[Updated as of March 26 2020]

As of March 17 2020, Mayor Steve Adler and the interim medical director and health authority for Austin Public Health, Dr. Mark Escott have recommended bars to close, restaurants to move to takeout or drive-thru only, while also banning gatherings larger than 10 people.

With this news, it is putting a lot of service industry professionals jobs in danger.

In this post, I want to offer any resources that I find online in order to help service industry workers, unemployed Austinites, parents struggling to get by, and local businesses that are feeling the pain of this huge change.

First off, if you do not know much about this virus that is largely impacting our world, here is some information to learn so you are educated about what the symptoms look like. It’s important that we are being thorough in hand washing, avoiding touching our faces, and engaging in social distancing.

SERVICE INDUSTRY HELP

First off, we need to help the Service Industry, which includes the workers and the local businesses.

Service Industry Workers

Unemployment Insurance Claim

All workers in Texas impacted by COVID-19, if your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an unemployment insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced.

For more information and updates visit: www.twc.texas.gov/news/unemployment-news

United Way Help

United Way has a COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund. They will help with bills, rent, and food. You can call 1-866-211-9966 and provide your zip code and will be given a list of local agencies to provide assistance.

Remote Jobs

Here is a live list of remote jobs that are available and hiring right now:
Remote Jobs From 100+ Companies Hiring

Government Help

Here is a link to information about community resources, including but not limited to uninterrupted utility services, internet accessibility, no evictions, food assistance, business resources, and healthcare services.

Parents & Children Needing Help

Meal Pick-Up

Beginning Monday, March 23, Lake Travis ISD staff will provide free meals to children 0-18 years of age.

Meals will be provided in a drive-through fashion at the bus drop-off location at each location. Parents will not need to exit their vehicle, but, according to federal guidelines, all children must be present in the vehicle to receive a meal. Packaged breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup together between 8:30 and 10:30 am at

Bee Cave Middle School - 5400 Vail Divide, Austin, TX 78738
Hudson Bend Middle School - 15600 Lariat Trail, Austin, TX 78734
Lake Travis Middle School - 4932 Bee Creek Road, Spicewood, TX 78669

Hot meals will not be provided. Instead, meals will consist of packaged cereals, sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, fruit juice, milk, and/or water.

Other pick up locations can be found here: TexasSchools.gov and click “Find a Meal Location”

Providing General Help

〰️ Facebook Group: Intellihelp - In this group is a nationwide community which expresses the love of a neighbor while respecting the social distancing. Just be sure to read the rules when you join.

Keeping The Kids Busy

〰️ A local musician, Will Dupuy, hosts live streams of him singing in the morning on his Facebook. Here’s a coloring page that was made to go along with his live streams to help occupy your children at home.

〰️ With a majority of the country moving to working from home, if you have children at home with you, it makes things very difficult. This is a list of things you can have them do while you’re working, using the discretion of social distancing as well.

Keeping YOU Busy

〰️ The online Austin library is still open, VIRTUALLY, at least. https://library.austintexas.gov/virtual

〰️ If you want to check out art, virtually, go to Blanton Museum of Art’s website and browse from your living room! http://collection.blantonmuseum.org/

〰️ Spend time learning a new hobby or skill via YouTube!

〰️ Watch Netflix with your friends and family via Netflix Party. “It synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows.” (ONLY available on Chrome browsers on desktop or laptop computers.)

〰️ The Happy Mustard Seed blog has come out with a list of Netflix shows to binge in this post!

〰️ Missing the gym? Home workouts are our only hope now, along with going out for a run. Sushi In The ATX has put together Virtual Workouts Classes that can help us all stay moving and healthy!

Helping Local Businesses

During the current climate, our local restaurants and food trucks need us more than ever. Since dining rooms and bars are closed, everyone will need to order takeout or delivery until this ban is lifted. Staying home is ideal for us to heal and get past this as soon as possible, but if you can’t get delivery, then make sure you are staying in your car or distant from people… social distancing, y’all!!

Every restaurant is going to have different plans of operation and I have included the restaurants that have reached out to me at ATX FYI with their plans.

Additionally, I want to give a huge shout out to Take Out Tracker at TakeOutTracker.com which is being updated constantly with all of the restaurant’s hours, operations, and location information.

Order Gift Cards Online

Lastly, if you are not able to leave your household, consider purchasing online gift cards from the small local businesses instead at Givelocal.co/city/austin.

