Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
Stroll around the beautiful grounds of the State Capitol where Texas Book Festival is held each year
(Credit: Bob Daemmrich)
Calling all avid readers; it’s that time of year again. The 2017 Texas Book Festival will be taking over the grounds of the Texas State Capitol on Nov. 4-5, 2017. This event is free and fun for the entire family. [Read more…]
Trucklandia founder Case Erickson awards the 2016 $10,000 grand prize to Saigon le Vendeur (Credit: Trucklandia)
Texas Trucklandia Fest, Austin’s food truck taste-off for charity and a sweet $10,000 prize, is holding its 5th annual competition Oct. 21, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Austin-American Statesman grounds. This time, they’re adding live music, a full bar, and a reality TV star’s truck.
The winner will walk with $10,000 and bragging rights for the next year, and local charity Keep Austin Fed takes home a portion of the ticket sale earnings. More than 24 food trucks have signed up for this year’s event.
Trucklandia has morphed over the years, but this year promises to be a full day of eating, drinking, dancing, and overall revelry.
Welcome to Red’s Porch (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Editor’s Note: Red’s Porch closed its Braker Lane location in August 2019 and South Lamar location in October 2019. We’ll miss you, Red’s.
Red’s Porch and I have a history. When my wife and I moved to Austin, our first goal was to find a craft beer joint. After sampling a few spots close to our Westlake apartment, we landed on a two-story bar/grill/hangout with a westerly view into the Greenbelt. The beer list rocked; the grub was downhome Southern comfort, and the vibe was laid-back and chill.
By ticking all our check boxes for what a local hangout should be, Red’s Porch has survived and thrived in the ever-expanding world of Austin eateries. And with a second location on Quarry Lake and a third in the works, Red’s is poised to expand their special brand of ATX good times. [Read more…]
Bobby Mitchell’s smiling face is easy to spot, just like his bright red food truck, Swamp Daddy’s
Editor’s Note: As of August 2018, this business is under new ownership and no longer serves Cajun food.
East Austin has a rich cultural history. From segregation to assimilation, the area has been a deemed a “City within a City” at times, but continues to retain and add to the distinctly Austin vibe.
The area has come a long way since the 60’s, when it was infamous for crime and low standard of living. Amidst the infamy, a strong sense of community and culture thrived. The remnants are still visible, an integral part of what makes East Austin so special. Those who have persevered through the gentrification continue to preserve what was, and keep East Austin’s culture alive. [Read more…]
Wildwood Bakehouse
Editor’s Note: Wildwood has closed at 3106 Guadalupe, as of Feb. 24, 2019. Wilder Wood is still open at 1300 E. 7th St.
Guest article by Sarah Snyder
Coming from someone who has been gluten-free for 16 years due to a celiac disease diagnosis, Wildwood Bakehouse is heaven-sent. In business for over 15 years, everything at Wildwood Bakehouse is 100 percent gluten-free. They have vegan and carb-free options available, as well. The restaurant and bakery also maintains an association with the Celiac Disease Foundation.
Masskrugstemmen (stein-holding) competition at Krause’s Cafe
Can you hold your beer?
I mean literally hold your beer? Probably not as well as the stein-holding champions going into the final round of Krause’s Cafe’s Masskrugstemmen competition.
On July 14, 2017, Krause’s Cafe is wrapping up its final Masskrugstemmen of the year. This is an annual tradition held in New Braunfels, Texas, part of the restaurant’s multi-year search for those willing to give 100 percent in the name of good beer. [Read more…]
Ashley MacDonald, owner of The Tasty Spoon
Editor’s Note: The Tasty Spoon is closing at the end of January 2019.
Just in time for hot summer days, The Tasty Spoon, a traditional Italian gelateria, opened on South 1st Street a few weeks back. And if cooling down with delicious treats isn’t good enough, they also brought a fun new mural to Austin that is bound to become a hit on your Instagram.
Following classic Italian techniques and using only the freshest natural ingredients, Ashley MacDonald creates magic in the kitchen of her shop. From traditional chocolate peanut butter, pistachio, and coffee, to seasonal lavender honey and basil lime sorbet, each flavor is well thought-through and tested to achieve perfection. [Read more…]
Hot Honey pizza at PS35, with pepperoni, sausage, ricotta, and Mike’s Hot Honey (Credit: Sam Zavieh)
Editor’s Note: PS35’s final day of service was Nov. 4, 2017.
I spent a few years in New York City, and some days I find myself craving an NYC-style slice of pizza. The kind that has a perfectly hand-tossed crust so thin that you have no choice but to fold it in half before taking that first bite. If you live north, you now have a solid option that’s a bit closer than Brooklyn: Ps35 in Round Rock. [Read more…]
The tart Green Velvet cocktail pairs nicely with Beet + Bibb salad, steak fries, and the smoked whitefish sandwich (Credit: Mike Thompson)
Editor’s Note: Boiler Nine is closing. The last day of service is Feb. 23, 2019.
Drop everything and call a friend now. You are going to want to make lunch plans at Boiler Nine Bar + Grill soon.
Boiler Nine, a steampunk fever dream bathed in natural light, sprawls across four floors of the old Seaholm Power Plant. It boasts a discreet basement bar and a cozy rooftop patio, along with two dining rooms and a regular patio. Places this pretty sometimes have difficulty ensuring the food is as appealing as the space itself. However, Boiler Nine more than meets the challenge. [Read more…]
Celebrate 100 years of Zilker Park at Free Day this Sunday (Credit: JTPics.com)
It’s an unfortunate irony. We tend to put off doing and seeing the things that are in close proximity to us. We know the view from Mount Bonnell is arguably the best in Austin, but we haven’t been there in ten years. We’ve thought about taking a boat tour during bat season, but we’ve never done it. Those things are “too touristy,” and that’s not cool.
For too many of us, so it goes with Zilker Park. Never mind the huge events. Every day of the year, there’s something to do there: Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin Nature & Science Center, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, the Zilker Zephyr. [Read more…]