Veracruz All Natural: Austin Tacos Near Elan East

Great tacos aren't hard to find in Austin, Texas, but some places stand out as favorites among local diners. For example: Veracruz All Natural. This taco spot near Elan East is so popular that visitors might encounter a bit of a wait to enjoy the food at this taco truck, but many diners regard the wait as worth it for the quality of the food. The fish tacos, in particular, earn high praise from Yelp reviewers, and the place's other options may be equally tasty.

Breakfast tacos are quite popular here, and they're available with your choice of ingredients like potatoes, eggs, chorizo, bacon, beans, and cheese. Later in the day you can choose from options like vegetarian tacos with spinach, avocado, carrots, and more and the Chicken Mole tacos with queso fresco. Quesadillas and tortas are also on the menu, as are smoothies and fresh juices.

Visit the Veracruz All Natural website to learn more about this Austin taco truck!

Veracruz All Natural
1403 East 7th Street
Austin, TX 78702
veracruztacos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/veracruz-all-natural-austin

The Hightower: An Austin Restaurant not far from Elan East

Yelp reviewers can't say enough about the enticing flavors of the roasted pork jowl at The Hightower. The Austin eatery not far from Elan East offers plenty of well-regarded dishes—including many updated barbecue eats—but the roasted pork jowl shows up in glowing reviews time and time again. That's because in addition to the tender meat, the entree includes rice and egg yolk, burnt avocado, pickled shallots, cucumber, as well as fiery house sriracha sauce.

If you're interested in The Hightower's meat-free fare, try the smoked tofu. It earns similarly high marks from customers, and comes with pinto beans, huitlacoche, sopecitos, avocado, a crema crafted from cashews and almonds, and a dusting of sunflower seeds. Both dishes are available at lunch and dinner (though the accompaniments vary based on the hour). You can pair your chosen dish with one of the house's signature cocktails, perhaps the High Tail with Bulleit Rye and honey, or the Italian Fizz with vodka, blood orange soda, and Campari.

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

Franklin Barbecue: Find Some of Austin’s Best Barbecue near Elan East

Considered the best barbecue in the country by bon appetit magazine—not to mention The Washington Post and the Travel Channel—it should come as no surprise that the food at Franklin Barbecue draws some famous customers. President Obama cut the ever-present line at Franklin Barbecue in July of 2014 and bought more than $300 worth of the famous grub!

With accolades like this, you might be surprised to learn that Franklin Barbecue only opened in 2009. Granted, its founder Aaron Franklin had been perfecting his brisket in a backyard smoker for many years before that, but still, he and wife Stacy were new to the commercial barbecue game. Their modest trailer near Elan East in an East Austin parking lot quickly began drawing a crowd, and it continues to do so today. More than 1,700 Yelp reviewers sing its praises, citing the brisket and Tipsy Texan sandwich as its two best offerings—just don't forget to save room for the bourbon banana pudding pie!

Franklin Barbecue
900 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 653-1187
franklinbarbecue.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/franklin-barbecue-austin

Unique Austin Pizzas at Via 313 Near Elan East

Pizza parties are to thank for the unique fare served at Via 313 in Austin. When brothers and Detroit natives Brandon and Zane Hunt began tossing around the idea of bringing their home city's style of pizza to Austin, they needed a few guinea pigs to test recipes. Their group of friends became those guinea pigs, attending weekly pizza parties to sample the latest creations. Once a recipe was approved, it was added to the menu for a future pizzeria. That pizzeria is now a food trailer in front of the Violet Crown Social Club, called Via 313. It's just a short trip away from Elan East, making it convenient to try the place for yourself.

Grab a classic Detroit-style pie—that is, a square pizza with four corner slices—at Via 313. Yelp reviewers particularly like the Cadillac, a pie topped with gorgonzola cheese, fig preserves, parmesan, shaved prosciutto, and a balsamic glaze. However, there are also more conventional options like the Detroiter with cheese and double pepperoni or the Herbivore with mushrooms, sweet onions, green pepper, and black olives.

Via 313
1111B E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 939-1927
www.via313.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/via-313-pizza-austin

Contigo: Austin Dining near Elan East

Contigo Austin is a unique eatery modeled after its parent restaurant, Contigo Ranch in South Texas. This urban version channels the private, relaxing feeling of the ranch through its outdoor seating and hundreds of string lights mimicking the star-filled night sky. Guests enjoy their meals at hand-built tables atop wooden platforms, while a large, leafy tree provides a bit of shade on a hot Texas day.

Like Contigo Ranch, Contigo Austin is known for its icy cold margaritas, impressive selection of beers and upscale bar food made with only local ingredients. The menu includes beer nuts as a snack, mussels with bacon jam to share amongst the table and rustic dishes like rabbit and dumplings or, if you’re feeling less adventurous, a simple burger and fries for dinner. On weekend mornings, Contigo serves a fun-filled brunch complete with morning libations, fried chicken and eggs Benedict, although because the menu changes from day to day, you can expect a tasty surprise each time you visit.

