Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed

Woodard makes and designs custom furniture from his Austin workshop. (D'André Furniture)
Editor's note: It's small business week from May 2-8, so Austonia is highlighting a small business every day this week. Check back tomorrow for the next small business profile.
When you buy one of D'André Woodard's pieces, you're not just buying a custom-made piece of furniture, you're supporting a three-generation legacy.
Growing up with a do-it-yourself-enthusiast carpenter for a father, Woodard was around tools, renovations and creations his whole life. Though he couldn't knock down walls or replace the cabinets in his rental home, he wanted to stay true to the skills he learned as a child.
So, alongside another part-time job, Woodard started building custom furniture in 2016. It started spreading through word of mouth, making custom creations for friends and eventually started to snowball through social media.
"It's been very freeing to kind of take on different projects and try this for my business, my skills and natural affinity," Woodard said.
The business is in his blood, having grown up with a handy father and stories of his grandfather, who made furniture as well. From his own original designs to working with customers to realize their visions, Woodard is a one-man band.
Woodard started living and working in Austin after he graduated from the University of Texas. Woodard said he feels like the people of Austin support him as an artist, giving him an advantage by being in the city, so he tries to pay it forward by sourcing from other local businesses.
"I think Austin just has more attention toward local businesses, so there's a lot of people who appreciate supporting locals as well and appreciate artistic endeavors," Woodard said. "I think it's just a good environment for this industry that I'm working in."
Right now, Woodard's favorite pieces are his custom "Katara'' mid-century modern coffee tables. His prices vary and Woodard prides himself on being able to complete a project that is uniquely suited to the needs of his customers.
"If you have someone that wants to help create something from nothing, that checks all the boxes that you have, you won't have to settle for what everyone else is getting at Ikea," Woodard said.
Once he delivers the furniture, especially with an exceptionally unique piece, Woodard said he likes the idea that something he crafted will last the test of time and become part of something new.
"(My customers are) supporting the continuation of family legacy, you know, keeping this tradition alive," Woodard said. "It's very clear to me that what I made is going to become a very special table, even an heirloom someday. So, seeing that in its final place, the setup in the care (is) very special."
- Austin businesses to make your gift shopping easier in 2020 - austonia ›
- Austin businesses that got $1 million+ in loans from the PPP - austonia ›
- SBW: Johnson's Backyard Garden wants to feed Austin - austonia ›
- New Sammie's Italian Restaurant carries on a family legacy - austonia ›
- Dolce Neve brings a taste of happiness from Italy to Austin - austonia ›
- Small Business Week: Salt & Time is keeping butchery local - austonia ›
- SBW: Thrifted Feels ATX wants to uplift the Austin community - austonia ›
- Even with porn ban suspended, Austin OnlyFans creators say they won't forgive too quickly - austonia ›
- Stolen Fonda San Miguel fountain returns from its unexpected getaway - austonia ›
- The Couch Potatoes statue is relocating to COTALAND - austonia ›
Popular
(Austonia file photo)
The Austin-Round Rock metro area saw the third-largest employment increase in the U.S. over the past year.
A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nonfarm employment in the Austin metro rose 8.5% from March 2021 to March this year, trailing just behind Orlando, Florida at 8.6%.
The metro area that raked in the highest increase was Las Vegas, Nevada with a 12% jump.
The bureau’s report looked at large metro areas that had a population of 1 million or more in 2010.
The Austin metro was a standout among the other metro areas when it comes to the change over a 5 and 10-year period, which increased by 19% and nearly 47%, respectively.
(Tyson's Tacos/Instagram)
There are few things that Texans agree on but loving breakfast tacos is one of them.
A cheap, delicious, easy and prominent morning food, breakfast tacos are beloved by Central Texans. While most records point to the first breakfast “taquito” being created in Corpus Christi in the 1950s, Austin coined the term “breakfast taco” and ran with it.
Since then, breakfast tacos have been sold and enjoyed all over the city. If you’re a taco-enthusiast, give these spots a shot.
