Hutto’s Ed Schmidt retail strip is getting a fresh jolt of noodles and boba. Construction crews are now working inside the former Stockade Kitchen at 210 Ed Schmidt Blvd, where Rice Stop, a new Chinese Vietnamese counter service spot with boba tea, is pushing toward its long-awaited opening.
Work Fires Up At The Old Stockade Kitchen
On March 31, local site Huttotopia dropped by the space and shared photos of workers actively building out the dining room, calling the visible progress “a great step toward opening.” According to Huttotopia, Rice Stop is taking the unit in front of The Home Depot, tucked close to the new Panera Bread at the Shops at Hanson’s Corner, a stretch that is quickly filling in with both national chains and homegrown concepts.
Permits And Project Timeline
A state project registration shows the buildout was filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on November 6, 2025, as a 3,000-square-foot interior renovation, with an estimated cost of $51,000, and tenant Cuong Nguyen listed on the paperwork. The record sets a December 15, 2025, completion date, which suggests the project was entered months ago and has only recently swung back into visible construction mode. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the owner of record is WTL 210 Ed Schmidt LLC, and a registered accessibility specialist is on file for inspections.
Who Is Behind The New Spot
Reporting from What Now ties the project to the team behind the local boba chain Milk + Tea. Rice Stop’s Facebook page describes a lineup that blends Chinese and Vietnamese dishes with boba tea, while What Now notes that owner Cuong Nguyen was not immediately available to discuss an opening timeline. The outlet also reports that Milk + Tea operates multiple locations around the Austin area and that the Hutto buildout may include a Milk + Tea presence as part of the overall project.
Menu Clues And A Busy Corridor
Local reporting and listings indicate Rice Stop is planning a comfort food greatest hits list, with items such as egg rolls, orange chicken, lo mein, banh mi, fried rice, and vermicelli bowls, plus customizable boba drinks. Community Impact previously highlighted the retail listing and Rice Stop’s placement at 210 Ed Schmidt Blvd, while Huttotopia has closely followed photo updates and on-site progress over the past year.
With new national and regional names already open along Ed Schmidt, Rice Stop would give Hutto residents and commuters another option for both quick lunches and easy weeknight dinners. As detailed by Community Impact, the restaurant’s space sits directly in front of The Home Depot and near a recently opened Panera Bread.
There is still no firm opening date on the calendar, so locals are watching the Rice Stop Facebook page for construction photos and official announcements while permits and interior work continue. We will update readers as filings are finalized and the owners lock in a debut timeline.
