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Rodeo Austin Cancels Public Events, Including the Carnival and Barbecue Cook-Off

Whataburger opens a new location at the airport cell phone lot, plus more news

Rodeo Austin’s carnival in 2019
Rodeo Austin’s carnival in 2019
Rodeo Austin/Facebook
Nadia Chaudhury is the editor of Eater Austin covering food and pop culture, as well as a photographer, writer, and frequent panel moderator and podcast guest.

Partial Rodeo Austin Cancellations
Rodeo Austin canceled all of its public-facing events, this year again. This includes the ProRodeo competitions, the fair (the carnival, concerts, shopping areas, stock shows), and the BBQ Austin (the barbecue cook-off with petting zoo and fireworks components). The cancellation is also due to the fact that host site the Travis County Expo Center is being used as one of the Central Texas Food Bank’s distribution centers. However, its private events — junior livestock show, the agricultural mechanics competition, the Ultimate Scramble Championship, and the Youth Auction — will still take place in March. The entire Rodeo Austin was canceled last year. Similarly, RodeoHouston canceled its public-facing events next month, but will still host private ones.

Airport-Adjacent Whataburger
Texas-born and now-Chicago-owned burger chain Whataburger is now open at the cell phone lot of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as of January. The 2901 Spirit of Texas Drive space includes dine-in, curbside pickup, all-hours drive-thru, and delivery services.

Free Pizza for People in Need
Austin pizzeria mini-chain Southside Flying Pizza is giving away large pies to people in need. The restaurant will give away 300 large pizza pies from its 2206 South Congress Ave address starting at 11 a.m.

Restaurant Collecting Donations for Black History Month
Japanese restaurant Kome is collecting donations for local nonprofit African-American Youth Harvest Foundation through the month of February for Black History Month. The restaurant will also match all donations, with the goal of raising over $1,000.

Good Food Award Winner
The 2021 Good Food Award winners are here, highlighting foods and drinks that have been created in thoughtful manners. For the greater Austin area, this means Vista Brewing’s Hive Mind, a honey ale made in collaboration with local beekeepers.

Cheese Anniversary
Cheese shop Antonelli’s is celebrating its 11th anniversary through giveaways, cheese-based dish specials at partnering restaurants, and donating five percent of daily sales to local nonprofits from February 1 to 11.

Weekly Dine-In Restaurant Takeover
Downtown Austin food hall Fareground restaurants Israeli spot TLV and fast-casual cafe Henbit are taking over the dining room of sibling spot Emmer & Rye for in-person dining as of February 1. The on-site dishes will include chicken halloumi kebabs, lamb souvlaki, sausage/chickpea roti, and matcha pancakes, as well as a wine list with Israel, Greek, and Lebanese bottles. The menus, led by chefs Berty Richter and Daniel Gaspar respectively, will be available every Monday starting at 5:30 p.m. only for dine-in services. Otherwise, TLV is still open for pickup and delivery services from it Congress Avenue locations, and Emmer & Rye is open for dine-in and takeout services.

Kome [New Location]

5301 Airport Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78751 Visit Website

Travis County Expo Center

9100 Decker Lake Rd, Austin, TX 78724

Whataburger

601 Barton Springs Road, , TX 78704 (512) 477-9586 Visit Website

Southside Flying Pizza

1224 South Lamar Boulevard, , TX 78704 (512) 433-6695 Visit Website

Vista Brewing

13551 Ranch to Market Road 150, , TX 78619 (512) 766-1842 Visit Website

Henbit

111 Congress Avenue, , TX 78701 (512) 527-3054 Visit Website

Emmer & Rye

51 Rainey Street, , TX 78701 (512) 366-5530 Visit Website

Fareground

111 Congress Avenue, , TX 78701 Visit Website

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

3600 Presidential Blvd, Austin, TX 78719 (512) 530-2242 Visit Website

TLV

, , TX 78701 (512) 608-4041 Visit Website