Choosing Austin as a vacation destination in Mid-June might have been a mistake, but it was one we were willing to make when it came to our interests and our taste buds. After some soul searching (napping at our hotel) we dove into our predetermined list and settled on spots that wouldn't break the bank, weren't always chain, and stayed fairly local. We were even able to stumble upon some really cool locations along the way.
It should be duly noted that I am no food critic, but I know what tastes good and I can take a pretty appealing picture of some street tacos when given an iPhone and an opportunity.
MATT'S EL RANCHO
Address: 2613 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
My personal favorite and the only Tex-Mex consumed on the entire trip, Matt's on a Saturday night was quite the experience. Racing the rain and waiting about 45 minutes, the patio was one of the most comfortable places I have ever eaten; the sun even broke through for most of our meal.
Recommendations: Smoked Chicken Enchiladas, Bob Armstrong Dip
BISCUITS AND GROOVY
Address: 1210 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Food. Trucks. Everywhere. This isn't even an exaggeration. Every time you turned around, it seemed as though you were happening upon a food truck. Nestled in Zilker Food Park next to a badass pet supplies store, B&G and their music inspired menu proved itself a great spot for an outdoor breakfast served in a cardboard boat. Barton Springs Road is beautiful in the summer and provided a barrier from "city traffic" and some cover from the early morning sun.
If you stop in, check out the other trucks there, too! Wanderlust and Jerusalem Pita Halal both looked fantastic.
Recommendation: The Gloria Gaynor (biscuits and gravy, three scrambled eggs, thick sliced peppered maple bacon, jalapenos, and colby jack cheese)
While you're in the area, make sure you swing my Zilker Park! Walk the Barton Springs Greenbelt, watch some dogs play, hit up Barton Springs Pool, or just take in the skyline from a little piece of metropolitan nature. Most importantly, visit the Whole Foods Market flagship store and take a picture with the ATX sign!
TORCHY'S TACOS
Address: Multiple, just pick one and go.
Coming highly recommended from literally everyone, during a rain shower we threw a dart at a map and picked the closest locations. There's not much to say about Torchy's other than go there. 10/10.
Recommendation: Republican (jalapeno sausage), Green Chile Pork, Democrat (Beef Barbacoa)
From our Torchy's location, we were able to bounce over to South Congress for a coffee at Jo's a short walk, and some oddly interesting stores. By far my favorite walk of the long weekend, South Congress is a street full of neon, oddities, and some of the greatest people you'll ever encounter.
STUBB'S BBQ
Address: 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
Your sides don't really matter because the meat is pretty good, but it's not Kansas City BBQ, so that was probably my only beef with the beef. The atmosphere (and Willie Nelson memorabilia) made for a really nice dining experience in Downtown Austin. Don't bother with a salad as a side, pick one of the made from scratch options and it'll be well worth the $19.
Recommendation: Stubb's Minor (2 meats & 2 sides)
BANGER'S SAUSAGE HOUSE & BEER GARDEN
Address: 79 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Whether you have 2 days, 2 weeks, or move to Austin permanently, take to Rainey Street at eat at Bangers. Homemade sausage, craft beers, laid back patio scene, it was everything I could have asked for and more when it came to casual dining on our last night in town. As a major plus, they have over 104 beers on draft and 50 others in cans and bottles. Local, not local, you name it they've got it. Including Tank 7 and Jam Band. You're welcome, Boulevard fans.
Our only regret is not coming for Sunday brunch, an experience that I'm going to make a trip back for in the near future.
Recommendation: Banger & Mash, Stone I'm Peach IPA
BARS AND MORE: RAINEY & WEST SIXTH STREET
As adults, we decided to make the best of our last night in Austin and following dinner we made our way down Rainey Street stopping at just about every bar on the way. Here's a quick rundown of each stop because honestly, everything after my 4th beer at Banger's is a little bit blurry. However, the best part about bars in Austin... they don't keep your credit card, and if you walk on the bar tab it's only a 15% tip.
Lucille's: Only played the Beatles (+1), only candlelight (-1)
Icenhauer's: Did not go inside but the music coming from inside was good (+3)
Un-BAR-lievable: Circus theme (+/- 2 depending on comfort with the circus), a lot of damn fun (+5)
Star Bar: Closes at midnight on Monday's (-1), better bathroom than Little Woodrow's (+1), Bartender who was a Mizzou grad (+1)
Little Woodrow's: Nice patio with astroturf (+1), cheap beers (+5), baseball on every TV (+1), bathrooms (-2)
I wish I had publishable pictures, but honestly everything I took was trash. And don't worry, we racked up $60 in Uber charges to make sure we were safe.
SALT LICK BBQ
Visited Location: Austin-Bergstrom International (Through security between Gates 10&12)
Actual Address: 3350 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
Because of the distance from everything we were doing in ATX, we chose to forego Salt Lick in hopes of staying closer to what we wanted to do. However, with our early arrival to the airport to drop our car off and our delayed flight, I was able to snag a pulled pork plate with plenty of time before our flight. If you have more time, head out to Round Rock for a full dining experience as standing at a table in the middle of a busy airport on a Tuesday afternoon isn't exactly conducive to casual dining.
CLOSE, BUT JUST OUT OF REACH...
RADIO COFFEE & BEER
Address: 4204 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
The story of our lives, it seems, is finding a place that seems really cool, affordable and unique and not being able to find a place to park. A South Lamar hotspot, Radio Coffee put off a vibe that was right up our alley but a packed parking lot that isn't conducive to overwhelming anxiety. We could have gone back for coffee when it wasn't peak busy, but we distracted ourselves by checking a few more locations off of our "must do" list.
Using this as an opportunity to visit another unique South Lamar location, Uncommon Objects, this quirky antique shop did not disappoint us and was right in my wheelhouse. From taxidermy animals in kimonos, animal skulls, creepy relics, and obviously haunted dolls, this emporium of one-of-a-kind junk fascinated us for nearly an hour. While nothing screamed "take me home in your checked bag and put me on display" I was able to snap a few quick pics of my favorite uncommon objects.
Because of everything this city has to offer, I highly recommend renting a car if possible. Our four day trip only covered about half of the things we were genuinely interested in, but without our rental we would have been stuck paying for an Uber and would have missed out on the opportunity to learn to navigate a new city on our own.
Austinites, thank you for sharing your world with us! I can't wait to come back.
Ciao,
Courtney
P.S. When in Texas, eat at Whataburger. I'd commit a crime for spicy ketchup.
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