— Restaurants and other businesses along 2nd Street in downtown Austin spoke to Community Impact about the difficulties in operating successfully in the downtown Austin area. The Bonneville’s owners Chris Hurley and chef Jennifer Costello told the publication it’s because of “increasing taxes, licensing backlogs and increased competition.” There have been several retail shutters, and there was the closure of Cantina Laredo, which will become Houston-based South African restaurant Peli Peli’s first Austin location.
— Someone allegedly stole 13 empty kegs from North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery’s Slaughter Lane location over the summer.
— Odd Duck’s annual Trailer Throwback party is back again, with dishes from its food truck days like pork belly sliders, grilled broccoli, and meatballs with grits. There’s a minimum donate entry fee of $35, which will go towards the National Guard of Texas Family Support Foundation. The restaurant will also host a silent auction benefitting Zilker Elementary’s garden. It takes place on Monday, December 11 from 5 to 9 p.m.
— Torchy’s Tacos’ West William Cannon Drive location caught on fire yesterday. No one was hurt, and the restaurant quickly reopened.
A long time ago, in the bustling town of Austin, Texas, a man named Mike Rypka bought a food trailer and a red Vespa. His dream? To start a taco joint. Like all great chefs, he filled his first menu with more experiments than meals — and thanks to some trips around town on his Vespa, and overhear…
