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City Cast Austin

The latest on the hottest places to eat, drink, socialize, and talk about in Austin.

Kelsey Bradshaw

Triple digit temperatures and humid days abound, so thank goodness it’s Freeze Week.

Freeze Week is an annual celebration of frozen drinks, of course. Here’s how it works: All you have to do is get a frozen drink from one of 13 participating locations and boom, you’re part of Freeze Week. Take it a step further by picking up a punch card from one of the locations and 

 is really, really cute. It has a cowboy on a pair of skis and although I am generally against single-event T-shirts for environmental reasons, this one may be worth it!

The event runs through Sunday and is sponsored by Campari America and Espolòn Tequila.

You’ll be able to vote on your favorite frozen drink at any of the bars, too. Fun drinks are also part of the week. Kinda Tropical, which is acting as the hub for Free Week, is offering 

 made with Skyy Vodka, orange juice, and lime and Holiday on 7th is 

Our executive producer Becky Fogel tried the guava drink at Kinda Tropical for journalism reasons and said it was delicious!

“I love all things guava so it was an easy sell for me, but I especially liked that it wasn’t too sweet,” she said.

It’s Freeze Week in Austin. Here’s What You Need To Know.

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Austin. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Austin Food & Drink

Food & Drink

No one likes this news less than me: Summer is waning. July is about to end and that means school is around the corner for Austin kids.

Austin Independent School District’s first day of classes is 

. Before that arrives though, H-E-B has a handful of deals and events for all you parents, guardians, teachers, and your students!

As a lover of school supplies, I am so jealous about this one! Teachers can get 20% off school supplies and other classroom items through Aug. 29 at H-E-B. Items include things like pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, markers, disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and truly so much more. Teachers can save up to $50 with the coupon, 

Kid’s Day is on Aug. 1 at all H-E-B stores from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event includes food samples, activities and more. Every H-E-B will have different things to do during the day.

“Before school starts, come have one more day of summer fun at H-E-B,” the company said in a news release.

 because why am I envious of kids who get to hang out with a shopping bag mascot? H-E-Buddy will be 

at Manor Independent School District’s Back to School Bash

 on Aug. 8 delivering backpacks and other school supplies from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The popular mascot will also deliver school supplies on Aug. 22 at Round Rock Independent School District’s 

 at Cedar Ridge High School from 10 a.m. to noon.

AISD students return to class on Aug. 18. 

H-E-B Deals To Grab Before School Starts Again in Austin

 may not be running rampant in Austin right now, but reports of it elsewhere may be making you a little nervous to consume fresh fruits and vegetables. No worries! We’ve compiled our favorite cooked veggie dishes around town so you can keep getting your fiber in without fear of getting sick.

Green beans are arguably a pretty boring vegetable. That’s what makes 

 are good enough to eat on their own: They come piled high, have a great garlic taste, and are just soft enough. You’ll forget you’re even eating a vegetable!

Cauliflower and Carrots at LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue

cauliflower burnt ends and miso-glazed carrots

. Both dishes have us thinking that maybe the restaurant should be known for more than its meat! The carrots are charred over a live fire and are smokey, delicious, and thick. The cauliflower burnt ends are smoked and grilled, and are the perfect addition to whatever meat you choose.

Austin actually has a lot of spots for great, cooked brussel sprouts: 

. But Lucky Robot is where you should start filling out your brussel sprout passport. The sprouts come crisped with lemongrass soy and are crunchy, tangy, and salty. Our producer Elissa Castles calls them “can't-stop-eating 

Spicy Garlic Soy Edamame at Tso Chinese Takeout & Delivery

If you enjoy a little kick with your veggies, try the 

 at Tso Chinese Takeout & Delivery. The beans may technically be a vegetable, but they’re slathered in a tangy and slightly spicy sauce after being stir-fried, making them taste more like a treat!

Baked Spinach & Artichoke Dip at Murray’s Tavern

This selection may be a little light on the veggie and heavy on the cheese, but it combines spinach and artichokes so it counts! Murray’s Tavern does a great 

 that comes with parmesan and mozzarella cheese and is served with tortilla chips. You’ll be shocked at how fast you can scarf it down!

You can still get your veggies in without fear of cyclosporiasis.

