Experience More Than Just A Meal At Wink in Austin

“Dining at Wink is more than just a meal, it’s an experience.” That’s how a guest describes her time at this intimate, cordial dining venue in Austin. When you walk through the door at Wink, you instantly feel welcome. Wink only uses the freshest food and ingredients from local and national farms and purveyors. Therefore, the menu at Wink is updated on a daily basis.

The employees at Wink know their stuff, and they're very knowledgeable about the food they prepare and the wines that go with them. There's no pretense here, however. Instead, the staff wants every guest to explore and try new things and ask questions so they can have the best experience possible.

Wink is open Mondays through Saturdays. Because of the restaurant's attentive staff and popular, fresh menus, it is strongly recommended that you reserve a table in advance.

Wink
1014 North Lamar Blvd
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 482-8868
www.winkrestaurant.com

Zed’s Restaurant: Enjoy Music With Your Meal

Austin is known for its numerous live music venues, and at places like Zed’s Restaurant, you can even enjoy the eclectic sounds of live music over a gourmet meal. This combination restaurant and venue has a modern, casual style and a scenic location that’s a bit off the beaten path, but its sunny patio areas and warm wooden interior make it feel like truly hip hotspot.

On Sundays, Zed’s Restaurant hosts a jazz brunch with the lively sounds of live jazz music accompanying egg dishes and morning libations, while dinner on the weekends usually features some of the best in local musical talent. With a menu filled with dishes like Ahi tuna steaks, pancetta cheeseburgers, and petite filets, a decadent dessert menu, and a long wine and beer list, Zed’s Restaurant is the perfect place to visit for an evening (or afternoon) out in Austin.

Zed’s Restaurant
501 Canyon Ridge Drive
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 339-9337
www.zeds.bz
www.yelp.com/biz/zeds-austin-5

Follow Up Your Sandwich With Shaved Ice at the Sweet-n-Cheezy Food Truck

When that lunchtime hunger strikes during the workday in Round Rock, head over to the Sweet-n-Cheezy food truck for the perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors. The recognizable orange truck serves patty melt-style sandwiches with names like The Hungry Hippo and the Razorback, and they’re all piled high with premium meats and deliciously melted cheeses between two slices of thick, grilled Texas toast.

The signature sandwich is the namesake Sweet-n-Cheezy, a unique combination of fresh strawberries with melted brie cheese and raspberry jam on pistachio cranberry bread. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more traditional, you’ll also find perfectly grilled burgers that taste even better when paired with the truck’s soft, fluffy shaved ice.

The Sweet-n-Cheezy truck is closed from Monday to Wednesday.

Sweet-n-Cheezy
5430 US Highway 79
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 887-4540
www.sweet-n-cheezy.com

Taste Tom Kha Soup at Austin’s Thai Spoon

A chic, modern ambiance, a fresh, flavorful menu of regional dishes, and friendly, attentive service are the code words at Thai Spoon. Start you meal with a Thai iced tea, beer,or a glass of wine and a yummy appetizer like spring rolls with plum sauce, fried tofu with spicy peanut sauce, or chicken pot stickers with sweet dipping sauce.

Soothing soups are a hallmark of Thai fare, so be sure to order the Tom Kha with coconut milk, chicken, mushrooms, and scallion. Pair your soup with the papaya salad with shredded green papaya, carrots, peanuts, and sweet and tangy sauce. Entrees include Seafood Delight with shrimp, squid, mussels, and scallops; Roasted Duck in spicy basil sauce; and Massamun Curry with sauteed meat, peanuts, onions, potatoes, and carrots in a mild brown curry sauce.

Thai Spoon is open daily.

Thai Spoon
3720 Gattis School Road
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 733-2233
www.thaispoonrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/thai-spoon-round-rock

NeWorlDeli: Taste the Art of the Deli Sandwich

Everyone loves a good sandwich, and the folks behind Austin’s NeWorlDeli believe that a truly great sandwich doesn’t need to rely on trendy presentation or fancy fixings. This casual deli serves traditional sandwiches piled high with simple ingredients such as roasted meats, fresh cheeses, and freshly baked breads. Regulars love NeWorlDeli’s French Dip, Reuben, and the Avocado Veggie sandwiches, the latter being entirely meatless for vegetarian customers. The menu also comprises a variety of burgers and fresh salads, and the New York cheesecake provides a sweet finish to any meal.

The restaurant’s interior is beautifully decorated with warm shades of gold, blue, and red, and artwork lines every wall. Comfortable tables are comfortable for lunch with a friend, and the spacious counter makes it easy to order. With a cooler full of beers and wines and live music every Monday night, NeWorlDeli is a sandwich shop with with a whole lot more to offer.

NeWorlDeli
4101 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-7170
www.neworldeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/neworldeli-austin

Sweet-n-Cheezy: More Than Just a Food Truck

If you’re in the mood for a fresh, unique menu that is nothing short of imaginative, consider eating at Sweet-n-Cheezy. What makes Sweet-n-Cheezy interesting is the fact that this family-owned and -operated establishment is actually a food truck that serves everything from shaved ice to cheese-filled sandwiches. Local favorites include the Melted Margarita sandwich and The Gator sandwich, the latter being an unexpected crowd pleaser of havarti cheese, turkey, bacon, avocado, and orange marmalade on multigrain bread.

Since Sweet-n-Cheezy is a food truck, seating at this particular location is relatively minimal. A picnic table is provided for those who wish to eat near the stand, but most guests grab-and-go, enjoying their meals as they continue to their destinations. On the other hand, if you know in advance that you’d like to rest and are worried about the lack of seating, consider bringing your own picnic or lawn chairs.

Sweet-n-Cheezy
5430 U.S. Highway 79
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 887-4540
www.sweet-n-cheezy.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-n-cheezy-round-rock-2

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

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