How To Support Austin’s Food Scene While Social Distancing | Guide to Austin Eats & Drinks that deliver too!
Throughout the course of history, humans have weathered extraordinary times. We’ve faced disasters before and we’ve survived them – together as humanity.
This COVID-19 pandemic appears to be one of those times, and as much as we think the world is about to stop spinning, the sky is falling, and nothing will ever be the same there is always a resolution.
Let’s band together in support of Austin’s incredible food scene and the culinary businesses that are impacted by the great Coronavirus shutdown of 2020.
Most restaurants and bars are adapting quickly to changing recommendations by government officials. That’s why, if you are interested in curbside takeout I’d encourage you to give a call ahead as things are constantly in flux as of right now – even well-kept websites and social media pages struggle to keep up with the pace.
Governor Greg Abbott issued the following statement, “The State of Texas is committed to supporting retailers, restaurants, and their employees…These waivers will allow restaurants to provide enhanced delivery options to consumers during this temporary period of social distancing.”
Many restaurants will now include beer, wine, and mixed beverage delivery when ordered with food.
Restaurants that are not closed during this time are now required to offer take-out or delivery only, browse the Austin Takeout Tracker with the caveat that it has received mixed reviews in terms of its accuracy. Below you’ll find a few resources to help you navigate food delivery options, those offering pantry essentials, and other ways to support the culinary establishments you love the most. Because we’re in this as a community, we will get through this together, now more than ever is the time to support your favorite local businesses!
Austin Eateries Offering Delivery
- Nickel City According to Eater Austin, the owner of Nickel City is personally making food deliveries.
- Emmer & Rye The popular new-American style restaurant is offering $5 delivery to Central Austin residents and free delivery to Rainey Street residents.
- Andiamo This Italian eatery is offering delivery within a five-mile radius of their location on North Burnet Rd. They are offering a 5% discount on bottles of wine and a 10% discount on 12 bottles or more.
- Plucker’s Wing Bar Each location of Plucker’s Wing Bar in Austin will offer complimentary delivery from all Austin locations.
- El Arroyo Offering delivery within a five-mile radius, including margaritas!
- Rosen’s Bagel shop offering delivery or 12-hours call ahead for frozen bagels to bake at home.
- Bento Picnic The classic picnic lunch box offers no-contact delivery. They’ll deliver to your location and leave it at the doorstep. No contact required.
- Cenote The Austin cafe is offering no-contact delivery within a five-mile radius of the restaurant locations; reduced hours of operation.
- Rebel Cheese This vegan shop is offering free delivery of wine, cheese, and charcuterie options via their website or by phone.
- The Cavalier Delivery only, 100% of proceeds to benefit their service staff and hourly employees.
- Chi’lantro Multiple locations are offering complimentary delivery.
- Ski Shores Café Offering water-side pickup directly to your boat on Lake Austin.
Austin Area Resources Offering Fresh Produce, Farmer’s Market, and Pantry Items
- Eden East Offering bags of farmer’s market produce for pickup/curbside. Place all orders for $20 or $30 produce bags via e-mail with your desired pickup time.
- Tamale House East Hours have been reduced to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but they will offer delivery options including perishable pantry items like packages of fresh tortillas and fresh eggs.
- Farm to Table Offering a variety of local meats, dairy, and tons of Texas-grown produce for delivery.
- Good Apple Organic, local produce delivery that delivers a box of produce to a family in need for every box ordered.
- Quality Seafood Offering more than seafood items during this time including pantry items and farm to table produce through their retail market. They also offer household essentials to help locals avoid long lines at the grocery store.
City-wide Food Delivery Services
Check each for available restaurant partnerships and delivery options in your neighborhood.
Where to Purchase a Gift Certificate or Support Hospitality Industry Relief Funds
Take some inspiration from AMB’s recent article, 5 Ways You Can Help Austin From the Comfort of your Quarantine and look into gift certificates for your favorite places. Restaurants are searchable by your preferred city via sites like GiveLocal or Help Main Street.
Make it a social (distancing) affair by participating in Toast’s #RallyForRestaurants campaign.
Challenge your friends to give back or go the extra mile by adding your favorite restaurants on the program if they’re not already on the list.
If you would like to contribute to a non-profit organization to help consider Southern Smoke Foundation, a hospitality worker relief fund. There is also the USBG National Charity Foundation, Bartender’s Assistance Program – you can designate that your donation go to the Austin Chapter of United States Bartender’s Guild. Service industry workers do not have to be members of the Guild to apply for assistance through this fund.
A running log of GoFundMe pages from local restaurants has been shared via social media and currently includes funds for the staff at:
- Barflys Austin
- Bender Bar & Grill
- Botticelli’s
- Drink.Well
- Epoch
- Fleet Coffee
- Full Circle Bar
- Mugshots
- Omelettry
- Provision Austin
- Radio
- Rain on 4th
- Small Victory
- Steeping Room
- The Tigress
- Violet Crown Social Club
Drink Local, Delivered to You
Many area wineries, as well as craft distilleries and breweries, are offering curbside or direct to your door shipments of local products to satisfy your thirst.
- Fall Creek Vineyards Offering curbside wine at both tasting rooms and shipping is included for orders of six or more bottles.
- Slate Mill Wine Collective Case discounts available for shipping direct to your door.
- Pedernales Cellars Offering a single-varietal, Texas-grown white wine trio for less than $60, shipping included.
- Milam and Greene Whiskey Distillery Taking curbside orders for bottles and they’re offering hand sanitizers made on site from the natural byproduct of the distillation process known as ‘heads and hearts’ call ahead to order.
- Zilker Brewing Company Offering delivery through online ordering from noon to 8 PM Tuesday through Thursday.
- Sourced Craft Cocktails IT’S HAPPY HOUR TIME AT OUR NEW FAVORITE BAR: OUR COUCH! – On the menu are eight delicious offerings designed to deliver high-quality cocktails while remaining safely indoors.
Delivery and Pickup Customer Etiquette
Remember when you make an order that curbside or delivery the service industry is a gratuity-dependent economy.
Be sure you tip your delivery driver or curbside server. Some businesses do not allow curbside workers to accept gratuities but you are always welcome to ask. Chances are they’ll appreciate you for it.
Note: If you have resources or locations you’d like to share that are not on my list please feel free to reach out to me and I’ll be happy to make updates as they are received.
Photography: LeAnne Coggin Photography
Confituras Little Kitchen
http://www.Confituras.net
Shifting to doorstep delivery continues to work with local farmers to provide fresh produce and other staples such as milk, eggs, and fresh-baked sandwich bread.