Photo courtesy of the Diner Bar
Crimson Creek Smokehouse in Austin, Texas, is Pitmaster Marcus McNac’s ode to a lifetime of barbecue passion. Raised in Lawton, Oklahoma, McNac learned the art at his uncle’s juke joint, later evolving into the vibrant Crimson Creek. Named after his Muscogee Indian heritage, this spot infuses Oklahoma-style barbecue into Texas. McNac, a former athlete, faced the challenges of the pandemic head-on, launching his dream with a unique rub recipe. Assisted by his wife and mother-in-law, Crimson Creek thrived through social media, catering, and a food truck, bringing a distinct taste to central Texas.
Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant originally opened in 1991, but the owner moved to Richmond in 1996. After returning to Austin four years later, her raving fans helped her open her catering business. Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant opened in 2006, and now she continues her success in both catering and dine-in eats! Aster’s is well known for its vegan, gluten-free, meat, and vegetarian dishes and provides unique and authentic cultural cuisines for the whole family to enjoy.
Diner Bar Austin, a vibrant full-service restaurant and bar adjacent to the Thompson Austin’s lobby, curated under the guidance of acclaimed chefs Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano. This culinary haven offers a menu filled with seasonal Southern delights infused with Texan inspiration, featuring dishes like Chicken Fried Quail with regionally ground grits and Clams and Chorizo with garlic trencher. The mid-century modern ambiance, reflecting Bailey & Morisano’s success with The Grey restaurant in Savannah, boasts faded leather booths and a central horseshoe bar where guests can savor oysters, cocktails, and bar snacks like Fried Ugali and Savannah Red Rice balls. Indulge in an old-school martini or explore the eclectic wine list showcasing expressions of grapes from traditional and unconventional regions.
Elevated Soul. Founded in 2016 by Erin, this restaurant is a beacon of excellence in both cuisine and customer service. Serving the greater Austin area with pride, Elevated Soul is more than just a dining destination—it actively gives back to the community by aiding the homeless, minimizing food waste, and prioritizing sustainable ingredient sourcing. From catering and private chef services to curated meal plans, the restaurant offers a diverse range of quality services.
Opened in 2015, Emmer & Rye was founded by chefs Kevin Fink and Tavel Bristol-Joseph and is designed with fresh ingredients in mind. Their menu changes daily to feature seasonal and local cuisine. They mill heirloom grains for house-made dishes and butcher on site. Emmer & Rye also works with Zero FoodPrint to be a carbon-neutral restaurant.
Celebrity Chef Tiffany Derry was a Top Chef competitor and a Top Chef: All-Stars finalist on Bravo. Chef Derry, a native of Beaumont, started her career early and continues to ramp it up every day. One secret to her success is frying her creations in duck fat! She brings her savory and delicious menu to Roots Chicken Shack to share her art with the community.
SLAB was founded by Mark Avalos and Raf Robinson on the basis of bringing you new flavors that may be a break from your traditional Texas BBQ. They bridge the taste bud gap of the Dirty South from Memphis, to the Carolinas, Alabama, and Texas. SLAB started a food trailer in 2006 and with success, opened several brick-and-mortar locations. Now you can find them in Sunset Valley, Cedar Park, on Research Boulevard, and in Westgate Lanes!
Cajun Skillet may look small, but don’t let them fool you – they’re expanding! Cajun Skillet restaurant, catering company, and food truck specializes in New Orleans Cajun/Creole cuisine, southern homestyle favorites, and tacos with a New Orleans twist. Join them for Sunday Brunch featuring Shrimp & Grits or try one of their specialty dishes like the Crawfish Etouffee.
Mashama Bailey is the 2022 James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef and co-founder with business partner Johno Morisano of The Grey Market Austin. The Grey Market Austin has a foundation in the Port-City Southern food embraced by its sister Market and The Grey Restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. The Grey Market Austin features counter-service, display cases filled with baked goods, grab-and-go items, pantry staples and provisions.
Owner Woinee Mariam grew up in Ethiopia watching her mother cook, and with her husband, she opened Taste of Ethiopia after moving to Austin from D.C. The rich flavors and delightful textures will make you a fast fan, as will the opportunity to get more personal with your food. You can enjoy beef Tibs, green beans, lentils, cabbage, lamb, chicken, collard greens, and potatoes piled high on a plate of injera bread used to scoop the food onto your pallet or even vegetarian options to suit your taste!
Inspired by nearly a decade of traveling together and a friendship, Brian Batch and Ryan McElroy started working on the idea that became Bird Bird Biscuit. They labored for 2 years perfecting each recipe on the menu to create everyone’s favorites, like their chicken sandwiches on flakey buttermilk biscuits.
Co-owners and vegan chefs Marlon Rison and Ericka Dotson’s mission is to provide access to healthy and nutritious food and make an impact on the community. They are honored to bring healthy, plant-based options and education to fellow residents so they can live their best life with the selection of proper foods. Experience their tasty dishes like The Too-Nah Salad Melt, Fresh Avacado Bites, Crab Cake Totchos, and more.
Owners Bonita and James Allen believe in sharing the true flavors of Chicago hot dogs, which is why they decided to open up Midway Dogs. In 2006, they moved to Austin from Chicago, and Bonita started to miss the food she loved back home. That is when she decided to bring her favorite food back here! You can find the classics like the Chicago Dog, Chilli Cheese Dog, and other tasty treats on their menu.