5 Cooked Veggie Dishes To Try in Austin Right Now

Making summer bucket lists is one of my favorite things to do. I usually write lists of swimming holes to hit, restaurants to try, and new experiences I can’t miss at the start of summer to make sure I’m making the most of the season.

This year, I’m adding a list of ice creams I need to eat before summer ends. And don’t you worry, I’ve included that list down below so we all can enjoy and reach our goals!

drop when I saw Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill has a soft serve watermelon margarita available this month. The bar is rolling out new flavors of the month for its soft serve margaritas and the 

OMG Squee’s soft serve flavors through June 28 include mango lassi, strawberry, ube, and melon 

. The soft serve always looks so beautiful at OMG Squee and I’ll probably be refreshing its Instagram on July 1 for the next round of flavors. 😋

Carnival Cookie and Mango Chamoy Ice Cream

H-E-B is always cooking up something new in its Creamy Creations ice cream line. Two new flavors have been added to my cart. 

 is made with cake batter-flavored ice cream, animal cracker cookie pieces, and a cake batter sprinkle swirl. Plus, the 

 sounds like a great treat on a sweltering day!

It appears geniuses work at All Day Pizza. The pizza shop is 

 made with sweet cream soft serve, Luxardo cherry syrup, and a sour cherry cola gummy at both of its locations this month. Keep an eye on the shop’s Instagram page for new flavor drops — 

 was available back in April and I have sooo many regrets!

Is it an Austin summer without a stop for a cone at Sandy’s? I love saying “OK, I’ll stop if there’s no line” on my way home from Barton Springs Pool and then hopping in the Sandy’s drive-thru lane no matter what. I need my 

I legitimately can’t stop thinking about the sundae Gati’s is serving at its 

. The sundae is made with mango, sticky rice, mango lime coconut milk ice cream, and a coconut sauce.

Your Ice Cream Bucket List for Summer 2026 in Austin

Finding coffee on your next trip downtown should be a breeze — the area is full of great options. Here are some of our favorites:

Desnudo has a truck downtown just outside Fareground Austin. Pop in for the brown sugar miso latte, and thank us later!

The coffee shop attached to Austin’s famous “I love you so much” mural has a location in downtown’s Second Street District, and it’s perfect for a midday pick-me-up. Walk around the cute area and grab an iced turbo latte, which has chocolate 

Black Fox Coffee is a brand-new coffee shop inside ATX Tower on West Sixth Street. The vanilla date latte is divine. Make sure you pair it with a Swedish Hill pastry — the coffee shop has an entire array!

Located right next to the Dead Rabbit on East Sixth Street, Grá Mór is great for a quick stop-in or a few hours of chatting and working. The selection is really fun, too. The blueberry crumble latte is just right if your sweet tooth is raging.

One of Austin’s best coffee shops, Fleet Coffee, has a downtown location! It’s diagonal to Paramount Theatre and offers a butterfly latte made with lavender syrup.

Là Vì Coffee is a Vietnamese coffee truck near the Austin Convention Center construction site. Check the shop’s Instagram for updated hours and get your coffee with a whipped banana cream top!

Where To Get Coffee in Downtown Austin

Going out to eat in Austin can be daunting. Everything seems to be more expensive than ever and you likely have to pay for parking on top of your meal.

 to find out where Austinites can find a decent meal for $20 or less.

Montoya absolutely delivered and we’ve got all his recommendations for you:

For a first date, you may not want to spend your whole paycheck. You just met this person!

“I like going for something that's a little bit more approachable on a first date,” Montoya explained.

He recommends bringing your potential love connection to 

 on East Sixth Street. The bar’s "ArModelo" drink, which is a Modelo with lime juice and Tabasco, is $3.75, Montoya said. After you grab a beer, which Montoya says is perfect for kissing because it leaves the lips a little numb, take your date to 

Austinites always have someone visiting. Impress your friends and family with the happy hour at 

. The restaurant’s happy hour runs 3-5:30 p.m. every day and includes $10 burgers, $12 tuna tartare, and half-off wine bottles.

Montoya recommends getting the happy hour martinis, which are $10, for a complete meal.

“You get a really nice burger and a really nice drink for $20 total per person,” Montoya said.

