Not a Damn Chance Burger offers a limited menu including wagyu cheeseburgers. (Courtesy city of Round Rock)
Austin's latest dining wave brings a balance of wellness-focused concepts and sweet indulgences. Health-conscious diners have new options in protein-packed bowls and nutrition drinks, while dessert lovers can explore new ice cream parlors and cobbler shops.
Round Rock emerges as a dining hotspot with four new openings, including specialty food trucks and dessert destinations, while breakfast sandwiches and SoCal Mexican tacos round out the metro's expanding food scene.
Impacts of the week
The Rooted Pesto Chicken Wrap ($13.95) includes roasted chicken, spinach basil pesto, sundried tomatoes, pickled red onions and mixed greens in a flour tortilla. Gluten-free wraps are available. (Courtesy Rooted Cafe & Catering)
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., this cafe serves handhelds, salads, bowls and breakfast options made with 30-50 grams of protein and without the use of seed oils. The concept was specifically created to make nutritious food more accessible for people with busy schedules. To drink, customers can sip on the signature Rooted Power Coffee, which features organic coffee, grass-fed chocolate whey protein, maple syrup and whole grass-fed milk.
A new ice cream parlor in Leander is serving up a variety of classic favorites and unique seasonal flavors while providing a space for the community to gather. Beyond ice cream, the creamery serves a range of cold desserts, including a Dubai viral sundae, milkshakes and faloodas—a cold South Asian drink. Additionally, the store makes its own waffle cones.
Eggman, known for its East Coast take on breakfast sandwiches, opened a food truck with New York-style breakfast options near Dell Diamond and Old Settlers Park. The menu includes a variety of breakfast sandwiches featuring bacon, eggs, cheese, sausage and other proteins as well as condiments. Sandwiches are made to order and served on a specialty Kaiser roll. Customers can also choose from hot or iced coffee, orange juice, canned sodas and bottled water.
Not a Damn Chance Burger offers a limited menu of wagyu cheeseburgers, beef tallow fries with chipotle ketchup and additional toppings available, as well as brown butter chocolate chip cookies. Customers can order inside the bar, with window service coming soon, according to the city of Round Rock. The food truck is a collaboration between professional skateboarder Neen Williams and Michelin-starred chef Phillip Frankland Lee.
A new sweet spot is now open in Round Rock. The Round Rock franchise of Peach Cobbler is located in the Sky Plaza retail center and offers a variety of fruit cobblers, puddings, cinnamon rolls, cookies, bottled tea and smoothies, according to the brand's website. It has locations in 25 states, with 13 open in Texas. This is the first Austin-area franchise.
This protein-focused spot for snacks and energy drinks opened on Pecan Street earlier this month. The spot offers protein waffles, donuts, açai bowls, shakes and zero-sugar energy drinks, offering a mix of healthy grab-and-go options. The menu also features loaded thermogenic teas, which can include add-ons such as collagen, protein juice, fiber, probiotics and an immunity boost.
The restaurant’s concept is inspired by San Diego Mexican fast food, according to Tacolada’s Instagram. Tacolada took the concept and reimagined it with elevated ingredients and a slower pace. (Courtesy Tacolada)
Offering San Diego-style Mexican cuisine, this restaurant serves a range of burritos, such as the California burrito, which features pollo asada or carne asada, fries, cheese, pico and crema. The restaurant also has baja fish tacos, rolled tacos, quesadillas and loaded fries. Since opening on May 28, the business has sold out of product twice.
