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Welcome to Home Slice Pizza’s location at 501 E. 53rd St. (Credit: Julia Keim)
Home Slice Pizza opened its original oven on Nov. 16, 2005. Owners Jen and Joseph Strickland and Terri Hannifin set out to bequeath New York-style pizza to a BBQ-heavy, pizza-deprived Austin, Texas. Since then, the trio has spread authentic mozzarella roots into the heart of our community, becoming one of the most loved joints in Austin.
The Rotten Bunch Wine Bar + Kitchen in northwest Austin
When it comes to high-quality restaurants in Austin, many people think they need to head downtown. But they don’t. The Rotten Bunch Wine Bar + Kitchen in north Austin has become—hands down—my favorite restaurant. The food is delicious; it’s in my ‘hood; and I don’t have to pay to park.
I love The Rotten Bunch so much that I’ve gone back countless times and I’ve been telling everyone I know about it. Now it’s your turn to get the scoop.
It all starts with a whimper. A slow-building, blood-curdling moan of discontent. One minute your little one is gleefully coloring in a pizza pie maze on the back of a paper place mat. The next, he’s reaching for your glass of chardonnay. Horror washes over you like a tidal wave. Little Johnny is over sitting in his kiddie chair and the appetizers haven’t even arrived yet.
Anyone who’s tried to bring their child to a restaurant knows the struggle. Regardless of age, temperament, or the mountain of toys you bring to keep the kids occupied, some eateries are more suited to families than others. Here are six of my favorites family-friendly restaurants in Austin in alphabetical order.
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Not only are these cookies huge, but they’re soft and fluffy on the inside (Credit: Chelsea Laine Francis)
If you love a good chocolate chip cookie, then I’ve got your new fave place to visit on the weekends in Austin! Teddy V. Pâtisserie is a local business specializing in delicious cookies that make your mouth water just looking at photos of them. Go on–tell me I’m lying. I dare you.
Chicken Lollypops, the namesake menu item at this east Austin food truck
I had heard about the food at Immie Shaikh’s Chicken Lollypop. Friends and strangers alike would tell me about this little Indian/Chinese fusion eatery in the back of an Austin grocery store on Braker Lane, and how I just had to try it. I wish I’d taken their advice sooner.
Chicken Lollypop began operating out of an understated food trailer in my east side neighborhood in early 2018, after moving from Braker Lane. Now I’m the one telling my friends, strangers, and Austinot readers: do yourself a favor and try this place as soon as you can. [Read more…]
Hungry? Get your nom on at Irene’s in Austin
Someone told me there was half an airplane hanging on the wall at Irene’s. A sucker for quirky decor, I had to check it out. Upon entering the restaurant, I found there was indeed an old airplane, with its windows creatively replaced by vintage mirrors. That alone was a cool enough reason for me to return. But Irene’s menu is actually what keeps me going back for more.
With tasty cocktails, American fare, and a groovy vibe, it’s hard to find a better place to spend time than this funky restaurant and bar located near downtown on West Avenue.
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Hopdoddy burgers and cocktails (Credit: Hopdoddy)
Carnivores, pescatarians, and vegetarians have all given their stamp of approval to Hopdoddy. Not only does this Austin staple serve a killer burger, but the milkshakes and cocktails are outstanding, as well. And this just in: Hopdoddy is cooking up new plates for 2018. The just-released menu features several new shakes and a “shareables” section with diverse fry flavors.
I had a chance to try the new items out (and loved everything). I would say, “read on to learn more,” but I’m mostly going to let the photos do the talking here.
Preeminent pitmaster Aaron Franklin and Chef Tyson Cole (Credit: Logan Crable)
In a crowded local arena of barbecuing legends, make way for Loro: Asian smokehouse and bar. The tour de force fusion is led by a supergroup of food masters, including two James Beard Foundation awardees for Best Chef: Southwest–Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole of Uchi Austin (now part of Hai Hospitality).
Loro is the first venture Franklin has undertaken since establishing Franklin Barbecue a decade ago, an eatery which has earned international acclaim. Is it the best barbecue in the world? Ask Jimmy Kimmel, Anthony Bourdain, and President Obama. They’ll vouch for the droves of meat-lovers who wait hours every day for a bite of brisket.
And don’t forget about Chef Tyson Cole, the man behind the “perfect bite” and founder of Hai Hospitality. Hai is the umbrella under which all beloved Uchi restaurants (Austin, Houston, Dallas, Denver), Uchiko, Uchibā in Dallas, and now Loro operate.
Understandably, the anticipation for Loro was massive. Less than a week after opening, the new Austin restaurant was already generating plates for 1,000 people per day, which is 400 more than what the partners hoped to reach within a month-long period. And the numbers have only increased. As of this writing, Loro is servicing over 1,400 empty-bellied guests on any given Saturday. [Read more…]
Margherita pizza at Lunar Pizza in South Austin
Austin residents aren’t pizza-deprived. We’ve got New York-style at the iconic Home Slice Pizza, Chicago-style at Conans Pizza, and even Detroit-style at the mouth-watering Via 313.
With Lunar Pizza opened on South 1st Street, we can add New Jersey thin crust pizza to the list. Or more specifically, as I learned from founder Zach Adams, “Jersey Shore boardwalk pizza.”
Want fresh strawberries, swirls of Nutella, and biscotti chunks? Order Strawberry Nutella Toast gelato at Tèo
(Credit: @dollarsaenz)
You scream, I scream, we all scream for…gelato! This popular saying typically ends with “ice cream,” but after you try the award-winning gelato at Tèo Expresso Gelato & Bella Vita, I’m pretty sure you’ll consider the permanent switch like I have.
For the past few months, I’ve been secretly working with Tèo owner, Mathew Lee, in his kitchen to create my own one-of-a-kind flavor for the Tèo Flavor Creation Contest. Strawberry Nutella Toast is the result of my work, and I’m proud to say it’s every bit as good as it looks and sounds.
Eager for a taste and more info on how you can support Austin Pets Alive!? Keep reading.