Fuddrucker’s Closes Two of its Three Austin Locations
If you’re a fan of burger chain Fuddrucker’s, you’ll have to content yourself with the store at Brodie Oaks off South Lamar. The other two stores, at Anderson Lane and N. IH-35 have closed. I’ve always liked Fuddrucker’s. We used to take the kids there a lot when they were much younger. But it was […]
Joe DiMaggio’s at the Domain Closes
This was one gorgeous restaurant. The ambiance and the pictures of Joe and Marilyn Monroe were amazing. But in my opinion, from a food point of view, it never realized its full potential. Now, I don’t have any idea if this impacted the closing. The Domain is one high-rent district and it may have simply […]
Veranda on Anderson Lane at Northcross Closes
Sam Kattan is an Austin restaurant veteran who knows his way around the industry. I don’t think even he envisioned the problems he would face when he opened the Veranda at the site of the former Hooter’s off Anderson Lane at Northcross Mall. Firstly and endlessly, it was one torn up parking lot after another, […]
Ski Shores to Reopen Under New Ownership
The beloved Ski Shores on Lake Austin has a new lease on life and a new owner. This is great news for Ski Shore fans who had initially feared the worst when a press release surfaced last fall that the doors would close forever. Well, that is not the case. Rick Engle, CEO of Restaurant […]
Louie’s 106 on 6th St. Closes
Louie’s 106, a staple of elegant dining on 6th St. for years, closed over the weekend. Owner Joe Elminger has been a fixture on the Austin restaurant scene for many years with Sardine Rouge, and Baby Louie’s to name just a few. This was a classy restaurant, long favored by the downtown business crowd. And […]
Another Austin Icon Bites the Dust
I am sad to hear of the closing of Louie’s 106. This is the kind of restaurant that gives a downtown a sense of class and vibrancy. It drew a mix of business types and ladies who lunch at mid-days and a diverse group of foodies for dinner. The most recent chef, Frank Bellino, had […]
Food Network to Celebrate Austin’s Trailers, Street Vendors
For those who have read our 2009 Food Year in Review, you’ll note that we dubbed last year the “Year of the Trailer.” That trend toward street fare has not been lost on the Food Network. They’ve commissioned a TV production company from Vancouver, Canada to produce a series featuring the best street vendors and […]
Operator of Rudy’s and Mighty Fine Wins Governors Award
KNN Management, operator of the Austin franchise of Rudy’s BBQ and the imagineers of Mighty Fine Burgers won the prestigious Texas Award for Performance Excellence. This is the first time that the award, first given in 1993 by the Governor’s office, has been won by a restaurant company. I personally could not think of a […]
Rob’s Inside Scoop on the Travel Channel’s “Food Wars” BBQ Showdown in Lockhart
The only problem I had with last week’s Food Wars show on which I served as one of the judges of Smitty’s and Kruez’s brisket and sausage is this nagging certainty that Lockhart is NOT the BBQ epicenter of Texas. But that’s TV for you. And as Bob Cole delivered his tie-breaking ballot to a […]
Ilsa’s Kitchen Opens in Spicewood
In the building that once housed the unfortunate Cedar’s Bar on Highway 71 in Spicewood, a new Bavarian restaurant called Ilsa’s has arisen. I am getting good feedback from Spicewood residents and we’re going to check it out this weekend. Phone is 494-2470 and web is ilsaskitchen.com.
SXSW and Fine Dining Usually Don’t Mix
Once again as the “live music capital of the world” celebrates the annual orgy of music, musicianship and technology that is known as the South by Southwest Music, Film, and Interactive Festival, those who enjoy finer dining have cause to lament. And while few restaurant owners will come out and say it lest they seem […]
Casserole Queens Get Jobbed by Bobby Flay
Okay, it may have aired for the first time last year. But I just saw it last week on the Food Network. Bobby Flay, the master of just about everything there is the food world these days, came to Austin to “throw down” against Sandy Pollock and Christy Cook, Austin’s self proclaimed “Casserole Queens.” They […]
