Restaurants in Austin TX

"Texas does not, like any other region, simply have indigenous dishes. It proclaims them. It congratulates you, on your
arrival, at having escaped from the slop pails of the other 49 states."
-Alistair Cooke

Barbecue

If you talk about barbecue in Texas, you have to first talk about Brisket. Texans love to argue about where to find the best in town. I myself prefer pork ribs, and I won't turn down sausage either. You can also find pork tenderloin, smoked turkey breast, and beef ribs. Chopped beef means chopped up brisket, usually on a bun.

As someone who lived in North Carolina for 8 years and had to put up with pulled pork soaked in vinegar or mustard based sauces - let me just say that you won't find any of that here. Thank the barbecue gods. (By the way, this is the quickest way to get in an argument with my brother-in-law.)

Brisket lovers should go to The County Line - which is a shame because it's a chain (albeit a Texas one) and not as fun as a hole-in-the-wall place. But their brisket is the best I've had in within Austin city limits.

Ruby's also has good brisket, and have a much better atmosphere that The County Line. I'm also partial to Ruby's sides, and the fact that they're in Central Austin and easier for me to get to. (Note: Not Rudy's, which is a restaurant/gas station chain. It's pretty good, love their breakfast tacos, but still - it's at a gas station. C'mon!)

For pork ribs, and for the best atmosphere available, I'd head down to The Salt Lick. It's BYOB and can take an hour to get seated, so make sure you bring a cooler of beer with you. They have an awesome outdoor patio for you while you wait, and live music on the weekends. Their ribs have been OUTSTANDING, and they've been bad too. So hopefully you go on a good day.

Austin also happens to be a 30 minute drive from Lockhart, TX, the official Barbecue Capitol of Texas. They have 4 outstanding places there, or so I've heard, because I've only been to Smitty's and have no desire to go anywhere else. Everything they have is awesome. Awesome. AWESOME. You have to go here. I personally LOVE their pork ribs. They have a ton of other stuff - prime rib even. It's all served from their scary and hot smoke room on butcher paper, and then you go inside to the counter to get your sides. Get a Big Red to wash it all down.

I've done a couple blog posts on this topic. Here's one, complete with a barbecue map!

Tex-Mex or Mexican Restaurants

There's a difference. Tex-Mex is the typical enchiladas, nachos, fajitas plate with a side of rice and beans. Mexican means interior Mexican food: mole, marinated and grilled meats and seafood, banana-leaf wrapped tamales and cochinita pibil.

I tend to prefer the latter, but sometimes I just want some good old school Tex-Mex. I head to Juan in a Million, mainly because I'm addicted to their refried beans. Or Angies, because I love their corn tortillas. Or El Patio, because I love the choice of sherbert or a praline at the end of a meal (Praline!). Or Jorge's because I like their patio, and their menu has so much to choose from, and it's close to my house.

But when I want Interior Mexican, I head first to Polvo's - oh man, their tacos al pastor are so insanely good, and they make this pecan cream sauce that makes you want to swim in it (it's good on Al Pastor Chile Rellenos too). For breakfast or a quick taco run I go to El Chilito - which is more known in my household as Hipster Taco for the uber-trendy vibe there. I have yet to go to, but someday I will head to Fonda San Miguel for some fine dining Mexican. They have a brunch that I've heard is to-die-for.

Fine Dining

Austin is a pretty laid back kind of town, but every once in a while you want to spend some hard earned cash on food. Where to head?

Go to The Driskill Hotel if you're on the company dime. The executive chef there has won all kinds of awards and was even on Iron Chef America. Ok, so I've never been there, but their menu looks tasty.

I have been to Wink though, and it was amazing. Seriously, never thought I would like braised beets until I had them as a side there. Their menu is a little bit more adventurous than the Driskill, and it changes daily.

Uchi is our top sushi restaurant, and its executive chef was also on Iron Chef America. Can you tell I like that show? I've only been once and I was pregnant, so I couldn't enjoy it fully. It's got an incredible wait and they don't take reservations, but their dishes are truly innovative.

We even have fine dining barbecue at Lambert's - which I am partial to because that's my maiden name (no relation, sadly). I've only split an appetizer here with a friend as we guzzled dirty martinis, but let me just say you have never lived until you've tried their foie gras creme brulee (on their cheese and charcuterie plate). I know it's wrong to eat foie gras, but it is heavenly. I really want to go back and sit for a full meal. And guzzle martinis.

For French food, I go to Chez Nous, a cute little bistro downtown with a great prix fix menu. Next up on my list to try is Aquarelle.

Update for June 2009. Oh my god, go do happy hour at Trio. Read more here on my blog.

Asian or Indian Food

Indian	Bombay Bistro, Shalimar, or Madras Pavilion
Thai	My current favorite is Titaya's, followed by Madam Mam's
Vietnamese	Sunflower or Kim Phung
Chinese	I'm all about Din Ho, which has roasted ducks in the window. For dim sum, try Chinatown.
Japanese	If you have some money to spend on sushi, go to Uchi. If you don't, go try the sushi train at Korea Garden (which has things other than Korean food). Musashino has Japanese curry which about 75% satisfies my cravings for the real deal.
Korean	Korea Garden has those fun table top grills where you can cook your own food. It's really fun and tasty. You won't believe how many little side dishes come out with your meal - filled with stuff this white girl can't recognize.

other types of food:

Guess what - we're not going to have pizza like you can find in NY. Quit yer bitching.

Cajun	Gene's New Orleans Style Poboys
Soul Food	Hoovers
Californian	Wahoo's Fish Tacos
NY Pizza	Home Slice, East Side Pies
Chicago Pizza	Mangia
Cuban	Habana
Hamburgers	Hut's, P. Terry's
German	still searching for a good one - Scholz Garden is the closest thing in town. Drive to Fredericksburg for more options.
Vegetarian	Eastside Cafe, Veggie Heaven

Beer

The one and only, Shiner. My drink of choice, made about 80 miles away in Shiner, TX. They make their standard Shiner Bock, which is tasty, but also have a Hefeweisen, Blonde, Black Lager, Holiday Brew, and a special brew each year for their anniversary. They'll be 100 years old in 2009. I am headed to Shiner for whatever kind of party they throw.

And for one last Iron Chef reference, how happy was I to see Shiner included on "secret ingredient - beer" day? WhOOt!

Think I'm missing something on this list? Contact me with the info.