The Salvation ($6.50) is Alvin Ord's signature sandwich and features spiced ham, salami, cheddar, Parmesan and mozzarella. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact)
A San Marcos sandwich institution is back in business after a leadership change and a top-to-bottom refresh, leading this week's dining news across the metro.
Elsewhere, the team behind Bella Sera of Leander brings Italian classics to Cedar Park, a Georgetown coffee truck settles into a historic yellow house, a sports-inspired supper club debuts downtown and Asian-inspired fried chicken lands in Northwest Austin—plus, in this week's feature, slow-cooked soul food near the Round Rock-Hutto border.
The owner of Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop in San Marcos announced a leadership change in an April 19 Facebook post, and the business reopened in August. Bill Martin has operated the eatery for over four decades, according to previous Community Impact reporting. A sign posted at the business announced a temporary closure for deep cleaning and modernization. Updates are posted on the shop's Facebook page.
From the team behind Bella Sera of Leander, this new Italian restaurant has opened in Cedar Park. A representative confirmed the new concept has been open for a little more than a week. The menu features traditional Italian favorites including pasta, chicken, veal and seafood dishes. Tutta Bella also offers an extensive selection of wine available by the glass or bottle.
After two years of operating from a coffee truck, Rose & Dagger Coffee Co. in Georgetown officially moved into a brick-and-mortar location on Sept. 5. Owners Madison and Jackson Vacek turned their childhood dream into reality by transforming a historic yellow house into a shop serving handcrafted lattes, teas and refreshers. Guests can relax in The Grounds, a backyard area that also hosts three local food trucks. Jackson Vacek, who is also a Georgetown firefighter, expressed gratitude for the strong community support behind their expansion.
Lobos Hospitality and Boardroom Hospitality launched Austin Sports Club downtown on Sept. 10. Designed by PETERMAX Co., the club brings American sports history and flair to locals with brunch, dinner and craft cocktails. Featured dishes include mini lobster rolls, arancini, an ASC Burger, grilled branzino and various cuts of meat. The historic athletic club-inspired space offers reservations and premium game-day seating on its website.
Recently opened in Northwest Austin, this restaurant offers a variety of breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner options, serving fried chicken with an Asian flair. The menu includes breakfast burritos and sandwiches, broth-brined fried chicken, ramen noodles, rice plates, banh mis and more. For sides, patrons will find pink slaw, fries, soup, fried rice and pickled salad.
The Pebble Onebird menu includes breakfast burritos and sandwiches, broth-brined fried chicken, ramen noodles, rice plates, banh mis and more.(Courtesy Pebble Onebird)
Owners Victor Friar and Keysha Nichols-Friar opened Nana B's in September 2025, about a year after launching their Ash, Smoke & Glass smoke shop next door, where customers encouraged them to start a restaurant.
A family affair
Named for Nichols-Friar's mother, the eatery was first planned as a food truck before a neighboring space opened up. Nichols-Friar spends much of her time checking in with diners and tells newcomers, "I'm going to watch you take your first bite."
Nana B's menu includes dishes such as oxtail quesadillas, which owner Keysha Nichols-Friar said have gone "viral.”(Courtesy Nana B’s Country Kitchen)
On the menu
Family-inspired comfort dishes include beef tips and rice, oxtails, greens, scratch-made cornbread and made-to-order fried catfish, alongside oxtail quesadillas and deep-fried burritos. Desserts include peach cobbler, sock-it-to-me cake and banana pudding made from Nana B's own recipe. Holiday catering is available, and smothered turkey legs with stuffing are served on Sundays.
