Peche: Austin’s First Absinthe Bar

With the popularity of all things "craft" soaring, it’s little wonder that cocktails are undergoing something of a renaissance. But there’s one place in particular that seems to be drawing visitors by throwing it back to the old days of drinking—think pre-1920s. It’s called Peche, and it’s well worth your time.

Located on West 4th Street in Austin, Peche made its name by being the first absinthe bar in the city. As such, it has an excellent selection of absinthes, but what makes it even more special is the kind of cocktails it serves to patrons. With a specialization in pre-Prohibition-style drinks, you can be sure you’re getting something out of the ordinary here. Of course, sophisticated drinks need sophisticated foods, and this spot makes no mistake in offering an excellent variety of French-inspired dishes, like braised short ribs and duck confit. The next time you’re in the mood for an elevated meal, keep this bar in mind.

Sample the Breakfast Tacos at Taco-Mex

It doesn't have to be Taco Tuesday for you to enjoy some hearty Mexican cuisine. Taco-Mex offers top-notch, made-to-order tacos, and it's conveniently located not far from Elan East. While this restaurant specializes in unique breakfast tacos which you can get all day, the staff here also make tasty lunch tacos as well as other favorite Mexican dishes, including burritos, chile relleno, and quesadillas. All menu items are served a la carte, though platters which include rice and beans are also available.

The next time you're craving authentic Mexican cuisine, be sure to order delivery or take-out from Taco-Mex. Since all the food is made to order, be sure to call ahead or place your order online for fast service.

Get a Free Juice with Your Purchase of Six at Daily Greens

When you’re looking for a refreshing but healthy treat in the East Austin area, check out Daily Greens on Springdale Road. The Juicery is conveniently just two miles from Elan East Apartments. Local residents can buy Daily Greens juices across lots of different locations in the city of Austin, but guests can taste and buy different juices at the Springdale Road storefront location.

Each of the Daily Greens juices have been made from six pounds of produce, and each contains up to two grams of fiber. Inspired by southern food, the staff at Daily Greens strive to create unique and healthy flavors like Himalayan pink salt and Madagascar vanilla. Guests can buy single juices for approximately $8.00 each or several juices as part of a more extensive juice cleanse. Stop by today to take advantage of Daily Greens' current special: when you buy six bottles of juice, you’ll get your seventh free.

Treat Yourself to Some Affordable Mediterranean Fare at Abo Youssef

Some of the best Mediterranean food in the area is available at Abo Youssef, an unassuming food truck that is usually parked on Manor Road. Located just a half-mile from Elan East, the food truck serves an assortment of Mediterranean specialties like shawarma, falafel, gyro, tabouli, and baba ganoush. The truck even offers a selection of desserts to top off your meal—think baklava and rice pudding. The food truck is loved by locals not only for its delicious food but also for its affordable prices. Most wraps cost around $5.99, and most entrees are just $9.99.

Unlike many food trucks, the area around Abo Youssef is complete with a number of picnic tables for those who want to dine there. The food is also available for take-out for those who would like to bring it home. Many patrons have called Abo Youssef the best spot for Mediterranean food in Austin, so be sure to check it out soon!

Butterfly Bar: A Hidden Gem of the Austin Bar Scene

Just a short trip from Elan East, Butterfly Bar is a laid-back and one-of-a-kind bar with a cool vibe that can only be found in Austin. Butterfly Bar is located inside of Vortex, an avant-garde theater, but it’s definitely worth a visit whether you have tickets to a show or not. Butterfly Bar offers both indoor and outdoor spaces including a huge patio, a spacious lawn, and a small greenhouse, though the main bar is housed inside the theater.

Parked out back is Patrizi’s, a family-owned food truck serving some of the highest-quality and most delicious meals you’ll find in the area. Pair your plate with a specialty mixed drink, champagne, wine, or a beer from the rotating selection here. As you may expect from a bar inside a theater, Butterfly Bar hosts unique entertainment like magicians, musicians, trivia, and more.

Butterfly Bar
2307 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 478-5282
http://butterflybaraustin.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-butterfly-bar-austin?sort_by=date_desc

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

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

Fight the Winter Blues with Comfort Food at Revival Public House

Are you looking for a new restaurant to add to your must-try list? You’re in luck. Revival Public House opened its doors in late December, serving Southern fare only two miles from Elan East.

The dinner menu is full of classic dishes like shrimp and grits, a barbecue pork sandwich, buttermilk biscuits (served warm, of course!), and crispy pickle chips, to name just a few of your options. The brunch menu also packs a Southern punch with plates like Nashville hot chicken served with Texas toast, a burger topped with pimento cheese, cheddar grits, and smoked sausage. In addition to Southern-inspired eats, the restaurant also brings the flavor with more inventive dishes like green chile chicken enchiladas, kimchi Frito pie, and bacon-wrapped dates.

If all of the food makes you thirsty, Revival Public House serves up a variety of Texas brews, as well as domestic and imported beer, wine, and specialty cocktails.

Revival Public House
340 E. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-0000
revivalph.com
www.yelp.com/biz/revival-public-house-austin

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