El Tacocorrido | Multiple locations
This is the stop for a dependable, affordable, tasty and easy breakfast taco. Six locations around the city—from South Austin to Burnet—serving $2.50 choose-your-filling breakfast tacos all day with a drive thru so you never have to leave your car. The taqueria has all things breakfast covered with coffee drinks and horchata on deck but can also transition to night with guava margaritas and micheladas.
Granny’s Tacos | 1401 East 7th St.
Who doesn’t want a breakfast taco made by Granny? Granny’s Tacos is the place to be if you're looking for a taco unlike any other. Stuffed with corn chips and topped with mole, cotija, onion and jalapenos, the chilaquil taco is eggless but that doesn’t mean you can’t eat it for breakfast. However, you can always opt for migas, machaca or ranchero tacos.
Joe's Bakery & Coffee Shop | 2305 E 7th St.
(Joe's Bakery/Facebook)
Lovers of the classic bacon, egg and cheese will want to try a taco at Joe's Bakery, which batters its bacon before frying for an added crunch. Opened more than 75 years ago by Joe Avila, the shop has served cheap eats to generations of Austinites. Most tacos start at $2.25 each and come on a warm, homemade flour tortilla but Joe’s is a breakfast food paradise with other menu offerings like migas, pancakes and more.
Pueblo Viejo | Multiple locations
Whether you’re after a simple build-your-own breakfast taco or a more adventurous creation for breakfast, Pueblo Viejo sells a healthy mix of both. Pueblo Viejo goes above and beyond when it comes to salsa with five varieties: Pico, tomatillo, creamy jalapeno, roasted habanero, and habanero and ghost chili. For a fan favorite, try a Migas taco or Don Chago breakfast taco—which comes with beans, cheese, bacon and avocado.
Rosita’s al Pastor | 1801 E. Riverside Dr.
Though Rosita’s is known for its al pastor tacos, its homemade flour tortillas make an excellent foundation for breakfast tacos. At just $1.99 each, the pillowy tacos are scrambled on a flattop, available until 4 p.m. and can be delivered via drive thru. Rosita’s breakfast tacos barely scratch the surface of the pretty pink menu.
Tamale House East | 1707 E 6th St.
Not only does Tamale House East sport an impressively large menu, serve food in an enchanted seeming garden and serve as a 60-year institution, it also has a full parking lot in the heart of East 6th. No matter what you order—from the migas taco to the bacon, egg, cheese and ranchera taco to one of the signature tamales—it’s all made with Tamale House love.
Tyson’s Tacos | 4905 Airport Blvd.
This taqueria allows you to get your breakfast taco fix at any time of the day or night since it is open 24/7. The unassuming, mismatched exterior is home to an almost overwhelming amount of creatively-named tacos for sale, like the migas-based creamy Sriracha-topped “King George,” sausage and cheese “Bond Girl” or potato and cheese “Princess Leia (White Girl).” Make sure the forecast isn’t too hot to sit outside before you head out!
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ | 11500 Menchaca Rd.
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ blends two of Central Texas’ greatest loves: Breakfast tacos and barbecue. Try The Real Deal Holyfield, topped with egg, beans, potato and bacon and a pick of your favorite smoked meat, like brisket or pulled pork. Get your order in early—Valentina’s is known for its long lines.
Veracruz All Natural | Multiple locations
If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and get yourself a taco created by sisters-turned-chefs Reyna and Maritza Vasquez at Veracruz All Natural. The migas taco is renowned at Veracruz, though the El Sancho Taco and El Tradicional Taco provide a ranch of breakfast-inspired options. Don’t skip out on the aguas frescas!
- Lester Holt's 'Across America' shows the best and worst of life in Austin ›
- Austin food under $10, cheap eats that are delicious - austonia ›
- Rainey Street's Container Bar, Bungalow to have last hoorah this ... ›
- Where to get late-night snacks at 24-hour diners in Austin - austonia ›
- Food exclusive and special to Austin, Texas - austonia ›