Free Meals

Mighty Fine (March 21 & 22, 2020)

The delicious Mighty Fine is offering free meals for healthcare workers and first responders (up to $15)! Just wear scrubs or show your badge. Otherwise, you can order online & pick-up curbside or have your meals delivered to you thru Doordash. (Source)

Crema Bakery and Cafe

Crema Bakery and Cafe in South Austin is providing brown bag lunches free of charge to families or individuals who need a meal during spring break. See details HERE.

If you hear of any free meals around town for people in need during this crisis, please let me know!

Restaurant and Brewery Hours + Offerings

34th Street Cafe

1005 W 34th St, Austin, TX 78705 〰️ 34thstreetcafe.com

Open and operating EVERY DAY from 12:00pm to 8:00pm.
Serving BEER & WINE!
Offering CURBSIDE, DELIVERY, & 3rd Party Apps (Favor, Uber Eats, & Chownow)

Tagliatelle @ Artipasta at Thicket Food Park

Artipasta @ Thicket Food Park

7800 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745 〰️ artipasta.com

Offering Takeaway
Hours: Tue - Sat: 12-3pm & 5:30 - 8:30pm // Sun: 12 - 8pm // Mon: Closed
Also available for delivery on Third Party Apps - UberEats, GrubHub, and Postmates!!

Backspace

507 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 〰️ thebackspace-austin.com

Operating EVERY DAY from 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Serving BEER and WINE!
Curbside and Delivery (via Favor, Uber Eats, DoorDash & GrubHub).

Bougie's Donuts & Coffee

5400 Brodie Ln, Sunset Valley, TX 78745 〰️ bougiesdonuts.com

Counter and curbside ordering. We will use the parking spaces immediately in front of our shop and will come to you for your order and for payment. CARD ONLY!
For counter service and curbside ordering we will sell our donuts by the box only (Glazed Cake Box, Blueberry Cake Box, & Assortment Box).
Beginning March 20, they are going to load up their delivery van and come to your neighborhoods as Bougie’s-2-U. We will sell donuts by the half dozen box and black coffee as well as retail bags of coffee from, local roaster: Weathered Hands Coffee⁣
- If your neighborhood loves Bougie’s spread the word via your neighborhood Facebook page/Nextdoor and let them know and they’ll work to get you on the route (link to vote HERE).⁣

Cenote Austin

1010 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 〰️ Place Cenote Orders Here

Free Delivery from 10:00am - 8:00pm at link above

Offering supplies such as coffee beans, alternative milks, cold brew growlers, and half & half available for purchase online.

Churro Co. Austin

1906 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704 〰️ churrocoaustin.com

Churro Co. is going curbside! Call ahead, pay over the phone, let them know you’re there and they’ll take your order out to you.
No cash payments, only credit or debit.
They will be using disposable paperware and will package all orders to-go.
No seating available and they ask that you wait in your car for your order.
Also, they are encouraging you to get your churros delivered through Favor or Postmates.

Cruzteca Mexican Kitchen

5207 Brodie Ln #125, Austin, TX 78745 〰️ cruzteca.com

Open 8am to 8pm with FULL menu all day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Only offering delivery (minimum $100) and to-go orders.
Menu is currently on Favor as well.
Offering 50% off all first responders and out of work service industry staff.
Their famous Rocks Margarita and Beer are also available for delivery or pick up!

Fonda San Miguel

2330 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78756 〰️ fondasanmiguel.com

CURBSIDE pick up only // Open Monday - Saturday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Serving WINE to-go!

Jester King Brewery & Kitchen

13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 〰️ jesterkingbrewery.com

Offering PICK-UP from 12:00pm - 8:00pm // 7 Days a Week // Order Here or call 512-661-8736 to place an order.
Jester King is offering beer & wine, pizza, desserts, merch, and gift cards to-go!

Jugo

603 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701 〰️ jugo-austin.com

Open Weekdays (Monday - Friday) from 8:00am - 4:00pm // Open Weekends (Sat & Sun) from 10:00am - 4:00pm.
CURBSIDE & DELIVERY (through Favor, Uber Eats, DoorDash, & GrubHub) available.

