Hill-Berts Burgers: Home to Some of Austin’s Best Burgers and Wings

Since 1973, the Maldonaldo family has been building upon a burger legacy in the Austin area, and their dedication to creating fast food with great quality and fair prices has made them legendary.

Here, award-winning burgers are made to order from excellent ingredients, and locals rave about the food. Preparation is simple: Juicy patties are nestled atop grilled buns with lettuce, tomato, and onions, but simplicity is a virtue when it comes to burgers. Thick-cut french fries are perfectly prepared, as well. If you feel like branching out, the fried chicken sandwich is out of this world, and Hill-Berts is home to some of the best hot wings in town. (These wings are called "Dallas Wings" because “nobody in Austin likes Buffalo.”) Save some room for a “butter-fat” milkshakes, made with real ice cream.

The original Hill-Berts location on Burnet Road is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Delivery is offered.

Hill-Berts Burgers
7211 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-2317
www.hill-bertsburgers.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hill-berts-burgers-austin-3

Expect Live Music, Organic Coffee at Austin’s Monkey Nest

If you’re looking to start your day with a great cup of coffee, skip the chains and head to the Monkey Nest. This popular locally-owned cafe takes a socially responsible approach to its menu, serving only organic coffee and eclectic, internationally-influenced food.

The drinks here range from traditional espresso and drip coffees to some more unique concoctions. Try the Spicy Monkey Mocha, made with chocolate, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Monkey Nest also boasts a solid selection of teas if you’re not a coffee drinker. For food, the breakfast tacos can’t be beat; it's made fresh to order. The tuna and feta sandwich also wins raves.

Live music on the weekends draws a significant crowd, and the booking here is super diverse. From day to day you can see jazz, bluegrass, and even Eastern European dance music, a testament to the ethnic and cultural diversity of Austin. Best of all, there’s plenty of parking.

Monkey Nest
5353 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 505-8033
www.monkeynestcoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/monkey-nest-austin

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar: Fine Wine and Dining in Austin

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar features flavorful Italian fare served in a richly hued setting with a long mirrored bar and walls decorated to create a delightful ambiance. Happy Hour is a great time to cruise in for great discounts on food and drink — visit the Gusto Italian Kitchen website to find out more.

Gusto's pizza offerings include the Italian Job with sausage, mozzarella & goat cheese, and the Bianco with ricotta, cream, roasted chicken, spinach & caramelized onions. Spinach Lasagna, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Rostini alla Crema with chicken, spinach, walnuts, parmesan & cream are among the pasta choices. If you'd like to order something else, Gusto's menu of entrées includes Cioppino with salmon, shrimp, mussels, calamari & spicy tomato sauce, Grilled 10-Ounce Strip Steak with Brussels sprouts, Pan Seared Black Drum with roasted fall vegetables, and Braised Lamb Shank with creamy gorgonzola polenta.

Just a short trip from 3500 Westlake in Austin, Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar is open every day.

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar
4800 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 458-1100
http://www.gustoitaliankitchen.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gusto-italian-kitchen-and-wine-bar-austin

Billy’s on Burnet: An Austin Gastropub

Looking for a relaxing Austin spot where you can enjoy a beer and a burger? Billy’s on Burnet is a favorite spot to do just that in a friendly setting.

Stop by for what they say is the "Happiest Hour" around, with great specials on drinks and food. Their tasty draft beer selection includes Avery Maharajah Imperial IPA, Blue Moon Belgian White, Austin Beerworks Pearl Snap, and Hops and Grain Greenhouse Hoppy Brown. Pair your beer with a dish like Fried Zucchini, Chips & Salsa, Fried Okra, Chili Cheese Fries, or Chips & Queso. The big burger menu includes choices like the Billy Burger with double meat & cheese, and the Cobra Burger with bacon, grilled jalapenos, cheddar & chipotle mayo. There’s also plenty to eat for vegetarians, including a Veggie Burger, a Veggie Dog and an Avocado Reuben.

Billy's on Burnet is open daily in Austin.

Billy's on Burnet
4526 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 524-4740
http://www.billysonburnet.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/billys-on-burnet-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

Daisies Café: Tasty Austin Diner Fare

Daisies Café is the perfect stopping spot for a tasty breakfast or lunch in a cute, friendly Austin setting. Breakfast Tacos are a favorite on this restaurant's menu, served with your choice of fillings that include eggs, potatoes, cheese, bacon, chorizo, avocado, onions & peppers.

Other breakfast choices include the Rosedale Fried Egg Sandwich with bacon & swiss cheese, Crème Brulee French Toast, and Longhorn Migas with scrambled eggs, tortillas, bacon & cheddar cheese. If you visit later in the day, the lunch menu includes offerings like Chicken & Dumplings Soup, an Ahi Tuna Burger, a Vegan Hamburger, Chicken Shawarma, Chicken Fried Chicken with hatch chile mashed potatoes, a Vegan Hippy Hot Dog, Blue Eyed Burger with melted bleu cheese, and the Gobbler & Swine Sandwich with turkey & bacon.

