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The Central Texas food scene keeps expanding, with Cedar Park landing two new chicken spots, pizza newcomers in South Austin and Domain Northside, and a barbecue expansion on Lake Travis.
Elsewhere, a vegan tasting room relocates to Tarrytown and a Burnet Road favorite relaunches with a farm-to-table focus.
Impacts of the week
Duff's Famous Wings opens second Texas location in Cedar Park
Buffalo-born Duff's Famous Wings opened a new location near Lakeline Mall in June, according to a social media post by franchise owners. Duff's is known for its classic Buffalo-style wings, hot red sauce, celery sticks and blue cheese. The menu also includes fried favorites such as fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, cheese fries and more. The new location took over what was formerly Godavari Indian Cuisine.
Via 313 brings Detroit-style pizza to Fast Friends Beer Co. kitchen
Pizza chain Via 313 took over the Fast Friends Beer Co. kitchen in South Austin in June. The brewery announced in a social media post June 3 that Via 313, which has other several other locations around Austin, was taking over its kitchen. The pizza eatery serves its signature Detroit-style pizza and cinnamon stick desserts, along with appetizers such as brussels sprouts, cheese bread and salads.
All-vegan restaurant Fabrik relocated from East Austin to Tarrytown in mid-July. Owners Je and Silas Wallerstein announced the move to 3108 Windsor Road to allow the fine-dining concept more room to grow. Fabrik offers a seasonal eight-course tasting menu for $105 per person, featuring sustainable, locally sourced plant-based dishes. The summer menu includes items such as sticky leeks, mushroom cappelletti, and a banana miso mousse. Optional wine pairings are available for $65, alongside a selection of sake, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages. Executive chef Je Wallerstein, who holds a diploma in plant-based cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu London, runs the restaurant with manager Silas Wallerstein.
Dave's Hot Chicken in Cedar Park holds summer opening
Dave’s Hot Chicken opened up shop at a new Cedar Park location this summer. The fast-casual chain serves an array of Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, sliders and bites with sides like mac and cheese, fries and kale slaw. The chicken comes in a range of spice levels, ranging from no spice to mild to "Reaper." Dave’s Hot Chicken also serves up frozen slushers and shakes, featuring flavors like Fruity Pebbles, chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. The restaurant was first founded in Los Angeles in 2017 and today has dozens of locations nationwide.
Family-owned Baldinucci Pizza Romana, operated by Salvatore, Patricia, and Gabriel Baldinucci, has debuted its second Austin location at Domain Northside. The Italian eatery specializes in high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods, featuring two distinct dough styles: New York and Roman. The Roman-style dough is crafted with imported Italian flour and pure extra virgin olive oil. Pizza is served by the slice with toppings like margherita, sausage and honey, or fig and arugula. The menu also includes a variety of salads (house, Caesar, and Greek), New York hero sandwiches, and small dishes such as meatball parmigiana. The original West Lake Hills location is currently closed for renovations and will reopen in November.
Local Foods opens second Austin location
Local Foods' second Austin location is officially serving lunch, dinner, cocktails, and coffee and will debut weekend brunch in September. Led by owners Martin Berson, Benjy Levit, and Dylan Murray, the eatery offers fan favorites alongside expanded entrees and is committed to sourcing from Texas producers. Exclusives to this location include the Borracho Beef Sandwich—featuring Mexican-style red wine braised beef, cilantro-cabbage slaw, pickled peppers, and aioli on toasted ciabatta—and a sesame-tamari marinated salmon poke bowl. Patrons can also enjoy salads, bowls, sandwiches, soups, and desserts.
Picnik has officially reopened, marking a new chapter for founder Naomi Seifter. After purchasing the business back, Seifter has pivoted the restaurant toward a farm-to-table concept centered on "nourishing, health-promoting food." The menu now focuses on high-quality, conscious provisions—including grass-fed meats, fresh fish, and organic vegetables—with every main plate prepared free from gluten, seed oils, refined sugar, and peanuts. Guests can enjoy a curated, daily farm-to-table meal, with vegan and vegetarian options available upon request. Beverage offerings include wine, canned drinks, and classic bone broth. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, daily.
Good BBQ Company expands to Hudson Bend area
This BBQ joint opened its second location at the Lake Travis Biergarten in Hudson Bend this summer. Founded by army veteran Daniel Monplaisir, Good BBQ Company serves up a variety of barbecue classics including pulled pork, pork ribs, brisket and smoked sausage along with several side options and housemade barbecue sauce. Good BBQ Company also offers catering services. Good BBQ Company also has a food truck in east Austin on the corner of Chicon Street and 12th Street.
