Hey!… You Gonna Eat or What?: Try the Monte Cristo

The Hey!… You Gonna Eat or What? food truck is one of Austin’s most popular, and that’s saying a lot for a city that almost single-handedly made the food truck en vogue.

This mobile restaurant exclusively serves creative, exceptionally hearty sandwiches and fresh, homemade chips to go with them. Some of the most popular items are the Monte Cristo, which is beer-battered in Shiner Bock beer and topped with ham, turkey, and scratch-made jelly, and the deliciously gooey Smoked Ham and Brie. All of these sandwiches are topped with generous smears of homemade condiments, like jalapeno jelly or honey mustard, and the thick bread is always fresh and delicious. In addition to a menu of constant favorites, the truck offers daily specials that are announced via social media pages in the morning.

Hey!… You Gonna Eat or What? is a food truck, but it has a stationary location on Barton Springs Road in South Austin.

Hey!… You Gonna Eat or What?
1720 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 296-3547
www.heyyougonnaeatorwhat.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hey-you-gonna-eat-or-what-austin

Get a Taste of Texas From a Food Truck at Brown’s Bar-B-Que

At Brown’s Bar-B-Que in South Austin, true Texan barbecue is served every day from a tiny food truck bursting with delicious aromas. Stop in for a casual lunch and order from the decadent menu of slow-smoked brisket, ribs and sausage, and don’t forget to pile on the Southern sides, like homemade macaroni and cheese and cabbage and onions. Just about any of the meats can be made into a sandwich if you’re looking for a hands-free meal, and if you’re looking for a great deal on a lot of food, the three meat platter comes with two sides for one low price.

Once you place your order, grab a seat at one of Brown’s Bar-B-Que’s wooden picnic tables in the covered patio area and dig in to some real Texan cuisine.

Brown’s Bar-B-Que is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Brown’s Bar-B-Que
1901 S Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 517-8520
www.yelp.com/biz/browns-bar-b-que-austin

No Austin Restaurant Tour is Complete Without a Visit to Uchi

Austin has long since become a foodie’s playground, and despite the city's laundry list of so-called "must-try" restaurants, few have quite as much buzz as Uchi. This popular sushi spot is upscale without being pretentious, which makes it the perfect place to go for a first date, a family dinner, a business meeting, and everything in between.

The breezy outdoor patio makes the perfect place to relax while waiting for a table inside the warm, minimal dining room, which is always a great place to see and be seen in Austin. Once you find your table, you’ll face the difficult task of choosing from the delicious selection of baby octopus pops, salmon toro, seared Wagyu beef and foie gras sushi rolls, among many other creative dishes.

There is also a well-regarded selection of wine, beer, and sake. Regulars recommend arriving a bit before the restaurant opens to avoid a long wait.

Uchi
801 S Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-4808
www.uchiaustin.com

Super Bowl Restaurant: Wok This Way for Great Chinese Food Takeout

If you’re craving Chinese food in the South Austin area but just don’t feel like leaving the house, ordering delivery from Super Bowl Restaurant is a great option. This Chinese takeout spot offers all of your favorite dishes ranging from egg rolls and steamed dumplings to lo mein and Kung Pao chicken, as well as a wide variety of other specialties made true to tradition.

Flavorful dishes like Mongolian beef and General Tso’s chicken will satisfy your craving for something spicy, while vegetable fried rice, sesame tofu, and other veggie meals are made entirely without meat for vegetarian diners. The prices at Super Bowl are very reasonable for the large portions, and the small delivery fee is more than worth it for the convenience of having hot, tasty food delivered right to your door.

To order from Super Bowl Restaurant, fill out the form on the restaurant’s website.

Super Bowl Restaurant
719 W William Cannon Drive
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 445-3399
www.beyondmenu.com/21269/austin/super-bowl-austin-78745.aspx

Customize Your Own Asian Stir-Fry Bowl at Fire Bowl Cafe

While Chinese takeout isn’t usually considered the healthy mealtime option, at Fire Bowl Cafe in South Austin, you’ll find a fresh, healthy take on casual Asian fare. This unique and convenient eatery offers a wide variety of custom options on many different types of stir fry bowls, and everything is prepared using high-quality ingredients completely free of MSG and trans fats.

Begin by choosing your main ingredient from a long list of meats, seafood and tofu, and then add in fresh veggies and savory sauces, like Thai pepper and Kung Pao. There are both noodle and rice bowls to choose from depending on your current cravings, as well as soups and appetizers to pair with your meal.

With hearty portions at affordable prices and even online ordering, Fire Bowl Cafe makes a great choice for a quick lunch or casual dinner.