Daisies is open Mondays through Saturdays in Austin.

Daisies Café
2320 Hancock Drive
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 524-1904
https://www.facebook.com/daisiescafeaustin
http://www.yelp.com/biz/daisies-cafe-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Cafe Pacha: An Austin Cafe

Austin's Cafe Pacha is a popular go-to spot for a hot cup of Fair Trade organic coffee and a tasty bite to eat. It’s a tiny, brightly decorated spot and a great place to enjoy breakfast. Pacha's pancakes are some of its most well-regarded breakfast fare, filled with fruit and served with real butter and maple syrup. Breakfast tacos, french toast, omelets and burritos are also on the menu.

Cafe Pacha's food is made with organic produce, grains, dairy and eggs, and regular diners suggest that you can really taste the quality of the ingredients. You can even take home one of their delectable house-made deep dish quiches or pies. The quiche options include spinach & mozzarella, and quiche lorraine, while pie choices include apple, berry and pecan.

Located in Austin, Texas, Cafe Pacha is open daily.

Cafe Pacha
4618 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
Rosedale
(512) 800-7309
http://www.pachatx.com/Cafe_Pacha/Welcome.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pacha-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Tarka Indian Kitchen: Indian Cuisine in Austin’s Allandale Neighborhood

Tarka Indian Kitchen is a quick and inexpensive to satisfy an Indian food craving from Biryanis to Kabobs, Curries to Lassis.  Run by the same owners as popular Clay Pit, there are three area locations, including in north Austin’s Allandale neighborhood.  The casual Indian cafe with counter ordering is popular even among Indian cuisine experts.  The menu offers traditional items like Tikka Masala as well as innovative twists like the “Naaninis” – a panini style sandwich made with naan.  Pair your favorite dish with soft and fluffy garlic naan and a mango lemonade with free refills.  Everything on the menu is under $10; you can dine in, take out, or have delivery through Dine on Demand.  Check out their iPhone app for online ordering.  Tarka has even been recognized as a “Green Restaurant” by the City of Austin for their environmentally friendly practices – just another reason you can feel good about giving in to that craving. 

Tarka Indian Cuisine
2525 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 323-0955
www.tarkaindiankitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tarka-indian-kitchen-austin-2

Try the Salted Caramel Gelato at Teo

Whether you come for a coffee in the morning or a gelato later, you’ll get a treat at Teo. Located directly across from the hospital on West 38th Street, Teo brings a little bit of Italy to the streets of Austin. Make Teo a morning stop for a terrific coffee drink. You know that it will be good, because every barista who works here is trained in Italy! The café, decorated in bright, inviting colors, is a nice spot to enjoy your cup. There are even daily newspapers on the wall for your reading pleasure. The outdoor patio is also nice, with a fireplace when the weather gets cold. The fresh made gelato is the star here There is always a nice selection of flavors, but regulars like the Peanut Butter Nutela and Salted Caramel. With the free Wi-Fi, it’s a nice way to end your day.

Teo
1206 W. 38th Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 451-9555
http://www.caffeteo.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/teo-austin

Taco Shack: Try the Shack Burrito

What’s a Shack Taco? Come to the Taco Shack and find out! Located in Austin's Rosedale neighborhood, the Taco Shack is the place to go for a quick and tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Shack Taco is the perfect way to kick start your day; it comes with your choice of eggs, potatoes, cheese, and meat on a soft flour tortilla. Just walk up to the counter and the friendly servers will help you. Not in the mood for a taco? There are regular breakfast plates, too. The dining area doesn’t have many tables, but there is always lots of outdoor seating. For lunch and dinner, the favorite is the Shack Burrito, and don’t pass up the filling and affordable combo plates. And big orders to go are no problem – just call ahead!

Taco Shack
4412 Medical Parkway
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 300-2112
http://tacoshack.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taco-shack-austin-6

It’s Always Morning in Rosedale at The Omelettry

The Omelettry proves that omelets don’t just have to be for breakfast. Located right on the corner where Burnet Road meets West 47th Street, the Omelettry is a place where it's always morning. That’s because the Omelettry serves breakfast until dinnertime! This is a cool spot with funky paintings on the outside walls and a dining area that defines casual. But the word is out, so be prepared to wait a bit on the weekends. The menu features many traditional breakfast plates, but locals really like the specials (try the Popeye Omelet with spinach, the Eggonomica, or the Gingerbread Pancakes). You can also create your own omelet! Come back for the lunch specials, or just have breakfast again! And remember, this is a cash-only establishment.

The Omelettry
4811 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 453-5062
http://theomelettry.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-omelettry-austin-2

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