The September Hit List: Suerte, Vixen’s Wedding, Lenoir, Smokin Beauty, and More

Perfect for a socially distanced picnic, the new Salt & Time cafe is located in downtown’s Republic Square. Serving grab-and-go sandwiches with meats from their East Seventh butcher shop on Swedish Hill bread, they’ve also got grain bowls, salads, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee drinks. An ideal lunch situation for anyone who lives or works downtown — and the original on E. 7th Street is doing takeout as well.

Dining status: Take out or eat at the park.

This is the third smokehouse from the Stiles folks, and the second location of their flagship barbecue restaurant. (The Switch in Dripping Springs skews Cajun.) Now folks northwest of Austin can enjoy all the smoked prime rib and corn casserole they love at the Brentwood location, with the added bonus of cocktails.

Dining status: take out or dine in. More info here.

The East Sixth Mexican favorite is now offering a daily Lucky Hour from 4 to 5:30 p.m. — with 25% off bottles of wine and mezcal pours, plus some $6 cocktails and beer. And you’re not going to not get food while you’re there … which, a plate of two taquitos is just $5.

Dining status: Takeout or dine in (Lucky Hour is dine-in only). Reservations are a good call.

Smoked brisket banh mi is the move here at this Vietnamese-meets-Texas-barbecue drive-thru in North Austin. The menu also boasts burgers and boozy boba teas to go.

Dining status: patio dining and drive-thru take out. More info here.

On the Hit List for the second time in a row, this month Paperboy earns its spot thanks to their solutions to the Texas heat: Peach limeade! Watermelon agua fresca! And the Lil’ Billy, a chilled cappuccino sweetened with cajeta. (The cocktails are pretty swell, too.)

Dining status: Reserve a table on the patio, or get takeout.

Looking for a date-night meal? Vixen’s Wedding does a five-course chef’s menu for two, from apps to dessert, with an optional wine pairing. The kicker here is that you can also get the menu to go, for a romantic evening in your own living room.

Dining status: Reserve a table for dine-in, or get takeout.

The Live Music Capital of the World stops for no pandemic, and Lenoir is proof: They’re launching a socially-distsanced live music dinner series in their wine garden, complete with a three-course meal. To go food and live-streaming will also be available.

Dining status: Reserve a table in the wine garden, or order to go.

From the folks that brought you Eden East, the Eden West food truck is now open at Desert Door in Driftwood. The same farm-to-table fare you know and love, just west of town.

Dining status: Order to go, or eat on-site.

Reopened under new ownership, but with the same enchiladas you know and love, Enchiladas y Mas is serving 12 tables only for social distancing purposes. But don’t worry: You can order to frozens to go, too.

Dining status: dine in or take out. Call 512-467-7100 for more info.