Austin, TX

We Go Back To 1618 Asian Fusion – The Texas Tasty

Published

1 year ago

July 18, 2024

We Go Back To 1618 Asian Fusion – The Texas Tasty

If you are craving Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Singaporean, and Southeast Asian food but can’t decide on one, then 1618 Asian Fusion is perfect for you. Located near Riverside and Lady Bird Lake, you will find the restaurant in a nice apartment complex area, but once you open the door, you will feel ready to eat delicious Asian food.

The Menu

1618 Asian Fusion restaurant has a brunch menu that will make you want to come back for more. They call their brunch menu a “Build-Your-Own Brunch Tray,” where you can choose one appetizer, an entree, and a beverage. They even have a vegan menu. If you are feeling like you want to treat yourself during your brunch, you can order one of their four $8 brunch cocktails.

Starters

As part of your “Build-Your-Own Brunch Tray,” you can choose one appetizer. We had the Sugar Cane Shrimp; ground shrimp and chopped cilantro wrapped around a piece of sugar cane. Our waitress said the way to eat it was by first eating the shrimp and then biting into the sugar cane to suck for the juices. The sugar cane had a subtle sweetness that added to the richness of the shrimp.

From their vegan menu, we had their Crispy Eggrolls; tofu, glass noodles, taro, and yellow onion. The dish also came with house-blended vegan sauce. It was my first time trying a tofu eggroll and it was very crispy and soft on the inside.

The restaurant was also generous in serving us the favorite starters of their brunch menu: Vegetable Dumplings, Duck Pan Fried Bao, Sui Mai, and Har Kaw.

These Vegetable Dumplings were different colors of the rainbow. Inside, they were filled with bean curd, mushrooms, bamboo, onion, celery, sweet corn, ginger, and carrots. The vegetables in the dumplings added a nice soft crunch to every bite and tasted fresh.

The Duck Pan Fried Bao was two bao buns filled with ground roasted duck, yellow onion, and shiitake mushroom. The bao buns were golden and crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside and had a light and sweet taste that added to the flavor of the duck filling.

Finally, the last two appetizers were the Sui Mai and the Har Kaw made mostly of shrimp. You can taste the freshness and rich flavor of the shrimp in both dishes in every bite you take.

Entrees

One of our entrees was the Brisket Pho. It was Vietnamese beef broth, brisket, rice noodles, bean sprouts, basil, lime, and serrano slices. The brisket was very tender; almost melted in your mouth. And the broth was light and full of rich flavors. It was served with a dumpling soup and salad.

The next entree was the Yellow Curry Tofu. It was a curry with tofu, yellow onion, oyster mushroom, white mushroom, potato, and young bamboo shoots. The soup was thick and had a spicy kick at the end that was very tolerable. It was also served with white rice and vegetable soup.

Given generously by the restaurant, we also had the Whole Peking Duck. It was roast duck with steamed bao buns, green onions, and duck sauce. I recommend adding the duck sauce because it is sweet, and also the cooked, crispy duck skin for an added crunch to your bao bun.

Dessert

We were generously offered to experience the Flambeau Everest Cheesecake. It was a caramelized sugar, New York-style cheesecake served with Flaming Licor 43, cinnamon powder, and coconut pineapple ice cream. Our waitress came to our table with a standing tray and prepared the dessert in front of us. The cheesecake was warm, light, and fluffy. The cinnamon was not overpowering, and the ice cream paired perfectly with the dish. This would be a great dessert for the summer.

Drinks

I had two coffee drinks during my experience: the Café Sua Da and the Matcha Espresso. The Café Sua Da was a Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk and half & half. When you take a sip, the dark flavor of the espresso combined with the sweetness of the milk and half & half makes the drink very smooth. The other was the Matcha Espresso. The earthy taste of the matcha was very subtle and combined perfectly with the milk and espresso. If you love the taste of real matcha and espresso, this drink is for you.

A drink I did have that was a choice in the “Build-Your-Own Brunch Tray” was the Chia Melon Tea. It was dried winter melon and dried pandan infused water with chia seeds. The flavors of the melon tea were sweet but tasted freshly made. You may think the chia seeds would be too much and a distraction when you take each sip but they weren’t.

Location and Timings

Sun – Thurs: 10am – 9:30pm

Fri – Sat: 10am – 10:30pm

Happy Hour: Mon-Thur: 4pm – 6pm

Brunch: Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 3pm

Address

1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741

We enjoyed the restaurant and will go back again sometime. It was a very welcoming, intimate restaurant that would be great for getting together and having a memorable meal. Sharing a meal is traditional in many Asian cultures, and 1618 Asian Fusion is a great place where you can do just that with family, friends, or a date.

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Austin, TX

Top 10 Gyms In Austin TX (2026) – Fitness For Every Goal

Published

4 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Top 10 Gyms In Austin TX (2026) – Fitness For Every Goal

Updated: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Jump To: Full-Service | Affordable | Group

As the new year approaches, many Austinites are setting fresh fitness goals and rethinking their workout routines. Austin’s gym scene continues to evolve in 2026, offering everything from luxury athletic clubs to no-frills strength gyms and high-energy group fitness studios.

Whether you’re training for performance, looking for community, or simply trying to stay consistent, these gyms in Austin stand out for their programming, facilities, and overall value.

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Also, check out our articles on the Healthy Food Cedar Park, Healthy Food Round Rock, and Healthy Food in Austin!

Full-Service Gyms

Life Time

Image credit: Life Time Austin North

Life Time is ideal for those who want a premium, all-in-one fitness experience. Members have access to expansive workout floors, boutique-style classes, pools, recovery amenities, and family-friendly programming.

