A bowl of traditional pho ($14.99) at Ho's Kitchen with rare steak is served with rice noodles in a hot broth that gently cooks the beef, alongside bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, lime and onions. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact)
Bastrop just got its first taste of Chicago-style pizza, headlining a busy stretch of openings across the Austin metro.
This week's roundup also brings Korean yubu to West Campus, a Dallas bagel shop's debut in North Austin, spicy fried chicken to Cedar Park and a Japanese-inspired tea house to Toomey Road. A hotel coffee spot is hosting a grand opening on South Lamar Boulevard on Aug. 15-16, and in this week's feature, an authentic Vietnamese kitchen is making its mark in Cedar Park.
Owner Tran Nguyen opened Moment of Tea on the second floor of Casa de Luz Village. The Japanese-inspired tea house offers a variety of hand-poured Japanese teas, including matcha, hojicha and genmaicha, with seasonal flights and light bites coming soon. Designed as a tech-free sanctuary for healing and community, the shop encourages guests to linger and enjoy their drinks in a shoe-free environment. Moment of Tea is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon-6 p.m. and plans to host future programming like tea ceremonies and meditation sessions.
Dallas-based Shug’s Bagels is preparing for its grand opening in north Austin following soft openings in early August. The shop soft opened Aug. 9 with a limited menu of egg and deli sandwiches, bagels, cream cheese and beverages. It will close Aug. 10-11 for final repairs before fully reopening. Founded in 2018 by Justin Shugrue, Shug’s offers customizable bagels, signature breakfast and lunch sandwiches, hash browns, mashed potato bites, cookies and chips. The Austin launch was delayed from 2025 due to gas upgrades, approvals, and permitting issues. Updates are available on Instagram.
Dallas-born Korean spot Neko Yubu soft-opened in West Campus earlier this month, with a grand opening held Aug. 8. Owned by Dean Kim and Connor Park, the restaurant serves Korean and Japanese-inspired yubu—fried tofu skin filled with rice and toppings like fresh salmon, beef bulgogi, egg mayo, tuna mayo and butter crab. The menu also features sides like tteokbokki and miso soup, specialty iced fruit drinks, Korean iced coffees, matcha and imported snacks. Marketing Director Jenny Kim said the team expanded to Austin following customer requests.
Neko Yobu took over the former CoCo’s Cafe on Guadalupe Street, which shuttered May 10, according to previous Community Impact reporting. (Courtesy Nathan Boun)
Cuvée Coffee opened inside South Lamar's The Code hotel Aug. 3, offering all-day service with espresso, cold brew, wine, beer and craft cocktails. A welcome party takes place Aug. 15-16. On Aug. 15, the event runs 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with complimentary drip coffee and nitro cold brew all day, the first 50 oat milk drinks free, courtesy of Minor Figures, and a wine flight paired with a Bat City Boards charcuterie board from 5-7 p.m. On Aug. 16, the event runs 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. with complimentary drip coffee and cold brew, plus a sparkling and rosé flight paired with a brunch board from 10 a.m. to noon. Parking is free for both events with a validated ticket in The Code's garage off Bluebonnet Lane. Founders Mike and Rashelle McKim will also attend.
Spicy fried chicken restaurant Dave’s Hot Chicken is now open in Cedar Park. The restaurant serves fried chicken tenders and sandwiches, french fries, fried mozzarella and milkshakes. The restaurant is the chain’s second in the Austin metro and one of hundreds around the world.
Crust Pizza Co. franchisee Josh Ellis and his team are now serving handcrafted pizzas in Bastrop’s Sendero shopping center. As previously reported, the family-friendly restaurant specializes in Chicago-style pies, pastas, salads and more.
Located in Cypress Creek Town Center along Lakeline Boulevard, Ho’s Kitchen offers a menu of traditional Vietnamese classics, including popular options like pho and bún bò Huế.
Owner Nick Ho drew inspiration from family recipes and his cousin's California restaurant. The casual space features a chalk wall backdrop, counter or full-service dining, and a patio.
The menu focuses on fresh ingredients, vegetables, and lighter preparations while keeping prices accessible, such as its signature tenderloin Shaken Beef Rice for $17.99.
Ho's Kitchen serves bún bò Huế ($16.99), a Vietnamese noodle soup featuring beef shank, rare steak, pork feet and a rich, slightly spicy broth. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact)
Dishes span various Vietnamese regions, including northern-style simple pho and central Vietnam's bún bò Huế, which features beef shank, rare steak tendon, pork feet, and a spicy bone broth.
The classic pho includes thin rice noodles and rare steak cooked in hot broth, served with bean sprouts, onions, cilantro, lime and basil.
Additional menu offerings include vermicelli bowls with chicken, pork, or tofu; bánh mì sandwiches; rice platters; salads; and appetizers like dumplings and spring rolls.
Ho highlights the crispy Vietnamese eggroll—stuffed with pork and wood ear mushrooms—as well as several gluten-free options.
After marking one year in Cedar Park, Ho aims to open additional locations.
Ho’s Kitchen also provides catering services.
2005 Little Elm Trail, Bldg. B, Ste. 100, Cedar Park
