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East Austin is having a big week, with YouTuber Joshua Weissman's fried chicken debut and a reimagined vegan diner both settling into permanent homes on the east side.
Elsewhere, a wood-fired steakhouse lands on East 6th, a wine cafe pours into the Village in Westlake, and Round Rock and South Lamar each pick up a new fast-casual favorite.
In this week's feature, Spanish flavor arrives on Austin's east side.
This restaurant sells specialty sandwiches, including the “Not So Fried” Chicken sandwich made with chicken, Krispies, herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, pickled red onions and tomato on toasted ciabatta. Other menu items include salads like the Thai mango and modern caesar, as well as wraps, sides and soups.
Opening Sept. 22
1100 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 1125, Austin
Slim Chickens brings chicken sandwiches, wings to Round Rock
This nationwide chain offers a variety of chicken wings, tenders, sandwiches, and other chicken-based items on the menu, in addition to Southern-style sides like macaroni and cheese, potato salad and fried pickles. The Slim Chickens restaurant is opened in a space formerly home to Zaxby's Chicken Fingers, which closed in June 2026.
Opened July 28
2700 Red Bud Lane, Round Rock
This 22-seat steakhouse cooks on a wood-burning hearth seen from the dining room, with beef sourced exclusively from Lobel's of New York, a generations-old butcher. Signature dishes include gulf prawns meunière, tartare of dry-aged filet mignon, duck breast, rack of lamb and rotating wild game. The meal opens with fresh popcorn cooked in beef tallow and duck fat-roasted garlic.
Opened Aug. 29
1017 E. Sixth St., Austin
Counter Culture opens reimagined vegan diner in East Austin
This plant-based restaurant now has a permanent location in Austin, serving plant-based comfort food, as well as healthy and gluten-free options and a dedicated gluten-free grill. Diners can expect menu items like the Asian BBQ seitan skewers served over a bed of slaw. Counter Culture also serves up a BLTA salad, grilled oyster mushroom plate and jalapeño artichoke dip.
Opened Sept. 8
5812 Berkman Drive, Austin
The menu at YouTuber Joshua Weissman’s first restaurant includes the B&L Classic, a fried chicken sandwich with house-made dill pickles, plus the option to add a dunk in the restaurant's sweet-and-spicy YamYum sauce. Other menu items include B&L Nuggets, fried chicken bites with a choice of B&L Sauce, ranch, YamYum or honey mustard; extra-crispy fries with sea salt; and seasonally rotating soft serve.
Opened Sept. 12
2600 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin
Postino brings wine cafe to the Village in Westlake
This restaurant offers a large selection of food, including paninis, salads, bruschetta and charcuterie boards. The wine cafe also provides an extensive wine list, craft cocktails, beers and a variety of non-alcoholic drink options. Postino also offers a “Bottle Club,” a monthly membership starting at $20 that includes up to three bottles of wine, an extra happy hour and other perks.
Opened Sept. 13
701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. J760, Austin
Kalimotxo brings Spanish flair and flavor to Austin’s east side
Kalimotxo, an Emmer and Rye Hospitality restaurant concept, celebrates Basque cuisine—a niche of Spanish cuisine—said Rand Egbert, partner and Creative Director at Emmer and Rye Hospitality Group.
The space is a unique meeting spot where patrons can enjoy happy hour, cocktails, small bites or dinner, all in good company, Egbert said.
“There's nothing like it in Austin, and it's really special,” Egbert said.
Kalimotxo’s food menu is inspired by the pintxo bars in San Sebastian, where patrons can indulge in hundreds of hors d'oeuvres and small plates while having a glass of wine or a beer and socializing, Egbert detailed.
The menu features a range of tapas, including oysters, salads, tuna crudo, beef tartare, batatas bravas and cheese churros. Pintxos range from piquillo and cheese tostas, which feature sweet Spanish pepper and goat cheese, as well as the pincho moruno, made with grilled chicken, pomegranate molasses and fried capers.
“The great thing about pintxos and small plates is you get to try so many different things,” Egbert said. “It’s really about this sharing and communal experience.”
The restaurant also offers meat and cheese plates, as well as bigger dishes. Entree-style meals include the Kali Burger, served with Angus beef, onions and mahon cheese, as well as the pan-seared cod and Texas wagyu sirloin.
Kalimotxo customers can expect to see a wide variety of beverage offerings, including Spanish classics like the Spanish G&T, featuring gin, elderflower tonic, citrus and juniper berries.
The establishment also has a wine list that showcases white, red, orange and rosé offerings, as well as ciders, sherry, vermouth and beer.
1813 E. Sixth St., Austin
