Texas-Indian Austin Food Pop-Up Promises Unique Culinary Blend

Delightful Collaboration Between Two Renowned Austin Chefs

Deep in the heart of Texas, a unique culinary collaboration is brewing. Prestigious Austin-based chefs, Deepa Shridhar, known for her Texan-South Indian pop-ups, and Damien Brockway, proprietor of modern African American barbecue outfit Distant Relatives, are poised to treat food enthusiasts to an unparalleled dining extravaganza.

A Fusion of Texan Barbecue and Indian Biryani like Never Before

The two artists are joining forces to create a unique barbecue-Indian lunch service where the headliners are two adventurous versions of Hyderabadi styled biryanis boasting of smoked oxtail and smoked chicken.

The event promises much more than the main course with side treats such as tallow-fried flatbreads and pickles. The food adventure is set to take place at the food truck of Distant Relatives at Meanwhile Brewing, sited at 3901 Promontory Point Drive in the McKinney neighborhood.

Barbecue enthusiasts hoping to savour the regular offerings from Distant Relatives’ food truck need to note that it will stay unavailable during the event, scheduled for Friday, May 3, from noon to 6 p.m.

A Treat for the Fans of Pop Star Harry Styles

For fans of pop icon Harry Styles, the Pleasing Saloon Austin Pop-Up, a venture by the singer’s beauty and apparel company, promises to serve up themed drinks. The Western-themed pop-up event, taking place at the South Congress Hotel, will also offer Austin-themed clothing, lip balms, nail polishes, and more.

The hotel’s lobby bar and on-site bakery Mañana have curated exclusive themed cocktails such as the Pleasing Saloon and Pleasing, Texas. The Pleasing Saloon boasts of blanco tequila, ginger beer, lime, and cassis, whereas Pleasing, Texas will serve up a tasty concoction of reposado tequila, agave, grapefruit, orange, and lime.

The bakery section is not far behind and will serve the non-alcoholic Peachy Cheeks Pleasing Lemonade, a refreshing blend made with a white peach-fennel seed syrup.

Recent Austin Restaurant Closures – A Recap

Whilst food enthusiasts are reveling in the exciting pop-up, Austin’s culinary landscape has witnessed a series of closures. East Austin casual New American restaurant Drop Kick, and French bistro Blue Dahlia Cafe’s Westlake location are among the recent closures.

Changes At The Lake Austin Tex-Mex-Tiki Bar

In other food-related happenings, the popular Lake Austin Tex-Mex-tiki bar and restaurant Hula Hut has been under new management since January 2024 after being sold by its original co-founders, the late Mike Young and John Zapp. It’s now under the control of Union Venture Group, known for their other successful ventures such as Maverick Dance Hall, 77 Degrees, The Rose Room, and Jack and Ginger’s.

Central Texas Food Product Awards

Amidst all this, the annual Good Food Awards declared its winners for 2024. Austin’s food landscape garnered notable mentions including the Meteor’s ¡El Meteoro! Pablo’s Smoky Rojo sauce, the Art of Pecan’s sea salt activated native Texas pecans, Two Hives Honey’s comb honey and cardamom-infused raw honey, and Vista Brewing’s Dark Skies black pilsner.