Austin Food Recs Thread

I drove around looking for a bite to eat yesterday after the game and realized how out of touch I am with Austin's gastronomy. I tried going to grab some pizza at Homeslice but Congress was a nightmare(duh) so I just hightailed it. I really need to explore more as I visit more often.
 
It is in RR but ate at Cork and Barrel recently and had Nolan Ryan's Goodstock dry-aged ribeye and it was wonderful.
 
I drove around looking for a bite to eat yesterday after the game and realized how out of touch I am with Austin's gastronomy. I tried going to grab some pizza at Homeslice but Congress was a nightmare(duh) so I just hightailed it. I really need to explore more as I visit more often.
Salty Sow, just a few blocks east of the Disch, is solid.
 
That’s a great list. Lot of great spots, and you are one of the best chefs in town.

Looking forward to come eat tacos at tex sueno.

I would say the Austin original local chains, imo, should get recognized. And maybe a sandwich category should be added. RIP Noble sandwiches.

tacos - taco deli is an Austin staple. Relaxed counter service. High quality ingredients. Breakfast and lunch only. Great salsa. Their ceviche tacos on weekends with serranos and Dona salsa are special.

burgers - California has In and Out. Austin has P-Terry’s. It is a worthy recommendation to outsiders, and a my go to fast food drive through late night burger.

Sandwiches - Thunder Cloud. Don’t go to subway when in Austin, it’s thunder cloud in the summer. Fresh avocado on the Cali club is on point. Italian is another favorite. I also enjoy their egg salad sandwiches. Been eating since I was kid.
 
And notice that I went taco deli over torchy’s.

I like torchy’s, but I’m a taco deli man.
 
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Odd Duck is so stellar it deserves its own category. Our go to when in Austin often. Olamaie: Meh sadly.
 
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That’s a great list. Lot of great spots, and you are one of the best chefs in town.

Looking forward to come eat tacos at tex sueno.

I would say the Austin original local chains, imo, should get recognized. And maybe a sandwich category should be added. RIP Noble sandwiches.

tacos - taco deli is an Austin staple. Relaxed counter service. High quality ingredients. Breakfast and lunch only. Great salsa. Their ceviche tacos on weekends with serranos and Dona salsa are special.

burgers - California has In and Out. Austin has P-Terry’s. It is a worthy recommendation to outsiders, and a my go to fast food drive through late night burger.

Sandwiches - Thunder Cloud. Don’t go to subway when in Austin, it’s thunder cloud in the summer. Fresh avocado on the Cali club is on point. Italian is another favorite. I also enjoy their egg salad sandwiches. Been eating since I was kid.
I can add taco deli, I think they have pretty solid tacos. Would not put Torchys in the recommended range even though I think they are fine but not great. A sandwich category would be good.
 
Been wanting to do this for a while. I have a list of go-to’s that I’ll start with. There are going to be some spots I miss, haven’t been to yet or just don’t like, but feel free to keep adding in your own comments. I may or may not put them in with mine. Sorry, not sorry.

Pizza
Jets
Via 313
Sammatarro(truck)
Dasanos
Bufalina
Home slice
Pint house pizza
Little Deli
Doughboys(truck)
Backspace

Asian
Asia cafe
Sichuan River
Lin
Old Thousand
Julies Noodles
Ramen Tatsuya
Madam Mams
Dee Dee’s Thai (truck)
Talad (Thai and Laotian truck)
NG cafe
East side King
Chen Z/Chen’s noodle house
Din Ho
Fat Dragon
China Family
First Chinese BBQ
A+A Sichuan
Ramen Tatsuya
Manna Korean

Sushi
Musashino
Tomo
Uchi
Uchiko
Neighborhood Sushi
Fukumoto
Otoko
Soto
Uroko
Osaka Mansun

Fancy Joints
Rosewood
Odd Duck
Barley Swine
Emmer and Rye
Hestia
Comedor
Suerte
Juniper
Kemuri
Carpenters Hall
Olamaie
Qi
Vixens Wedding
Fonda San Miguel
Lenoir
Foreign &Domestic
Loc a D’ Oro
Dai Due
Intero
Launderette
Aviary
Luties

Tex Mex
Enchiladas Y Mas
Matt’s el rancho
Maudies
Cisco’s
El Patio
El Dorado cafe
La cocina de consuela
Casa Chapala
Texsueño (my food truck BYOTequila marg mixes)

Taco’s
El Taquito
Taco More
Taco Guerrero
Texsueño(my food truck BYOTequila marg mixes)
Cuantos Tacos
Discada
Rositas al pastor
La Tunita
Veracruz
Nixta Taqueria
Paprika
Asador

Interior Mexican
Suerte
Comedor
La condessa
Lichas Cantina
ATX Cocina
El Naranjo

BBQ
Franklin
La BBQ
Micklethwait
Valentinas
Morenos
Kerlin
Leroy & Lewis
Terry Blacks
Blacks
Stiles Switch
Coopers
Whitfields
Interstellar

