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Help - Austin TX - Must see/eat/drink/do? (1 Viewer)

Joe Bryant

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You guys killed it on the Pittsburgh thread for me. Can we do the same thing for Austin? What are you must see/eat/drink/do places in Austin? Thanks. 

 
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My headaches almost always start high up on the back of my neck and then move around to the front of my head and behind my eye. I keep meaning to track it, but I’m pretty sure they alternate; one time it’s on the left and the next time the right. They are manageable as long as I don’t let them progress too much. As long as I take drugs early or ice or massage, the pain doesn’t get too bad. If I don’t, they can be quite painful. I use a tennis ball a lot to massage the areas on my neck (or sometimes shoulders). I have a tennis ball that I keep in the car and at night when I sleep. 

I can pretty much always feel something in my neck/head and they probably turn into legit headaches a few times a week. 

 
My headaches almost always start high up on the back of my neck and then move around to the front of my head and behind my eye. I keep meaning to track it, but I’m pretty sure they alternate; one time it’s on the left and the next time the right. They are manageable as long as I don’t let them progress too much. As long as I take drugs early or ice or massage, the pain doesn’t get too bad. If I don’t, they can be quite painful. I use a tennis ball a lot to massage the areas on my neck (or sometimes shoulders). I have a tennis ball that I keep in the car and at night when I sleep. 

I can pretty much always feel something in my neck/head and they probably turn into legit headaches a few times a week. 
This post knocks it out of the park. Best time I had in Austin was from taking drugs early.

 
Rudy's BBQ if you are short for time. In gas stations around town but its good!

For dinner or lunch: Odd Duck on S. Lamar. Small plates, farm to market. Yes its a little spendy. Dress however you want.

Chuy's for TexMex (already mentioned Guerros on S. Congress first choice).

Take in a concert at Moody Theater (Austin City Limits). Will need advance purchase probably.

Trulucks downtown for upscale seafood.

ETA:

For a place to see, you should go out to the Oasis and grab a beer on the upper deck. Great view of Lake Travis from about 500 feet up.

or check out Mount Bonnell. 

 
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Salt Lick is overrated. Torchy's is ok. Oasis has a great view but it's "winter", so check if it's going to be warm that day or not (Don't get the food, it's awful. Oasis is for margaritas and view, nothing else ). Guerro's if you're south, Trudy's is better than Chuy's if you're north. Or Maudies is arguably better than both and less touristy and has North and South locations. 

Mt. Bonnel is very cool and I never go there anymore because I have a horrible fear of heights. But you should go once. 

 
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Salt Lick is not the best bbq, but its very good and a fun experience, driving out to the boonies, byob. Get beer in Austin before you leave. Ice chests are welcome. Their beef ribs are outstanding and the brisket and ribs would be the best in town in most towns. 

A trip to Lockhart for bbq is also worth the trouble if you want quality old school cue.

Rudy's is a chain, at least from Beaumont to Albuquerque, so while the food is very good, you certainly don't need to go to Austin to get it (same with Truluck's for seafood).

I like Ruby's quite a bit off the drag, just north of campus. Not the best but very good and they use quality meats, including grass fed beef.There are literally dozens of very good places, but steer clear of Bill Miller's, they suck, except their fried chicken and green beans, which are both way above average.

There's a huge, amazing Asian market (MT Supermarket) on North Lamar, almost as good as the ones in San Francisco and Seattle.  You can easily spend an hour wandering around and looking at all the incredible stuff they have. The produce and meats are especially noteworthy. They do not sell prepared food,  but there are several restaurants in their parking lot and in the area. I'm partial to Korean, but there's plenty of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese, as well. Its a bit of a dicey neighborhood, so I'd do it in the day.

There are several good cajun places. My favorite is Evangeline's but its far south. They have the best gumbo and an off the menu sandwich called the Peacemaker on fresh baguette with fried oysters, bacon and cheddar with remoulade sauce. It was created in New Orleans, ostensibly for men to bring home after they'd been out drinking too late. Served as a peacemaker with the wife. 

So much good TExMex its hard to choose. My go to is Amaya's for the most delicious crispy tacos in the world. Hand made fat corn tortillas fried to order and stuff with picadillo, lettuce, tomato and cheese. The rest of the menu is standard for Austin, world class for about anywhere else. If I'm not in the noos doe tacos, I usually choose Trudy's. Great migas and above average texmex. There are scores of other great Mexican joints, as well.

ALC (Austin Land and Cattle) is my choice for a good steak.

We enjoy getting a private balcony at the Ritz and catching a movie. Its four seats, I think they're $40 a pair, but its a great place to sneak in some booze, or make out. Especially fun is when they have a Master Pancake (like Mystery Science 2000) its especially fun. Its on dirty 6th St., which is worth a brief look at the drunk idiots and across the street is Casino El Camino, the best hamburger in town, along with the best juke box.

Continental Club on S Congress specializes in rockabilly and well worth a visit. Upstairs is an intimate jazz club. Across the street is Perla's, the best seafood in town. I especially recommend their cold seafood platters. They put the ones in Vegas to shame. A bit further down is Congress Ave. Cafe. Its my favorite place to people watch, but you ahve to time it just right to get one of the best seats overlooking the street. Very good food and cocktails.

