How to Make a Marshmallow Pop
Valentine Gifts for the Five Senses
Self-Medicating with Magical Food
When Should Bars Cut You Off?
Sausage Recipes of the Month
Making Chocolate from Wild Cacao
Restaurants and Bars
FLEET EATS
Baby Greens
2316 S. First St., 512-462-1697
Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
$
Healthy fast food isn’t an oxymoron at this burger-drive-through-turned-salad-drive- through. Choose from a handful of standard options (like the Southwest, featuring black beans and chicken; grilled veggie; or Greek), say whether you want it as a salad or “salad wrap,” and choose from ten homemade dressings. Homemade soups are also on the menu. (South Austin)
El Regio Pollo al Carbon
730 W. Stassney Lane, 512-442-3095; Mon.–Thurs., 10 a.m.–10 p.m.;
Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
La Michoacana Mercado
512 W. Stassney Lane, 512-916-9938; Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–9 p.m.;
Sat.–Sun., 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
$
A mesquite-grilled-chicken shack in an old drive-through burger kiosk, and a Mexican supermarket across the street from it, El Regio and La Michoacana are ideally enjoyed simultaneously. Here’s how: First go get beer. We recommend the Whip In (1950 S. I-35, 512-442-5337)—it’s got the best beer selection in town. Then send one person to La Mich to get their amazing carnitas (pork fried in lard), gorditas (deep-fried tortillas with beans, meat, and cheese), or pork in green sauce. Send the other to El Regio for a whole or half chicken that’s been soaked in a citrus-chile-achiote marinade and roasted over a mesquite fire. (Chickens come with a whole grilled sweet onion and frijoles a la charra—soupy pinto beans with bacon, onion, chiles, cilantro, and epazote.) Set up camp at the picnic tables on the patio of El Regio. (South Austin, highway drive)
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S. Congress, 512-444-PIES (444-7737)
Mon., Wed., Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., 11:30 a.m.–midnight; Sun., noon–10
p.m.; slices served 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. and 9:30–11 p.m. (until 3 a.m. Fri.–Sat.)
$–$$
New York–style thin-crust pizza, subs, and calzones with high-quality ingredients bring lots of locals every night. Try the sausage pizza (mostly ricotta cheese with a little bit of mozzarella, lots of roasted red bell pepper strips, and good Italian sausage with plenty of fennel) or the clam pizza with béchamel sauce. Not the best pizza you’ve ever had, but better than in most cities that aren’t New York. Dine in, or grab a slice and window-shop South Congress’s boutiques, antiques, and garden shops. (South Austin)
Taco Xpress
2529 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-444-0261
Mon., 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; Tues.–Fri., 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
$
Popular cook/proprietor Maria Corbalan started out serving her crowd-pleasing tacos in a trailer. Now she’s got a full-fledged casual restaurant and sometime music venue with a larger-than-life-sized statue of herself with outstretched arms on top. You can’t beat the 10 (cheap) options for breakfast tacos (see Local Lingo); vegans will be happy about the multivegetable options. (South Austin)
Torchy’s Tacos
1207 S. First St., 512-366-0537
Daily, 7 a.m.–11 p.m.
$
This taco trailer set up on an empty lot in South Austin is the property of cook Michael Rypka, a multiyear winner of the Austin Chronicle’s annual hot-sauce competition before he went pro. It offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner taco options, including standout pork and green chile tacos, and a fried avocado taco that’s a vegan favorite. Eat at the picnic table under an oak tree, or if you’re in the downtown or South of Congress Street area, call and get it delivered via Torchy’s fleet of Vespa motor scooters. (South Austin)
another good option that's not right downtown is Patsy's (Cowgirl) Cafe...on your way to/from the airport if you're super hungry! Live music every night and a great happy hour...we love the burgers and it has a deck to sit outside too! maybe check this out on your next trip to Austin :)
that's not possible to include ALL of the great places to eat in Austin. However, if you one day decide to enhance the listing, remember about Hoboken Pie from downtown (Red River st) http://www.hobokenpie.com :)
I like The Foundry as well. Great beef ribs.
