Japanese sushi and sandwich pop-up Choo Sando opened a permanent shop in Brentwood in August. The shop offers to-go sandwiches like tamago (Japanese-style egg salad), lobster, or fruit sandwiches, as well as omakase by preorder. Chef Dong Ho Choo previously worked at Haru Sushi.

Ahhan Lao Kitchen opened in North Loop ghost kitchen hub 5610 Food Co. in August. Aiming to serve dishes true to those found in Lao home kitchens, the restaurant offers seen savan (beef jerky), kua mee (fried thin soy noodles served with bean sprouts, scallions, shredded eggs, and meat), and sakoo yat sai (tapioca dumplings) — with the option to make dishes very spicy. Pickup and delivery orders can be placed online.

Vegan restaurant the Beer Plant turned its next-door cafe into a coffee shop during the day and a Oaxacan restaurant at night in August. The vegan cafe will serve dishes like breakfast tacos and biscuit breakfast sandwiches during the day and tylayudas, cauliflower steaks with carrot mole, and aguachile in the evening. There are indoor dine-in services.

The Texas barbecue spot with Egyptian influences finally opened a permanent location on Manor Road in October. Look for lamb bacon ribs, grilled chicken kebabs, pink potato salad, and bowls. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas at host site Oddwood Brewing.

The Mexican seafood spot from the Suerte team, including lauded chef Fermín Núñez, opened in October in the former home of Eastside Cafe (and yes, the restaurant uses the on-site garden). Dishes include charcoal-cooked oysters, fried fish tacos on corn tortillas, and grilled shrimp. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The second location of the pizzeria serving New York and Roman styles landed in Westlake in October. In addition to pizzas, this location of Baldinucci offers new panini, indoor dining, and gelato.

JewBoy took over the food truck slot at Violet Crown Social Club on East Sixth in October, offering sliders, mini-latkes, fries, and queso. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas courtesy of its host bar. Takeout orders can be placed online.

Nido, the restaurant at the new lakeside the Loren, opened in October with sweeping views of the downtown skyline. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with dishes like duck breast, ricotta gnudi, and squash beignets. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Sushi by Scratch chef Phillip Frankland Lee and skateboarder Neen Williams collaborated on this burger pop-up at Idle Hands on Rainey Street, which opened in October. It serves a simple menu of a double-patty Wagyu smash burger and fries. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The Vietnamese comfort food truck from former Foreign & Domestic chef Bianca Frasier opened in front of Gibson Bar in September. It serves Southern-Vietnamese fusion dishes like fried catfish with fresh herbs, rice bowls and bao, and thit kho (pork belly braised in coconut milk with hardboiled eggs). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Australian all-day cafe Proud Mary opened in South Austin in September, serving ricotta pancakes, avocado toast, and excellent coffee. There are outdoor and indoor dine-in services.