What’s In & Out for Austin in 2024
2023 felt like a very odd year. We saw South Congress Avenue turn into a mini Rodeo drive, yes the same South Congress that was a hot spot for prostitution and drug deals back in the 60s through the 90s. You can get your handbags right where men used to get their… nevermind.
I wanted to put together a list of my perceived what’s going to be out and what’s coming in for the new year starting with one of the biggest crazes of 2023.
SMASHBURGER SPOTS 📤
Listen, we know that Bad Larry Burger Club created and exploded the craze for a crispy-edged double patty with cheese on a Martin’s bun. This started outside of his house, from delivering with remote control vehicles during covid, to sliding them down gutter shoots and then during punk concerts. I have yet to personally find an experience AND a burg that has matched up to that epicness. And we all know, there have been a LOT of attempts by others, whether it’s also a set-up with a sign, a griddle, and a bad attitude. So that being said… we don’t need more of them.
I’m thinking instead… CUBAN SANDWICH SPOTS 📥
I’m a bit biased since I’m originally from Florida, but try and give me TWO good cuban sandwich spots here in Austin; it’s impossible. And I don’t want some prim and proper sandwich… the best ones in Tampa were the ones that were served out of a gas station or small sketchy market.
BRUNCHES 📤
We’ve had SO many brunch dates and get togethers. Do we REALLY need lobster, oysters, waffles, sausage, croissants, grits, and champagne all in one sitting at approximately 10am on a Sunday? No ma’am.
However… having a plate of eggs, biscuits, and gravy in the middle of a weekday at a restaurant here is unheard of!
Which brings you to my next IN… DINERS 📥
Visiting the Northeast reminds me of how wonderful and cozy diners are. There’s just something about them. And no, Denny’s, Waffle House, and Cracker Barrel do NOT count. I need a family-owned business who are working in the back and put their love and time into the food and atmosphere. Also, we need 24/7… our “24/7 Diner” isn’t even 24/7 anymore. Come on now!
SERIAL KILLERS 📤
I’m not quite sure if we actually HAD a serial killer in 2023, but boy, did everyone want you to think one person was coming after all of the men on Rainey Street. This doesn’t discount the terrible deaths that occurred, and I send my deepest apologies to the families who lost a loved one and had to deal with it being brought back up or becoming a hot topic among thousands on TikTok or in a Facebook Group chat.
Instead of obsessing about these deaths, let’s focus on more positive things.
I propose CEREAL SHOPS 📥
Hear me out; I’ve seen these shops on TikTok where you come in, pick a bowl size, and then you go over to the wall where, in a froyo fashion… pick your cereal and then their toppings, followed by the milk you’d like.
FIGHTING FOR RESERVATIONS 📤
One week out… sure, but now we’re looking at one, two, three months out for reservations? There are spots in this town that operate like this and I’m not quite sure why because the overhype is REAL.
How about we…
FIGHT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTS 📥
Meaning, those small mom-and-pop places who don’t tend to take reservations because honestly, they don’t need them. Those places that have been struggling since 2020, can we please make THEM a priority instead of being at the front of the line at the next MML opening? No hate to them, I love most of their restaurants but they have support, backing, investors, budget to stay alive. These small places don’t survive unless you make them a part of your routine.
TEENY TINY WATER CUPS 📤
This is honestly self explanatory…
give us PITCHERS OF WATER 📥
MODERN AMERICAN MENUS 📤
ack, enough already. Can we spice things up, give us some culture, some excitement, something we’ve never had before!
AKA… ANY OTHER MENU 📥
RAISING RENT 📤
Boy, oh boy is it expensive to be poor in Austin or what? Woof.
Instead of raising rent, can we focus on RAISING INCOME this year? 📥
Income-rent gaps aren’t the highest in the country, but it’s been climbing y’all and we just simply cannot afford that out here.
CLOSING ICONIC SPOTS 📤
Native Hostel. Nau’s Enfield Drug. Thunderbird Coffee. Opal Divines’s. Mr. Natural. Abel’s On The Lake. — Seeing places like this truly breaks my heart because you can see how much goes into running, operating, and keeping a business alive. And to my previous point, we HAVE to make sure to continue to keep our favorite spots a constant visit in our weekly routines!
Other spots I was sad to see close this year: TLV. Henbit. Paper Route Bakery. Bento Picnic. Seolju. Vixen’s Wedding. Mama Fried. Wax Myrtles.
Instead of these closures, I would love to see the REOPENING OF ICONIC BUSINESSES 📥
We don’t appreciate these places as much as we should until they’re gone. So, give us another chance! Threadgill’s, you’re such an icon… I won’t complain about the lack of flavor ever again. Spaghetti warehouse… never had the opportunity to meet you but damn, with a name like that, what’s not to love?
TRUCKER HATS 📤
It truly stuns me when I look out into a sea of bar hoppers, Eastside cool kids, or at any of our breweries, how many trucker hats I can spot. Sometimes when I’m at Armadillo Den, I get that feeling many talk about where you feel like you’re in a simulation. It’s as if one small group is copy and pasted all over the outdoor patio. Anyway, let’s switch it up and respect our Texas roots with…
COWBOY HATS 📥
We’re in Texas, like embrace it!
OVERPRICED APARTMENT COMPLEXES 📤
If you know… then you know. Again, it’s expensive to be poor in this town.
If these prices are going up, then how about we spend that money on,
HOMELESS HOUSING 📥
I know it’s a lot easier said than done but come on, we’ve got to help the people on our streets, y’all.
RAINEY NIGHTS 📤
Now that Rainey is covered in construction… let’s take the year off, avoid the chaos and head to the east (or south).
EASTSIDE HANGS 📥
I’ll be honest, I would have said south, like the SoChac District (South Menchaca Road) but I feel this area needs to grow just a little more first.
ROMAN EMPIRE 📤
“How often do you think about the Roman Empire?” was one of the most asked questions in 2023 and for me, my answer was never so this change won’t be much of an impact.
I suggest instead of this we focus on
ROMANTIC HANGS WITH YOUR GIRLS 📥
—see what I did there— haha take your lady friends out and spend more $ and time on them in 2024
SRIRACHA 📤
This chili sauce had its time… for a LONG time. But step aside, this nutty, peppery, oily salsa is our new condiment taking over.
SALSA MACHA 📥
This is a slightly spicy salsa used as a topping/condiment for items like tacos. It elevates your dishes to another level!
an ATX FYI: One of my favorites you can find at Ensenada, a local food truck at the Arbor Food Park
AMAZON 📤
Yes, next day shipping or even same day shipping… it’s incredible for last minute options.
However… instead let’s focus more on
LOCAL MARKETS/SHOPS 📥
Supporting local is SO important, especially keeping our favorite stores and shops open longterm. Besos will always get his.
What do you think about our list?