Polvo's is right, but I'd suggest the "exotic" enchiladas.
Wink is the place for a splurge during SXSW. It has happens to have the best win bar in Austin. The happy hour is a steal, serving apps from next door for half off.
Uchi is great but way too expensive and way too hyped. Sushi Zushi is fabulous fish without all the crushed ice with 3 ft tall floral arrangements.
Also Korea House on Anderson (for bulgoki and kimchee), Chinatown Restaurant on Greystone (for dim sum including chicken feet), and the cluster surrounding the MT Supermarket on Lamar.
For Mexican cuisine that isn't Austin kitsch, Fonda San Miguel at North Loop, Manuel's on Congress and Vivo's on Manor, in descending order of price.
I have been relying on Chow for information on good food in cities I dont know about, and I must say that this Guide has completely destroyed my faith in its editors' judgment, palate, and work ethic. Whoever put this list together has no idea what the food scene is in Austin and made no effort to find out.
In recent years Austin has become a fantastic place to eat, IF you know where to go. I...+READ
I have been relying on Chow for information on good food in cities I dont know about, and I must say that this Guide has completely destroyed my faith in its editors' judgment, palate, and work ethic. Whoever put this list together has no idea what the food scene is in Austin and made no effort to find out.
In recent years Austin has become a fantastic place to eat, IF you know where to go. I would have thought that was the purpose of an online guide for foodies, eh?
Visitors wishing to avoid cliche Austin food should eat at Vespaio's Enoteca, FINO, Sushi Zushi, Lambert's, ASTI, East Side Cafe, etc.
What a disgrace.-COLLAPSE
Vespaio's is amazing. Try their homemade mozzerella cheese made daily. Nothing can touch the risotto. The service is always friendly and never the phoney Hello my name is ---- and I will be taking care of you this evening attitude.
Sucky list. Try better next year. Kudos to Austinites that cried foul. Better food can be found with street vendors than some of these picks.
It's almost travesty that you neglected to mention Stubb's BBQ, which has fabulous smoked turkey and amazing sides although their brisket might not be the best. They always have the best SXSW bands play there too. As far as BEST bbq in Austin, try the following: 30 miles southeast of town Krew's (pronounced Krite-says) has out-of-this-world pork chops, so good there is no sauce served with them,...+READ
It's almost travesty that you neglected to mention Stubb's BBQ, which has fabulous smoked turkey and amazing sides although their brisket might not be the best. They always have the best SXSW bands play there too. As far as BEST bbq in Austin, try the following: 30 miles southeast of town Krew's (pronounced Krite-says) has out-of-this-world pork chops, so good there is no sauce served with them, ask if you dare. Rudy's is a fantastic gas station/bbq joint and they have great brisket, beans, and ribs.-COLLAPSE
Where to eat for SXSW 2008? KENICHI! Kenichi will be offering bar food at their location on 5th and Colorado. The bar will be opening at 4pm daily all week long. This is a limited menu just for the bar, that includes items like yaki udon, thai fried chk wings, vietnamese chicken curry, tuna tacos and japanese hot dogs. This food is reduced in price and will cater to the sxsw crowd. All of the...+READ
Where to eat for SXSW 2008? KENICHI! Kenichi will be offering bar food at their location on 5th and Colorado. The bar will be opening at 4pm daily all week long. This is a limited menu just for the bar, that includes items like yaki udon, thai fried chk wings, vietnamese chicken curry, tuna tacos and japanese hot dogs. This food is reduced in price and will cater to the sxsw crowd. All of the items will be from $8-$15. Kenichi will also have drink specials, and a regular happy hour menu. Come on by and see us!!!-COLLAPSE
Am confused as to why this feature would show up in a stories sidebar in August but figured I'd put in my 2 cents. No Threadgill's or La Zona Rosa?
It was apparently destroyed by fire but just reopened about a month ago in a new location:
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=171303
do go.
ok, i know this isn't a place where someone in town for sxsw may go but one MUST visit Dot's in North Austin, if it is still there. Cafeteria style southern food run by Dot and her family. There's roast beef, fried chicken, super butter potatoes, sweet potatoes, greens, sweet potato pie, homemade lemonade. God I used to love this place when I went there. Prepare to leave ridiculously stuffed.
