Here's a copy of his thread he started during the LSRU. It helped me find places to try that I would have never known about. Figured the out of towners might like it. I've seen some posts about people getting to town early or staying late. We've got some great food around here. Looking for places to eat? JOYO approved restaurants in/ near Austin (not a complete list, but enough for the week): -Cisco's Restaurant & Bakery on East 6th street. Mexican Breakfast & Lunch. Highly recommend the Migas w/ Fajitas for breakfast. When they ask if you want tortillas or biscuits, say "both". -Franklin BBQ. Lunch. Possibly the best BBQ in Austin. It's a newer place that started in a trailer, but just got it's own building on east 11th. I can't even begin to describe how incredible this bbq is. Get there early for lunch. They run out every day. The brisket is... wow. http://www.franklinbarbecue.com/ -Tacos La Guerra. Breakfast Tacos. 2510 S Congress Ave. You're not going for the environment, you're going for straight up, life changing breakfast tacos. -Maria's Taco Xpress. Breakfast Tacos. Lunch Tacos. This place is a South Austin staple. A good place to fuel up before heading to the show. I love it. http://www.tacoxpress.com -Home Slice. Pizza AND Heros. The NY style pizza by the slice is fantastic. The Italian sandwich is out of this world. It might be the best sandwich on this planet. Open LATE for slices on South Congress, walking distance from the Continental Club and Trophys. -The Hoffbrau Steak House. On 6th street since 1934. Steaks, no menu. Not fancy. Not too expensive, but not cheap either. It's just like the old days. http://www.originalhoffbrausteaks.com/ -Polvos on South 1st street. Mexican food. Great place to grab an afternoon margarita and stay for dinner. I love the Fajitas here... So does Coby. http://www.polvosaustin.com/ -Perla's Oyster & Seafood Bar on South Congress. If you want some fresh delicious seafood, this is the place! Walk from the Continental Club. Kinda fancy, but not too fancy. Great place to take the lady. http://perlasaustin.com/ -Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, TX since 1929. I've been going here since I was born. It's an hour drive into Marble Falls from Austin, but the drive is through the beautiful Hill Country. Take Hwy 71 out to 281. look at a map and save room for a piece of pie. Awesome breakfast and lunch. mmm, Mama's pot roast.... http://www.bluebonnetcafe.net/ -Opie's BBQ in Spicewood, TX. Are you in town early in the week or staying a few extra days? Take a 30-40 minute drive out into the hill country to Opie's. It's a nice drive and a good place to stop and eat. http://www.opiesbarbecue.com/ - Habanero Mexican Cafe. Awesome Lunch spot for some South Austin Mexican food. We eat here regularly for lunch. http://habanerocafe.com/ -Texas Iron Works BBQ. Lunch or Dinner. Real Deal Texas BBQ with an old Texas atmosphere. An old 1913 built Iron working shop converted to BBQ restaurant in 1978. http://www.ironworksbbq.com/ -The County Line on the Hill. bbq. Great view to have a cocktail and a cool restaurant. About 20 minutes from downtown. They can accommodate large parties, but call ahead. There are 2 locations, so don't get confused. The one on the Hill is better in my opinion (I'm right). HUGE Beef ribs. full bar. http://www.countyline.com/CountyLineHill.html -Salt Lick BBQ. Good place to go with a group. Bring your own alcoholic drinks! This is one of the most famous bbq joints in Central Texas and people make a pilgrimage out their regularly. It's fun, but be prepared to wait a bit. Have a few drinks in the mean time. Allow 45 minutes to get there. This is a good one to do during the week if you get in early or stay late. http://www.saltlickbbq.com/ -Rudy's BBQ. BBQ and Gas station. 2 locations in Austin, outstanding BBQ. Outstanding. quick, convenient, delicious. I'm pretty sure I paid their mortgage for the first year they opened. My favorite location is on Loop 360, 10-15 minutes from downtown. It's a smaill chain now, but still awesome. Creamed corn. Do it. http://www.rudys.com/SearchResults.aspx?q=all - All of the restaurants on Barton Springs road (just west of Lamar blvd) have something to offer and are all really popular and close to the weekends activities. This would include The Shady Grove (chicken fried steak), Chuy's (Chimichanga), & Romeo's Italian food (LASAGNA). - Hey Cupcake! Yes, it's the cupcake trailer on South Congress. - Arts Rib House. Lunch and dinner. Good lunch specials. The MEATLOAF at lunch is really good. Just down the street from Austin Speed Shop, it's a regular lunch place for us. http://www.artzribhouse.com/ -Matt's famous El Rancho. Since 1952. Great South Austin Mexican food on South Lamar Blvd. Get a Bob Armstrong dip for an appetizer and a margarita. This place can accommodate larger parties. http://www.mattselrancho.com/ -Shoal Creek Saloon. Fried Catfish Friday. Crawfish boils almost everyday. They have a porkchop special on Tuesdays that seriously is insane... http://www.shoalcreeksaloon.com/ - Perry's Steakhouse & Grille. This place is kind of fancy... ok it's fancy and kind of expensive. Delicious food. Friday they have a half price pork chop