East Austin is buzzing with new openings and a few closures this September, offering residents more dining choices, entertainment options and hospitality amenities.
New restaurants and food concepts
Husband‑and‑wife chefs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas‑Lee have launched Big Slick, a steakhouse that dry‑ages its beef in‑house and sources the meat from Lobel’s of New York.
Austin‑born chef Silvino Sanchez opened a restaurant that blends his Mexican heritage with Southeast Asian techniques, featuring dishes such as Panang Curry Mole.
Alteño Austin, created by James Beard‑nominated chef Johnny Curiel and Kasie Curiel of Fonda Fina Hospitality, brings a Michelin‑recommended concept focused on Jaliscan Highlands flavors, with menu items like queso fundido duck carnitas.
Former UT Austin basketball star and NBA player Mo Bamba has entered the local retail scene with a new card shop in West Campus, offering a wide range of sports and collectible cards.
A new chicken‑focused eatery is slated to open in early September, promising chicken nuggets, sandwiches, fries and seasonal soft‑serve ice cream.
Hospitality and entertainment developments
The upcoming 1 Hotel Austin will add 252 guest rooms—including 60 luxury suites—along with restaurants, a wellness spa and over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
Lobos Hospitality and Boardroom Hospitality have partnered to open the Austin Sports Club downtown, a dining and entertainment hub featuring American fare such as lobster rolls, ribeye, grilled branzino and signature cocktails.
At Circuit of The Americas, the new amusement area COTALAND opened in late September, offering more than 30 experiences including mini‑golf, karting and a zip line.
Austin‑Bergstrom International Airport will soon host its first airline lounge, part of a new lounge program that will later expand to airports in Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville.
Closings and relocations
After eight years, the vegan comfort‑food spot owned by Mike and Danielle Wood closed its South Austin storefront and plans to relaunch in its original 1967 Airstream trailer format.
East 6th bar, run by locals Mike DeBonville, Joe Schumacher and Wade McElroy, shut its doors after nearly three years overlooking Waller Creek.
Co‑founders Debra Hallum and Marlene du Plessis announced the closure of Austin’s dedicated women’s sports bar, which must relocate due to construction for the city’s light‑rail project.
Restaurant owner Manuel Lopez will close his long‑standing eatery after a lease renewal was denied, though he intends to reopen elsewhere.
The venue that has hosted live music and festivals in the Red River Cultural District since 2009 will also close, ending a decade‑long run.
Upcoming projects
The Austin‑based hospitality firm is preparing to open Emmer & Rye at Old 6th, a 200,000‑square‑foot development in the Sixth Street Historic District.
A functional‑fitness studio announced an expansion, offering coached group classes, small‑group personal training, one‑on‑one sessions, pre‑ and postnatal training and physical therapy.
These developments reflect East Austin’s continued growth as a vibrant hub for dining, hospitality and recreation, while longtime favorites adapt or make way for new concepts.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
