A new culinary truck has hit the Austin scene, offering a fusion of Texas barbecue, with Southeast Asian and Mexican flair. Named Sí Baby-Q, the food truck is serving up dishes that blend smoked meats with bold flavors at Zoé Tong, a modern Chinese restaurant that opened last November. As reported by Austin Eater, this unique food truck is located at 1530 Barton Springs Road in the Zilker neighborhood.
The menu features a variety of smoked meats available by weight, including brisket infused with Indonesian long peppercorns, and pulled lamb shoulders seasoned with mala spices. Other inventive items include Esquites Chinos - Mexican street corn with a twist, and Queso y Pepe, which pairs egg noodles with queso and long peppercorns. Not only smoking meats, but Sí Baby-Q also dishes out sandwiches like the brisket on a toasted pretzel bun and the enticing Hog Duvet, a sausage wrapped in roti.
Behind the scenes are co-owner Simone Tong and pitmaster Jonathan Lagos. Tong, hailing from Singapore, and Mexican American Lagos bring their respective heritages to the table, creating a cross-cultural barbecue experience. According to Austin Eater, the decision to offer smoked meats was inspired in part by an on-site smoker previously used by Uncle Billy’s, one of the space's earlier occupants.
Zoé Tong, a venture by Tong and Matthew Hyland, adds another layer to Austin's already eclectic food tapestry. Austin's food scene prides itself on diversity and innovation, with Sí Baby-Q joining the ranks of other Asian-Texan fusion initiatives like Loro and Kemuri Tatsu-ya. As reported by CultureMap Austin, the truck rumbles to life from Thursdays to Sundays, keeping patrons' plates full with its unique blend of flavors from 11 am to 8 pm.
Just as the culinary landscape evolves, so too does the local palate, craving more creativity and fusion in their dining experiences. Paired with refreshments like beers, canned wines, and sodas, Sí Baby-Q is poised to be a new go-to spot for Austinites and foodies alike. With offerings like cinnamon rolls crafted from croissant dough and topped with a cream cheese glaze, this food truck is already making its mark on Austin’s robust food map.
