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Mt. Rushmore: Austin Eats

What the hell, in a week as slow as this one, this is definitely front-page material.  My four: Rudy's, East Side Cafe, Magnolia and Trudy's.  For me, it's a combination of food and some personal experiences that make these stand out. -BZ

Thanks to all for the positive reception to my off-season, off-topic Mt. Rushmore idea (spawned here for those unaware). Admittedly, it was hard to generate much discussion over the four best Longhorn football stars of all-time, so I'm hoping this one gets a little more variety of opinion.

Inspired by the comments discussion in Barking Carnival's thrashing of Arby's, I figured a good Mt. Rushmore would be the top 4 restaurants of choice in Austin.

Please keep in mind there are no wrong answers, only personal opinions. Anyhow, here's my four:

Rudy's Country Store and BBQ: Some people prefer Salt Lick; I say it's too far away. Some like Ruby's with a B; I say it's good, but not AS good. The atmosphere in any Rudy's is great, and the creamed corn can't be beat. Plus, they give you all the sauce you want.

EZ's Brick Oven Grille: Ok, so technically it started in San Antonio, but it's still an Austin tradition for me. Not too far from West Campus, it's a great place to go to when you're looking for a quick, delicious bite to eat (I love the Poblano Burger). Plus, it's the home of the $2 student discount (just show them your UT ID) and was featured in season 1 episodes of Friday Night Lights. Super sweet.

Trudy's: There's better Mexican food out there (Fonda San Miguel comes to mind), but there's NO better Mexican Martini (although I recommend upgrading from the house). Add the Migas Enchiladas (with chili con carne) and the co-eds flocking for the alcohols, and you have a winnar in my book.

Carmelo's: My upscale restaurant of choice. I took the girlfriend here for an anniversary and let our waiter know, and the service was phenomenal. The Steak Diane is pretty damn fantastic for an Italian place, and the rotating desserts are great (particularly the cheesecake). I've been back a few times since then, and it's always been a great experience. The architecture is also phenomenal; it's an old railroad house and a Texas landmark.

It was hard to narrow it down to just four restaurants, but I gave it my best shot. Opinions from the crowd?

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Love the format

Definitely want to have one BBQ place, one Mexican, one campus-area greasy spoon, and one upscale choice. I may have to differ on specifics, though:

The County Line: It’s got all the great barbecued meat that the other places have, but their specialty enormous beef ribs and high quality bar area make it the best. Also, from campus it’s a significant enough drive to make going there a special trip, but not as far as the Salt Lick which pretty much eliminates half your night.

BurgerTex: Everyone loves Durty’s so much, but BurgerTex has better burgers AND bulgogi (Korean barbecues beef) on the menu. Mmmmm.

Chuy’s: I know it’s become so cool that it’s uncool, and I know that it’s the least original choice for Mexican food in Austin I could possibly have come up with. But I love the Elvis Presley Memorial Enchilada platter more than I know how to say. Plus: free chips while you wait.

Eddie V’s: I like Eddie V’s. I like live music on Thursday nights. I like Steak Oscar (not on the printed menu, but it’s filet with crabmeat, asparagus, and bearnaise). I like Godiva chocolate cake. I like that I once ate there one table away from mack Brown and Greg Robinson. And I like eating there when someone else is paying.

by 40AS on May 7, 2008 10:45 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Bygone days . . ..

The ‘80s specifically:

The Pit BBQ: Live Oak. Your choice of three kinds of meat, all you could eat for $5—the right price for starving undergrads. Quality could be inconsistent, but at its best it was terrific. After our first trip we went to see “Airplane!”. Laughing that hard with stomachs very, very full of good BBQ was really dangerous. With that a Friday night ‘cue-and-flick tradition that lasted a couple of years was born. Yes, I’m serious, and stop calling me Shirley.

El Arroyo: Best enchiladas in town. To those who’d disagree, I say, “Pistols at dawn.”

Hole in the Wall:
Very convenient for us Daily Texan staffers, of course, but mostly it was everything you’d want in a dive, and in nearly 40 years of looking I’ve not found a divier dive yet. Very sad to read of it’s closing—how do you all handle life in Austin without that semi-weekly dose of Reality?

