Here is a dump of notes on Austin. From a friend who is there, an Uber driver and our experience there. We had a great weekend – hit at least three microbreweries, restaurants, a blues/country band and lots of walking. Great town.
We stayed in a BNB SoCo- fun area.
Torchy’s for breakfast. Of course
Yeti – because Yeti
Laundromat- nice brunch
Loro – unique and really good BBQ
The ABGB – great local brewery
The Continental Club – because The Continental Club
Bangers Sausage – really cool place. I saw how they made the sausage and I still ate it.
Dirty Sixth – some rooftop bar. Because, Dirty Sixth.
Walked to the Texas State Capital – beautiful.
Walked up Mt Bonnell – beautiful.
Walked along the river park. Nice.
Finished at Zickler Brewing Co
That’s all I remember.
From the Uber Driver
Torchys chips and queso (tourist)
Hopdoddys- Nick foles decent burgers
Juan in a million tacos East side
Brewery’s zillker brewery
Perlas sit outside under tree
Rayney street. Saturday afternoon
West six to watch 🏈
Film festivle.
Mt banille only to look.
Botanical Gardens are next to zuker park
The Continental Club is old school club –
Matt’s El Rancho and Odd Duck on South Lamar
Red Ash – great 4-7 happy hour get there early. Apps and beer.
Franklins takes 5 hours. Not worth it sushi at Oochie is too much
Lauro is the best of both – do it!
Launderette
Counter Cafe breakfast East side.
Moonshine brunch. TEXAS food
BBQ – County line near Lake
Really Far away Salt Licks
From a local:
There are a ton of great places to eat and drink in Austin. These are some of my go tos. The east side of town has a ton of new and popular places that I have not been to, so are not on this list.
Tacos
Torchys is a must. Not “authentic” to some but really good with some interesting combinations. If you have never had a breakfast taco, get one of those here in the morning, then come for lunch. Many locations including one on South congress. Inexpensive and really good
Taco Deli has fewer locations but is also really good. Now one at the airport
Veracruz – More “authentic”. They have a trailer at Radio, which is a coffee and beer place that is a nice little place to have a drink.
Burgers
My favorite is Hopdoddy. The original is on South Congress, but now a couple other locations in town. Great burgers, beer selection, great shakes. Have alternatives to beef if that not your thing. If more than one person get the parmesan truffle fries to share.
Casino El Camino on sixth street is a metal bar with a burger place in back. Has been on one of the food channel shows. Good big burger, but you will have to wait a while. I still think Hopdoddys is slightly better, but won’t be disappointed.
For a quick fast food burger, P Terrys is a local chain with a quality burger. Beats the heck out of any big name chain.
BBQ
Lots of places. If you want to wait in line all morning, then Franklins is probably the most famous, and really really good. Literally have to be there 3-4 hours before opening at least. They do sell drinks in line.
For a line, but not all morning wait (probably 30 minutes to an hour depending on time of day), Terry Blacks is a great choice. Didn’t used to have such a line, but got written up in Texas Monthly as one of the best in Austin. My favorite for not waiting and the price.
Rudy’s – Gas station and BBQ. Will need a car to get to one. Quick, no crazy line, and before all the high end places opened, my favorite BBQ in town. Really good and not very expensive. The Moist brisket melts in your mouth.
Beer
Towns of great breweries in town. Here are a couple of my favorites
Zilker Brewing – Parking is a bit of a pain if you drive. East side of downtown. Really good beer, including some IPAs and a great stout. There is a really good food trailer as well serving a thai inspired chicken sandwich that I think is great.
Hops & Grain – Near Zilker. Good beers including one of my favorite Pale Ales, Zoe.
St. Elmo – More south, a great little brewery that is one of my favorites. Nice rotating selection of beers across most styles. Also a good food trailer owned by same folks that own the one at Zilker. hThere is a Whiskey distillery next door as well.
ABGB – In the neighborhood south of downtown. Known for Pilsners and Helles. Good pizza and sandwiches, and big outdoors area and music on weekends. My neighborhood go to.
Areas
Rainey Street – Not as cool as it was originally, but still not a bad street to grab drinks. Touristy and hipster. Old houoses converted into bars and lounges. Bangers has over 100 taps of beer most fromtexas and a brunch on Sundays and homemade sausages. Also Craft, a smaller beer bar, with good choices, and a killer food trailer with Detroit Style pizza that is really good called Via 313.
Sixth Street – Austins bourbon street. Dirty, filled with college kids and tourists. Some music and worth seeing once, but not where most people want to spend the most of their time.
East Side – Lots of new hip places all over east of highway 35 near downtown. Spread out some but a lot of the latest trendy places.
West sixth – More mature crowd, near the area with Whole Foods flagship store and head quarters. Changing collection of decent bars.
South congress – Congress south of river. Starts with Yeti company stiore just south of river (has a bar), and goes a ways. Lots of little shops and restaurants and bars. Continental is a famous dive bar music venue. Torchys has a place as well as Hopdoddy.
Domain – Large mixed use development north west of town. Some local places mixed in with the usual higer end national places. Lots of shopping, restaurants and a Top golf. Less Austin, more Atlanta or Dallas, but some Austin local places have put restaurants there.
Other
Sway – Great modern Thai place on South First
Uchi – Famous sushi place on South Lamar. I have not eaten here but Chef is famous and supposed ot be really good.
Vince Youngs – High end local steak house. Expensive but very good
Roaring Fork – Nice upper end place for dinner. Salmon, Steaks, southwest inspired stuff. Fgood date place. Downtown.
Amys – Really good local Ice Cream place. One on south congress.