We could all use a little comfort right about now, eh? We’re stuck indoors, teaching kids, missing milestones, trying to stay healthy, and getting used to that Zoom life. If there’s one thing that can ease the stress, then it’s local comfort food from our favorite restaurants in Austin.
That being said, our Austinot team did a (virtual) huddle to round up our favorite foods currently available for convenient pick-up and/or delivery. Enjoy!
1/ Maudie’s Tex-Mex: Diablo Sol Food
Adrienne Albregts, Associate Editor
I’m not going to say it. I’m not. You can’t make me! OKAY FINE. In queso emergency, call Maudie’s.
This Austin staple, which consists of ground taco beef delicately layered on top of golden queso and fresh pico de gallo, will comfort you right into the fetal position.
Pairing excellently with the diablo sol food are any of Maudie’s margarita or Mexican martini kits. Choose from skinny or fully leaded, and there’s even a Tito’s/Fat E’s Bloody Mary kit.
If a vat of queso and booze isn’t enough to soothe your worries away, then order the Grandpa’s burrito. Oh, and keep your fingers crossed for Maudie’s tres leches cake to be added to the to-go menu!
Order online and pick-up at the Maudie’s closest to you.
Multiple locations — Menu
2/ Hopdoddy: Goodnight/Good Cause Burger
Bill Tucker, Lead Blogger
When my wife and I moved to Cedar Park last year, we were terrified. Would it be the culinary wasteland our Austin friends said it was? Then, like a beacon off Whitestone, we saw a familiar culinary logo: Hopdoddy.
It was one of the first restaurants we tried upon moving to Austin seven years before. This local burger joint is consistently excellent. My go-to is the Goodnight/Good Cause. A classic combo of cheddar, lettuce, and tomato kicked up by caramelized onions, spicy jalapeños, and a touch of barbecue sauce. Spicy, smokey, savory, and sensational.
Also, if you use the promo code Buy1Give1 when placing your online order, Hopdoddy will donate a burger to a healthcare worker as part of the Pay it Forward initiative.
Multiple locations — Menu
3/ Ramen Tatsu-ya: Tonkotsu Sho-yu
Brittany Ballard, Contributing Blogger
Ramen Tatsu-ya doesn’t just fill your stomach; it fills your soul. Complete with savory broth, slurpilicious noodles, and the best marinated egg I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating, the Tonkotsu Sho-yu is the way to go at this local favorite. It has a way of making any day better.
You can order this dish, Tonkotsu Sho-yu, among others online directly or through Uber Eats when available. You can also pick up at any of the Ramen Tatsu-ya locations. Dishes are even available at select HEB locations throughout Austin.
Multiple locations — Menu
4/ Valentina’s Tex Mex: BBQ Meal Kit
Joleen Jernigan, Contributing Blogger
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ serves the ultimate Texas combo. I mean, I need my chips and queso, but I also need my brisket.
Valentina’s is offering only a special menu now. It mostly features meal kits, but also includes meat by the pound and family packs. With food this good, leftovers are a delight. Brisket tacos, brisket sandwiches, brisket mac n’ cheese, brisket everything. It’s so on, Valentina’s. See you soon.
11500 Menchaca Road — Menu
5/ Bao’d Up Chinese Comfort Food: Spicy Dan Dan Noodles
Katrina Cervantes, Contributing Blogger
For me, noodles are the ideal comfort food. Recently, I discovered Bao’d Up and it has quickly become my favorite place for a take-out noodle fix. In addition to bao, which are warm, steamed buns with a variety of filling options, Bao’d Up has three different types of noodle dishes: sesame noodles, beef noodle soup, and my personal favorite: spicy dan dan noodles.
Spicy Dan Dan Noodles are served with either braised tofu, fried chicken (pictured above), or braised beef, which is amazing. Having attempted to braise beef myself recently, I now know what makes it so soft and melt-in-your-mouth good: cooking over dry heat and then slow-simmering in broth and juices.
And the cherry on top? Bao’d Up has bubble tea for dessert, in classic flavors like matcha and Thai tea.
Mueller or Sunset Valley locations — Menu
6/ Mangia: Stuffed Pizza (and Beer)
James Lipari, Contributing Blogger
What’s my favorite comfort food? Beer! And who is beer’s best friend? Pizza! This classic pairing has always said “happy time” to me, and Mangia Pizza has become my go-to.
The Chicago-style pizzas here are among the best I’ve had…ever. This Austin original has been slinging great pies for over 30 years, and it has a full menu of salads, sandwiches, and pastas. While I would love to tell you about those, I have no idea, because I can’t stop ordering the Chicagos. As a matter of fact, I have one on the way!
Call 512-832-5550 to place a delivery or to-go order.
12001 Burnet Road, Suite D — Menu
@theAustinot wants to know:
Where are you getting your Austin comfort food right now?