Trudy’s:: Recovering from Saturday night with friends over migas and much coffee before heading to Barton Springs, the lake or (damn) the library.

:Left Austin in ‘89 for the wilds of our Nation’s Capital. Thanks for bringing back memories.

by vahornfan on May 7, 2008 12:52 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

See you at first light

The best enchiladas of all time were made by Jorge Arredondo. He moved around a lot, but the man could cook!

And while I got you here, for Barbeque it’s Stubbs. Campus was San Jacinto cafe, now Dirty’s. Upscale was the Barn (or Green Acres).

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on May 7, 2008 11:17 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Jorge

Started Maudies. The reason it is called Maudies is because that was the name of the restaurant that was there before. Jorge could not get a new restaurant license, so he bought Maudies (which was a cafeteria type food without the long food line, catering to old people) and turned it into the beginning of what it is today.

by Wells on May 8, 2008 10:22 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

County Line

County Line’s beef ribs are fantastic, but their sauce is nowhere near as good as Rudy’s. Love the all you can eat, though.

by jc25 on May 7, 2008 3:21 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

my four (+4)

El Chile
Fonda San Miguel
Salt Lick
Clay Pit

for cheap/quick food, my top 4:
El Chilito
Burger Tex (on Airport)
East Side Pies
Go Bites

by crocodile235 on May 7, 2008 10:50 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Restaurants

Ahh…finally a subject near and dear to my heart. I’ve got to disagree with most of your choices, though. I’ve always found Austin barbecue to be severely lacking (but Rudy’s is probably the best of the bunch). EZ’s? No thanks. I hate Trudy’s. Not only is there better Mexican food out there, but anytime a restaurant is lauded for a drink every time it is mentioned rather than the food…it’s wise to stay away.

My list (very tough off the top of my head):
1. Curra’s: Cream of a very fine crop of Mexican restaurants in Austin. The Enchiladas Curras topped with carne guisada and the Enchiladas Chiapas with its poblano cream sauce can’t be beat. Throw in great interior Mex options like the cochinita pibil and its a winner.

2. Magnolia Cafe: Is there a better sandwich option in Austin than the Flamingo on rye? Of course not. Plus, great 24-hour breakfast with the best pancakes in town.

3. Eastside Cafe: Fresh daily specials using ingredients from their own garden along with their great standard menu and some of the best desserts you’ll fine. You haven’t lived until you’ve had their acorn squash with soy ginger sauce.

4. Suzi’s China Grill: Best chinese food in Austin (if it was open until 4 a.m. like Wanfu, this wouldn’t even be close). The freshest cuts of meat and great flavors, plus the best crab rangoon. Try the Beef Mimosa. The fact that people wait an hour for the crapfest that is P.F. Chang’s when Suzi’s is in their own backyard baffles the mind.

by Jason Mayer on May 7, 2008 10:57 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Din Ho

Din Ho is vastly superior to both Suzi’s and Pf Changs. A bit off the beaten path in North Austin (Burnet and 183), but well worth the drive. Go with a group though.

by Blitzburgh on May 7, 2008 12:13 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Din Ho

Never made it there unfortunately. I might have to try it one of these times I can get down to Austin. There’s such a paucity of great chinese food in Fort Worth that it may be worth making the drive for that alone. And anything is vastly superior to PF Chang’s.

by Jason Mayer on May 7, 2008 12:24 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

PF Changs is the McDonald's of Chinese food

Din Ho is the real deal, the BBQ pork is phenomenal! I also recommend the Walnut shrimp, and sizzling beef or scallops platter.

by TX HOCKEY! on May 7, 2008 12:36 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

bbq platter

Just go with the BBQ platter – chicken, pork, duck. Huge mound of meat.

Crab asparagus soup is the bomb too for those who like those two ingredients.

Agree TX hockey, sizzling beef and scallops is awesome!

by Blitzburgh on May 7, 2008 12:47 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Din Ho

Din Ho is pretty authentic, right down to how the Chinese food smell sticks to your clothes when you leave.

