Restaurant, cocktail bar The Dime now open in downtown Round Rock
The Dime, a "social dining" restaurant and cocktail bar, held a soft opening in downtown Round Rock in August.
What's in a name: Named for the building's history as a 5-and-10 cent store, otherwise known as a "five-and-dime store," The Dime taps into the history of downtown Round Rock and is owned by a group of local business owners under the LLC Old Town Social.
Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation provides support to teachers, students in the community
The Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation has supported the district for 41 years through grants, scholarships, birthday packages for unhoused students and more.
This year, they are focusing again on their core mission of uplifting students through quality education and motivating teachers with additional support. Ahead of its 25th annual golf classic Oct. 6, the foundation is looking for sponsors and prize donations for an event raffle.
Amid Democratic criticism, Texas lawmakers vote to overhaul STAAR and launch new tests in 2027
Both chambers of the Texas Legislature have voted to overhaul the state’s standardized testing system, putting public school students one step closer to taking new exams in the 2027-28 school year.
The details: House Bill 8 would eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness and replace it with three shorter tests, which students would take at the beginning, middle and end of each school year.
Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said HB 8 would “reduce test anxiety, provide teachers with immediate feedback and create a pathway for trust in our system again." The majority of House Democrats and a few Republicans disagreed, arguing Aug. 26 that the bill would increase the amount of time students spend on exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the Texas Education Agency.
Next steps: After state senators passed HB 8 with a 21-7 vote Aug. 27, the bill returned to the House for consideration of a Senate amendment. If House lawmakers sign off on the changes, HB 8 will be sent to the governor.
The new concept will be led by chefs Daniel Berg and Dylan Salisbury, of the Austin-based Berg & Sons Hospitality. The company opened its first restaurant, Bill’s Oyster, in 2023 and opened Teddy’s Restaurant & Bar in 2024.
The menu blends fine dining with casual fare, featuring Pat LaFrieda steaks—sourced from the renowned East Coast butcher—alongside burgers, cocktails and wines at a range of price points, according to a news release.
🌮 Horror-themed food truck Fright Bite opens in South Austin (Read more)
🆕 Injera & Beyond brings Ethiopian eatery to Cedar Park (Read more)
🦪 Austin Oyster Co. to open brick and mortar in East Austin (Read more)
😋 Big Daddy Jay's Creole Kitchen serves fresh gumbo in Buda (Read more)
Asian-barbecue fusion food truck Si Baby-Q relocated to Pink Flamingo Food Court in July. The menu features barbecue dishes with an Asian twist, such as brisket and ribs with an Indonesian pepper and spice rub.
Sides include smoked kimchi; queso noodles made with long peppers from India; street corn; roti, or an Indian bread; and a banana pudding dessert.
The food truck also sells smoked meats by the pound and features weekend specials such as smashburgers.