Contigo Austin
2027 Anchor Lane
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 614-2260
www.contigotexas.com

Round the Clock Breakfast near Elan East at Austin’s Star Seeds Café

Star Seeds Café may be one of the best late night eateries in all of Austin, and though its breakfast is very popular, those pancakes are available round the clock. The casual and eclectic restaurant is open 24-hours a day, and breakfast is served any time of the day or night.

The menu includes morning favorites like omelets and breakfast tacos, as well as steaming hot coffee with free refills. For lunch and dinner, Star Seeds Café also offers burgers, salads, wraps and other all-American favorites. Its retro-inspired décor and diner feel make it a pleasant place to dine, and it fits in perfectly in the creative and bustling city.

Inside, Star Seeds showcases local artwork from area artists and it even holds art shows each month. Whether you stop in for lunch or to have a late night bite after catching some live music, this is a reliable spot for good food and a fun atmosphere — all in a spot not too far away from Elan East.

Star Seeds Café
3101 North IH-35
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 478-7107
www.starseedscafe.com

Enjoy Japanese Cuisine Near Elan East at Austin’s Komé

Austin’s culinary scene offers a number of great international cuisine options, and Komé is just one of the impressive restaurants that are worlds away from traditional Texas barbecue. This stylish eatery’s owners started Komé because they cooked so frequently for other people in their home, and they use the same techniques for home-style Japanese fare in every dish on the menu.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is casual and comfortable, with warm wooden fixtures, a sleek sushi bar and ample accommodations for large parties. There are also intricate examples of craftsmanship throughout the interior. The menu consists of traditional food including sushi rolls, dumplings, meat skewers and grilled fish. Komé also offers sake and Japanese beers. With affordable prices and friendly, knowledgeable service, Komé is a must-try restaurant for Austin area foodies.

Komé closes between lunch and dinner, so check the hours before planning a visit from Elan East.

Komé
4917 Airport Boulevard
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 712-5700
www.kome-austin.com

El Sapo Botanas y Burgers: An Austin Eatery near Elan East

Located just a short trip from Elan East, El Sapo Botanas y Burgers is a garage-turned-Tex-Mex burger place. Once the home of a gas station and auto shop, this Austin eatery serves some of the best burgers around, according to guests. Aside from the regular beef patties, the menu features fish, shrimp, chicken, lamb, and pork burgers.

There’s much more on the menu at this restaurant, which is a part of the Carlos Rivero’s El Chile Restaurant Group. Once you're settled in, take a look at the impressive drink selection. The folks behind the bar serve Texas wines — (these pair well with the burgers) — ciders, Texas craft brews, and signature cocktails with a kick.

You can start your meal with chips and guacamole, salsas, and chile con queso. When it's time for the main course, one popular choice is the hearty Angus beef burgers or a super-sized all-beef hot dog. Don't forget to load your dog with chile con carne, pico de gallo, Mexican cheese, fire-roasted jalapenos, and guacamole for extra flavor. For dessert, you can even enjoy a milkshake or an ice cream sundae!

El Sapo Botanas y Burgers
1900 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 366-5154
www.elsapoatx.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/el-sapo-austin

Elaine’s Pork and Pie: A Unique Menu near Elan East in Austin

Pork and pie is quite the random combination, but that's what it's all about at this Austin eatery. Chef and owner Elaine Martin has been at the helm of Elaine's Pork and Pie and satisfying customers for nearly three decades. The menu here isn't too large; in fact, it's pretty simple. Customers typically come here for — you guessed it — the pork or the pies. If you decide to stop by, consider dining in or ordering takeout to enjoy back at Elan East.

It probably comes as no surprise that the pulled pork sandwiches are some of the most popular items here. Customers say they are cooked just right, they're quite large, and the price is reasonable at $5.95. Regulars also praise the pulled pork tacos that are sold for just $1.75 apiece. If you'd prefer something a bit lighter, opt for the lentil soup or the green bean or Greek salad. When it's time for dessert, try one of the house-made pies such as the bourbon buttermilk, lime, ancho fudge, or strawberry cream cheese pies.

Visit Elaine's Pork and Pie's website to find out more about this restaurant near Elan East.

Elaine's Pork and Pie
2113 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 494-1464
www.elainesporkandpie.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/elaines-pork-and-pie-austin

Austin Daily Press: Tasty Food near Elan East

Even when the Austin Daily Press only existed as a food truck, it was already making waves nationwide. The flagship food truck participated as a contestant on the Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race. Its brick-and-mortar location on MLK Boulevard still serves up the same creative sandwiches that won it fans across the country after its stint on the reality show.

According to regulars, the Pineapple Express is well worth a taste. This sandwich is actually a Mexican-style torta, meaning it comes on a Telera roll with veggies pickled in-house and a medley of herbs. The Pineapple Express is layered with roasted chicken and Black Forest ham, a pineapple-ginger chutney, cheese, and spicy ranch dressing. The Lucy torta is another popular option, this one stuffed with lemongrass-braised pork, aioli and sriracha sauce, sweet and hot pickles, onion, cilantro, and cooling mint. However, Austin Daily Press also serves paninis, traditional deli-style sandwiches, and sliders.

If you'd like to try this Austin eatery for yourself, it's just a short trip away from Elan East.

Austin Daily Press
1900 E. MLK Boulevard
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 828-6463
austindailypress.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-daily-press-austin-4

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