The CHOW Guide to Eating and Drinking in Austin, SXSW edition

Published on Wednesday, February 14, 2007, by CHOW staff / Edit Post

Restaurants and Bars

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BBQ

$ = Under $10, $$ = $10-$25, $$$ = Over $25

Artz Rib House
2330 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-442-8283
Daily, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
$–$$

Most ‘cue houses serve spare ribs or St. Louis cut ribs. Artz offers baby backs and thick, country-style ribs. They also serve one of the best burgers in town and great sandwiches (the grilled chicken with bacon and Swiss is a favorite), and feature live acoustic music, like old ‘30s-style Texas swing, bluegrass, and folk. (South Austin)

Ruby’s BBQ
512 W. 29th St., 512-477-1651
Daily, 11 a.m.–midnight
$$

One of the only—if not the only—barbecue joints in the area selling natural, free-range beef brisket. If they ask, say you want it off the “chuck end” as opposed to the “lean end.” That’s where all the fat is, and fat means flavor. Luke Zimmerman, Ruby’s pit master, is president of the Central Texas Barbecue Association, so he knows what he’s doing. The sides here are a plus: wonderful mac ‘n’ cheese, collard greens, spicy chili con carne, and Cajun dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and étouffée. (North Austin)

Out of Town

Some of the best barbecue is just a stone’s throw from Austin. Why not see what the area has to offer?

Crosstown BBQ
202 S. Avenue C, Elgin
512-281-5594
Sun.–Thurs., 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
(Call first to make sure they’re open; doors close when they sell out.)
$

A tin shack with arguably the finest barbecue in Texas. Stand-outs are the smoky brisket, tender ribs, succulent mutton (actually young lamb, not old gamy meat as the name implies), and juicy chicken with perfectly crispy skin. The house-made sausage is spicy and full of flavorful fat, and the sauce is rich, spicy, and deep red with a hint of sweetness. The floor is concrete, and a smoker runs the entire length of one wall. The long communal table in the center and smaller tables around it are all equipped with the requisite red-and-white-checked tablecloths, and the small-town hospitality of Crosstown’s owners will make you feel like a local, though you drove almost 45 minutes to get there from downtown Austin.

The Salt Lick
18300 FM 1826 (at FM 967), Driftwood
512-858-4959
Daily, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cash only
$$

Twenty-five minutes from downtown Austin in the bucolic boonies, this huge (we’re talking 10,000 dinners on a weekend evening) barbecue joint is always packed. The first restaurant in a chain with an outpost at the airport, the original location is set in a rambling old building with a big barbecue pit that greets diners when they walk through the door. (However, that’s just for show—the real smoking is done in stainless steel somewhere else.) Nevertheless, the Salt Lick’s all-you-can-eat family-style dinners feature reliably good brisket, ribs, and sausage, as well as massive chopped-beef hoagies, chicken, and turkey. Locals take an ice chest of brews to drink while sitting under the trees at the outdoor picnic tables until their table is ready.

Smitty’s Market
208 S. Commerce Street (Hwy. 183 at Cemetery St.), Lockhart
512-398-9344
Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat., 7 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
$–$$

Brisket, sausage, pork chops, and ribs (Saturday and Sunday only) are some of the finest in the country, and done at this old-school spot the way all Texas ‘cue used to be done: in the back of a butcher shop right on the town square. Meat butchered on the premises gets a simple rub of salt, pepper, chile pepper, and a little garlic, and then is smoked over a long brick fire pit inside. Order at the tiny counter, and your food comes served on a sheet of brown butcher paper rather than a plate. Tables are covered in red-and-white-checked oilcloth. Used to be there were only saltine crackers and slices of white bread for sides; now there’s also beans. Sauce comes in squeeze bottles on the tables, and eating with one’s hands is traditional. Half an hour from downtown Austin.

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  • 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?