Burgers
Hopfields
Buddys burgers
Jewboy Burgers
Bad Larry burger club
Pool Burger(a favorite of mine, great Tiki cocktails after a day at Deep Eddy)
Hopdoddy
Mighty Fine(get it cooked medium and add a lot of salt and it’s a good burger)
Dans
Dirty Martins
Casino El Camino
Luke’s inside out
Odd Duck
Better half
Contigo
Launderette
Dai Due
Salt & Time

Other
T22(hot chicken)
Asiana (Indian)
Paperboy
Batch Kolache
Evangelines (Cajun)
Hays City Store
Jack Allens
Salt Traders
Loro
Other side deli
Enoteca Vespaio (italian)
Distant Relatives(food truck/interesting bbq)
Try hard coffee roasters(very good breakfast tacos)
Abby Jane Bakeshop(near Dripping Springs)
Olamaie at Butler Pitch & Putt
Lil’ Ola’s Biscuits
Salt & Time
Justines
Contigo
Sour Duck
Enchiladas y mas or Matt’s el rancho, which one has a better family vibe?
 
Under taquerias, I would add Pueblo Viejo. Badass salsas and great tacos.
 
There is a new place called Mama Betty's opening by Avery Ranch that will be using authentic Ninfa's recipes. Jason Carrier is the owner and grew up in the Ninfa's kitchens so I expect good things. I have been pissed about Austin's tex-mex situation since the Ninfa's at 183 and 35 left town decades ago.
Tex mex seems to be a dying breed in all of the Texas big cities.
Not sure why, as fajitas and Rita’s have ridiculously high price points.
But you have to nail both, and preferably one of the auxiliaries like enchiladas to be anything above garbage, and joints fail at this a lot more often than they succeed.
Houston basically relies on a few franchised stalwarts to keep its Tex mex rep high(er than Austin
El tiempo
Original Ninfa’s
Lupe Tortillas

I thought El Real did all the things it needed to well, but it’s gone now.

So question for the board:
Is there any Tex mex places in Houston I’m overlooking ?

And does Dallas have some heavy hitters for Tex mex I should try when I’m there?

As much as Texans love to talk up Tex mex, we sure do have a stagnant scene for it despite a ravenous market for it.
 
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That’s a great list. Lot of great spots, and you are one of the best chefs in town.

Looking forward to come eat tacos at tex sueno.

I would say the Austin original local chains, imo, should get recognized. And maybe a sandwich category should be added. RIP Noble sandwiches.

tacos - taco deli is an Austin staple. Relaxed counter service. High quality ingredients. Breakfast and lunch only. Great salsa. Their ceviche tacos on weekends with serranos and Dona salsa are special.

burgers - California has In and Out. Austin has P-Terry’s. It is a worthy recommendation to outsiders, and a my go to fast food drive through late night burger.

Sandwiches - Thunder Cloud. Don’t go to subway when in Austin, it’s thunder cloud in the summer. Fresh avocado on the Cali club is on point. Italian is another favorite. I also enjoy their egg salad sandwiches. Been eating since I was kid.
I liked Delaware. Any of those still alive?
 
Been wanting to do this for a while. I have a list of go-to’s that I’ll start with. There are going to be some spots I miss, haven’t been to yet or just don’t like, but feel free to keep adding in your own comments. I may or may not put them in with mine. Sorry, not sorry.

Pizza
Jets
Via 313
Sammatarro(truck)
Dasanos
Bufalina
Home slice
Pint house pizza
Little Deli
Doughboys(truck)
Backspace

Asian
Asia cafe
Sichuan River
Lin
Old Thousand
Julies Noodles
Ramen Tatsuya
Madam Mams
Dee Dee’s Thai (truck)
Talad (Thai and Laotian truck)
NG cafe
East side King
Chen Z/Chen’s noodle house
Din Ho
Fat Dragon
China Family
First Chinese BBQ
A+A Sichuan
Ramen Tatsuya
Manna Korean

Sushi
Musashino
Tomo
Uchi
Uchiko
Neighborhood Sushi
Fukumoto
Otoko
Soto
Uroko
Osaka Mansun

Fancy Joints
Rosewood
Odd Duck
Barley Swine
Emmer and Rye
Hestia
Comedor
Suerte
Juniper
Kemuri
Carpenters Hall
Olamaie
Qi
Vixens Wedding
Fonda San Miguel
Lenoir
Foreign &Domestic
Loc a D’ Oro
Dai Due
Intero
Launderette
Aviary
Luties

Tex Mex
Enchiladas Y Mas
Matt’s el rancho
Maudies
Cisco’s
El Patio
El Dorado cafe
La cocina de consuela
Casa Chapala
Texsueño (my food truck BYOTequila marg mixes)

