If there’s one thing the Lone Star State is known for, it’s food. Nobody can do chicken fried steak, mac and cheese, and other classic comfort foods like Texas. If you’ve been on the hunt for some of the best comfort food that Austin has to offer, you’ll be happy to know that one of the best places is just a half-mile from Elan East.

Hoover’s Cooking has deep roots in the Austin area, and plenty of residents and tourists flock here to try these unique take on classic comfort foods. The portions are huge, the staff is friendly, and the prices are more than affordable. If you’re in need of a traditional “family” dinner, you won’t have any trouble finding it at Hoover’s Cooking.

Hoover’s Cooking
2002 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 479-5006
www.hooverscooking.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hoovers-cooking-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr srboisvert

If you love your dog like other people love their child, and you’d bring him everywhere if you could, there's an upcoming event that has folks like you in mind! Elan East residents who are also dog lovers will be happy to know that there’s a big dog-friendly event — The Bark Happy Charity Doggy Ice Cream Social — happening just 2 ½ miles away, and it’s all to help other four legged friends!

The Bark Happy Charity Doggy Ice Cream Social is poised to be the pet-friendly event of the year. Mobile start-up Bark Happy is teaming up with Amy’s Ice Creams to bring pet owners and their pets an afternoon of fun at Fair Market. Ice cream (for both pets and their owners) will only be a small part of the day. There will be raffles, free nail trimming, dog tattoos, and extensive dog treat buffet, and more!

Donations serve as ticket prices for this event. The suggested amount for early donors is $5, and $10 for people that register the day before the event. Do you think you and your dog will be attending?

Bark Happy Charity Doggy Ice Cream Social
Sunday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fair Market
1100 East 5th Street
Austin, TX 78702
www.eventbrite.com/e/barkhappy-charity-doggy-ice-cream-social-with-amys-ice-creams-tickets

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr eflon

Can you call a brunch truly complete if it doesn't involve sipping a Bloody Mary? The folks behind one popular Austin restaurant doesn't think so, so they fashioned their brunch around the almightly beverage.

The Hightower is only about 2.5 miles from Elan East, and it offers Bloody Mary bar, so you have sole control over what goes into your cocktail. Not only that, mimosas are only $1.50 during brunch time. While it's easy to get excited about the drinks here, the food deserves applause, too. A few highlights include peanut butter Brussels sprouts, fried chickpeas, ceviche, smoked redfish spread, s'mores fried pie. Yelpers say the prices at The Hightower are more than reasonable when considering the large portion sizes, and the service is spot-on. Regulars recommend making reservations, especially for brunch — The Hightower tends to be hopping then!

The Hightower
1209 E. 7th St.
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1448
thehightoweraustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-hightower-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr L.A. Foodie