Shake Shack Makes its Debut in Austin!

Shake Shack started off as a small cart that served burgers and shakes in New York City, but it's expanded far beyond The Big Apple. People on the East Coast can’t get enough of these eclectic burgers and shakes, and now Austin residents can fall under the spell of Shake Shack's tasty treats.

Austin was lucky enough to be the recipient of Texas’ first Shake Shack, and Lamar Union residents will be happy to know that its newest location is right in the same building. Be sure to true their Lockhart Link burger, it’s exclusive to the Austin location! Fans of Shake Shack also recommend the crinkle fries (the crinkle cheese fries are particularly delicious!) It's possible you might not have room for a shake once you've had a burger and fries, but eaters recommend getting one to go to enjoy later.

Shake Shack
1100 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 717-0430
www.shakeshack.com/location/south-lamar-austin
www.yelp.com/biz/shake-shack-austin

Honor the Austin Food Scene at Stella San Jac!

You’ve heard of contemporary American cuisine, and may have even dined at an American fusion restaurant, but have you eaten at a place that serves Austin-American food?

Stella San Jac opened a few weeks ago inside the Westin hotel, just two miles away from Lamar Union, and the menu honors the city’s unique culinary scene. Reviewers have described this chic restaurant as having a straightforward approach to Southern food, with standouts such as deviled eggs with sausage, crispy Brussels sprouts, crab cakes, fried avocado salad, and s'mores fondue for dessert. You won’t find any fusion dishes or “______-style takes” on your favorite foods at Stella Jan Jac, just good old fashioned Austin cuisine. The open kitchen, inspired menu, and live music are sure to make this restaurant a must dine for Austin foodies.

Stella San Jac
310 E. 5th St.
Austin TX 78701
(512) 391-2333
www.stellasanjac.com
www.yelp.com/biz/stella-san-jac-austin-2

Odd Duck: A Top Choice For Brunch in Austin

Winning rave reviews for its superb cuisine, especially its to-die-for brunch, and only about 400 feet from Lamar Union, Odd Duck has made a splash in the Austin culinary scene. It started back in December 2009, when owners and chefs Bryce and Dylan Gilmore turned a trailer they dubbed Odd Duck into a go-to restaurant for locally-sourced, delicious cuisine.

The runaway success of their trailer restaurant led them to built a brick-and-mortar location of Odd Duck on the same spot in 2013, and now Odd Duck is a brunch destination restaurant. The menus change frequently due to the in-season only ingredients, but some recent brunch choices include the crushed duck egg with jalapeno, togarashi mayo, and fried okra, and the creme brulee doughnut with pear and maple custard. The service is said to be wonderful and creates a relaxed feel. Reservations are recommended for this must-try eatery.

Odd Duck
1201 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 433-6521
oddduckaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/odd-duck-austin-2

The Golden Goose: A Fresh New Face in the Austin Cocktail Scene

Taking up residence in the former space of The Horseshoe Lounge, The Golden Goose is a brand new, laid-back spot with a lot of promise. The large bar is well-stocked with everything you could imagine for cocktails. No beers are on tap yet, but bartenders can offer a wide variety of bottles and cans.

The Golden Goose has ample seating at tables, comfy couches, and benches. The decor is a blend of dive bar and high-class lounge that really works, according to those who've visited. A shuffleboard table and plenty of TVs make it a great place for watching a game and hanging out. It also has a small stage that may be used for performances in the future. Despite being in the soft opening stages and still hiring, the staffers are efficient and friendly. A promising start for a bar just a half mile from Lamar Union, The Golden Goose is worth checking out!

The Golden Goose
2034 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
www.yelp.com/biz/the-golden-goose-austin

Juliet: A New Spot for Italian Dining in Austin!

There’s nothing like having authentic Italian cuisine, but that can be hard to find living so far away from Italy. Mastering all of the distinct tastes and recipes can difficult for even the most skilled cooks, but luckily all of that comes naturally to the chefs at the newly opened Juliet in Austin.

Juliet is only a half-mile away from Lamar Union, so you won't have to travel to Rome for a real Italian meal. Juliet opened in late June, and it's already creating a lot of buzz on the local dining scene. The menu puts a refined fine-dining spin on rustic Italian dishes, which in turn gives eaters a truly memorable meal.

This is the ideal place to go on a warm Austin night. Juliet has a sprawling outdoor dining area surrounded with beautiful greenery. Yelpers suggest making reservations, especially for weekend nights.

Juliet
1500 Barton Springs
Austin TX, 78704
(512) 479-1800
www.yelp.com/biz/juliet-austin

Taste the Famous Kimchi Fries at Chi’lantro!

From food truck to restaurant, Chi’lantro is open just down the street from Lamar Union. The Korean barbecue-inspired eatery is a casual spot for interesting takes on barbecue classics.

