Expect Laughter and Energy at Salvage Vanguard Theater

Salvage Vanguard Theater isn't your typical stage. This Austin-oriented nonprofit gives up-and-coming artists a place where they can get creative with performances. Instead of adhering to the status quo, they pioneer productions filled with energy, movement, and often, laughter.

For proof, check out any of the upcoming events at Salvage Vanguard. Thursdays through May 6, the theater will host a Comedy Bazaar! The recently unveiled show is a collection of sketches, all woven together by a common theme: A Brief History of Magic. You can even come to Salvage Vanguard Theater for a $10 yoga class on Saturday mornings. With so much to check out here, you should definitely swing by soon.

Salvage Vanguard Theater
2803 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 474-7886
salvagevanguard.org
www.yelp.com/biz/salvage-vanguard-theater-austin

Don’t Miss Happy Hour at School House Pub

If you're looking for a deal on School House Pub's signature beers, cocktails, and pub grub, come during happy hour. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can snag a Lonestar or PBR for $2 or a well drink for $2. During the same window Monday through Saturday, order a plate of fish and chips for just $5. In addition, each day of the week plus Saturday offers an extra special like $4 pints across the board on Mondays, and $2 off any specialty cocktail on Tuesdays.

Regardless of when you come, however, regulars highly recommend the Montreal fries. They're smothered with tender, slow-braised beef, garlic, gravy, and gooey cheese. Just save some room for a burger with either a beef, turkey, or vegan patty. You can also opt for something more exotic like the Texas red fish curry at School House Pub in Austin.

School House Pub
2207 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 469-7630
www.schoolhousepub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/school-house-pub-austin

Expect Authentic Fare at Halal Bros

For Brooklyn-born Mohamad Attal—AKA Moe—Austin was the perfect place to set up his Halal food cart. After all, the city already had a thriving culinary scene and a community that embraced international fare in a variety of quick-casual settings. Moe clearly had a winning recipe because his food cart eventually flourished into two permanent Halal Bros restaurants, including one on Guadalupe Street.

Many Yelpers liken Halal Bros to the same types of authentic eateries in New York City, Moe's hometown. Start your meal with an order of the loaded fries, dusted with salt and pepper and drizzled with ketchup, hot sauce, and Moe's popular white sauce. You can also eat the loaded fries on the side of your main course—perhaps a plate of chicken shawarma and rice, falafel stuffed in pita bread, or gyro meat smothered in white sauce and hot sauce.

Halal Bros
2712 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 284-8105
www.thehalalbros.com
www.yelp.com/biz/halal-bros-austin-2

Beware Coffee Serves Artisanal Coffee from a Unique Coffee Stand

Beware Coffee is an artisanal coffee trailer that is known for creating some of the best java in Austin. The coffee may be sold out of a coffee stand, but directly adjacent to the vendor, guests will find a number of convenient tables and chairs that allow guests to fully enjoy their coffee in a comfortable open space. Beware Coffee offers classic coffeehouse options like regular lattes, coconut lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, cold brew, and more. The coffee shop even serves up ice cream topped with espresso. For non-coffee drinkers, the menu includes teas, hot cocoa, and more.

Beware Coffee is open Wednesday through Sunday from early in the morning until 4 p.m. Note that the coffee vendor is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Why not enjoy your morning cup of coffee at Beware Coffee?

Beware Coffee
2908 Fruth Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 571-3392
https://www.facebook.com/BewareCoffee/

Hancock Golf Course: One of Texas’s Oldest Courses

Hancock Golf Course was named for one of Austin's earliest mayors, Lewis Hancock, Jr. He presided over the city from 1895 to 1897, and he founded the golf course soon after his tenure in 1899. That makes it one of the oldest golf courses anywhere in Texas.

Make the short trip here for a round of golf right in the middle of the city. It's only 9 holes, so you should be able to move relatively quickly through the par-35 course. Its rolling hills are dotted with trees, and the course sweeps right across picturesque Waller Creek. Call ahead for a tee time if you have a group of four or more, or stop by without a reservation to enjoy the scenery at Hancock Golf Course. It's the perfect way to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunny Texas weather.

Hancock Golf Course
811 E. 41st Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 453-0276
austintexas.gov/department/hancock-golf-course
www.yelp.com/biz/hancock-public-golf-course-austin

Enjoy Tacos, Nachos, and More Near Elan East at Isalia’s Tex-Mex Restaurant

Contemporary fare is the focal point at Isalia’s Tex-Mex Restaurant, an eatery that opened just three months ago. Meals at Isalia’s start with a copious amount of free tortilla chips served with spicy house salsas. From there, the menu is full of Tex-Mex favorites like cheese enchiladas, al pastor tacos, nachos, and chicken enchiladas. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with options like tasty breakfast tacos in the morning. Currently, the restaurant is BYOB, which makes it even more affordable. Note that the restaurant is aiming to have their liquor license soon.

