walk-up pickup orders only from noon to 5 p.m. (via Deep Eddy Vodka)
• 150+ mochi doughnuts and hot beverages from East Austin Tex-Asian bakery OMG Squee from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a limit of two doughnuts/one drink per person (via Deep Eddy Vodka)
• Soy-glazed chicken bowls from the Mueller location of Chi’lantro starting at 12:30 p.m. (via Deep Eddy Vodka)
• Vegetable or chicken combination plates (which come with rice and soup) from Circle S restaurant China Harbor starting at noon. (via Deep Eddy Vodka)
• 200 hot stews with coffee from downtown Austin restaurant the Well through pickups. (via Kendra Scott)
• 200 tacos from pickup window of the downtown location of Veracruz All Natural at the Line Austin Hotel from 3 p.m. (via Kendra Scott)
• 200 grilled cheese sandwiches and chips from downtown food truck Burro Cheese Kitchen. (via Kendra Scott)
• Vegetarian panzanella with roasted cauliflower or roasted chicken with sweet potatoes from downtown Austin restaurant Hestia starting at 3:30 p.m. (via Bumble)

On Tuesday, February 16, Deep Eddy bought:

• 200 meals at the East 11th Street location of Chinese-American restaurant Old Thousand, consisting of mala fried chicken or Kung Pao cauliflower, available through pickup phone orders today.
• 350 pies from the South Congress location of Southside Flying Pizza, available through walk-up pickup orders only.
• 300 burgers from the South Austin location of Hopdoddy’s offshoot Lil Doddy through phone or in-person orders.
• 250 hot stews with non-alcoholic beverages from downtown Austin restaurant the Well through pickups.

The meals can be redeemed with the mention of the specific brand. There are general limits of one meal per household. The distillery had posted on Instagram asking about ways they could help people in need and restaurants and businesses that would want to help out as well.

Update, Friday, February 20, 9:34 a.m.: This article, originally published on Tuesday, February 16, has been updated to reflect the current day’s offerings, comments from Deep Eddy Vodka, and contributions from other brands.