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

Jack Allen’s Kitchen: Fresh, Local Texan Cuisine

Refined Southern fare flavors combine with Southwestern spices to create delicious and memorable meals at Jack Allen’s Kitchen. Nearly all of the ingredients here are fresh and locally sourced, making the Texas dining experience even more authentic.

Each meal begins with a plate of pimento cheese and flatbread crackers, and seasonal cocktails are available, along with wines and beer. Brunch comes highly recommended by Yelp reviewers. Try the Baja fish tacos or the green chile pork tacos, both served with corn tortillas, black beans, rice, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Jack’s is open daily. Do make a reservation or arrive early; otherwise, you might need to wait to be seated.

Jack Allen’s Kitchen
7720 Highway 71 West
Austin, TX 78735
512-852-8558
www.jackallenskitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jack-allens-kitchen-round-rock

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

Hill-Berts Burgers: Home to Some of Austin’s Best Burgers and Wings

Since 1973, the Maldonaldo family has been building upon a burger legacy in the Austin area, and their dedication to creating fast food with great quality and fair prices has made their restaurant very popular.

Here, award-winning burgers are made to order from excellent ingredients, and locals rave about the food. Preparation is simple: Juicy patties are nestled atop grilled buns with lettuce, tomato, and onions, but simplicity is a virtue when it comes to burgers. Thick-cut french fries are perfectly prepared, as well. If you feel like branching out, the fried chicken sandwich is out of this world, and Hill-Berts is home to some of the best hot wings in town. Save some room for a “butter-fat” milkshakes, made with real ice cream.

The original Hill-Berts location on Burnet Road is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Delivery is offered.

Hill-Berts Burgers
7211 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-2317
www.hill-bertsburgers.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hill-berts-burgers-austin-3

Have You Tried the ‘Touchdown Tim’ Sandwich at Pita Fusion?

Previously known as The Pita Factory, Pita Fusion is owned by three brothers whose goal is to combine pita bread with fantastic American sandwiches. The restaurant is a mixture of several recipes, cooking styles, and dishes that come together for a unique yet delicious experience. While customers can create their own dishes, notable menu options include the Touchdown Tim, a mixture of gyro and chicken, and vegetarian options such as the Avocado Pita.

The space itself is fun and vibrant. The brightly colored walls and friendly owners create such a friendly, comforting ambiance that it’s no wonder why this restaurant is a local favorite. It's important to note that lunchtime can become quite busy.

Pita Fusion
661 Louis Henna Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 388-7482
www.pitafusion.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pita-fusion-round-rock

Slurp a Bowl of Authentic Vietnamese Pho at Pho Viet

Many say that Pho Viet serves some of the most authentic Vietnamese food in the greater Austin area. The eatery's lengthy menu lists traditional favorites such as eggrolls, noodle soup, and broccoli and beef, as well as vermicelli bowls and a combination clay pot consisting of shrimp and chicken.

Pho Viet is located inside a large strip shopping mall, so the outdoor appeal may be lacking. However, the service is cordial and friendly, and the atmosphere is much quieter than what one would expect from such a popular restaurant. The colored walls, dark wood tables and chairs, and drop lighting help to add to the comforting feel of the restaurant, making it an ideal restaurant for both families and those celebrating a special event.

Pho Viet
603 Louis Henna Boulevard

Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-7800
www.yelp.com/biz/pho-viet-round-rock

The League Kitchen & Tavern: Comfort Food for the Sophisticated Palate

The League Kitchen & Tavern offers a unique dining experience. The dining room at this Austin hotspot is decorated to evoke the feeling of a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and once you're seated you just might find yourself glancing over your shoulder as you order a cocktail in your historic-feeling surroundings.

The food at The League Kitchen & Tavern, however is, thoroughly modern. The kitchen is focused on elevating familiar comfort foods, and regulars say the hand-cut truffle fries served with garlic aioli shouldn't be missed, while the bacon wrapped shrimp atop a smoked gouda grit cake makes a tasty start to any meal. The spinach and kale salad mixes savory and sweet with a combination of shaved cheddar, tart granny Smith apples, candied walnuts, and red onions, and hearty eaters will enjoy the chicken fried pork chop accompanied by mashed potatoes and a creamy jalapeno gravy.

Whatever you decide to order, Yelp reviewers say you're sure to enjoy the restaurant’s innovative preparations.

The League Kitchen & Tavern
1310 Ranch Road 620 South
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-3279
leaguelakeway.com/page/home
www.yelp.com/biz/the-league-kitchen-and-tavern-lakeway

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

Iron Cactus: An Austin Classic at the Hill Country Galleria

A branch of the popular restaurant on Austin’s Sixth Street, Iron Cactus brings authentic Mexican cuisine to the Hill Country Galleria. There are few sit-down dining options at the mall, so it’s a welcome stop for hungry diners who want to fill up on traditional Tex-Mex favorites and let off steam at the tequila bar. There are over three-dozen varieties on the menu and they make for big, strong, memorable margaritas.

Cocktails get the most praise, but regulars call the food decent and the Sunday brunch (10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $14.99 for adults, $8.99 kids 5-12) a tasty, affordable treat in an area with few options.

Visit the Iron Cactus website for hours, menus, specials, and more information!

Iron Cactus
13420 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-7636
www.ironcactus.com
www.yelp.com/biz/iron-cactus-bee-cave

Mimi’s Café: French-Inspired Bites at Hill Country Galleria

“What makes a perfect bite?”

Mimi’s answer is a bit sweet, a bit savory — a surprising combination of tastes and textures. No one does this better than the French, of course, so Mimi’s brings you a variety of French-inspired soups, sandwiches, and snacks. From goat cheese to orange zest, ingredients are sourced from France where possible, sauces are made in small batches, and chefs are trained in traditional techniques.

Locals like much of the retooled menu, singling out the croissants, pies, and desserts for special praise. Service is decent, and while there’s something for everyone here, diners point out that dishes are variably successful depending on your taste. There’s a full bar and reservations are recommended for nights and weekends.

Check Mimi’s site for menu details and location information.

Mimi’s Café
12316 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-9731
http://www.mimiscafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mimis-cafe-bee-cave

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