Austin, TX
Austin outspends other Texas cities on brisket and ribs — but not on one other barbecue staple
Summer is officially here, and it burst through the proverbial doors of the solstice with a 105-degree vigor that Austinites were less than thrilled about. There’s not much we can do except sweat it out, protect our pets, and splurge on a pool pass.
There is one more temporary solution: don a sunhat and dig into a sweet, ice-cold treat. Most Austinites know where their favorite ice cream is, but these 10 businesses have new seasonal flavors, unique pastry offerings, and delicious drinks, too. This list also includes lots of tropical fruits, no matter what culture inspired the dish, alongside some distinctly Texan ingredients.
Stay cool out there, Austin!
Gelato Paradiso
Of course we’re going to start with ice cream, and Gelato Paradiso is some of the best available in Austin. These thick and creamy small-batch treats come in traditional flavors like stracciatella (basically a more delicate Italian chocolate chip), pistacchio, and nocciola (hazelnut), as well less-expected (but still not wild) seasonal flavors, like passion fruit, guava, and pineapple. Still, nothing beats a lemon sorbetto on a hot day. Nothing.
Lick Honest Ice Creams
If those flavors were a little tame for you, or celebrating Texas ingredients is more appealing than Italian escapism, look no further than Lick Honest Ice Creams. Four summer make an appearance at this gay-owned local favorite: strawberry margarita, “Orange You Glad It’s Pride?,” lemon poundcake, and peach leaf graham crunch. Its everyday flavors break the mold with combos like beets and mint, or goat cheese, thyme, and honey.
Beard Papa’s
Most of this list is pretty local, but one Japanese company makes a chilled dessert too unique and delightful to pass up. Beard Papa’s, at The Domain, makes semi-custom cream puffs in 24 combinations. First, choose a pastry shell from options like plain pastry, chocolate coated, green tea coated, oreo topped, and more. Then choose one of four fillings: vanilla, chocolate, green tea, or Vietnamese coffee, only available this June. Order a bunch to share with friends, but they’re bigger than they look online!
Connor’s Creamery
This one is for the transplants, especially from the Midwest and Northeast: Remember those soft-serve ice creams with the ribbon of flavored gel along the edges? You could get flavors like cherry, butterscotch, and blue goo. (Obviously, if you were 12 or younger, you got the latter.) According to the maker’s website, there’s only one place in Central Texas with a Flavor Burst soft-serve machine, and it’s the Museum of Ice Cream. But we know that the truck outside Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster is selling them, too. Enjoy irresponsibly. Order every flavor.
Kalimotxo Cheesecake
All cheesecakes are no-bake if you didn’t have to bake them. Kalimotxo, the trendy Basque cocktail by Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, serves one of the most famous cheesecakes in the country, and by the time it gets to your plate, the singed top has all the benefits of a hot, hot oven, but has been long chilled. The Basque cheesecake is easily recognizable for its darkened, deflated top and a fluffy but very creamy center. The menu also features a corn ice cream sundae, for even more adventure.
Meanwhile Brewing
Formerly a brunch craze and now just part of many wine-lovers’ routines, the frosé (frozen rosé) is a gentle departure from stronger cocktails and heavier desserts. Meanwhile Brewing — an unlikely suspect, perhaps — makes a special frosé with a tropical twist: hibiscus, basil, and passionfruit. The brewery has a solid list of other wine cocktails alongside its many beers, including a house-made fernet and sake sangria.
Uncle Nicky’s
This combo may surprise some non-Italians, but melon (cantaloupe) and prosciutto are an elite sweet-and-salty team. Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialties serves this classic treat with ricotta and mint alongside other chilled brunch items like parfait and overnight oats, or savory dishes like chilled shrimp. Pair it with a morning spritz or an espresso martini for a luxurious breakfast that couldn’t feel more chill — in every sense of the word.
Frutería Las Mazorcas
There are lots of fruterías around town, and one is basically as good as the next. But Frutería Las Mazorcas is known for its over-the-top fruit cocktails, and just opened a new location at 6419 US-183 Hwy. on June 18. Go for the traditional mango chamoyada topped with an entire paleta, a variety of aguas frescas, or a rusa en cantarito topped with cucumbers, sour candy, and more. Whatever decision you make, there is chamoy galore.
Super Thai Cuisine
Americans are so obsessed with iced coffee, they’ll drink it in any whether. But how about a sweeter alternative for that caffeine fix: Thai tea? For those who haven’t tried it, Thai iced tea is a lightly spiced tea with sweetened milk, and it’s one of the most refreshing summer drinks out there. Super Thai Cuisine serves all its teas hot or cold, including the green tea, which is served in the same style. For a side snack, the sweet sticky rice is served warm, but contrasted with chilled mango.
