Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.
Jim Miles leads a group into The Driskill Hotel for story of The Suicide Bride
Isn’t it sad we only get ghouls and spooks one night each year? If, like me, you’re a fan of all-things-Halloween every day, then I have the thing for you: Walking Ghost Tours! Owned and operated by Jim Miles, the tour company offers insight into Austin’s dark past. Part historian, part ghost enthusiast, Miles has melded his passions into an experience everyone is bound to enjoy. [Read more…]
Are you drooling yet? (Credit: Brooke Lark)
Austin is scattered with food trucks and truck parks in almost every corner. From Discada’s one-of-a-kind tacos to Dee Dee‘s mouth-watering sticky mango rice, these trucks serve almost every cuisine imaginable. But did you know dessert is covered, too? We’ve combed the city to come up with this list of five food trucks where dessert steals the show!
Francesca Cavallari’s love for natural ingredients brings colorful scoops to life (Credit: Dolce Bacio)
Those who can recognize the “real deal” when it comes to gelato are typically the ones who grew up with it. Francesca Cavallari and Dante Scarano not only grew up with gelato, but went to school to master the art of making it. And luckily for us, the duo recently opened a truck in East Austin, dishing out some seriously mind-blowing flavors of the popular Italian dessert. [Read more…]
Tableside guacamole at Z’Tejas
We know Austin is a queso-loving town, but what about queso’s green sidekick, guacamole? Plenty of Austin restaurants offer guac that rocks. So here at The Austinot, we’ve compiled a list of 10 restaurants serving the best guacamole in Austin. This is some seriously mind-blowing stuff.
Chef Xose Velasco (left) and co-chef Alejandro Macias (right), outside the Discada taco truck
What do farming machinery and tacos have in common? If you ask the chefs at Discada, they’ll tell you it’s the modified plow disc from a tractor, a cooking method traditional to northern Mexico.
With one of the shortest menus you’ve ever seen, this Austin taco truck brings a cherished childhood recipe to life, using a preparation technique that’s one of a kind.
Some of the crafting supplies available at North Loop’s Crafts & Drafts
Wine and paint parties took us by storm a few years ago. The simple premise has turned out to be incredibly entertaining and successful. But we aren’t all painters! I know I’m definitely lacking in the fine arts department…
Ananda Neureither, who found herself on the way to yet another wine and paint party, wondered about variations on the theme. Her crafting and DIY prowess soon manifested as Crafts & Drafts, a local workroom where you can take classes or host your own event.
The Carillon dining room faces the exhibition-style kitchen, so you can witness all of the action
It’s rare to describe a fine dining restaurant as “uncomplicated,” but The Carillon achieves this feat with ease. The restaurant is located on The University of Texas at Austin campus in the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, where standards are high.
So what makes The Carillon so special? For a fine dining restaurant, it’s surprisingly fitting for any occasion, such as Sunday brunch, quick lunch, or date night. You name it, and The Carillon is ready for the occasion.
Happy hour burger and malt vinegar fries at Hillside Farmacy
Hungry Austinites know burgers are omnipresent. So what better time to get a taste of it all than during happy hour? Vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or whatever your diet may be, you’re in for a treat! We did our research and put together a list of 8 local Austin restaurants that feature unforgettable happy hour burgers. [Read more…]
Outside The Old Coupland Inn & Dance Hall in Coupland, Texas, north of Elgin
Dance halls hold a special places in Texan hearts. For much longer than I’ve been around, they’ve been places for the community to gather, share a dance, and be part of a bigger family. Many historical dance halls dot our state, and one such gem is The Old Coupland Inn & Dance Hall, east of Round Rock and about 40 minutes from downtown Austin.
The tiny town of Coupland became a center for live music and barbecue decades ago, drawing crowds almost as big as the population of the town itself. What is it about this quaint establishment that makes it so special? That’s exactly what I sought to find out by spending a day and night at the inn.
A friendly smile, as sported by William here, is served with each cup from Empowered Coffee (Credit: Josh Baker)
What comes to mind when you think of coffee shops in Austin? Maybe an industrial interior, memorable coffee, latte art, or the barista–that bearded, tattooed, man-bun sporting espresso master. At Empowered Coffee, you will find all of these, except the barista you first envisioned.
This unpretentious coffee shop has one goal: serve a great cup of coffee. No long lines, complicated drinks, or pseudo-intellectual conversations. Empowered Coffee employs adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs). The mission is to empower IDD adults by providing meaningful employment and growth opportunities. [Read more…]