If you’re looking for good Taiwanese food, CoCo’s on Gualalupe (between 21st and MLK) is really pretty authentic. It’s a little pricey and a little too nice-looking of a place, but the food is great for the proximity.

by jc25 on May 7, 2008 3:23 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Sesame chicken

Din Ho’s is some of the best and cheapest chinese food I’ve ever had. Each entree easily serves two people for around $9, if you eat plenty of the steamed rice. I reckon Sesame chicken is the way to go.

by ajax77777 on May 9, 2008 2:15 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Down on suzi's

Last time I was in there, the waiter dipped a rag in the ice tea left on the table and proceeded to wipe the table down with it. This has been a few years ago, but I have not gone back.

by billb on May 7, 2008 12:15 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

This is crazy

No one has Maudies on here:

1. Maudie’s. If you haven’t tried Rockin’ Ruthann’s, you haven’t lived. For my last meal on earth, I would chose this without hesitation.

2. Manuel’s – I’m going to double up on the Mexican food because that’s what’s best in this town. Great fajitas and margaritas.

3. Tamale House – Hole in the wall off of Airport Blvd. Closed on Sundays, but go there on Saturdays (there is usually a line out the door) and get the Huevos Rancheros. Best breakfast in Austin. Period. (Woops, guess I tripled up on the Mexican.)

4. P Terry’s – It’s quasi-fast food, but I think it’s the best burger in Austin. The new Mighty Fine Burgers and Fries is a close second.

by SuperHorn on May 7, 2008 11:58 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Manuel's

Manuel’s definitely has the best mole sauce in town (possibly the state). Plus, their chile relleno is superb.

by Jason Mayer on May 7, 2008 12:20 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

re:

Another place to try for mole is Elsi’s on Burnet. I’ve had both Manuel’s and Elsi’e, and I like the latter more. Fonda’s is up there, too, if you can afford it.

Also, thirding Din Ho.

by bigfatdrunk on May 7, 2008 12:46 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

In no particular order.......

THEN: These are the places I ate the most while attending the University of Texas. I’m amazed I didn’t weigh 400 pounds.
Player’s: If you got drive-thru, no matter how close you lived, the bag was soaking with grease by the time you got home.
Mr. Gatti’s (MLK Blvd.): We had a box of coupon books dropped of at the fraternity house. Rather than dirstributing them I kept them all. There was a coupon for a buy-one-get-one-free buffet. My friend and I ate there what seemed like every other day for a semester for $5.
Dirty Martin’s Kum-Bak Place: OT Special, a double bacon cheeseburger with a fried egg on top. It used to be so wonderful, and it sounds so disgusting to me now.
Ray’s (Closed): When my parents would come into town we would always go to Ray’s steakhouse on Guadalupe. It was awesome! I was in Austin with my wife last year and we were going to go to dinner there, I was so disappointed to see it was closed.

Now: These are the places I go now when I visit Austin.
Eddie V’s
Magnolia
Trudy’s
Salt Lick

I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.

by 16thLonghorn on May 7, 2008 12:07 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Dating myself

Martin Brothers was a big one for me. You knew the staff would be completely stoned, and the $1 ritas were awesome. Also Crown and Posse. Oh, and gorging yourself at Double Dave’s.

by bigfatdrunk on May 7, 2008 1:08 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

How could I forget?!

I forgot Hoover’s!!!! How could I forget Hoover’s?!

Aren’t there 5 heads on Mount Rushmore? If there were, Hoover’s would be my fifth head.

I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.

by 16thLonghorn on May 7, 2008 1:09 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

um...

as soon as Herbert Hoover (worst president ever? third worst?) gets his head on mount rushmore, then you can add Hoover’s. until then, probably stick with 4.

by billyzane on May 7, 2008 1:31 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Dirty's

With the Fried Egg FTW. I’m so glad someone else likes it, all my friends thought it was disgusting.

by jc25 on May 7, 2008 3:24 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I have worked at both in college...

