Austin’s Food Scene Flourishes with New Restaurants and Community Fundraisers

Austin Welcomes New Food Businesses and Fundraising Events

Austin has recently seen a variety of exciting new food ventures and community initiatives aimed at helping those in need. Two new notable food businesses have opened in the city, offering unique dining experiences and flavors.

New Dining Spots in Austin

First up is Matsuba Ramen, which started serving customers in mid-August from the GhostLine Kitchens, located at 3400 Comsouth Drive, Suite 120, Window 7 in the McKinney neighborhood. This restaurant is a ghost kitchen focused on takeout and delivery services. The owner and chef, Kazu, specializes in paitan ramen, a creamy chicken broth ramen that comes with options for tender chicken or pork chashu. There’s a wide selection of mix-ins like eggs, vegetables, and more to enhance the meal. In addition to ramen, Matsuba Ramen offers appetizers such as karaage (Japanese fried chicken) and shumai (steamed dumplings). The restaurant’s hours are from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m., open daily.

For those craving spicy chicken, Bussin Buns launched its third food truck on October 14, located at 11331 North Lamar Boulevard in the Eubank Acres neighborhood. This truck is known for serving halal Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches, tenders, and wings accompanied by crispy fries and decadent mac and cheese. Bussin Buns operates from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and extends its hours to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Fundraisers Supporting Hurricane Relief

This fall has also brought community-oriented efforts aiming to support victims of natural disasters. Austin’s food scene is joining forces in a significant way through a fundraiser organized by the local food influencer, Austin Food Adventures. The Dine With Florida fundraiser will take place on Saturday, October 19, and will see many participating restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds to the World Central Kitchen. This organization works tirelessly to feed those affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene in Florida. Of the 30 participating restaurants, some noteworthy names include Eldorado Cafe, Choo Sando, and Bill’s Oyster, contributing either 10 percent or five percent of their day’s earnings.

Changes in the Local Digital Dining Scene

In other developments, the beloved Austin chain Chuy’s was acquired by the national company Darden, leading to plans for relocating their headquarters to Orlando, Florida. This shift means that the main office in Austin will be closing, and the acquisition is expected to have significant implications for the local brand.

In addition to these changes, the food truck scene is constantly evolving. A new pan-Asian food truck called Manna opened in mid-September at the Liberty, just in time to celebrate the bar’s 15th birthday, taking over from the previous Detroit-style pizza truck. Also, while the pizza truck Side Eye Pie closed down its McKinney neighborhood spot earlier this month, it has been replaced with another location of Tommy Want Wingy, serving chicken wings to eager fans as of October 8.

Austin Celebrates Local Beer and Dining Events

Meanwhile, the local brewery scene is thriving as Meanwhile Brewing was recently recognized in the annual best brewery rankings. Located in McKinney, it is celebrated for a creative approach to brewing and a welcoming atmosphere. The brewery has partnered with Home Slice Pizza to launch a new beer called Queens of Pints, which will be celebrated at a special event on October 23. This fun party will include games, food, and live entertainment.

Adding to the excitement, Austin chef AJ Grigson will showcase his culinary skills with a noodle pop-up at Bar Toti, featuring dishes like dan dan noodles and chile-garlic noodles on October 22.

Upcoming Events in Austin

In sports, former Longhorn and Atlanta Falcons player, Bijan Robinson, will appear in the city during the big match between the University of Texas and the Georgia Bulldogs on October 19. Fans can enjoy a special burger pop-up on October 18 at a local food truck with a double smash burger and mustard smoked chicken wings.

Finally, the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival will take place on October 26, featuring a Grand Tasting that allows attendees to sample delicious bites and robust wines. Tickets are available for local residents and general admission, offering various opportunities to enjoy culinary delights.

With these new openings, fundraising events, and special happenings, Austin’s food scene continues to thrive and evolve, bringing the community together in flavorful ways.