Two Years Later: What the Hell Is Wrong With Austin Restaurant Customers?
We posted this during the earlier part of the COVID-19 crisis as Austin restaurants and customers were struggling with the new and unpleasant dining realities brought about by the pandemic. The question is: where are we now compared to back then? — Since local restaurants have been allowed to at least partially reopen, all in […]
Guest Post: The Pizza Cave’s Joe Cave on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)
This editorial on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund by The Pizza Cave‘s owner Joe Cave is well worth your attention. It hits at the heart of the problems plaguing all owner-operated restaurants and the communities they serve. It’s about a three-minute read and worth every second. America is at a crossroads, one which was unforeseen just a […]
Austin Restaurants Finally Plow Through COVID-19 Crisis and Now Can’t Hire Anyone
I was talking to a restaurant owner several weeks ago. The conversation centered around an all too familiar subject – why Austin restaurants have been so short-staffed since early Fall. He told me he’d had difficulty hiring line cooks, servers, and various front-of-the-house positions. These shortages had often led to unplanned early closings and a […]
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund: Time for Our Government to Step Up!
As the pandemic devastated local restaurants last year, Congress responded with the creation of The Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The SBA was tasked with distributing the $28.7 billion allocated for eligible restaurants who had been financially impacted by the COVID crisis. And over 300,00 businesses immediately filed applications. Well, bravo to the government for responding in […]
Homespun Kitchen’s Randy Ford: In Memoriam
Randy Ford recently passed away. He was the co-owner of Homespun Kitchen and Bar in Dripping Springs and a man much loved by the local food and music communities. Randy was a larger than life kind of guy: gregarious, sometimes a little bit bawdy, a connoisseur of fine wines and whiskies, a tireless advocate of […]
Greg Abbott’s 100% Solution for the Texas Economy: How Austin Restaurants Are Handling It
To say that the past year has been very challenging to Austin restaurants would be a massive understatement. For most it has been a daily struggle coping with health mandates, retaining staff, and operating with substantially reduced capacity. So in the wake of Governor Greg Abbot’s sudden and surprising announcement that businesses in Texas could […]
Abbot’s 100% Capacity Ruling Should Give a Much Needed Boost to Austin Area Restaurants, but Could Also Pose a Dilemma for Customers
Throughout the tragic year-long COVID pandemic, Austin area restaurants hamstrung by mandates implemented to halt the spread of the virus have taken a real financial beating. Closures have been rampant and the damage done to those still open is incalculable. Without question, Governor Greg Abbot’s recent decision to reopen Texas businesses at 100% capacity, controversial as it […]
Long Time East Side Tex Mex Favorite Vivo Under New Ownership, Opens North in The LINC
For those who have been around Austin for awhile, you’ll probably remember Vivo, a classic Tex Mex spot on Manor Road adjacent to Hoover’s Cooking. They had amazingly original and tasty food, the highlight of which was their famous puffy tacos and tasty flautas. Their salsas were the best I’d tried and their tortilla soup and […]
Washington D.C. Steak Concept Medium Rare Scouting Locations in Austin
Austin has a well-deserved reputation for its stellar steakhouses. From III Forks to Perry’s and Steiner Ranch, not to mention Ruth’s Chris, Austin Land and Cattle, Eddie V’s, Bob’s Steak and Chops, Roaring Fork and many others, Austinites have many palate-pleasing locations at their disposal. So on first glance one would think that the idea of […]
When Homeless Housing Project Locations and Restaurant Conflicts Occur: A Case Study
As the city of Austin moves to expand housing for the homeless, inevitable conflicts will undoubtably occur as chosen locations put pressure on local businesses in those areas. It appears that the next property to be purchased is the Candlewood Suites in northwest Austin near Pecan Park Road. This property is adjacent to the popular […]
David Gobbles up Goliath: Rudy’s and Mighty Fine Sold to Local Restaurant Group
When it comes to a cash-flowing giants like the Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q and Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries & Shakes, they are usually purchased by some huge national entity like Darden Foods (which purchased Eddie C’s several years ago). That’s because the cost is usually prohibitive for a somewhat smaller local player. So I […]
New York City Restaurants Reopen at 25% Capacity
An announcement that has delighted restaurant fans in New York City was finally made this week: Indoor dining will resume at 25% capacity. Frankly though, I doubt that all of the restaurants are as delighted. Masks and temperature checks at the door will be mandatory. Each party must also leave the name of one person […]
Austin Area Restaurant Reopenings
For dedicated foodies everywhere, the closing of restaurants has certainly been just one of the many difficult aspects of living with COVID-19. We’re happy to report that, in addition to takeout, many restaurants in the Austin area are now beginning to open their dining rooms to customers too. Here’s a list of openings we’re aware […]
