The gumbo comes with shrimp, chicken, crab, turkey sausage and okra. (Courtesy Darius Burnett)
New restaurants are opening across the Austin metro, from an all-you-can-eat hot pot and sushi spot in Northwest Austin to a Middle Eastern dessert shop in Lakeway and a halal smash burger truck near Q2 Stadium.
This new restaurant recently opened at The Shops at Arbor Walk in Northwest Austin, serving all-you-can-eat hot pot and sushi. Patrons can choose from a variety of broths, protein, seafood, noodles and veggies to add to their hot pot. Guests will also find a range of sushi, including raw and cooked rolls, nigiri and sashimi. For something to drink, the restaurant serves boba and fruit tea.
This dessert shop opened its first location in Austin in 2020, baking traditional Middle Eastern desserts such as baklava, knafeh and Dubai chocolate, and just opened its third in Lakeway. The dessert shop also offers catering services and ships baklava across the country. Baklava House has two other locations in Austin, on North Lamar and at The Homestead Shopping Center.
Smash City recently opened a new food truck outside of Q2 Stadium in Austin. (Courtesy Smash City Burger)Smash City now open near Q2 Stadium
This food truck, specializing in halal smash burgers, recently opened outside of Q2 Stadium. The menu features a variety of smash burgers, traditional burgers and hot dogs. Customers will also find street tacos, fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, churros and milkshakes. The food truck is located in the parking lot of the Sunoco gas station on West Braker Lane.
While the menu varies based on location, some highlights include sliders, fried pickles, smash burgers, tacos, salads and specialty pizzas. For thirsty patrons, the bar menu features cocktails like the Southside of Heaven, which includes Ryan Bingham’s Original Bourbon, Angostura bitters, grenadine and lemonade. The bar also serves up beers and seltzers. First launched in 1995, Little Woodrow’s remains rooted in being a backyard space for people to connect over drinks, food and sports, according to its website.
This growing sandwich chain from San Francisco officially opened its doors in Pflugerville on June 5, serving sandwiches with signature sauces on Dutch crunch bread, with menu items named after local icons. The Pflugerville location has its own exclusive sandwich, the Pfluger Schnitzel. Ike’s will hold a grand opening event on June 19, where the first 50 guests will receive a free sandwich and a free T-shirt.
After several delays, Jersey Mike’s Subs is on track to open its first Bastrop spot within the month. Originally set to open in mid-2025, and again in May, officials are now hiring for the sandwich shop—known for using the same recipes since opening its first location in New Jersey in 1956. Jersey Mike’s Bastrop will offer dozens of hot and cold sandwiches featuring freshly baked bread stuffed with vegetables, meats, and cheeses, drizzled with a mix of red wine vinegar and olive oil.
A Pflugerville restaurant owner offers both physical and spiritual nourishment with his "northern" take on soul food.
Burnett's Food for the Soul is owned by Darius Burnett, who said the restaurant was intended to be run as a family venture, but became a solo operation after a loss in the family.Darius Burnett doubles as owner and chef at Burnett's Food for the Soul. (Brooke Sjoberg/Community Impact)What's on the menu
He brought with him the flavors of Chicago, he said, introducing dishes and flavors that were not locally available.
In the two years since he opened the restaurant, he has expanded the menu from just five items to cater to local tastes, such as oxtails, which he prepares with teriyaki sauce, carrots, potatoes and onions.
His most popular menu items also include catfish and chicken, he said. Also on the menu are pork chops; chicken wings and tenders; gumbo with shrimp, chicken, crab, turkey sausage and okra; tacos; and sides including red beans and rice, dirty rice, collard greens, fries and candied yams.
Giving back
In addition to feeding customers at his Pflugerville restaurant, Burnett feeds people experiencing homelessness twice a week.
Before opening his restaurant, Burnett noticed a significant population of individuals struggling with financial instability and an inability to keep up with the rising cost of living, he said.
With a desire to connect and provide a "push" to help get them back on their feet, Burnett began preparing meals to distribute to folks in the area. Later, he partnered with Pastor Terrell Chapman, who ministers to those joining Burnett for a meal.
