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Austin Rotisserie & Sandwicherie, the French rotisserie concept from Paris native Sophie Nathal and her husband, Eric, opened a second takeaway location in North Austin, a spokesperson for the business said.

The details: The fast-casual spot specializes in Parisian-style rotisserie chicken, baguette sandwiches, soups and French pastries. The menu includes whole and quarter birds with potatoes cooked in chicken drippings, sandwiches such as the Poulet Roti and Norwegian Baguette, and desserts including macarons, éclairs and crème brûlée.

About the owners: The couple founded Austin Rotisserie after moving to Austin from Miami, according to the eatery's website. They began with pop-ups in 2018 before opening their downtown location at The Fareground, 111 Congress Ave., in 2021.

“We reached the capacity for what we could do in our current kitchen,” Eric Nathal said. “We're excited to soon have a second kitchen that allows us to continue growing the menu, expand catering capabilities, and better serve customers, both old and new.”

• 510 E. Anderson Lane, Austin

The problem: Travis County must provide attorneys to residents who can't afford one by the end of the first business day after a request, but its primary contractor, the Capital Area Private Defender Service, has lost half its attorney roster over the past decade, dropping from roughly 250 attorneys to about 125.

Because 80% of county public defense cases flow through CAPDS, the shortage has real consequences for case quality and client outcomes.

What's being done: Travis County Community Legal Services Executive Geoff Burkhart presented nine potential solutions to Commissioners Court on June 24, ranging from $50,000 to more than $4 million, including expanding the Public Defender's Office, raising attorney fees, offering loan forgiveness and creating a pipeline through internships.

Preliminary budget investments are expected in late July, though officials warned the fix will span multiple budget cycles.

Here’s what residents need to know before the upcoming Independence Day holiday:

Fireworks: Fireworks are illegal within city limits without a permit. Violations can result in a fine of up to $2,000.

The city allows sparklers, smoke devices, glow toys and trick noisemakers without a permit. Wherever legal, the city recommends keeping water nearby, lighting one at a time, never relighting and keeping children away.

Travel: July 2 is expected to be the busiest day on the road. Drivers should expect heavy traffic and prepare with routine vehicle maintenance before departing. 

Riverside Drive will close between South First Street and Lee Barton Drive starting at 9 a.m. July 4 for the Star Spangled Fest at Auditorium Shores and reopen at 10:30 p.m. 

Pets: Fireworks can be distressing for pets. AFD recommends keeping them indoors in a secure, familiar environment and leaving a television on as a distraction. 

Heat: AFD advises residents to pre-hydrate, wear light-colored loose-fitting clothing, take frequent breaks in shade and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 

A new Honest Mary’s location is headed for the Seaholm District this summer. Honest Mary’s—known for its simple ingredients and customizable bowls—is targeting a mid-July opening, according to a representative from the brand. 

Construction on the new Honest Mary’s was set to begin last fall, targeting an early 2026 opening date, according to previous Community Impact reporting. 

On the menu: The menu is stocked with signature and customizable bowls, sipping broths and snacks. Signature bowls include the Aloha Poke, prepared with hand-line caught poke, rice, vegetables and a sesame vinaigrette.

What’s special about it? The restaurant features dishes made without any artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or additives, according to its website. The menu is 82% free of industrial seed oils and only uses natural sweeteners. 

The context: Nelson Monteith, Honest Mary’s CEO, founded the company with his wife, Mary Monteith, in 2017. The pair opened the first location in the Arboretum neighborhood in 2017.

• 222 West Ave., Ste. 120, Austin