In the three months that Isalia’s has been open, it has received rave reviews from diners and has turned into a staple in the neighborhood. Isalia’s Tex-Mex Restaurant is conveniently situated only 2.2 miles from Elan East.

Isalia’s Tex-Mex Restaurant
2602 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 584-8066
www.yelp.com/biz/isalias-tex-mex-restaurant-austin
www.facebook.com/isaliastexmex/info/?tab=page_info

Ceviche 7: An Upscale Peruvian Food Truck Near Elan East

A hidden gem of Austin, Ceviche 7 serves authentic and delicious Peruvian cuisine that has earned many fans in the short time it’s been open. Ceviche 7 is a food truck permanently parked in a small lot with a couple of picnic tables close to Elan East, so it’s great for takeout or dining al fresco. All the meals from Ceviche 7 are cooked by scratch and made to order by David, the owner and chef. The care and attention he gives to each meal make this place shine. Some favorite meals are the Pan con Chicharrón, the Arroz Chaufa, and, of course, the ceviche, but guests rave that everything on the menu is great.

All the recipes taste like home-cooked meals. Prices are very reasonable, with mains under $10 and sides around $5. As Chef David cooks everything himself, wait times can be on the longer side, but Ceviche 7 is definitely worth the wait.

Ceviche 7
502 W. 30th Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 679-1694
http://www.ceviche7.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ceviche7-austin

Springdale Farm Market: Fresh, Local Food Near Elan East

Fresh bunches of emerald kale. Crisp turnips. Cream-colored heads of just-plucked cauliflower. These are just a handful of the fresh veggies you can expect to see at Springdale Farm Market, a farm stand that pops up every Wednesday and Saturday morning about 2.5 miles from Elan East.

Owners Glenn and Paula first opened the farm stand in 1992 in an effort to bring fresh, local produce to people living in the city. They believed everyone deserved access to healthy food, whether they could make it beyond the city limits or not. Today they continue to keep East Austin in colorful veggies, and not just individual shoppers. They also supply local eateries. Plus, Springdale Farm Market plays host to a handful of artisan prepared foods including Confituras jams and jellies, honey from the Austin Honey Company, and White Label Hot Sauce.

Springdale Farm Market
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays
755 Springdale Road
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 386-8899
www.springdalefarmaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/springdale-farm-austin

Elan East, SXSW Returns to Austin Mar. 11 to Mar. 20

Elan East is lucky enough to be in the middle of the action for South by Southwest (or SXSW), an annual festival that celebrates up-and-coming technology, music, and films. The festival returns from Mar. 11 to Mar. 20 to various locations throughout Austin. Festival highlights include a speech from Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, a presentation by J. J. Abrams, live music by BØRNS, a screening of Miles Ahead (the new Miles Davis biopic starring Don Cheadle), and more. Additional events include meet-ups, discussions with like-minded creatives, parties, and more.

In addition to events and shows, some of Austin’s favorite food trucks and mobile food vendors from across the country will set up shop at the Southbites Trailer Park. Vendors will be peddling everything from lobster rolls and barbecue to ice cream and fresh juice. Admission to SXSW ranges in price depending on which ticket package you select. Tickets start at $495.

South by Southwest
Mar. 11 to Mar. 20
Austin, TX
www.sxsw.com/

Esther’s Follies: A Variety Show That’s an Austin Staple

A show with comedy, music, and magic that’s been a vital and vibrant part of Austin nightlife for over 35 years, Esther’s Follies is a must-see for its fun, irreverent take on current events. A bit like a live version of SNL, the cast of Esther’s Follies perform ever-changing routines based on the headlines of the day. The cast blends political humor with local jokes into skits and musical numbers. There’s even a magician seamlessly incorporated into the fun.

To give fair warning: audience participation is huge here—they will not only pull audience members into the scenes, but they'll even pull people off the street! The venue is intimate but still has plenty of seating, which is great for a show like this. The space is Esther Williams-themed and filled with kooky items, like a mermaid fountain and a fish tank made from a television. Esther’s Follies is about 10 minutes from Elan East.

Esther's Follies
525 East 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0553
www.esthersfollies.com
www.yelp.com/biz/esthers-follies-austin-2

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