Tillie’s
One of the best things the Texas heat brings every year is peach season, and Tillie’s at Camp Lucy is making the most of it with a unique dessert recipe. A cross between an ice cream sandwich, a brown butter cake, and a peach cobbler, this layered dessert has Texas summer written all over it. They call it an ice box pie, and it’s the invention of the restaurant’s new pastry chef, Hannah Smith. The new and growing dessert menu looks worth the drive on Instagram.
Austin, TX
Texas boasts 10 restaurants on OpenTable’s top 100 list for 2024
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas had a strong showing on OpenTable’s 2024 Top 100 Restaurants with 10 establishments making the list.
The Lone Star State had the second-most restaurants on the list, tied with Illinois, behind California, which had a whopping 19 restaurants featured.
The best foodie city in Texas, at least according to OpenTable, was Austin, with seven restaurants making the list.
- Aba – Austin
- J Carver’s
- Jeffrey’s Restaurant
- Red Ash Italia
- Sammie’s Italian
- Uchi Austin
- Uchiko Austin
The rest of Texas’ major metropolitan areas–Houston, Dallas and San Antonio–each only had one restaurant on the list.
- Steak 48 – Houston
- Signature – San Antonio
- Hudson House – Lovers Lane – Dallas
OpenTable compiles its top 100 list every year by looking at diner reviews from its 14 million verified users.
According to OpenTable’s website, restaurants with enough reviews are automatically considered and are evaluated by their ratings, percentage of five-star reviews, number of alerts set, percentage of reservations made in advance, percentage of capacity and direct searches.
Austin, TX
‘Superman!’ Jelani McDonald Proves to Be Crucial Piece to Texas Longhorns Defense
AUSTIN — Texas defensive back Jelani McDonald made his mark in the Longhorn secondary on Saturday.
McDonald recorded his first career interception, and it was one for the books.
With five minutes left in the first half as Texas led 14-7, Kentucky had possession. The crowd went wild as McDonald dove for the ball to get possession back to the Longhorn offense. Commentators described the play as a “Superman” performance.
McDonald’s teammates also had their takes on the play.
“Superman…I mean everybody knows how athletic Jelani is, we’ve been talking about that all season, and even tied back to last season,” Michael Taaffe said. “He’s so athletic. I’m glad he finally got to show that and for you all to see, because we’ve known that forever.”
McDonald has totaled 22 tackles this season, playing in every conference and two non-conference games.
While he’s not a name on everyone’s mouths, like Quinn Ewers, Isaiah Bond, Taaffe or Kelvin Banks Jr., McDonald proved once and for all his impact on the team. McDonald could very much have a breakout season in 2025, and this play, which recorded Texas’ 16th interception of the season taking the national record, opened up the doors for his campaign.
That pick could even be awarded play of the year.
“I’ve been just happy to see him grow and get better as a player,” Anthony Hill Jr., who played with McDonald in the Freshman All-American game, said.
“He was playing corners, so I was like ‘Who’s this guy,’ and then one the game, he’s playing linebackers, and at one game he’s playing safety,” Hill said.
McDonald has one more shot to showcase his talent in the regular season as Texas faces Texas A&M next Saturday. But with two years left of eligibility, the sky is the limit.
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Other Texas Longhorns News:
MORE: Texas Longhorns Final Regular Season Test vs. Texas A&M Aggies Could Be Toughest Yet
MORE: Texas Longhorns Survive Slow Second Half to Take Down Kentucky Wildcats
MORE: Gunnar Helm’s Two TDs Gives Texas Longhorns Halftime Lead vs. Kentucky Wildcats
MORE: Quinn Ewers Returns vs. Kentucky Wildcats After Exiting Medical Tent
MORE: Texas Longhorns QB Commit Dia Bell Sends Message After Serious Leg Injury
Austin, TX
No. 3 Texas ends UK’s bowl chances
AUSTIN, Tx. (WKYT) – The Kentucky Wildcats (4-7, 1-7 SEC) ended their SEC slate with a 31-14 loss on the road against the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (10-1, 6-1 SEC). For the first time in eight seasons, UK will not be bowl eligible.
Junior quarterback Brock Vandagriff started the game for the Cats, going 3-7 for 51 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The staff opted to once against start true freshman Cutter Boley in the second half. The LCA alum wet 10-18 for 160 yards and an interception in the loss.
The Wildcats went 1-2 in the red zone and just 2-12 on third down conversions.
Senior inside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson had a 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and also led the defense in tackles with eight.
Texas junior QB Quinn Ewers went 20-31 for 191 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns.
The season concludes next week as Kentucky hosts the Governor’s Cup game against Louisville at Kroger Field. Kick-off is set for noon on the SEC Network.
Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.
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