January: The BiG Cafe expands opportunities for its Georgetown citizens one job at a time
In 2010, Erin Kiltz toured The Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas in search of opportunities for her special needs daughter, Gracie, after graduating high school.
Kiltz was inspired by the impact of the residential and vocational program and decided to recreate it in Georgetown. One year later, she founded Brookwood in Georgetown, which operates its own cafe.
The facility creates an environment where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, also known as BiG citizens, are able to learn life skills by working at The BiG Cafe and Shop.
The cafe's menu ranges from breakfast tacos and quiches to sandwiches and salads.
The BiG Shop sells items made by BiG citizens including Christmas ornaments, ceramics, homemade pies and fudge, jewelry, organic dog treats, shower steamers, and resin charcuterie boards.
Read here.
February: Owner, chef of Milano Trattoria in Georgetown aims to make Italian cuisine everyone can enjoy
John Braga got his start in the restaurant industry working in high-end Italian eateries in New York and New Jersey.
There, he cooked for famous folks, including Frank Sinatra, John Travolta, Brooke Shields, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
But when he fell in love with Texas while visiting on vacation and subsequently moved here, he wanted to instead create food that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Along with his wife, Roxy, Braga opened Milano Trattoria in a cozy corner of Wolf Ranch Town Center in June 2012. Nearly 13 years later, he said the restaurant continues to attract people from as far as Austin and Bastrop, but the restaurant also has a loyal following from residents of Sun City.
Learn more.
Growing up in Jalisco, Mexico, Jaime Fernandez worked as an accountant for some time before following in his family’s footsteps and moving to Texas to open a restaurant of his own.
In August 2004, Mariachis de Jalisco opened its first location in Georgetown. More than a decade later, it continues to be influenced by Fernandez’s family recipes and Mexican heritage.
Filled with family recipes, the restaurant’s menu offers authentic Mexican dishes, including carne asada, fajitas, parrilladas and molcajete.
Diners have the option of ordering breakfast from 6-11 a.m. and can enjoy lunch specials from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekdays.
Continue reading.
April: Simmer Down Cafe in Georgetown switches things up with new menu, fresh look
Simmer Down Cafe in Georgetown has a refurbished dining room and new menu after undergoing renovations in October, owner Chris Marino said.
The family business originally opened in spring 2017, and Marino said his nephews, son and brother all work alongside him to keep the restaurant running.
While Simmer Down Cafe continues to offer breakfast plates and comfort food, Marino said customers frequently gravitate towards something new.
The cafe's recently launched new menu includes:
- Fried ricotta bites
- A strawberry spinach salad
- Blackened salmon
- A double smash burger
Owned and operated by Xue Mei Simard and Duane Simard, Stretch the Noodle has taken the art of hand-stretched noodles on a journey from China to Portland, Oregon and has now settled in Georgetown.
Customers can find hand-stretched noodles utilized in a range of dishes, from beef bone soup and wonton noodle soup to stir-fry. Dumplings with a variety of fillings and mini bao buns are also available.
Xue Mei Simard said the pair has no plans to open a brick-and-mortar location. She said she and her husband would just like to make enough money to spend during their retirement, which she hopes will start in two to three years.
Dive deeper.
June: Hydrate combines healthy dining with boutique atmosphere in Georgetown
Located on the same street as several fast food options is a locally owned and operated health-conscious eatery, which has been offering the Georgetown community meal and snack alternatives since 2013.
Previously operated as a shaved ice shop and a water refill store, co-owner Chad Sitzmann decided to rebrand the business in 2013 after years of ownership.
The business since opened a second location on the Georgetown square in 2021.
The original location is split into two sections: one deli-style area where customers order and pick up their drinks and food, and another with comfortable, lounge furniture and tables for people looking for a place to do work.
Individuals can order an array of smoothies and juices from Funky Monkey and Strawberries Gone Bananas to Beach Party and Tejas Sunset. All orders can be customized, Sitzmann said.
During summer months, diners can look forward to kombucha floats made with dairy-free ice cream.
Learn more.
Texas Honey Ham owners Robert Stiller and Trent Hunt opened a second location in Georgetown in April after operating a storefront and restaurant in West Lake Hills since 2004.
The company offers premium meats by the pound, breakfast all day, sandwiches and more.
When the company launched 21 years ago, there was an emphasis on selling premium meats, including honey-glazed ham and roasted turkey breast. However, once the restaurant gradually introduced sandwiches, lunch items and breakfast tacos, Stiller said business really took off.
The base for most of the business's recipes come from Hunt’s mother, but the restaurant often experiments by adding new ingredients and flavors to put unique twists on classic dishes.
Read the full story.
August: Raa Mawa Desi Fusion serves Indian cuisine in Georgetown
Near the treeline at food truck park South Fork Fun, Food & Brew in Georgetown stands Raa Mawa Desi Fusion, which serves up traditional street-style dishes from various Indian regions.
Georgetown local Manikiran Karaka is the owner and head chef behind Raa Mawa Desi Fusion, which opened in December 2023.
Karaka traveled across different Indian states in his childhood, trying many styles of street food. He curated the menu to include dishes from north and south India alike. This includes northern-style chaats, and dosas, which are southern-style savory crepes.
The food truck also offers traditional Indian refreshments, such as mango lassi, which is a sweet yogurt drink, and desserts like gulab jamun, made of milk cheese balls in an aromatic syrup.
Get the full scoop.
November: Georgie’s restaurant serves up fresh seafood, cocktails downtown
Located on the downtown square, Georgie’s brings together an array of fresh offerings backed by experienced ownership.
The seafood restaurant opened in May, and has been met with a warm welcome from Georgetown residents, Area Manager Brandon Sanchez said.
Chef and operating partner Shane Stark, owner of Mongers in Austin, curated a menu with freshly sourced ingredients. With ingredients sourced from Texas to the East Coast, Stark serves up fresh-shucked oysters, tuna poke tacos, crab cakes and more.
In addition to seafood, Georgie’s also offers a selection of chicken, beef and vegetarian options. Other popular items include the hush puppies with hot honey and tarter sauce; fried green tomatoes with jalapeno ranch and crispy bacon; and the chicken and farro, which is made with roasted chicken thighs, truffle farro risotto, cauliflower, pecans and a balsamic reduction.
Continue reading.
