New Takeout Tex-Mex Restaurant From Tim Love Opens in Downtown Austin

New Downtown Austin Tex-Mex Restaurant
Texas chef Tim Love opened a new to-go-only Tex-Mex restaurant within his downtown Austin restaurant Lonesome Dove called Burritos, Fajitas, & ‘Ritas, as reported by CultureMap Houston. On deck are the ritual dishes: burritos and fajitas with options such as skirt steaks, chicken, and the vegan summer squash; and then three margarita options, including a jalapeno-cucumber one. Then there’s tea by the gallon and cookies. To-go and delivery orders are placed online with pickups at 419 Colorado Street. Lonesome Dove is currently open for dine-in and to-go services.

Texas Restaurant Company Has a New Owner
Private investment firm Hargett Hunter Capital Management, LLC won the auction to buy Austin restaurant company Trudy’s Texas Star Inc., as reported by the Austin Business Journal. The company, which includes Tex-Mex mini-chain Trudy’s and the South Congress Cafe, had filed for bankruptcy in January.

State of Texas Restaurants During the Pandemic
The Texas Observer checked in with several independently-run restaurants throughout the state to see how they were fairing amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Writer Paula Forbes asks the important question of: “If the small, family-run restaurants of Texas go under — the likes of which invented Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex and will continue to influence the Texan cuisine of the future—what will be left? The Cheesecake Factory?”

Pizza and wine restaurant Bufalina’s Steven Dilley noted that by sticking to takeout-only service because he wants to “prioritize safety while bringing in some revenue,” as he said, but acknowledged that the restaurant is “selling less food.” New-school barbecue truck LeRoy & Lewis owner Evan LeRoy shared that they “lost thousands [of dollars] in the last few months.”

Eid Food Specials
Two Austin food businesses are honoring the forthcoming Muslim holiday, Eid al-Fitr this week, as reported by Austin 360. Lake Austin cafe Mozart’s Coffee put together a to-go Eid box with sandwiches, cookies, tarts, scones, macarons, as well as a mug, coffee, and tea. Orders for the $150 must be placed two days ahead of time, which means today, since the holiday takes place on Friday, July 31. Co-owner Stacey Leonard told the publication that “the Eid box was born out of a desire from the community — and it was fun.” Then, Austin chocolate shop Maggie Louise Confections offers an Eid sweets box, which includes chocolates in the shape of crescent moons and stars. The $42 box is available for shipping.

New Coffee Shop Opening
Austin coffee shop Bennu Coffee opened its third location over the weekend for to-go orders and drinking on the premises. The space also features outdoor seating courtesy of its host building, the mixed-use development FiveTwo. The cafe is found on 109 Jacob Fontaine Lane in Highland. Its hours are from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Bennu’s other two locations — South Congress and East Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard — are remaining open for just to-go orders.

Austin Barbecue Truck’s Spicy Week
LeRoy & Lewis is hosting its annual spicy food menu and challenge. The revolving daily specials include a spicy meatball sub, a Sichuan pork boudin, and a pepper jelly and cream cheese kolache. Also on dek are LeRoy’s new retail items: a spicy barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and the Sichuan rub. Those who eat and finish every single special dish will receive a $25 gift card and their choice of a branded apparel or a bottle of the truck’s beet barbecue hot sauce. It begins today, Wednesday, July 29 and runs through Sunday, August 2. The truck is currently offering takeout as well as dine-in service courtesy of its host, Cosmic Coffee.

Socially Distanced Picnics
Far northeast Austin event space Barr Mansion is opening its outdoor grounds for weekly socially distanced picnics. People can order food from the site’s kitchen, which will serve up pizza, salads, and snacks, as well as beers from Hopsquad Brewery and cocktails from the Tigress Pub. People will have to bring their own blankets and chairs, as well as plates, glasses, and servingware. There’s live music too. People will also have to take their garbage with them when they leave. Reservations are made by preordering food. Almost all dates, including the first one tonight, are sold out, but it’s still accepting orders for Wednesday, August 19. The evenings run from 6 to 10 p.m.

Virtual Wine Dinner
South First wine garden restaurant Lenoir is hosting a virtual wine dinner with Texas winery William Chris Vineyards. Guests will partake in the to-go three-course meal (an almaco jack crudo, cannelloni, and pork chop) with paired bottles through Zoom with chef Todd Duplechan and wine representatives from the Hye winery. It takes place on Friday, July 31. The meal is $195 for two people, with pickups at the 1807 South First Street restaurant on that Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.