Now open
Taco Palenque opened a location at 130 Louis Henna Blvd., Round Rock. The “Fresh Mex” restaurant is drive-thru only. The first Taco Palenque restaurant opened in 1987 in Laredo. It was founded and is still owned by Juan Francisco Ochoa, who also created the El Pollo Loco franchise. 512-243-6553. www.tacopalenque.com
Anchor Bar, home of the original Buffalo wing, is now open in Round Rock. The new location at 2702 Parker Drive, Ste. B, Round Rock, opened in mid-October in the La Frontera Village shopping center. This is the third location of the New York-based chain to open in Texas. It is locally owned by Round Rock native T.J. Mahoney. 512-494-6727. https://anchorbar.com
Milano Ristorante opened May 3 at 1700 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Ste. 300, Round Rock. The family-owned Italian restaurant is the sister location to Milano Trattoria in Georgetown. However, the menus are different, offering a new variety of salads, traditional Italian dishes and desserts to its customers. 512-502-5545. www.milanoristorantetx.com
Brushy Creek Cafe held a soft opening Aug. 1 at 601 Conservation Drive, Austin, followed by a grand opening Sept. 17. The cafe offers coffee, pastries, salad, sandwiches and blended beverages. 512-614-4299. www.brushycreekcafe.square.site
Mario’s Mexican Restaurant reopened Oct. 4 after closing in March to repair damages caused by Winter Storm Uri. Located at 209 East St., Hutto, Mario’s has been serving Tex-Mex and barbecue to Hutto residents since 2004. Mario's is offering its full range of services upon reopening, including dine-in, take-out and catering. 512-846-1778
The Kebab Shop’s location at 18616 Limestone Commercial Drive, Ste. 300, Pflugerville, opened in September. The restaurant's menu of Mediterranean food includes kebabs; falafel; wraps; and carved chicken, lamb and beef. The Pflugerville location is The Kebab Shop’s 23rd location and its fourth in the Austin area. 512-900-2560. www.thekebabshop.com/location/pflugerville
Coming soon
Hoots Wings is coming to 2200 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Ste. 125, Round Rock, in January. The Hooters spinoff franchise borrows its menu from its parent restaurant, offering dine-in, takeout, an outdoor patio and delivery options to its customers. The renovation of the fast-casual restaurant facility is set to begin at the end of August, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. This will be the first Hoots location in Central Texas with a handful of franchises opening in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this summer. www.hootswings.com
Xian Sushi and Noodle will open in Round Rock at 3906 Gattis School Road in October. This will be the fifth location of the Austin-area Asian fusion chain, which offers sushi, teas, cocktails, hand-pulled noodles and other hot dishes. www.xianfresh.com
Lone Star Kolaches is coming to the former location of Little Red Wagon Hamburgers at 1207 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. Owners Massey and Allen Wallace own six other Lonestar Kolaches locations in the Austin area, all of which offer traditional sweet kolache pastries, egg kolaches and sausage kolaches. Other kolache varietals on the menu include barbecue, pizza roll, Philly cheesesteak and chicken quesadilla.
A former Steak N' Shake location at 281 University Blvd. is set to re-emerge as a Whataburger in 2022. The renovation of the building is set to begin in November, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the site will receive a complete interior rework with all new finishes. A small portion of the building will be demolished, and an addition will be constructed. Whataburger representatives have confirmed there is not yet a set opening date for this location. www.whataburger.com