Perhaps you’ve clicked on this story while you’re in town for work. If that’s the case, and your boss is only giving you $20 to eat, Montoya recommends trying 

 that runs Tuesdays through Saturdays 5-6:30 p.m. You can get a burger and fries for $12 and pair it with a half-off cocktail, glass of wine, or beer.

“I went and got the double cheeseburger with fries and three beers for $20,” Montoya said.

An Expert Dishes on Where To Find $20 Meals in Austin

Gather round, Garfields. I come bearing lasagna news.

, a New Jersey-style Italian restaurant, opened in Hyde Park 

 in the small building formerly occupied by Wok 'N Express.

I finally made my way to the counter-service spot last week and it was everything a girl who misses her hometown Italian spot could hope for. The portions are huge, the prices are not terrible, and the decor is so homey and fun. Oh, and they have the biggest piece of lasagna I’ve ever laid my eyes on.

The end piece lasagna is $24 and is what dreams are made of if you also prefer a crispy corner piece of any casserole or brownie pan. It’s crunchy in the right places, made with bolognese, and the layers are so soft they can barely stay in one place. And, the dish is served in a pool of arrabbiata tomato sauce that is a true highlight. It’ll give you something to write home about, that’s for sure. I highly recommend sharing this with a friend so you have room for other delights.

Take the calamari curly fries ($15). Thin pieces of fried calamari are mixed in with a mountain of curly fries that has horseradish mayo slathered on top. Eat a fry and a piece of calamari at the same time for best results.

Adding corn in unexpected places is one of the best things a restaurant can do. Ricotta dumplings ($18) are served in a bowl with just enough alfredo and corn sauce. The dumplings are small in size but dense enough for a real bite. Consider this a light dish before your lasagna arrives.

Umarell made me want to return as soon as possible by doing one thing: delivering food to tables. Every time a new dish passed by in the hands of a waiter, I turned into a 

. My eyes got wide and I’d ask my fellow diners what they ordered. Based on this alone, I’ll be ordering the gigantic chicken parm sandwich, chicken francese pasta, and the tiramisu next time I visit.

Hyde Park Now Home to a Huge Piece of Lasagna You Need To Try

Ruvani de Silva

Something very special is coming to Central Texas this weekend. Zwanze Day, a biennial, global celebration of the traditional Belgian gueuze and lambic beer styles put on by Belgium's Cantillon Brewing, is taking over Johnson City.

Zwanze Day, which is on Saturday, is at once a little nod to the importance of Belgian gueuze and lambic beers, and also a bit of fun. “Zwanze” is the local Brussels term for sarcastic humor. Cantillon is releasing a special experimental beer that playfully riffs on their classic styles, limiting its availability to a small selection of hand-picked locations worldwide where the beers will be tapped at the same time (2 p.m. for us) for maximum dramatic effect.

 is one of the participating locations for the 17th annual Zwanze Day. The event runs noon to midnight and 

. The day will include a vinyl DJ, themed cocktails, food pop-ups, and other treats.

Nestled into a beautifully restored 19th century building just off Johnson City square, Nice N Easy is the brainchild of couples Garret Crowell and Adrienne Ballou and Matt and Margot Piper, who met through previous roles at Jester King Brewery. The bar opened in 2021 after two years of renovations.

The team took great care in creating a drinking space with a “desert-adjacent” aesthetic, highlighting original details like handmade terra cotta architectural brick from D’Hanis Brick & Tile Company in San Antonio and thin brick from Texas-based Elgin Butler. Bullet holes from the building’s rough-and-ready history remain visible.

Nice N Easy’s emphasis on slow, relaxed quality has built up a steady following of locals, visitors, and savvy Austinites happy to make the trip out of town for their expertly curated drinks list, including Matt Piper’s bewitching bespoke cocktails and beers and wines from Crowell’s Yokefellow Beer and Ballou’s Lightsome Wines. As a true barperson’s bar exuding unfussed quality, Nice N Easy is a natural fit for Zwanze Day, one of the most famous and highly curated events in international beer.

As the last lambic brewery in Brussels and dating back to 1900, Cantillon take their role as lambic-gueuze ambassadors seriously with their own museum and guided tours and tastings to preserve the historic culture of Belgian spontaneously fermented and blended beers.

At Nice N Easy, the news that they were chosen as the only Texas venue included in the project is still sinking in.

