ATX-PFH: Impact 11/7/2025

A new Indian grocery and restaurant concept is coming to Pflugerville.

Overview: Desi Dukaan will open in Stone Hill Town Center, offering a one-stop shop for Indian groceries, meats and freshly prepared foods.

The business, owned by Hari Nemireddy and partners, will carry a selection of lamb, chicken, and seafood, along with a restaurant, juice bar, and bakery inside the 10,000-square-foot space.

The store replaces a former Billiard Factory that closed in October.

After a delay to its grand opening, Freebirds World Burrito in Hutto opened this month.

What's on the menu: Freebirds serves burritos, bowls, nachos and salads. Customers can choose from a selection of proteins, including steak, carnitas, chicken and ground beef. The restaurant also offers vegetarian options. Sides include queso, salsa, guacamole, corn salsa and potatoes.

• 126 Chris Kelley Blvd., Hutto

Austin and Travis County leaders are promoting area resources and urging community assistance as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits are potentially expiring for November due to the federal government shutdown.

The gist: Over 87,000 people in Travis County could be impacted by SNAP losses. Local leaders estimate those benefits now total more than $16 million every month. 
Sari Vitske, CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank, said the nonprofit has already been contending with a "food crisis" and now anticipates greater need if SNAP recipients are affected. 

Austin also reported "record" food distributions and long pantry wait times for the nonprofit this year, as well as a 75% funding cut to its home delivery program.
SNAP funding was expected to halt in November. However, a federal judge on Oct. 31 granted a temporary restraining order to maintain the supplemental food program's funding. If benefits end up being affected, Vitske said total community-wide impacts are still uncertain.