Authentic Mexican Cuisine at Austin’s Fonda San Miguel

Since 1975, Austin diners have indulged in Fonda San Miguel’s authentic regional Mexican cuisine. Diners are impressed with just about everything that comes out of the kitchen, its hard to make a wrong choice. The quesos asados are popular starters – try the queso with homemade chorizo verde. If you’re looking to indulge, the lobster mango ceviche is also highly recommended. Their signature entrees are the chicken mole, and the cochinita pibil, a Yucatan dish of pork baked in banana leaf. Save room for dessert, the tres leches cake is delicious. Fonda San Miguel also offers a Sunday brunch buffet with plenty of options, ranging from quail to fajitas, along with many sides. Customers rave it is worth the pricy $40.  The beautiful hacienda-style decor with hand painted stucco and dim lighting makes Fonda San Miguel a popular spot for celebrating special occasions. If you want the experience on a budget, stop by during happy hour for half price appetizers and drink specials.

Fonda San Miguel
2330 W. North Loop Boulevard
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 459-4121
www.fondasanmiguel.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fonda-san-miguel-austin

Tasty Food at Julio’s Cafe in Austin’s Hyde Park Neighborhood

Family owned and operated since 1983, Julio’s Cafe is a top spot for Mexican cuisine in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Their specialty is roast chicken, and you won’t go wrong with any item on the menu that features it. The chicken and vegetable soup is a customer favorite, and quarter and half chicken specials are a great value for a hungry diner. In fact, everything on the menu is reasonably priced. Although chips and salsa aren’t complimentary, their salsa makes it worth the few extra bucks. Counter-ordering makes Julio’s great for a casual meal, and the cafe is clean and well maintained. Brightly colored walls and sunny windows make a cheerful and welcoming spot, perfect for a morning meal.  Breakfast tacos with your choice of ingredients are a popular pick. Be sure to stop by the ATM before you go, as Julio’s is cash only!

Julio's Cafe
4230 Duval Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 452-1040
www.juliosaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/julios-caf%C3%A9-austin-2

The Little Deli is Big on Pizza

The Little Deli brings New York to Austin. 

Although this place has Deli in the name, what the pizza makes it a gem. It's thin-crust New York-style, with homemade dough hand-tossed and baked on a two inch stone hearth to create a chewy crust. You can order by the slice, or whole pie. If you’re ordering a whole pizza, you can create your own from their long list of toppings with traditional veggies and more artisan options such as roasted eggplant, sun dried tomatoes, and pesto sauce. Or, you can try one of their specialties like the Bacon Blue that is topped with Gorgonzola and red bell peppers. There is limited seating inside, but outdoor seating is plentiful. 

The Little Deli is BYOB so you can place your order and then pick up a beverage at the supermarket next door. It can get busy for lunch — regulars suggest calling ahead to place your order if you want to avoid a wait.

The Little Deli
7101-A Woodrow Avenue
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7402
www.yelp.com/biz/little-deli-and-pizzeria-austin

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew: An Austin Favorite

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew in Austin’s Brentwood neighborhood is traditional barbecue joint where you can eat with your hands and lick your fingers without an evil glare. This casual spot features cafeteria style ordering.  Stiles Switch makes every effort to ensure availability of its barbecue and minimize long waits common at other Austin-area barbecue spots.  The meats are moist and perfect for those that like their barbecue dry.  The brisket is tender with a nice char and the pork rib meat falls of the bone.  Regulars love the corn casserole and
delicious chocolate banana pudding with Oreos, chocolate pudding vanilla wafers and fresh bananas.  The perfect accompaniment to barbecue is a cold beer and Stiles Switch delivers with a beer selection features Texas craft brews.

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew
6610 N. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 380-9199
www.stilesswitchbbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/stiles-switch-bbq-and-brew-austin

Inka Chicken: Peruvian Fusion Fare

Inka Chicken is Austin’s Peruvian fusion restaurant serving up one main dish – charcoal rotisserie chicken.  Although they only offer the chicken entree, you won’t be disappointed – the meat is moist and flavorful.  Ordering is easy and you can choose from several combinations of chicken portions, sides and sauces.   American side choices include steak fries, rice, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, and a veggie medley.  If you want more authentic South American fare, choose the yucca fries and fried plantains.  Order tortillas, rice and a veggie medley to create a wrap.  Their desserts are also authentic – try the tres leches cake.  Casual dining is enhanced with a smokey aroma from the charcoal rotisserie.  Service is friendly and happy to help explain the menu and cooking process.  With a drive through, you’ll never go back to the supermarket version!

