Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
Credit: Mitchell Hallmark, Found Media Group
Guest article by Angela Bowers
Calling all foodies! Have you heard of Taster’s Table Club? It’s a group that dines together monthly at new and delicious restaurants around Austin. The types of restaurants cross a wide range of tastes, to offer variety and style for each member.
Among the best queso in Austin at Torchy’s Tacos (Credit: Zach Copley via Flickr CC)
Almost as sacred as the mighty breakfast taco, queso is Austin’s liquid gold.
But not all queso is created equally. Some comes plain, some with garnish and some “cowboy style.” But one thing’s for sure. This ooey-gooey goodness has been perfected in our capital city.
While I do have an opinion on who reigns the queso kingdom in Austin, I’ve decided to simply share with you the top six quesos every person must try in order to be considered an Austinite. You can decide for yourself which one is the best. [Read more…]
Though they’re overlooked in the bakery case, in favor of trendier desserts, there are few things as transcendent as warm-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. One bite into a perfectly baked, handcrafted cookie, and it’s obvious why this humble dessert is an American classic.
Armed with a giant glass of milk and a deep love for all things sweet, I uncovered a few Austin bakeries that have been churning out these swoon-worthy cookies by the dozen, some for decades.
[Read more…]
Torchy’s Tacos flagship location on South Congress (Credit: John Cabuena)
Guest article by Jonatan Contreras
I’m new to Austin, and I was (quite unreasonably) excited to find out it has a pretty big Mexican food scene. Let me back up.
I’m from El Paso, Texas, land of the border culture. In El Paso, every time a new Mexican restaurant pops up, we tend to wonder “Another one?” Needless to say, I know my way around a taco. Which, ironically, was the reason I was excited to try out Austin staple Torchy’s Tacos. Word in town was, a flagship location had just opened on South Congress Avenue, where Fran’s Hamburgers used to be.
Torchy’s Tacos, you did not disappoint. [Read more…]
Downtown farmers’ market (Credit: Lars Plougman via Flickr CC)
If you haven’t explored the generous selection of robust Austin farmers’ markets, you’re missing out on a fantastic collection of veggies and vibes. From North Austin to old Austin, from rural farms to urban farm stands, our city offers some of the most unique and exciting ways to eat seasonally and locally throughout the year.
There’s no better time than now to get out to one of these local markets and find farm-fresh food and artisanal vendors to entice your pallet and spruce up your dinner table. With choices all over the city, there’s likely to be a market right around the corner from you. But don’t limit yourself to just one. Visit all of these delicious farmers’ markets to put the fresh in Austin. [Read more…]
So many soups, so little time (Credit: Favordelivery.com)
Austin lucks out this time of year in terms of weather. Our porches and patio spaces remain vibrant meeting places, even through the winter months. As I wrap my scarf around my neck, I relish the excuse to indulge in my favorite decadent, warming soups. Whether it’s a spicy posole or nutritious chicken broth ramen, these seven Austin soups make the chilly evenings feel that much cozier and delicious.
This is the face of a dog who needs a visit to Yard Bar
Mr. Ming was looking to get outdoors. After a long holiday season spent watching his humans shop, wrap presents and go out, it was his turn. His time to sniff, bark and be merry.
Enter Yard Bar, Austin’s newest venue for furry friends to run, jump and be social. By combining food, drink and a variety of fun activities, this hidden gem on Burnet Road is quickly becoming the city’s premier doggy destination.
Like most things awesome, the inspiration for Yard Bar came from need. While frequenting the dog runs at Auditorium Shores, owner Kristen Heaney realized the sad reality of dog parks: there’s not much there for people to do. What if there was a place where pet owners could grab a drink and a bite while their dog frolicked in the park?
After testing a number of business models, Heaney leased the lot on Burnet Road where the old Putt-Putt Golf and Games used to live, and began building the dog park of her dreams. When it opened in August 2015, word quickly spread among Austin’s pet friendly community. Yard Bar was the place to be. [Read more…]
Texas French Bread has been a supplier of artisan bread in Austin since the early 1980s (Credit: Whitney Arotegui)
In a city of fusion joints and a wack-a-mole-style skyline, where condos and businesses pop up and down by the season, Texas French Bread has been a staple since the early 1980s. The much-loved eatery and bakery has seen it all, while holding strong to values that have kept it afloat for decades.
It’s easy to be intrigued by the blue brick building on 29th Street with bread names cascading down the exterior. The afternoon I stopped by, loaves of bread with floured bottoms and scored tops were lined up on shelves, like trophies waiting to be claimed.
The tables were filled with a lunch crowd in no hurry to Instagram photos of their food as soon as it arrived. They sat comfortably, backs against exposed brick walls, chatting with lunch dates or clipping away at computers. The ease of these patrons told me they were regulars, and a restaurant of regulars means the food and service are worth coming back for. [Read more…]
I’m always on the hunt for a truly unique Austin restaurant experience. With the robust variety our city offers, something amazing can be just right around the corner.
At the same time, it takes a lot to impress when there are so many places that already stand out. Sala and Betty, a farm-sourced restaurant located on Airport Boulevard, is about to celebrate a full year since they opened their doors last February. The dining venue, which takes its name from owner and chef Teresa Wilson’s childhood nickname, effectively delivers a unique twist on high quality and delicious food.
Wanting to create something that combined quality with efficiency, Wilson developed a restaurant accessible to all kinds of schedules, but one ingredient stays consistent: quality. [Read more…]
Old world elegance meets Austin chic at Geraldine’s (Credit: Aubrie Pick)
Tucked away one street over and four stories up from Rainey Street is an oasis amidst the chaos. Geraldine’s is the newest restaurant and cocktail bar to open in this popular Austin neighborhood. After a banner year for restaurant openings in Austin, Geraldine’s closes out 2015 with a bang and gives us plenty to look forward to in 2016.
Named after the infamous guinea fowl adopted as an unofficial mascot by the Rainey Street neighborhood, Geraldine’s is acutely aware of its place. The restaurant simply couldn’t exist anywhere else. Following the theme of its host, Hotel Van Zandt, Geraldine’s effortlessly blends into the musically-inclined and rustic Rainey Street area.
Walking through Hotel Van Zandt and into Geraldine’s, you get the distinct impression that you’re exactly where you’re intended to be. The hip atmosphere joined with Texas old-world elegance just feels like Austin. Combine this with a sublime patio/pool overlooking Lady Bird Lake and live music every day of the week, and you have yourself a winner. [Read more…]