Fire Bowl Cafe
5601 Brodie Lane
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 899-8998
www.firebowlcafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fire-bowl-cafe-austin-3

Porter Ale House and Gastropub: Contemporary Food and Drink for the Everyman

Porter Ale House co-owners Neil, Joe, and Trevor share many common interests, namely good food, good drink, and good music. In fact, Johnny Cash's ditty Hey Porter inspired the name for their Austin eatery. The moniker's meaning is two-fold, though, because it also obviously refers to porter ale—historically the drink of choice for the English working class. The trio attempts to create a comfortable atmosphere that caters to the everyman, the type of folks who would drink porter, at their gastropub. If its widespread popularity is any indication, they've succeeded.

Of course, customers don't come just for the atmosphere. The food and drink also play a major role in Porter Ale House's constant crowds. The beer cheese fondue, in particular, earns raves. It comes with apples and caraway pretzels for dipping. You can also start your meal with oxtail croquettes or a kale salad with beer-battered anchovies on top. When it comes to the main course, try the bangers and mash, curry-fried chicken thighs, or porter burger topped with triple cream brie. Don't forget to sample one of the many beers and cocktails on the drink list.

Porter Ale House and Gastropub
3715 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-6299
porteraustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/porter-ale-house-and-gastropub-austin

Get an Education in Thai Sauces at Sway

Sway's Jungle curry is fittingly named, given that it exudes the heat of the jungle. That's thanks to its red chili and peppercorn, which spice up the Texas wagyu beef, eggplant, baby corn, and coconut cream base. This careful balance of spicy tones with other complex flavors results in a dish that has won rave reviews from more than 100 Yelpers. This should come as no surprise to anyone who's ever dined at Sway. The eatery is notorious for recreating classic Thai dishes in a way that delights taste buds.

The Son in Law entree also earns high marks from regulars, and not just for its creative name. This braised pork dish comes with a crispy, farm-fresh egg and soy smothered in a classic Thai sauce known as nahm prik pla. If you prefer beef to pork, try the equally popular Tiger Cry dish instead. It showcases chargrilled hanger steak seasoned with Thai basil, red chili nahm jim, fresno chile, and served with toasted rice and spicy nahm prik pao jam.

Sway
1417 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-1999
swayaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sway-austin

Sip Wine, Share Small Plates at Winebelly Tapas Restaurant

The tapas tradition has become a popular choice for new restaurants in the United States. Eschewing the traditional meal structure of appetizer, entree, dessert in favor of a number of small plates meant to be shared among the table, it’s a great way to sample lots of different dishes with friends at a good price. One of the best places in Austin for tapas is Winebelly, a hip little bistro that has built a devoted clientele of regular diners.

This place is very popular, and it's often busy. Some of the more popular plates include the awesome parmesan truffle fries, which are well-regarded among regulars, and the cured white anchovies with vinegar and salsa verde. Larger offerings that win raves include the delectable beef carpaccio with arugula and hearts of palm, as well as the steamed mussels with sofrito and bacon in a cider broth.

Winebelly
519 W. Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 487-1569
www.austinwinebelly.com
www.yelp.com/biz/winebelly-austin

Henri’s: Take a Taste of Europe’s Finest Delicacies

Walking into Henri’s feels like entering a quaint European bistro, from the white stone fixtures to the wall of wines and cheeses.

The charming cheese shop stocks a thoughtful selection of cheese and charcuterie, as well as simple sandwiches and salads that are well-suited to an elegant, casual lunch. Later in the evening the shop serves wine, cheese, and charcuterie pairings only, an ideal arrangement when you simply want a nightcap or you’re waiting for a table at one of the upscale restaurants nearby. Each cheese plate comes with a generous assortment of lovely preserves, freshly baked bread, and nuts that complement the cheese selection. For dessert, Henri’s serves French-inspired baked goods such as decadent chocolate cake.

Henri’s serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The retail store is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Sunday lunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.

Henri’s
2026 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-3373
www.henrischeese.com
www.yelp.com/biz/henris-austin

Polvos Mexican Restaurant: Always Take a Trip to the Salsa Bar

Polvos Mexican Restaurant's chefs take a Texan approach to Mexican cuisine. They master the Tex-Mex balance, especially when it comes to patrons' favorite dish, the fish fajitas. With garlicky grilled shrimp or fish at the center, these fajitas feature a colorful medley of veggies. Build your own creation with the rice, beans, and corn or flour tortillas that accompany the meat and veggies.

Flautas are another perennial favorite at Polvos. Order yours with potatoes, chicken, cheese, beans, or picadillo. The lengthy menu also boasts a slew of other authentic eats, from enchiladas to burritos, but no single entree can upstage Polvos' salsa bar. Chefs stock it with freshly blended salsas throughout the day, and the flavors range from "regular" to "exotic." Smother your fish fajitas with classic tomatillo or chipotle salsa, cover your burrito with mole or chile con queso, or slather your enchiladas with the more adventurous margarita or huasteca salsa.

Polvos Mexican Restaurant
2004 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-5446
www.polvosaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/polvos-mexican-restaurant-austin

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