Where: 1301 S Lamar Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 6:00 am – 10:00 pm | Monday – Friday 4:00 am – 11:00 pm

Gold’s Gym

Gold’s Gym remains a staple for strength training and general fitness in Austin. With multiple locations, members benefit from large free-weight areas, machines, group classes, and personal training options.

Where: 13435 N Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78750
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 11:00 pm

Hyde Park Gym

Hyde Park Gym is a longtime favorite among serious lifters in Austin. Known for its old-school atmosphere, it prioritizes heavy lifting, strength equipment, and a focused training environment.

Where: 4125 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751
Operating Hours: Saturday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm | Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm | Saturday 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Affordable & Budget-Friendly Gyms

Korrect Fitness

Image credit: Korrect Fitness

Korrect Fitness is a premier 10,000-square-foot training facility in South Austin that specializes in functional performance through small group conditioning, unconventional equipment like steel maces and kettlebells, and elite recovery amenities including cold plunges and saunas.

Where: 4401 Freidrich Ln, Unit 301, Austin, TX 78744
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness is best for beginners or anyone looking for a low-pressure, affordable gym membership. The gym focuses on cardio equipment, circuit training, and a welcoming environment.

Where: 1807 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78748
Operating Hours: 24/7

Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness offers 24-hour access and smaller gym footprints, making it a convenient option for busy schedules. It’s a solid choice for members who value consistency and flexibility.

Where: 8516 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX 78729
Operating Hours: 24/7

FeV Iron Vault Gym

Image credit: FeV – Iron Vault Gym

Iron Vault Gym caters to powerlifters, bodybuilders, and experienced strength athletes. The gym emphasizes high-quality equipment and a no-frills approach to training.

Where: 2101 W. Ben White BLVD #105, Back of building facing Redd St, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Monday = Friday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

Group Fitness & Specialty Studios

Orangetheory

Orangetheory delivers coach-led group workouts combining cardio, rowing, and strength intervals. The structured format appeals to members who want accountability and efficient, results-driven sessions.

Where: 401 W 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm | Monday – Thursday 5:00 am – 8:00 pm | Friday 5:00 am – 6:00 pm

F45 Training

F45 focuses on fast-paced functional training in a group setting. Daily workout variations keep classes engaging, making it popular with members who enjoy high-energy, team-based fitness.

Where: 500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Operating Hours: Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Sunday 9:30 am – 11:15 am | Monday – Thursday 5:30 am – 7:15 pm | Friday 5:30 am – 6:15 pm

Big Tex Gym

Image credit: Big Tex Gym

Big Tex Gym is a veteran-owned, old-school strength sanctuary in North Austin that provides 24/7 access to specialized equipment for powerlifting, bodybuilding, and strongman training within a supportive community atmosphere.

Where: 1921 Cedar Bend Dr A 130, Austin, TX 78758
Operating Hours: 24/7

Many gyms offer free trials or seasonal promotions at the start of the year, making January an ideal time to explore. And once you’ve locked in your workouts, you can also check out our weekend guide of activities and events!

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.

Austin, TX

Minor arrested in double-fatal shooting in Williamson County

Published

16 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

Minor arrested in double-fatal shooting in Williamson County

article

Accident or crime scene cordon tape, police line do not cross. via Getty Images

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas – A juvenile has been arrested Saturday after an early morning double-homicide near Round Rock.

The situation ended after officials successfully negotiated a barricade situation with the minor, they say.

Williamson County double-homicide

What we know:

Williamson County authorities got the shooting call around 2 a.m. from the 8900 block of Brushy Gate Cove, outside the Round Rock city limits.

Williamson County sheriff’s deputies found two men dead of gunshot wounds at the scene. The suspect was barricaded inside a bedroom in the home.

Williamson County SWAT and crisis negotiators responded, and the suspect peacefully surrendered around 6:30 a.m.

Officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Williamson County officials comment

What they’re saying:

“On our arrival, we found two deceased people from the residence, adult males,” said Commander John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

“Anytime you have a barricaded subject inside of a home where we believe two people are deceased, you know, we’re going to take all precautionary measures that we can to ensure our safety and the safety of the neighbors as well,” said Foster.

Investigators say everyone involved resided in the house and that this was an isolated incident.

“Information is going to be very limited, because this is a juvenile investigation, and certain laws protect certain information regarding juveniles,” said Foster.

What we don’t know:

The identity of the minor suspect has not been released.

The victims were not identified.

The motive behind the shooting has not been commented on.

The Source: Information in this article came from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Williamson CountyCrime and Public Safety

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Austin, TX

Camera Sensor for iPhone 18 Camera to be Made by Samsung in Austin, TX Facility

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

Camera Sensor for iPhone 18 Camera to be Made by Samsung in Austin, TX Facility

Samsung is taking steps to provide Apple with image sensors built with advanced technology for iPhones. Reportedly, the sensors for the iPhone will be manufactured in Samsung’s current Austin, Texas facility, and the company is anticipated to soon have production equipment installed for the upcoming project.

The image sensor of the iPhone is expected to have a three-stack design for better low-light performance and a higher density of pixels with multiple layers stacked vertically. This results in less power consumption, a dynamic range that’s higher, and faster speeds for readouts.

It’s believed that the new sensor will be made for the upcoming iPhone 18 in 2027. Apple and Samsung have reportedly arrived at a deal where Samsung will be supplying the component for the sensor. This marks the first occasion Apple will be going with another company apart from Sony as their main supplier for image sensors for its iPhones.

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