High Country Market and Cafe: Tasty Fare in a Unique Setting

Don’t let the gas station setting fool you, High Country Market and Cafe offers much more than your ordinary mini-mart setting! At this Round Rock spot you’ll find a great selection of craft beer, wine, gourmet coffee, fresh pastries and tasty deli foods. You’ll also find free Wi-Fi and patio seating.

If you’re hungry, you can settle in with a burger or sandwich. In the a.m., they have Breakfast Tacos with your choice of fillings like egg, ham, chorizo, refried black beans, avocado, sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, potatoes and spinach. Burgers and pizzas are also on the menu, complete with a selection of toppings. Sandwiches include BBQ Pulled Pork, Roasted Chicken Salad, a BLT and a Marinated Mushroom Banh Mi.

Just a short trip from Hardrock Canyon, High Country is open every day.

High Country Market and Cafe
3701 Gattis School Road
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 541-3499
www.facebook.com/HighCountryMarket
www.yelp.com/biz/high-country-market-and-cafe-round-rock

Check Out The Rock Sports Bar for Brunch

It may look like a mere sports bar from the outside—and with a massive curved TV broadcasting the big game inside, the misconception takes an even stronger hold—but The Rock is more than that. True, locals flock to The Rock to watch sporting events and glug beers. And yes, the spot can get a little rowdy in the late-night hours on a Friday or Saturday. But what sets apart The Rock from other sports bars in the area isn't just its huge TV or beer list; it's the weekend brunch.

Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Rock Sports Bar hosts a popular brunch, complete with bloody Marys and mimosas. Dig into a crunchy piece of fried chicken perched atop a fluffy Belgian waffle. Chow down on a breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs and your choice of meat and veggies. Take a fork to the sweet French toast, accompanied by ham, sausage, or bacon. You can add extras — like a biscuit smothered with gravy, crispy strips of bacon, or a bonus egg — to any of the brunch dishes.

The Rock Sports Bar
114 E. Main Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 358-1175
www.rocksportsbar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-rock-sports-bar-round-rock

Cafe 1626: Play Games Over Pizza

At Café 1626, you can have fun while dining in or save some time by ordering delivery to anywhere in the South Austin area. This popular pizzeria has a friendly, casual atmosphere and a menu of affordable American fare, including sandwiches, salads, pastas and, of course, delicious pizza. There is also a game room filled with arcade games that the little ones (and the young at heart) will enjoy.

On game days, the 106-inch projector screen makes Café 1626 a great place to cheer on your favorite teams, while the large salad bar and pizza bar create affordable lunch options for those who work nearby. If you prefer to order out instead of dining in, Café 1626 also offers convenient delivery that’s perfect for your next movie night at home.

Café 1626 is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Café 1626
11600 Manchaca Road
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 440-1626
www.cafe1626.com

Ng BMT: Banh Mi and More in Austin

Although its name sounds like a secret code that only Austin locals understand, Ng BMT is actually a Vietnamese sandwich spot located within the Hong Kong Supermarket. This unique sandwich cafe-meets-bakery serves traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches on fresh-baked baguettes.

Each banh mi is available with your choice of peppered shrimp, tofu, pork, or other meats to accommodate both meat eaters and vegetarian guests. Diners new to the banh mi might enjoy the pork banh mi, which sandwiches slices of marinated pork within a warm baguette with creamy mayo, pickled carrots, cilantro, and, for a little spicy kick, jalapeno peppers! Counter the heat with the chilled sweet tofu dessert.

Ng BMT is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Regulars note that the prices at Ng BMT are easy on the wallet, so you can grab a cheap lunch that’s bit out of the ordinary.

Ng BMT
8557 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 931-1088
www.ngbmt.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ng-bmt-austin

Verde’s Mexican Parrilla: Try the Pollo Palomino

A funky mix of exposed brick and polished wood creates an industrial aesthetic at Verde's Mexican Parrilla. It's certainly not what you'd expect of a standard Mexican restaurant, but it works well with the chefs' gourmet take on classic south-of-the-border eats. In addition to quesadillas and tacos, the kitchen team crafts upscale fare from fresh ingredients, worthy of a fine dining establishment (despite Verde's relatively laid-back vibe).

Regulars highly recommend the signature bone-in pork chop. It's equal parts sweet and spicy thanks to a honey-chipotle glaze on top. The pollo palomino, another house specialty, also impresses patrons. It showcases a tender breast of grilled chicken smothered with gooey cheese, poblano peppers, and a creamy poblano sauce. Pair your main with a side such as cilantro-lime rice, roasted corn and chipotle aioli, or poblano cream mashed potatoes.

Verde's Mexican Parrilla
2200 Interstate 35 Frontage Road
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 255-6587
www.verdesmexicanrr.com
www.yelp.com/biz/verdes-mexican-parrilla-round-rock

Try Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar for All Your Seafood Favorites

Whether you want to grab a quick bite on the go or relax with friends to watch the game, Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar is a popular choice in Austin. This eatery offers all the Cajun cuisine classics you'd expect, including a spicy gumbo, jambalaya filled with shrimp and sausage, and crawfish etouffee.