Inka Chicken
1707 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 252-2222
www.yelp.com/biz/inka-chicken-austin

Vino Vino: Celebrate The Grape

Celebrate the grape at Vino Vino, one of Austin’s favorite wine bars. Their selection has been recognized with many awards including the 2012 Austin Chronicle’s Restaurant Poll Award for favorite wine list. Hundreds of bottles are displayed along the walls, and warm woods including exposed beams create a wine-cellar feel. A quaint outdoor patio with a fireplace and strands of soft twinkle lights is perfect for a romantic date. Servers are knowledgeable and are happy to make a bottle recommendation at any price point. The menu offers a variety of small and large plates, including cheese and charcuterie plates. The mussels and fries with white wine and tarragon aioli are a customer favorite, as are the crab gnocchi and Wagyu slider. Vino Vino is one of Hyde Park’s hottest happy hours, and features $2 off any glass of wine and several half-priced appetizers.    

Vino Vino
4119 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 465-9282
www.vinovinoaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/vino-vino-austin

Odaku Sushi: Korean and Japanese Cuisine Favorites

Odaku Sushi in Austin is a quiet spot to enjoy Korean and Japanese food. Their menu has a wide variety of traditional Japanese sushi and sashimi. Their maki specialities are artful and creative such as the dragon dance, which crafts crab, cucumber, eel, avocado and other flavors to resemble a Chinese dragon. Bento boxes – especially the lunch specials – are highly recommended; the portions are generous and include a variety of tastes at a reasonable price. Although sushi is in the name, many come for the Korean menu, which offers many favorites, including juicy BBQ meats like bulgogi and gal bi. They play a fun mix of Asian pop music – so the food isn’t the only thing that will make you smile. The restaurant is a good place if you are looking to take your time savoring the food. 

Odaku Sushi
2501 W Parmer Lane
Austin, TX 78727
(512) 834-9304
www.yelp.com/biz/odaku-sushi-austin-2

The Frisco: Dine in Retro Style in Austin

The Frisco is everything a diner should be, retro decor, comfort food, and breakfast served all day.  The last surviving restaurant of the historic Night Hawk chain, it has been feeding Austin for 60 years.  The large menu offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites from flakey biscuits to beefy burgers.  Customers love the chicken fried steak, with a good breading ratio and light gravy.  Homemade pies show off in glass cases – don’t skip out on their famous coconut cream pie.  Whether you sit at the counter or in a booth, service is consistent and friendly at The Frisco.  Take a walk around the restaurant and check out the Austin memorabilia that lines the walls.

The Frisco
6801 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 459-6279
www.thefriscoaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-frisco-austin

The Parlor: A Vegan Pizza Lover’s Paradise in Austin

Meat-lovers and vegans can both agree that The Parlor does pizza right.  This north Austin spot is half pizzeria half bar with a neighborhood dive vibe.  Parlor pizza has fluffy and chewy crust with many specialty pies to choose from – which can all be made vegan.  If one of those doesn’t tempt your taste-buds, you can build your own with plenty of traditional and gourmet toppings to choose from, including house-made vegan meats like mock chicken, pepperoni and sausage.  Try the Gunnar with artichoke hearts, spinach, garlic, and jalapenos.  Their pizza is perfect with beer and if you come before 7 p.m. you’ll get happy hour discounts on pints and pitchers.  A jukebox plays funky tunes and a well-maintained pinball machine make for an entertaining evening.  Although the pizza is on the pricey side, regulars agree its worth the price and reheats well if you have leftovers.  

The Parlor
4301 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 323-0440
www.theparloraustin.wordpress.com/pizza
www.yelp.com/biz/the-parlor-austin-2

Fusion Fare at Austin’s Roll On Sushi Diner

Roll On Sushi Diner embraces fusion fare in diner-themed style, right in Austin, Texas. This casual and fun Sushi bar in Allandale has plenty of Austin twists to their specialty rolls. The Cholesta roll is the most popular, with chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans rolled up together and served with gravy. Another favorite is the Beefy Texan with beef brisket, wasabi cole slaw, avocado, and spicy bbq mayo. There are plenty of traditional options too – try the sunshine roll – a California roll topped with salmon. For dessert, consider the Tempura fried ice cream. Everything is reasonably priced here with easy by-the-plate-color pricing between $4.50 and $7.50. Roll On continues the fun and affordability during happy hour which features $5 sake bombs and discounted snacks, like the Japanese pork dumplings. It’s a happy and upbeat atmosphere and friendly staff make everyone feel welcome.

Roll On Sushi Diner
5350 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 454-7655
www.rollonsushidiner.com
www.yelp.com/biz/roll-on-sushi-diner-austin

 

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