Malibu Poke

211 Walter Seaholm Dr LR 115, Austin, TX 78703 〰️ malibupoke.com

Open EVERY DAY from 11:00am - 9:00pm.
Offering CURBSIDE & DELIVERY (via Favor)

MAX’s Wine Dive

207 San Jacinto Blvd, #200, Austin, Texas 78701 〰️ maxswinedive.com/locations/austin/

Offering takeout from 3:30 - 8:30pm accessed on THIS website by clicking “Order Online”
Limited Menu featuring snacks, salads, mains, kids, and sides, and of course, includes the option of ordering their signature Famous Southern Fried Chicken:
They are running specials as well:
- “Dinner for One” Special: Purchase an entree and one to two sides for $15
- “Dinner for Two” Special: Purchase two entrees, each with two sides, for and receive a bottle of wine for $30
50% off discount on pick-up WINE as well!
Delivery options on DoorDash, Favor, or UberEats!

Mi Madres Restaurant

2201 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722 〰️ mimadresrestaurant.com

Offering To-Go orders 7:00am to 8:00pm and DELIVERY from 11:00am to 7:00pm via their website above.

Mongers Market + Kitchen

2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 〰️ mongersaustin.com

Offering PICK-UP // Monday to Saturday // 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Serving BEER & WINE

Olive & June

3411 Glenview Ave, Austin, TX 78703 〰️ oliveandjune-austin.com

Open EVERY DAY from 12:00pm to 8:00pm.
Serving BEER, WINE, & COCKTAILS.
Offering CURBSIDE & DELIVERY (via Favor, Uber Eats, DoorDash, & GrubHub)

Parkside

301 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 〰️ parkside-austin.com

Open EVERY DAY from 12:00pm to 8:00pm.
Serving BEER, WINE, & COCKTAILS
Offering CURBSIDE & DELIVERY (via Favor, Uber Eats, DoorDash, & GrubHub)

Reunión 19

1700 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702 〰️ Reunion19atx.com

Offering Takeout from xx - 8pm. The entire menu is available for curbside pickup so give us a call at (512) 455-TACO (8226) to place your order now.
Also offering a Reunion 19 House Account to redeem for their takeout menu or in-person once everything passes. Every account purchased comes with bonus credit to spend on anything they offer.
- $120 Credit for $100
- $200 Credit for $250
- $400 Credit for $520
Delivery is available for large orders (call for details).

Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q

Many Locations Around Austin 〰️ RudysBBQ.com

Open EVERYDAY from 6:00am to 9:00pm.
Serving BEER.
CURBSIDE & DELIVERY (via Favor & DoorDash) available.

Santa Rita Cantina

1206 W 38th St, Austin, TX 78705 〰️ santaritacantina.com

Open EVERY DAY from 12:00pm to 8:00pm.
Serving BEER, WINE, & COCKTAILS.
Offering CURBSIDE, DELIVERY & 3rd Party Apps (Favor, Uber Eats, Chownow).

Shoal Creek Saloon

909 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703 〰️ shoalcreeksaloon.com

Crawfish season is NOT over! Shoal Creek Saloon has lots of crawfish along with the rest of their entire menu.

Open for Takeout
Hours: 11:30 - 7:30pm
Operating Tuesday to Sunday

Stellar Coffee Co. Truck @ Thicket Food Park

7800 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745 〰️ thicketaustin.com

Hours are 8am - 2pm Wednesday to Sunday

TenTen

501 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 〰️ tentenaustin.com

Operating EVERY DAY 11:30am - 10:00pm.
Serving BEER, WINE, & COCKTAILS.
CURBSIDE, DELIVERY, & on Favor!

Vamonos

4807 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751 〰️ vamonos-texmex.com

Operating EVERY DAY from 11:00pm to 8:00pm.
Serving BEER, WINE, & COCKTAILS!
Offering CURBSIDE, DELIVERY, & 3rd Party Apps (Favor, Uber Eats, & Chownow)

Walton's Fancy & Staple

609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 〰️ waltonsfancyandstaple.com

Open Monday to Saturday from 8:00am to 5:00pm // Sunday from 8:00am to 3:00pm
Serving BEER, WINE, & COCKTAILS To-Go
CURBSIDE PICKUP, DELIVERY, & FAVOR

If you own a restaurant and want your details featured on our website, email me HERE or click on the Facebook Messenger icon on the bottom right corner and send me your updated hours, and how you are planning on operating during this time. I want to make sure I can do all that I can to support Austin, especially the small local businesses we thrive on!

Lastly, I want to give a shout out to The Austin Spirit in this post they made where they provide a lot more details about rent, utilities, internet, and more for service industry workers!

Stay safe, stay smart, and stay away from others as much as possible!

Please keep our city safe, support our local businesses, and KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD!

Cheers!

How To Support Austin Service Industry Through Coronavirus