I know it may not be popular, but I feel as if it is my duty to educate those Trudy’s mex-mart pundits that they are WAY overrated. The best margaritas in our fair town reside at Matt’s El Rancho. Period! Trudy’s bartenders are instructed to pack those shakers as full of ice as they can and they are required to meticulously measure and keep track of their pours, trust me I bartended at Matt’s in college and have made countless batches of their house margaritas and they do it up!!! The key isnt the brand of tequila as much as they use only fresh squeezed lime juice and not that nasty sweet and sour mix that goes into most places “gringo-ritas”. Honestly I cant stand other places ritas after getting used to Matt’s. Trust me!!!

by TX HOCKEY! on May 7, 2008 12:12 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

true

Nothing worse than an overly sweet rita with all that nasty fake mixer.

by Blitzburgh on May 7, 2008 12:15 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

hell is...

getting a nasty, sweet margartia at a place where people say “EWWW, they have great margaritas here”.

by TX HOCKEY! on May 7, 2008 12:19 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Proximity is key

I liked trudy’s all right, though their Mexican Martini policy was ridiculous, and no doubt caused more problems then it solved.

However, it was a short walk from my place which was a massive advantage on a lazy Austin afternoon/evening.

by learned hand on May 7, 2008 12:27 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Trudy's

For the bold, you can attempt the Trudy’s Triangle, where you pick up two Mexican Martinis at each location.

by jc25 on May 7, 2008 3:26 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

That's kind of what I was talking about

About half of the clientele for Trudy’s in North Austin are walking/biking/driving about 4 blocks to it. it would seem to make more sense to serve somebody more than two there instead of create a challenge where people drive/are driven all over town in pursuit of booze.

Though the bartender I knew there back in the day said before the policy, people would down 3 or more in an hour and be too drunk to breathe.

by learned hand on May 7, 2008 3:55 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I don't go for the Mexican Martini's

I go for the Stuffed Avocado. Here is the description straight off of the menu:

A fried, breaded avocado stuffed with spiced chicken and cheese. Covered with choice of sauce and cheese. Garnished with an avocado slice. Served with lettuce and tomato.

Afterword, you feel like you ate a brick. A delicious cheesy fried brick.

I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.

by 16thLonghorn on May 7, 2008 1:04 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Matt's is better

but not exactly close to campus or downtown. However, I personally have no qualms driving all of 5 minutes south to get to Matt’s. Other people aren’t always so willing. Trudys is all good and well. Their chorizzo stuffed chicken is awesome, but their Mexican Martini’s are way overrated. The best MMs I have ever had are at a restaurant in Georgetown called Dos Salsas. Small, family owned place that make their drinks quite strong.

by Texas Our Texas on May 9, 2008 11:05 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Matt's is a great post-game spot on Saturdays in the Fall.

Usually see about 20 people I haven’t seen in 5+ years.

I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.

by 16thLonghorn on May 9, 2008 11:19 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

4

South Congress Cafe- I just had the brunch there and it was outstanding. Dinner has always been good.
Flemings-yes it’s a chain but they have really good steaks and a pretty good wine selection (from what i’ve been told, but I don’t drink wine).
Chuy’s-my wife and I went on our first real date here, sentimental reasons, although I do enjoy the food.
Hut’s-I love the sink burger.

I am not a seafood lover, but my wife is and she loves Eddie Vs, Trulucks and McCormick and Schmicks, for what its worth.

by billb on May 7, 2008 12:13 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Too many to pick from

1) Hut’s- A burger with bacon, cheese and Guacamole? Hell and Yes.

2) Manuel’s- Always seemed out of the way, but damn it was good

3) Magnolia- Sentimental reasons, but their sandwiches and breakfast should not be underestimated.

4) Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill- Partly sentimental. Great chicken fried steak, and any number of Texas staples.

Honorable Mention-
Bistro 88
Chango’s

by learned hand on May 7, 2008 12:21 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

THIS IS TOUGH FOR A NATIVE AUSTINITE

in no particular order, varying cuisines:

ciscos, vespaio, uchi, green pastures($$$$, but worth it. try the texas game sampler)

alternates: el caribe, phils ice house, casino el camino

please hurry, Fall.

by burntorangenance on May 7, 2008 12:38 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

See, this is hard

Ranch 616, Darios, Blue Star Diner,

please hurry, Fall.

by burntorangenance on May 7, 2008 12:39 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Good calls, Green Pastures is solid.

Love Phil’s too, thats about as far North as I can go… To me Austin ends at Stassney on the South and 183 to the north. Anything past 183 is South Dallas.

by the1austin on May 7, 2008 12:42 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

What?

