Austin Restaurants Catch a Break from Hurricane Harvey

I am appalled by the pictures of Houston and the unprecedented chaos and destruction that is going on there, not to mention LaGrange, Smithville and Bastrop closer to home. My heart goes out to those who have been rendered temporarily, or worse, permanently displaced by the ravages of Hurricane Harvey.

In times like these heroes emerge. First responders, firemen and police, National Guardsmen, and yes chefs. A number of chef friends of mine are in Bastrop, Smithville and Houston as we speak making meals for desperately hungry displaced refugees. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. A doff of the cap to all our Austin chefs who have joined the fight.

That being said, the Austin restaurant scene emerged relatively unscathed by the events of the weekend. Even Lamar near Shoal Creek was safe and dry. Business probably sucked, but those losses can be recouped. Life and property losses are something else.

But in stark contrast to our relative good luck, I would imagine a number of restaurants in Houston, along with so many other businesses, have been damaged beyond repair. Lives disrupted, finances devastated, it is all so sad. I just sent my donation to the Red Cross. I hope you will all do the same.