Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
5 places to eat in Austin
With Austin officially now hosting A LOT more people in town thanks to SXSW, the city's restaurants are banking on the increase in business. With SXSW beginning today, everyone is buzzing with festival plans. The parties. The shows. The drinking. But what about the eating? Austin is a city of hidden gems and among those gems are restaurants and food trucks. Make no mistake, I have barely begun to chip away at the long list of fine eateries in Austin. But I'm looking under every rock I find and a new place I love seems to pop up every few days. But since so many people will be in town over the next week and a half, and since they'll all have to eat something, here's a little list of my personal favorite places to eat in Austin. In no particular order, other than the order of decadent memories that come to mind:1. East Side Showroom.
The East Side Showroom is like Moulin Rouge meets antique store meets 1920s meets great food. The cocktails are a little pricey (for Austin), but once you have one, you'll understand why. The food is good, the art is eye-catching, the wine is savory, and the decor is romantic. And, like most places in Austin, they sometimes have live music. The food as been described as "rustic French with a soul food flair" and I second that.
El Chilito is a cute Mexican food stand up the street from me. There's a big mustache outside that doubles as a see-saw. The food is amazing. My favorite: the fish tacos. You can't sit inside El Chilito, there's no space. But they have picnic tables outside in both covered and uncovered areas.
3. P.Terry's.
It may seem silly for me to put a 'fast food' joint on this list, but, I kid you not, P.Terry's is one of my favorite discoveries since moving to Austin. It's a burger drive-thru but here's the difference: They're local to Austin. They use hormone and antibiotic free meat. They only buy vegetarian-fed meat. They offer (delicious) veggie burgers. Their french fries start out as potatoes (not frozen) in their kitchen and they're fried in 100% canola oil with no trans fat or hydrogenated oils. Their produce is organic and delivered fresh every morning. They offer wheat buns. What does this mean? Well, it means you can really taste the difference (like REALLY), and also that you can finally eat some fast food and not feel so crappy about it.
4. Home Slice.
I've only been outta NYC and in Austin for 5 months, so when it comes down to pizza, I'm still a New Yorker. And where the hell do I get a slice? At home slice. The stuff is good. I'm not sure if I can safely say "as good" or "the same", but, put it this way: I'm satisfied upon that last bite. And, for what it's worth, East Side Pies is also very good.
5. Gourdough's.
There's nothing healthy about a food truck blasting music filled with people ready to make you your dream donut on demand, but there is something glorious about it. Gourdough's is just that: a truck where you can order whatever kind of donut you want, included customized donuts. Hang tight while they make your sweet treat and remember this: one is enough for two. Or three.
I'm leaving out a bunch of favorites, but these are the first five that come to mind. Have Austin dining suggestions? Leave them for us in the comments so our Austin-going readers can dive into the goodness.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, North America, United States, News












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Doris Mar 12th 2011 12:39AM
PAPPADEUXS is our favorite down there...They have one in Denver that is great too!
lms Mar 12th 2011 12:40AM
you are kidding--right?
tctfwt Mar 12th 2011 12:43AM
Austin food places:
Fado's Irish pub - on 4th
Neuvo Leon - on East 6th
Trudy's
Hula Hut
Chuy's
Stubb's BBQ
Threadgills
Kerby Lane
Hill's Cafe
zilam98 Mar 12th 2011 12:41AM
typical downtowner ;)
Mark Mar 12th 2011 12:43AM
Chez Nous is worth a try also. Make sure to order profiteroles for dessert.
zilam98 Mar 12th 2011 12:42AM
1. food trucks/trailers
a. odd duck (yummy pork belly sliders)
b. lulu b's
c. sushi agogo
d. flip happy crepes
e. tytus thai and asian
f. mmmmmpanadas (not sure of the # of m's hehehehe)
g. chilantro
h. graj mahal
i. coolhaus icecream truck
j. amy's
2. restaurants
a. reale's italian
b. midori sushi
c. osaka mansun
d. cho sun gal bi and korean bbq (the only korean resto so far that has the actual hibachi on the table. the gal bi is to die for!)
e. fortune chinese (weekend dimsum)
f. freda's seafood (endless crab on weekend brunch)
g. juan in a million
h. che Z
i. mekong river restaurant
j. muang thai
zilam98 Mar 12th 2011 12:42AM
apparently the author doesnt like odd duck as it is in the same area as gourdoughs, but left it out of the list. sad...
John Mar 12th 2011 12:41AM
Conan's Pizza
lms Mar 12th 2011 12:40AM
El Arroyo and El Rancho--nuff said
jenn Mar 12th 2011 12:40AM
The County Line for some good ol' texas bbq!
Big Lar Mar 12th 2011 12:40AM
What a no-class list! Did the compiler ever hear of good food? Was he/she brought up on squirrel innards, catfish and chicken fried steak? Pathetic. And when I see some of the comments on the article, there are a lot of AOLer garbage pickers too.
Mark Mar 12th 2011 12:39AM
Springhill/ Airport blvd- AYCE Catfish etc
China Star
Stallion
Fitties bar-b-que 71 east
Wilhites- Creedmoor
Arkies
Chevalos- texmex- Buda
Dirty Martins
Vance Mar 12th 2011 12:39AM
Try Hopdoddy's!!!!!!
ajschrod Mar 12th 2011 12:39AM
Why not Topeka or Rochester or Salt Lake city--why Austin, Texas? Should anyone care?
Larry Mar 12th 2011 1:59AM
Best places to eat in Austin TX
Chuy's - Worlds Best Tex Mex great spicy food
Trudy's - All Time favorite from Chicken Fried Steak to Tex Mex Fresh Veggies
Rudy's BBQ- Worst BBQ you will ever eat over and over and over again
Hula Hut - Best view and Tex Mex Hawaii style ask for the spicy ranch sauce
Threadgills - Home cooking southern style
Hills - Down home cooking
Dario's and Don Dario's - Mild Mexican food always great
Serrano's - Great Fajitas
Habanero's - Yum just gotta try this little place HOT HOT HOT!
LaPalapa - Good Tex Mex San Luis Fajitas and Queso Flameado
Hoovers - Good Southern Food real Soul Food
Oasis- Great view
Chilli's- Best Chicken Fried Steak
kris Mar 12th 2011 10:49AM
Why do they have someone who is not from Austin picking Austin restaurants, and why didnt she pick some restaurants?-fast food joints-donuts-what the heck-you are not in NY anymore--try some healthy food-Austin has tons of it. I agree-no class at all-an no offense to the fast food restaurants-and donutery-but this is supposedly a restaurant list-sheesh!!
Kris Mar 12th 2011 10:49AM
Wow Larry-great suggestions if you like TEX MEX I guess-and chicken fried steak. Do you know of any restaurants with American food. I like spicy once in a while too, but prefer American food-I dont think I could eat Mexican for every meal-although I do see tons of the "spicy" out here-but I need normal stuff mostly can you say l-o-b-s-t-e-r. thanks for the eateries-but no thanks!
Tana Mar 12th 2011 4:36PM
We drive all the way from San ANtonio to fo to Viv's, on Maple Drive. Unbelievable hot sauce and unreal enchiladas. Creative nouvelle Mexican cuisine!
Tana Mar 12th 2011 4:36PM
OOPs, I meant Vivo's, not Viv's!
Bill Mar 12th 2011 4:37PM
I have tried most of the above mentioned "trendy" eateries, but you have a real interest in Texas BBQ, then try the Salt Lick. The original place is just south of town and when you get there, you would wonder why is way out of town. Don't ask! Just follow your nose to the best of Texas BBQ. Enjoy....