In fact, it's crawfish in any form that's the main draw for this place. Yelp reviewers report traveling for miles to feast on the Crawfish Shack's crawfish, which is best simply ordered by the pound, hot from the pot. Choose a few add-in extras, like corn, potato, and fried oysters for a truly decadent meal. Whatever you order, don’t forget to ask for the restaurant's signature moist towelettes to clean up your fingertips after you're finished eating!

The restaurant itself is clean, with brightly colored walls and offbeat decorations, like fishing nets draped here and there. There's even free Wi-Fi in case you've got a few emails to answer while waiting for your meal.

Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar
2013 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 252-7556
www.crawfishshacktx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/crawfish-shack-and-oyster-bar-austin

The Blind Squirrel Makes a Mean (Gourmet) Sandwich

"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while." So goes the adage upon which The Blind Squirrel's founders built their trendy sandwich shop. That's not to say the eatery's popularity stems from sheer luck, but rather that some of its successes could be due to a lucky break—meaning its owners never let themselves get comfortable. They constantly step up their sandwich game, ensuring that The Blind Squirrel stays way ahead of the competition. Hence the gourmet ingredients that fill its gourmet sandwiches.

Meats roasted, grilled, or smoked in-house; sauces and soups crafted from scratch; sides made fresh right in the kitchen. These are the components that create a well-rounded meal at The Blind Squirrel, typically with a sandwich as the focal point. The Godfather reigns as the most popular sammy, stuffed with NY strip steak, crimini mushrooms, and slices of sweet onion, plus fresh mozzarella, roasted garlic aioli, and garlic butter sauce. The Quacker is a close second, however, with its tea-smoked pulled duck, carrots and daikon, Napa cabbage, red onion, and hoison sauce. It's served stuffed inside a roti taco shell topped with duck cracklings.

The Blind Squirrel
1105 S. Mays Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 244-6888
blindsquirrelsandwiches.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-blind-squirrel-round-rock

Troy Restaurant: Don’t Hum-Miss Out on This Mediterranean Eatery

The delicious combination of Turkish and Mediterranean fare is a treat that you won’t find just anywhere, which is exactly what makes Troy Restaurant such a gem in North Austin. Its bright red walls and modern decor create a unique backdrop for your traditional Mediterranean meal, but the long, shared tables and natural light make the entire experience feel friendly and relaxing.

Troy Restaurant’s sampler plates are arguably the best way to get a true feel for the menu, as they include an assortment of meats, rice, and salad, as well as unlimited tea and an authentic Turkish dessert at the end of the meal. Made-from-scratch hummus and Turkish coffee are made true to Turkish tradition, and the prices are affordable, as well.

Stop by for the lively Thursday night karaoke or a quiet weekend lunch and you’ll likely see why so many locals love Troy!

Troy Restaurant
8105 Mesa Drive
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 897-2860
www.facebook.com/troy.restaurantaustin
www.yelp.com/biz/troy-austin

An Authentic Mexican Panaderia: Juarez Restaurant & Bakery

Serving “home-style” Mexican cuisine, Juarez Restaurant & Bakery first got its start as a bakery serving Mexican pastries. The bakery is still in full operation, and everything in the bakery and restaurant is made from scratch.

Breakfast is served until noon, with the menu centering around egg dishes served with beans and potatoes. The lunch and dinner menus list authentic Mexican fare favorites like chips and guacamole, chicken flautas, fajitas, tacos, and chimichangas. Try the chicken enchiladas in green sauce or the chiles relleno, both favorites of Yelp reviewers. Don't skip a pass by the bakery case, which houses a tempting array of Mexican sweet breads.

Juarez Restaurant & Bakery is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Juarez Restaurant & Bakery
1701 S. Mays
Round Rock, TX 78664
512-255-6262
www.juarezrestaurantbakery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/juarez-mexican-bakery-round-rock

Cafe Java: Your Neighborhood Bistro

Delicious breakfast fare meets quality coffee at Cafe Java in Austin. Reviewers on Yelp may not agree about much, but they do think the coffee at this shop is excellent. Brunch is the best thing on the menu, according to customers, so be sure to try some pancakes or an omelet with a side of hashbrowns.

Breakfast is often a busy time at Java, so expect a bit of a wait before you order is served. Reviewers say the wait is worth the tasty reward, however! The migas (scrambled eggs and corn chips with your choice of toppings) come with high praise. As one reviewer put it, “If you're looking for a place that seems like Grandma is in the back cooking your breakfast, you've found it.”

Cafe Java is open seven days a week.

Cafe Java
2051 Gattis School Road
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 238-0700
cafejavaroundrock.com
yelp.com/biz/cafe-java-round-rock

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