special that will ruin all other pork chops for you. http://www.perryssteakhouse.com/locations-menus/austin -Hoover's Cooking. Down home Southern cooking. Remember Good Eats cafe that used to be on Barton Springs back in the day? This is the chef. He opened his own place. http://hooverscooking.com/ -The Hula Hut. Great place on Lake Austin. Family friendly. http://www.hulahut.com -House Park BBQ, since 1943. This is next to the original Roundup site. Central Austin. http://houseparkbbq.com/ - Black's BBQ in Lockhart, TX. 40 minutes from downtown? Same family since 1932. http://www.blacksbbq.com/ -Your Mom's Burger Bar http://eatatyourmoms.com/ -Rosie's Tamale House on Hwy 71. About 25-30 minutes from down town. Willie Nelson's favorite restaurant. Tuesday and Saturday night is Fajita night. Good Tex Mex food. From down town take 2244 then head West on 71. Look it up. Don't go to the wrong one. -Last but not least, my favorite place is the Avenue B Grocery. It's a small grocery store that's been operating in the same place since 1909. They make the best sandwiches in existence. Get a glass bottled soda, order a paper wrapped sandwich and step back in time. Don't be a pain in the ass in here or they will kick you out. You ever seen the soup Nazi on Seinfeld? Just go in, soak it up, be respectful, choose what you want and order. Don't be in a big hurry here. I think they only take cash. This is off the beaten path, but not far at all from central Austin. Spend money here. Places like this just don't exist anymore. http://www.avenuebgrocery.info/ I'm sure I'll think of more places I left out, but this is a start. It should at least get you through a couple days worth of meals. Enjoy! John
I have one place to add to the list: Gordough's donuts. It's just down the road from the speed shop. I went there after the A.S.S. party and it was perfect late night food. I got the Mother Clucker.....mmm Chicken tenders on top of a doughnut just doesnt sound right....but it will, once you taste it. http://www.gourdoughs.com/
Funny thing I have taken several trips through Texas on the way to visit wife's relations in Tennessee and stopped along the way and as famous as Texas is supposed to be about "a Bowl of Red" and "Texas Chili " I found none on the menus,I notice you didn't list any either,what's with that? When I lived in Nor-Cal there were Chili cookoffs around Sacramento and a huge event down in Turlock that we had a blast at.
Please don't forget the best damn burgers in Texas - Hut's on West 6th Street. I've been addicted to the #13 Milner's Burger for 30 years. Mmmmmm! http://hutsfrankandangies.com/#/Hut's Hamburgers/Our Great Food/1/thumbs
^^^ Texas Chili Parlor is good for Chili, I really like it anyway. It's really close to down town. Tacos La Guera has moved to W. 6th street. Also, I've got to add J. Muellers BBQ on South 1st (basically between Austin Speed Shop and the Continental Club. It's REALLY good Texas BBQ. Check it out, here... http://jmuellerbbq.com/
Damn, I am jealous. We're freezin' up north and y'all are hotroddin'! someday...........enjoy ,enjoy,enjoy............
Hey, great list and some eateries I'll have to try next visit! A few to add though, for late night round the clock food (maybe 24hour?) Starseeds 3101 Interstate 35 Frontage Rd Austin, TX 78722, And also Magnolia Cafe, I used to go to one near MOPAC, but two locations listed are: 2304 Lake Austin Blvd. Austin, TX 78703 512.478.8645 And 1920 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704 512.445.0000 Again, real late openings if not 24 hour also! Try their MagMud Queso! Hyde Park bar and Grill (512) 458-3168 4206 Duval St. Austin, TX 78751 Hours: 11am - 10:30pm Sun - Thurs; 11am - Midnight Fri & Sat And Mother's is right across the road too, vegetarian, but even if you're a committed carnivore, it's worth crossing the road for their dessert menu!!
Oh, Cafe 290 on, you guessed it, 290 - on the way into Austin at a little town called Manor. It's right on the freeway, you can't miss the sign!!
Interesting. I plan to finish my '57 Nomad and just go see Austin soon. I'm hating Calif. more and more and want to move somewhere more Hot Rod friendly. Or just more friendly for that matter. This place is SUCKIN'.
I went here when I was down there for the roundup man its good and the Austin speed shop is only 10 mins away from there. -Maria's Taco Xpress. Breakfast Tacos. Lunch Tacos. This place is a South Austin staple. A good place to fuel up before heading to the show. I love it. http://www.tacoxpress.com
Someone the other day was telling me to try Smitty's BBQ? Also Azul Tequila when I get back to Austin. Might be there near the end of June. What's the word on these places?
Smitty's is in Lockhart and Azul is awesome! If you want the BBQ lowdown check at Franklins, well worth the wait.
Can I mention Doc's on S Congress.and don't make my mistake of going into Coyote Ugly thinking they might do food....it got very messy! Oh yeah, and a cold Shiner of course!
Just love to eat from such a known places which have name and taste as well...Hope i would also make one destination for food.. __________________________________________ All about hyster forklift parts..Its Amazing..!!!