Taco’s
El Taquito
Taco More
Taco Guerrero
Texsueño(my food truck BYOTequila marg mixes)
Cuantos Tacos
Discada
Rositas al pastor
La Tunita
Veracruz
Nixta Taqueria
Paprika
Asador

Interior Mexican
Suerte
Comedor
La condessa
Lichas Cantina
ATX Cocina
El Naranjo

BBQ
Franklin
La BBQ
Micklethwait
Valentinas
Morenos
Kerlin
Leroy & Lewis
Terry Blacks
Blacks
Stiles Switch
Coopers
Whitfields
Interstellar

Burgers
Hopfields
Buddys burgers
Jewboy Burgers
Bad Larry burger club
Pool Burger(a favorite of mine, great Tiki cocktails after a day at Deep Eddy)
Hopdoddy
Mighty Fine(get it cooked medium and add a lot of salt and it’s a good burger)
Dans
Dirty Martins
Casino El Camino
Luke’s inside out
Odd Duck
Better half
Contigo
Launderette
Dai Due
Salt & Time

Other
T22(hot chicken)
Asiana (Indian)
Paperboy
Batch Kolache
Evangelines (Cajun)
Hays City Store
Jack Allens
Salt Traders
Loro
Other side deli
Enoteca Vespaio (italian)
Distant Relatives(food truck/interesting bbq)
Try hard coffee roasters(very good breakfast tacos)
Abby Jane Bakeshop(near Dripping Springs)
Olamaie at Butler Pitch & Putt
Lil’ Ola’s Biscuits
Salt & Time
Justines
Contigo
Sour Duck
Great list. A lot of my favorites plus some I've been wanting to try.

Here are some comments/additions for your list ( Based on pre-covid times for most)

Pizza: Jets is underrated as a pizza chain. Great budget Detroit pizza but don't sleep on the NY style crust.

Asian: I love that you included NG Cafe. I miss them being closer to my work. Best grilled pork Banh Mi in Austin.
China Family - great Hunan Shrimp
I love Michi Ramen. Not as good as Tatsuya but very good IMO.
Just ate at Eurasia in Oak Hill for the first time. Really good. The ramen, sushi, teriyaki, and Indonesian dishes we tried were all delicious.

Sichuan River: I've been four times and I've given up. I keep reading how great this place is but I've yet to have a meal there that I truly loved. What do you recommend?

Sushi: I would add Kome and Dawa. Two of my favorites

TexMex and Tacos:
Joe's Bakery makes my favorite migas in town.
I would add Amaya's Taco Village

Interior Mexican:
Hecho en Mexico

Burgers:
Phil's
Lebowski's
Crown and anchor
Hype Park Grill (for the fries!)

Cajun:
Cypress Grill (Underrated CFS with cajun gravy)
Sawyer and co.
 
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Tex mex seems to be a dying breed in all of the Texas big cities.
Not sure why, as fajitas and Rita’s have ridiculously high price points.
But you have to nail both, and preferably one of the auxiliaries like enchiladas to be anything above garbage, and joints fail at this a lot more often than they succeed.
Houston basically relies on a few franchised stalwarts to keep its Tex mex rep high(er than Austin
El tiempo
Original Ninfa’s
Lupe Tortillas

I thought El Real did all the things it needed to well, but it’s gone now.

So question for the board:
Is there any Tex mex places in Houston I’m overlooking ?

And does Dallas have some heavy hitters for Tex mex I should try when I’m there?

As much as Texans love to talk up Tex mex, we sure do have a stagnant scene for it despite a ravenous market for it.
Alright, first off, this is an Austin food recs thread so get that Houston and Dallas shit outta here. 🤣

In all seriousness, I don’t know much about Tex-Mex in those cities, but I’m glad you are making this point because it’s the precise reason I opened Texsueño. I think that it is one of the few cuisines that hasn’t been shown love by chefs with experience and passion for food. Even shitty Tex-Mex joints are doing booming business, at least some of them, so I don’t understand why it hasn’t been done yet.

So here I am, trying to show what can be done if you care and are willing to put in work. If you’re ever in Austin, please swing by. I think we are doing good stuff at a fair price point for the quality.
 
I drove around looking for a bite to eat yesterday after the game and realized how out of touch I am with Austin's gastronomy. I tried going to grab some pizza at Homeslice but Congress was a nightmare(duh) so I just hightailed it. I really need to explore more as I visit more often.
FYI - There's a Homeslice on 53rd now.
 
id definitely add Taco Deli to the taco list

id add the Jardin restaurants to the Tex-mex list
 
One of my favorite happy hours (drinks and food) in the city, which could be a whole other list.

Happy hour:
Salty Sow
Lambert's
Jack Allen's
Loro
Easy Tiger
(RIP Holy Roller)
JAK’s HH is a great food value. That’s the main time we go anymore, which is kinda funny since they usually comp us anyway. :cool:
 
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