You mean you don’t think THE DOMAIN is Austin?

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on May 7, 2008 12:49 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The Domain is the Exact Opposite of what I love about Austin.

Chain stores and chain restaurants. I can live without the Gap and Kona Grill. Don’t get me wrong, the Domain is good for North Austin, brings jobs, and is a beautiful structure. I just the Austin part of Austin.

by the1austin on May 7, 2008 1:01 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Jaspers

While I could care less about 90% of the Domain, Jaspers is absolutely fantastic. One of my favorite restaurants in Austin now. There is one in Dallas, and now this one, so a chain it is not.

by Texas Our Texas on May 9, 2008 10:58 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I totally agree...

And for my specific thoughts, see my post waaaaayy down near the bottom of the page (about the 90th-100th post).

by BigTexBD on May 9, 2008 4:27 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

ugh

I generally agree with you but without being offensive, I’d suggest you give some of the places around 183 a try. There’s some gems up there, particularly in the way of sushi and asian food.

For the record, grew up in west austin and live in hyde park now and typically hate north, north austin. But, witht he way the city has grown, it’s a bit dumb to cut off the city before 183. There’s too much going on there now to discount it entirely.

by Blitzburgh on May 7, 2008 12:53 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yeah

I know , I just love giving that place a hard time. Hell, I live at McNeil and 183. My wife works in the offices at the Domain. We just moved back from Dallas and we like to joke that the Domain is perfect for us to travel back to Big D without the drive.

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on May 7, 2008 12:55 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

hehe

Word.

Wasn’t try to sound like a dbag, and like I said, I agree, but sadly, there are some that truly won’t venture north whatsoever and they’re missing out on things like Fry’s, Fujiyama, Din Ho, etc.

As for bars? DEFINITELY agree that those should be left to the ‘real’ part of town. Hate the bars up there. So cheese dick.

by Blitzburgh on May 7, 2008 1:15 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

love phils

Just tried it.

Not so big on blue star but thats because i worked there for like 2 weeks and one of the busboys wouldnt stop making passes at me. Foods overpriced too. Brunc aint bad though, I’ll admit.

Love uchi! Wish I could afford it :)

by Blitzburgh on May 7, 2008 12:49 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Best Burger in town

All kinds of mad love for Phil’s Ice House—simply the best burger in town. The 78704 on a jalapeƱo cheese bun? There really is nothing better in town.

Plus, when you’re done, walk “next door” and get a scoop of Amy’s ice cream.

I see Bruce Robison and wife Kelley Willis in here quite a bit - country folk know good grub.

by sc99p on May 8, 2008 9:29 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

All very good nominations..

Remember, these aren’t necessarily the BEST restaurants in Austin, just the top institutions. Here are mine

1) Cisco’s – Every game day begins at Cisco’s and every hangover ends there.
2) Guero’s – The other day I left work, went to lunch at Geuros, had a beer, saw the mom from Friday Night Lights (Mrs. Coach), and petted a guy’s pot-belly pig at the table next to us. These are the things that happen at Gueros
3) Shady Grove – It was either this or Hula Hut’s. Unplugged at the Grove puts this trailer park over the top. I could spend 6 hours at Shady Grove and not even notice it.
4) Hut’s – Are they the best burgers in town? No. But don’t tell that to the people who wait 45 minutes for a lunch table on a Tuesday. Plus…it’s freaking HUT’S MAN!!!

My apologies to: Magnolia Cafe, Casino El Camino, Z Tejas, NXNW, Katz’s, Hula Hut’s, Iron Works, Fonda San Miguel, Chez Zee, and SAM’S FREAKING BBQ (shh, don’t tell anyone about it, but they’re open ‘til 3am)

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on May 7, 2008 12:44 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Three words

Star Seeds Cafe.

Not even a mention yet? Come on, that place is wonderful and an easy pick over Magnolia and Kirby Lane.

by awrr on May 7, 2008 12:52 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Ehhh...