“It honestly seemed a bit like a pipe dream until Cantillon officially announced 

 and we happily saw Nice N Easy listed in alphabetical order,” said co-owner Matt Piper.

Nice N Easy’s selection also reflects their collective ethos and combined experience, with the owners having been involved in hosting previous Zwanze Day events at Jester King and Crowell and Ballou gaining advice and inspiration from Cantillon’s Jean Van Roy while developing Jester King’s original Spon series, the Texas Hill Country’s version of spontaneous beer, back in the early 2010s.

“Hosting Zwanze Day was always a cool idea in the back of our minds, but we never realistically thought that dream would come to fruition. What a privilege,” Matt Piper said.

This year’s list of 70 venues across 22 countries reads like a who’s who of craft beer cool:

Wellington, New Zealand’s Garage Project Wild Workshop

Nice N Easy’s inclusion in Zwanze Day puts the little Hill Country bar on a very exclusive map, and for those who haven’t visited yet, offers a very exciting opportunity to take part in one heck of a party.

“We’re most excited about the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the event as a whole, especially since the beer industry seems to be experiencing a tough go of it right now. Beer is all about community and carving out time to enjoy it with friends. Zwanze Day facilitates this by bringing people together in a quirky way,” Matt Piper said.

Where To Celebrate Zwanze Day Just an Hour Outside of Austin

Hamburgers are the perfect food. They work in every season, are a divine mix of veggies, sauces, cheese, and bread, and are just plain fun to eat.

. To keep your burger habit going, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite deals in town:

Do you ever dream about a burger? No? That just means you haven’t yet tried 

the smashburgesa at Bar Toti, off of Manor Road

. The burger comes with two wagyu beef patties, American cheese, griddled ham, chipotle mayo, and escabeche relish. It’s so comforting to eat and just $8 during happy hour, which runs all day on Monday and 5-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

. On Wednesdays starting at 5 p.m., you can get a burger, fries, and a mini Spaghett or cosmopolitan for $15. The pickles on the burger have a great crunch to them, and you’ll have a blast with the tiny drink glass they bring out for you!

, you already know I’m a fan of the cheeseburger and shoestring fries at Clark’s Oyster Bar in Clarksville. The burger, which is 

, is perfectly juicy and half off during happy hour, Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sour Duck Market in East Austin has some of the best burgers around — they come with pimento cheese and are on challah buns. During the restaurant’s 

, you can get a single-patty burger for $6 or a double patty for $9. Finish off your meal with a $3 soft serve sundae.

Much can be said about downtown Austin’s dining options. Too few exist, many are too expensive, and who can find a parking spot? But if you happen to find yourself downtown, pop into Bill’s Oyster for its daily 

 The burger, which is usually $21, is $10 during happy hour and bottles of wine are 50% off.

Lots of local restaurants have great burger deals!

The Best Burger Deals in Austin

Passover starts tomorrow, y’all, and if you’re behind on prep like this writer is, this is the perfect guide for you:

, has lots of flourless options for Passover, including: Coconut macaroons, caramel matzo, flourless chocolate cake, flourless chocolate cupcakes, and a Passover dessert box. The treats are available April 1-9 and 

Pick up Matzo Ball Soup and Brisket at Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen

Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen, 5811 Manor Road, has everything you need for a Passover celebration. Matzo ball soup, brisket, egg salad, 

 for pick-up or dining in. You can also get the $84 family style meal which includes: 1.5 pounds of barbecue, three pints of sides, house pickles, and six slices of bread. I’m sure you could skip the bread if you want!

If you don’t feel like cooking this year, Whole Foods 

. A vat of matzo ball soup, or 52 ounces, will run you just $14.99. The chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons, which are $10.99, look incredible.

The H-E-B grocery store at 7015 Village Center Drive near the Jewish Community Center in 

Passover destination if you plan on cooking everything yourself this year! They usually have lots of matzo, and other Kosher-for-Passover finds like matzo meal, matzo ball soup mix, horseradish, gefilte fish, and coconut macaroons.

I don’t know about y’all, but the minute Passover ends, I want a bagel. People who keep Passover don’t eat leavened bread during the 

If you still haven’t found your bagel spot in Austin, here’s a few to try:

A photo of Malcolm in his matzo bandana to go: