Austin Eats: an attempt to revive the board

[joeywa]

Mike says this board needs some spice.  Let's talk food in Austin for a few minutes.  Chime in, tell me your hidden gems or even the common joints that everyone knows about.  Nothing is off limits.  It's the offseason. 

So I made the trek to Austin a few weeks back.  We had food at several places, some old names you'll recognize, a few new ones.  Here is my list, good/bad/otherwise

• Kerby Lane: I remember this place being better back in the day.  It was by no means awful, but it really wasn't memorable either.  Went there for a late supper, had chicken fried chicken.  It was just, well, average. 
• Fixe: in a word, phenomenal.  The food, the atmosphere, the service, all top notch.  Would go again. 
• Lucy's on S. Congress: Cool vibe, food was awful.  Service not much better.  Fried chicken joint with solid ratings.  The food was all fried and tasted like they hadn't changed the oil in their fryer in months.  The veggies were overcooked.  The sides were awful.  Will not return.
• Sandy's: Stopped in for a malt, and it was the same as it ever was.  Decent burger joint malt. 
• Prohibition Creamery: Ice cream joint/bar on E. 7th.  Bourbon ice cream Bourbon milkshake-nuff said.  Fantastic.  Wife had red velvet ice cream and is still raving about it.  Cool joint for an evening nightcap/dessert.
• Nightcap: W. 6th.  Stopped into this converted home for a drink and some evening appetizers.  Everything was well-prepared.  Service was great.  Will return. 
• Matt's El Rancho: Classic place, food same as I'd remembered it.  Just a cool place to sit out on the patio and relax with a margarita and a bowl of Bob Armstrong queso.  Yep, never change. 
• Blacksheep Lodge: S. Lamar.  We had a HS Happy Hour here back in football season.  They do a nice job with bar food, drinks are spot on and it's an out-of-the-way pub with good grub. 

So go, tell me your go-to spots. 

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Going to throw out some of my favorites from my time in Austin.

Biscuits and Groovy- I just got hungry thinking about this place. *Schedules trip to Austin*

Gus' Fried Chicken- By far my favorite chicken spot in the city. Chicken was always hot and delicious.

Magnolia Cafe- Always open and always good.

Jack Allen's Kitchen- Always got their chicken fried steak and wish I got out try other spots in Austin to compare it to.

Chi'Lantro BBQ- Kimchi fries. Enough said.

 

[joeywa]

Magnolia is solid. Went there on our last trip.

Jack Allens is on the list

I'll add the others as well.

 

[Bear19]

For a great greasy cheeseburger try the Dart Bowl. Yes, it is a bowling alley about a block off of Koening.

 

[bill_ut75]

Tyson's Tacos - 4905 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

http://www.tysonstacos.com

I'm partial to the "Robinsonian" for $2.75

(migas, bacon, avocado, cheese)

​Two Robinsonians for around $6 bucks is a great, cheap tasty meal, IMHO.

 

[TexasStrong]

Kerlin BBQ is super good and I have never had to wait longer than 15 min in line, Brisket and the sides are the superstars at this joint.. I have never had franklin bbq but I have preordered for the day before the spring game. I am pumped!

 

[longhorn_mig]

I'm a big fan of Micklethwait's BBQ. Great meat and sides. Last time I was there, they had free Austin Beerworks for people waiting in line. Not sure if that's still the case.

 

[joeywa]

Kerlin BBQ is super good and I have never had to wait longer than 15 min in line, Brisket and the sides are the superstars at this joint.. I have never had franklin bbq but I have preordered for the day before the spring game. I am pumped!

Never had Kerlin, but Franklin is the real McCoy.  Worth the wait. 

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Never had Kerlin, but Franklin is the real McCoy. Worth the wait.

Franklin's is absolutely worth the wait. That BBQ is what dreams are made of.

 

[83Dee]

For a great greasy cheeseburger try the Dart Bowl. Yes, it is a bowling alley about a block off of Koening.

Believe it or not; I had a "Top Places" list (for fun) when I lived in Austin in the 90's, and Dart Bowl was #2 on my burger list.  Back then Dart Bowl was on Burnet Road I believe. 

#1 on my list for Burgers was the Jollyville Café.  A little dive in NW Austin, around Cedar Park that I highly doubt exists any longer. 

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

I really like Amaya"s Taco Village and of course the old El Patio on the Drag. It's been a while since I have been there but Dirty Martin's was always a good spot for a burger and a beer.

 

[Bear19]

Believe it or not; I had a "Top Places" list (for fun) when I lived in Austin in the 90's, and Dart Bowl was #2 on my burger list. Back then Dart Bowl was on Burnet Road I believe.

#1 on my list for Burgers was the Jollyville Café. A little dive in NW Austin, around Cedar Park that I highly doubt exists any longer.

Dart Bowl is on 5700 Grover Ave. It is about one block south of West Koening.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

 

[bill_ut75]

I really like Amaya"s Taco Village…

The Amaya's used to be clients of mine.

That place REALLY cranks at lunch. Unbelievable level of lunch business.

Wednesday lunch special of Enchiladas Verdes con Pollo… smoking' deal for a great meal.

 

[bill_ut75]

Fonda San Miguel at 2330 W. North Loop (west of Burnet, east of Shoal Creek) is the place for me, if I want great Mexican food and an overall great culinary experience. Dinner only and Sunday Brunch. I've been going there since 1976.

Not cheap, but well worth it, IMO.

The Carne Asada with beef tenderloin is world class. So much food. I always have some to take home.

The owner Tom, Business manager Janis and Restaurant manager Danny are all good people.

I did all their mesquite dining tables, the mesquite, mahogany and copper hostess stand and Honduran mahogany bar.

Some of their waiters have been there 20+ years. FWIW, I always ask for Stephen.

 

[UT1983]

The Longhorn burger at Top Notch on Burnet Road. Been loving them for over Four decades.

 

[oldhorn2]

this must be the place to ask.....The Bon Ton grocery in Kyle used to make the absolutely best link sausage in the Northern hemisphere. Then then place burned down. I had heard they had reopened at Uhland, but nobody knows anything about it. Anyone on here have any info? I would drive to Dallas to buy it if they had it but I suspect they have just gone away.

 

[joeywa]

this must be the place to ask.....The Bon Ton grocery in Kyle used to make the absolutely best link sausage in the Northern hemisphere. Then then place burned down. I had heard they had reopened at Uhland, but nobody knows anything about it. Anyone on here have any info? I would drive to Dallas to buy it if they had it but I suspect they have just gone away.

My friends at Google say you are correct, it's in Uhland. Been there since 2004

http://www.bontoncountrystore.com/

Open every day except Wednesday.

 

[tejasrulz]

Dirty Martin's was always a good spot for a burger and a beer.

It's been a long time since I had a burger from Dirty Martin's. Hut's and The Tavern also have good burgers for the downtown Austin area.