The food’s above average, but the place always smells like a port-o-pot

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on May 7, 2008 12:53 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

lol

seriously. ive never once been there without eating next to passed out homeless dudes. that places scares me. but if im in the modd for a 2 dollar egg plate late night, sure, why not.

by Blitzburgh on May 7, 2008 12:54 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

self-loathing

food service people really don’t sit well with me…horrible music always playin’ there, too.

please hurry, Fall.

by burntorangenance on May 7, 2008 5:46 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

My picks....

I’ve linked to the websites for my Top 4.

I. Hills Cafe: Best burgers in town, hands down, and if you haven’t spend a Sunday night on the back patio with a schooner of Shiner listening to a country band, you are missing out. Also, try the White Wings appetizer, its amazing. The building is historic, an old courthouse. Great place for a large group (unlike Trudy’s). Check out the schedule, they have tons of great free shows.

2. Vivo’s: This is the best Tex Mex in the city (to me). Located right off of Manor road behind the Disch, this is a great date place, dark,, great art on the walls, a nice bar. Every girl that goes gets a single rose. The patio is really nice, but I prefer the indoors. Looking for a cool date place with amazing Tortilla Soup, try this out.

3. Juan in a Million: The floors and tables might be dirty or more likely filthy, but to me, nothing beats getting over a Friday night hangover than a Don Juan on Saturday morning. I know breakfast tacos are a whole other thread, but I love this place and its number one for me in that department. By the way, Juan is best on Saturday mornings, Sunday Mornings you gotta be at Shady Grove with a Bloody Mary or 3.

4. Green Mesquite: The BBQ is is always good. Have a great patio, amazing location with a great patio and stage. My favorite thing to eat there, and I think they are the best in Austin, are the wings. Smoked buffalo wings with a tangy sauce. They’re great. Also, great lunch menu and daily specials close to downtown so you can get in and out.

Honorable mention: Flip Happy Crepes, if you can get there when its open…

by the1austin on May 7, 2008 12:53 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

very hot women at Vivo

Other than that, I’d rather eat at el chile down the street. vivo’s good too though, no doubt.

by Blitzburgh on May 7, 2008 12:54 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

El Chile is great too, but the wait for a table can be

extreme. That’s actually how I found Vivo’s. The michelada at El Chile is my personal favorite..

by the1austin on May 7, 2008 1:07 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

mine

First of all, you are all wrong – unless you agree 100% with me :-)

1. Mueller’s BBQ in Taylor. Yeah yeah, not Austin, but it’s better than Rudy’s in my opinion. When the son had to close his off Manor, it was a sad day.
2. Titaya (Thai) on Lamar just south of 2222. Austin lacked great Thai for a long time, and it’s here.
3. Sunflower on 183 and Peyton Gin. Awesome Vietnamese.
#4 is kinda hard for me. Most other places, I go for a specific item (migas at Cocina de Consuela, burgers at Hill-Bert’s or Casino or Billy’s on Burnet, El Chile, Sambet’s for sandwiches, Elsi’s for Mexican), but I am gonna go with Hoover’s on Manor. I think he makes the best wings in Austin, and the rest of the menu is consistently above-average. Awesome desserts.

But I’ve got to try Nubian Queen’s at some point.

by bigfatdrunk on May 7, 2008 1:03 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

So difficult

Native Austinites can’t do this, since it requires explording a lifetime of eating out. I’ve been to restaraunts I loved once, returned and hated it. I’ll try my best, though honestly, some of the best food I’ve had wasn’t at restaraunts, but at fast food joints like Taco Cabana afterhours:

1. Cliche has to be Maudie’s. Whichever location matters not, it’s a popular Austin restaraunt that everyone knows name. I like comfort food, and I know my way around their menu.

2. Thundercloud. I can’t find a better sammich in any other city, and I’ve tried.

3. Dirty Martin’s Dirty’s. No explanation necessary.

4. Kenichi. Everytime my gf comes in town we hit up Kenichi and, although it has been hit or miss on service, I’m a big fan of the food. It’s nice enough where she likes it (she’s from Dallas) but not too pricey, and not too inaccessible.

Go register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on May 7, 2008 1:07 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Respect the Cloud

I worked nights at the Guadalupe location during college and between undergrad and grad. Interesting place.

by Bob LaBlog on May 7, 2008 5:39 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs