The Biggest Austin Food News Stories of 2024

As is the tradition when the end of 2024 is coming up, Eater asked a trusted group of friends, industry types, and local bloggers for their takes on the past culinary year in Austin. All answers will be revealed before the year ends — cut, pasted, (mostly) unedited, and in no particular order. Question number eight:

What was the most surprising news story in your city in 2024?

Ali Khan, content creator of @alikhaneats

The collapse of Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ.

Madeline Hollern, editor-in-chief of Austin Monthly

I was very surprised that Franklin Barbecue did not win a Michelin star, and that nearly all of the McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality spots were snubbed from the list as well.

Darcie Duttweiler, freelance writer and Eater contributing writer

I think the Michelin Guide coming to Texas was probably the biggest food story of the year. People who aren’t even “foodies” texted me all the time about it: who I thought was going to make the cut, who didn’t make the cut, who they thought shouldn’t have made the cut, etc. Obviously, for better or worse, the Michelin Guide makes huge waves and it’s a great boon for the restaurant industry — even if it can make getting a reservation that much harder. All said and done, I was pretty happy with the lists, even if I think some deserving places got left off.

Erin Russell, former associate editor of Eater Austin, Eater contributing writer, and freelance writer

Austin getting more Michelin stars than Houston. And all the Valentina’s drama.

H. Drew Blackburn, former interim associate editor of Eater Austin and columnist of The Barbed Wire

The Foxtrot thing. Not entirely surprising, but par for the course in how the people with power treat the working class. Despicable.

Jane Ko, blogger of A Taste of Koko

What happened at Estelle’s...

Cat Cardenas, freelance writer and photographer, contributing Eater Austin photographer, and writer-at-large of The Barbed Wire

That Pat Sharpe was retiring from Texas Monthly after fifty years. It was a pleasure getting to work with her during my time there — she’s a treasure trove of Texas food knowledge!

​​Nadia Chaudhury, outgoing editor of Eater Austin and forthcoming editor at Eater Northeast

Michelin coming into Texas was one of the biggest news stories of my Eater Austin career, from the speculations that it was coming to breaking the news that it was indeed happening to the recognized restaurants and food trucks in Austin.

The massive downfall of Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

Pat Sharpe leaving Texas Monthly is great for her but sad for Texas and Austin food media.

On a more fun level — the way international pop star Dua Lipa enjoyed the best of Austin’s dining and drinking.