Try the rice bowl topped with kimchi or the super-popular kimchi fries — french fries with meat or tofu, cheese, onion, cilantro, caramelized kimchi, and many more delicious ingredients. Chi’lantro is also known for its K-Pops, or Korean-fried chicken wings topped with your choice of sauce. The bar serves up beer and wine to accompany the food. Many of the items on the menu are staples when visiting the food truck, like the fries, but a number of items have been added now that the brick-and-mortar eatery is open.

The South Lamar location is one of two outposts in Austin for the Korean eatery. The success of Chi’lantro is evident, as the eatery has even held its own on Eater Austin’s list of the hottest restaurants in the city last month!

Chi'lantro
1509 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
512-428-5269
www.chilantrobbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chilantro-austin-3

Cantine: A New Spot for Modern Italian Cuisine in Austin!

Cantine is a bar and restaurant that aims to elevate Italian cuisine in Austin. Having opened in May in the same building as Lamar Union, Cantine offers brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks, making it a great place to stop for a bite at almost any time.

Appetizers like the already-beloved fried goat cheese and the blistered shishito peppers are a nice start to a dinner or a great accompaniment for drinks. The noodles for the pasta are handmade in-house, making a delicious base for a meal. Portions are quite generous and everything is beautifully plated, according to Yelpers. Cantine offers a wide selection of wines, as well as specially-crafted cocktails and craft beer. The soft-serve affogato would make a wonderful after-dinner treat for espresso lovers. The decor is modern and streamlined with a few whimsical touches, giving Cantine the perfect ambiance for a late-night date or get-together with friends.

Cantine
1100 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 628-0348
cantineaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cantine-italian-cafe-and-bar-austin

See if You Agree With the Rave Reviews by Dining at Vox Table, a Hot New Restaurant in Austin!

Arguably the hottest new restaurant in Austin is Vox Table, and — lucky for you — it’s right outside your door in the Lamar Union complex. It opened at the end of April and it’s been collecting rave reviews from diners as well as accolades from local publications for its small plate, farm-to-fork concept and its inventive cocktail menu.

Given that it employs the small plate concept, you’ll order a bunch of plates and share with your dining companions. By far the most popular plate here is the smoked hamachi pipette, consisting of tomato raisins, pickled cucumber, thai chili, and coconut soy vinaigrette, which diners says is “to die for.” The calamari noodles is another home run — roasted corn, smoked tomatoes, Spanish chorizo, chili oil, and corn nuts, as is the glazed cabrito, a delicious mix of creamy rice, fava beans, pea tendrils, charred vine ripe tomatoes. Be sure to make a reservation for Vox Table, but if you don’t, you might be able to get a table if your party is small.

Vox Table
1100 S. Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 375-4869
voxtableaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/vox-table-austin

Cantine Italian Cafe and Bar: A New Contemporary Italian Spot in the Neighborhood

Fresh, whole wheat pasta. Wines from around the world. Crispy, thin-crust pizzas. These are the elements that converge to make Cantine Italian Cafe and Bar a buzzed-about new restaurant in Austin, and it's a mere 60-second trip from Lamar Union. It just debuted in the space where Fino restaurant once dished out Spanish tapas, and it's taken a new approach to cuisine. Now instead of Spanish fare, the eatery at 1100 South Lamar crafts Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Reserve a table online to sample some of the freshly made pasta or golden-brown pizzas on the menu at Cantine Italian Cafe and Bar. If you opt for the pizza, order the Verde with spinach, zucchini, and ample amounts of cheese. Other more decadent meal options range from bone-in lamb over a bed of asparagus to seafood dishes. Don't forget to order a cocktail or glass of wine as well, since Cantine's list of libations is as impressive as the creative Italian cuisine.

Cantine Italian Cafe and Bar
1100 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
cantineaustin.com
www.facebook.com/cantineaustin

Gravy: Biscuits and Gravy near Lamar Union in Austin

Gravy's an Austin food truck with a pretty specific focus: biscuits and gravy. The Southern food treat is tough to do well, but Gravy regulars suggest that the truck offers some of the best biscuits and gravy you'll find in Austin.

This is rich, hearty food, and menu items with names like "Get Your Lard On" offer a hint of what you'll find to eat here. That dish, for instance, features biscuits and gravy complemented by pulled pork, bacon crumbles, and fried egg. "The Deep South" dish is a biscuit topped with half a pound of pork sausage gravy. A kids menu offers smaller but similarly hearty portions, and Gravy's menu also has French toast stuffed with cream cheese and a large breakfast taco with your choice of meat.

Gravy's part of a food truck park, so if you visit you'll find some areas for sitting outdoors and enjoying the Austin weather. If you'd like to check it out, Gravy's open Tuesday through Fridays from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Visit the Gravy website to find out more!

Gravy
601 W. Live Oak Street
Austin, TX 78704
www.gravyatx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/gravy-austin

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