Dope lunch spread at Old Thousand
It’s been almost a year since Old Thousand opened its doors on 1000 E. 11th St. The eatery has delivered on its promise of eclectic, modern interpretations of Chinese food, with innovative dishes that are an adventure for the palate. Its tagline is simple: Dope Chinese. Not “authentic,” not “traditional,” but “dope” Chinese food.
And the food is dope, indeed. No Panda Express orange chicken here. Each dish carries Old Thousand’s creative touch. The food also hints at the restaurant’s Texas origin by including brisket and other smoked meats.
A weekend brunch service followed the runaway success of dinner. And now, Old Thousand has expanded again by introducing lunch service.
Dope Lunch at Old Thousand
Old Thousand lunch menu
Those who’ve been to Old Thousand for dinner or lucky time happy hour may have high expectations for lunch. Don’t worry. The new lunch service will introduce you to your new food addictions.
Khao Man Gai Spring Roll: Braised chicken thigh with veggies. Don’t forget to generously slather with the KMG sauce.
The menu is diverse. It ranges from vegetarian options like Black Pepper Tofu and Jeff’s Salad, to satisfying carnivore cravings with Taiwanese Hot Chicken and Dan Dan Mian. Pork Belly Steam Buns and Garlic Fried Rice are familiar and classic, while dishes like Tomatillo Steam Buns, Forbidden Rice Salad, and Dan Dan Mian bring unexpected flavors to the table. There are plenty of noodle and rice dishes to try, too. I recommend two starters, two entrées, and a dessert to share for a satisfying meal for two.
Forbidden Rice Salad. Goji berry enthusiasts, rejoice! This citrus-chili vinaigrette salad is bound to be a favorite.
Try a cocktail along with the food. With names like The Bad Hombre, Six Toed Cat, and Chasing The Dragon, the innovative cocktails add a perfect little something to the meal. A wide range of red, white, sparkling, and some rosé can be found on the wine list. The beer list covers all the local favorites like Austin Beerworks, along with Asian options to try.
Black Pepper Tofu. Perfect consistency: crunchy on the outside, and so smooth and gooey on the inside.
I had the opportunity to taste the new offerings on the lunch menu. Is it dope? Yup. Should you go? YES. Keep scrolling for the rest of the dishes I got to try. I bet you’ll get a whiff of them through the screen!
Jeff’s Salad: Job’s tears, radish, and granola, covered with a creamy dressing.
Tomatillo Steam Buns: Deep-fried tomatillo and slaw in a steam bun was an unexpected winner for me. By far the ranking favorite.
Taiwanese Hot Chicken: Crunchier than Doritos, my friends.
1000 E. 11th St. – Website
@theAustinot wants to know:
What is your favorite dish at Old Thousand in east Austin?
Disclosure: Old Thousand covered the cost of my meal for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.
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