Cheesy, Saucy Birria Tacos Arrive at Rice Village Food Hall Politan Row

Welcome to AM Intel in the time of coronavirus, a round-up of the city’s newest bits of restaurant-related intel. Follow Eater on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date details on how COVID-19 is impacting the city’s dining scene.

Pop-up brings birria tacos to Politan Row

A new pop-up restaurant from pitmaster Joseph Quellar is serving up “Chicano-style barbecue” at Rice Village food hall Politan Row. One of the signature menu items at JQ’s Tex-Mex BBQ is birria tacos, made with juicy and tender brisket and oxtail that’s slow-cooked in an adobo broth, then served on tortillas with an extra layer of melty, gooey cheese. Quellar told CultureMap that he credits a February write-up by Texas Monthly taco editor José R. Ralat for helping popularize the once-underground dish. For now, Queller’s pop-up will be open Saturdays from October 31 to November 28 at Politan Row, serving until he sells out.

Urban Harvest to host fundraiser at Moonstruck Drive Inn

Urban Harvest, the nonprofit community farm and farmers market, will host its biannual Sunday Supper fundraiser on November 8 at the new East End drive-in movie theater Moonstruck. The fundraiser, which benefits the organization’s educational programs and farmers market vendors, will include a multi-course meal prepared by local chefs and featuring ingredients sourced from the famers market. Participating chefs include Chris Shepherd and Nick Fine of UB Hospitality, Austin Waiter of Tony’s, Becca & Jason Kerr of Little Kitchen HTX and Elaine Won of Dumpling Haus. Tickets start at $300 for a car of four people.

Guard and Grace reopens after six months

Guard and Grace, the massive steakhouse in Downtown’s Allen Center, has reopened after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus. The restaurant, which first opened in November 2019, is chef Troy Guard’s first venture outside of Denver, serving up a range of steaks, charcuteries boards, raw oysters and a large variety of wine. It reopened on October 15, and is currently open 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.