Our best parallel to a meat and three is Threadgills. Outstanding southern home cooking, I really like the fried oysters and livers, but there a lots of other great choices and by far, the best selection of fresh cooked vegetables in town. The jalepeno creamed spinach is noteworthy. Similarly on the east side is Hoover's, not wquite as good but noteable.

I saw someone out on the lake sells Bryant Boats, if you go see them, that would be a good time to stop at the Oasis. I'm not a huge fan, but the view is top shelf.

A walk around the lake is nice, weather permitting.

The LBJ Library is easily worth a few hours.

Feel free to pm for any details or advice.

 
Surprised this thread isn’t bigger.

No specific restaurants or bars that I can remember - there were tons - but the areas I liked on my last trip were South Congress, the bars / food trucks on 6th street on the east side of 35, and Rainey street.

Many, many great options in those areas.

 
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Saw great shows at the small Austin City Limits venue (Don Henley) and Antoine’s is a really cool club. Check the lineup when you are in town. I assume Franklin’s is not rebuilt yet?

 
Make the drive to Taylor for Louie Mueller BBQ.  The Q is amongst the best in the state and the authentic ambiance is unparalleled.  Right down the block is a good little brewpub as well.

COS is spot on with Threadgills.  I always forget about that place but great Southern sides. 

Stiles Switch and La Barbecue both have legit q in Austin. Beef ribs are the ticket at any of the three places I've mentioned, but be forewarned they are usually a pound or two per rib.

 
Make the drive to Taylor for Louie Mueller BBQ.  The Q is amongst the best in the state and the authentic ambiance is unparalleled.  Right down the block is a good little brewpub as well.
I have never been more disappointed than my first trip here, reinforced by my second and last time there.  Their sauce is weird in flavor and texture.. and watered down (literally.. watery).  Like a broth or soy sauce watery.

In all fairness I have only had their brisket (my go to for Q), very dry both times.  Maybe I should have branched out.

Expensive.

 
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I have never been more disappointed than my first trip here, reinforced by my second and last time there.  Their sauce is weird in flavor and texture.. and watered down (literally.. watery).  Like a broth or soy sauce watery.

In all fairness I have only had their brisket (my go to for Q), very dry both times.  Maybe I should have branched out.

Expensive.
You really aren't supposed to use the sauce. Why they even have it I don't know.  It's an onion/margarine/drippings style sauce. Never had dry brisket there in 20+ years but I do always order the point, "moist". Yes, their prices have climbed since they went to Prime beef but they are in line with all the other top joints. You're going to pay around $20 a pound everywhere for Prime brisket or beef ribs.

 
Also, it looks as if Franklin's may be back open.  Could be a great time to try and go by there and avoid lines?

 
Pielicious is worth the drive west on 290, not so much for their famous pizza, but the otherworldly house made Pastrami. Now that's a smoked  brisket. Weird thing is they don;t sell sandwiches or plates, but by the pound. If you go out to Jester, stop and get some on the way home.

 
Gourdoughs.  I see that the Public House restaurant location is closed but they still have a trailer location. 

Cos took my son and I to the Public House location and we loved it.   

ETA: no idea how much of this menu they still serve ...

 
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Nearly all of the suggestions are destinations, that is a place you’re going only to go there. 

I’d recommend you stroll just south of the river on Congress (SoCo) as there is food, shopping, and music all within walking distance. If you end up wanting more yuppie after doing that, 2nd Street is the new money and hip area with good restaurants, bars, and shopping. 

See if anyone you’d enjoy to see is playing at Austin City Limits as its right down in the same area off of 2nd street behind city hall. 

If you’re going to travel (Oasis, Jester King, Salt Lick) make the assumption it’s likely half your day and do it because you want to specifically do that rather than assuming they’re quick hikes close to anything else. 

 
The Oasis quickly developed its reputation and its stuck with them for several decades:

”nice view but don’t order the food or the house margaritas.” 

 
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Anyone done the speakeasies in Austin? Heading down for the ACL festival Thursday and might try to get the code for the floppy disk repair company. 

 
Anyone done the speakeasies in Austin? Heading down for the ACL festival Thursday and might try to get the code for the floppy disk repair company. 
I'm on their monthly text. I don't know if they want it published on a message board ( :shrug: ) but I will PM it to you.

ETA: Sent

 
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Cool, headed to Austin on Thursday until Sunday for a conference. staying at residence inn downtown

 
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Hit Terry Black's BBQ during my visit.  Very solid.  One beef rib, one sausage, green beans, potato salad(meh) and two Fire Eagle IPA's.  Damn fine eating.  Lunch at Caroline's on Congress was good.  Sat outside table on sidewalk, only accosted by street walkers twice during lunch.  Had Italian at Really's in the burbs which wasn't far from Balcones Country Club.  Really enjoyed the city.  Walked from convention center to Texas campus and visited capitol building.    Really cool city and wished I had brought a dozen Voodoo Donuts back on the plane with me!

 

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