You forgot to mention Kreuz's! http://www.kreuzmarket.com/ My 90-yr old granddad STILL drives out of his way to get some of that!
No one paid to be in this list, nor anywhere on the site, and it's not meant to be comprehensive. As it says in the intro, it's geared toward SXSW attendees - "We’ve concentrated our attention around SXSW venues" – and not towards locals. They already know where to go.
I can't believe y'all left off Rudy's and the County Line. As a native Austinite living in New England for school, just thinking about Rudy's sausage and egg breakfast tacos with Sause or fresh baked County Line bread is making my mouth water.
Other restaurants that should have made the cut, in my opinion: Z Tejas (tex-mex), Dan McKlusky's (steak), and The Alligator Grill (cajun; a scene from...+READ
I can't believe y'all left off Rudy's and the County Line. As a native Austinite living in New England for school, just thinking about Rudy's sausage and egg breakfast tacos with Sause or fresh baked County Line bread is making my mouth water.
Other restaurants that should have made the cut, in my opinion: Z Tejas (tex-mex), Dan McKlusky's (steak), and The Alligator Grill (cajun; a scene from Office Space was filmed there). I could easily come up with more, but I'm getting too hungry.
And if you're ever visiting Austin from a Northern state, stop by a Chik-Fil-A and try the original chicken sandwich. I never properly appreciated them until I discovered that Chik-Fil-A's are just a southern thing.-COLLAPSE
How could you leave out places like Rudy's from the list? I know it is a chain, but it is definitely an Austin favorite. And to include Ruby's is an abomination. I lived in Austin for sometime, went there once, and vowed never to go back.
I would still say that one of my favorite places though, was Cooper's up in Llano, TX. A bit of a drive (1.5 hour), it is more than worth the drive.
I have to add that I had a fantastic meal at Lambert's on 2nd and Guadalupe. It hadn't been reviewed at press time, but this place has fantastic barbecue, great appetizers, and killer pies in a beautiful historical space. I highly recommed it for those who want a slightly more upscale Austin dining experience. (Great bar and live music upstairs too!)
I found the Saltlick to be 90 percent hype. It reminded me of those crab houses here on the east coast that after a little success turn into huge factory feeding operations. I could get better BBQ at a Bob's Big Boy. And maybe the locals know to bring their own beer, but if you're marketing to tourists, spring for the damn license, huh? Or, if it's a matter of local regs, move to a place that...+READ
I found the Saltlick to be 90 percent hype. It reminded me of those crab houses here on the east coast that after a little success turn into huge factory feeding operations. I could get better BBQ at a Bob's Big Boy. And maybe the locals know to bring their own beer, but if you're marketing to tourists, spring for the damn license, huh? Or, if it's a matter of local regs, move to a place that lets you sell beer.
Ruby's was just okay. Had a decent BBQ lunch at a place downtown. Think the name was The Foundry, or some metalworking theme like that.
Austin's a great town, though.-COLLAPSE
the alamo drafthouse's original location is downtown (4th and Colorado) but your right, the south lamar is the best.
Wow, this is an abomination. I can’t believe anyone would write/print such junk let alone read it. Your bit on “how to drink more” is unbelievable. SXSW is a wonderful Austin experience and to cloud the image of our out-of-town guest with lessons on gluttony is just unfortunate. I hope that the people coming to town for this wonderful, educational and unique celebration don’t think you are our...+READ
Wow, this is an abomination. I can’t believe anyone would write/print such junk let alone read it. Your bit on “how to drink more” is unbelievable. SXSW is a wonderful Austin experience and to cloud the image of our out-of-town guest with lessons on gluttony is just unfortunate. I hope that the people coming to town for this wonderful, educational and unique celebration don’t think you are our ambassador.
Nor do I hope that they think this list is all inclusive of the wonderful offerings this town has both culinary and culturally.-COLLAPSE
Not very comprehensive. Is this an unbiased list (in which case you could add a lot to it) or did these businesses pay to be included?
You might elicit input from Chowhound members?