Enjoy Upscale, Authentic Cajun Fare at Gumbo’s Steak and Seafood

New Orleans is eight hours away. Maybe you’ve been there, maybe not. If there are Cajuns in the audience, we apologize, but a quick primer for the uninitiated: Hurricanes get you a little (ahem) tipsy, “rat toes” are fried jalapenos stuffed with seafood, and gator tail is exactly what it sounds like. Got that?

Gumbo’s brings you upscale Cajun fare in the style of New Orleans legends like Antoine’s or Galatoire’s. All the classics are here: fried crawfish tails, blackened fish, remoulade, etouffee, oysters, fried green tomatoes, and a lobster bisque that puts Easterners to shame. It’s pricey — dinner entrees average $25 — but most locals love it and it beats the long drive. Lunch, brunch, and dinner are available.

Check Gumbo’s website for hours, events, and specials.

Gumbo’s Steak and Seafood
12823 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-2711
www.gumbosbeecave.com
www.yelp.com/biz/gumbos-steak-and-seafood-bee-cave

Taste Curries, ‘Go Green’ at New India Cuisine in Austin

New India Cuisine on South Congress offers up homemade Indian food with an American twist. New India takes pride in using natural ingredients that are free from artificial colorings and MSG. Another bragging point: New India is the only restaurant in America that serves Malvani and Gomantak curries. There are also plenty of vegan and gluten free options, as well as delicious yeast-free naan.

Inside this cozy restaurant, you can select from traditional dishes like the gingery tikka masala or go for a quesadilla made with Indian seasonings. For drinks, New India is now serving craft beers and organic wines. There are also some yogurt based drinks that come in flavors like mango and cumin.

There's plenty of parking, but if you take your bicycle or walk here, the management will give you a dollar off your meal. It's the staff's way of encouraging people to go green.

New India Cuisine
2304 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-9727
www.newindia.us
www.yelp.com/biz/new-india-cuisine-austin

Black Sheep Lodge: A Popular South Austin Bar and Grill

Twenty large-screen HD TVs, pool tables, shuffleboard, darts and free Wi-Fi are a few of the reasons to stop by South Austin's Black Sheep Lodge. A hefty beer selection, both on tap and bottled, plus cocktails and wine are also part of the appeal of this popular sports bar and eatery. When you need a nosh, settle in with some Fried Pickles with ranch dressing, Smoked Chipotle Wings, Beer-Battered Fried Cheese Curds or Chips & Salsa. If your hunger requires something more substantial, order yourself a Black Sheep Burger, a Carnitas Sandwich with slow-roasted pork & coleslaw, a Chile Cheese Dog, or a Portabella Cheesesteak Philly. Sit inside or rustle up a spot outside on their dog-friendly patio and watch the action on South Lamar. Black Sheep Lodge is open every day.

Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-2744
www.blacksheeplodge.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/black-sheep-lodge-austin

Taste Tradition at Bee Cave’s Schmidt Family Barbecue

Schmidt Family Barbecue is built on 75 years of tasty family tradition. The menu consists of straightforward Texas-style barbecue favorites like beef brisket, boneless prime rib, pulled pork, beef ribs, and spare ribs. In addition to the staples, they offer alternative selections like smoked turkey breast and fresh-made jalapeño cheese sausage. Round out your meal with a side of baked beans, potato salad, crisp coleslaw, or mac-n-cheese. If you’re in the mood for a little heat, try their spicy version of mac-n-cheese with ham and jalapeños.

Just a short trip from Lantana Hills Schmidt Family Barbecue is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They also offer catering options for events both big and small. You can even take a style cue from Schmidt Family Barbecue and purchase a hat or a T-shirt.

Schmidt Family Barbecue
12532 FM 2244
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-4060
www.schmidtfamilybarbecue.com/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/schmidt-family-bbq-bee-cave

Maudie’s Hill Country: Authentic Tex-Mex Food Flavor

Over the years, Maudie’s has won awards for its Tex-Mex dishes and fresh-squeezed margaritas. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you can kick-start your day with a Tex-Mex feast. Maudie’s uses ingredients like organic eggs and all-natural sausage so you can fuel your day right. Don’t worry if you have a late-afternoon hankering for huevos rancheros, because Maudie’s serves breakfast all day. For lunch and dinner, expect staples like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and fajitas with a Maudie’s twist.

For its health-conscious customers, Maudie’s offers whole wheat tortillas and a “skinny” menu section with mouth-watering selections like chipotle chicken fajitas and skinny Sheryl’s enchiladas with pulled chicken, tomatillo sauce, grilled zucchini, and rice. Maudie’s also features numerous vegetarian dishes and an entire menu of gluten-free options. On nice nights, guests can enjoy the outdoor patio’s pleasant atmosphere.

Maudie’s Hill Country
12506 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1116
www.maudies.com
www.yelp.com/biz/maudies-restaurant-bee-cave

Explore the Flavors of Authentic Thai Cuisine at Madam Mam’s

Born in Bangkok, Madam Mam learned Royal- and family-style Thai cuisine in her grandmother’s kitchen. She grew up to run restaurants and be a food critic in her native country before coming to Austin in 2001.

Here, she combines family-style cuisine in a slick but comfortable atmosphere, boasting the closest thing to Thai home cooking this side of the Pacific. Ex-pats tend to agree, calling Madam Mam’s a taste of home, with no concessions or compromises for American palates. Natives love it too; they praise the huge menu across the board, saying that the classic noodle dishes and curries give them a new perspective on Thai cooking.

Prices are decent considering the quality and portion size, and there are frequent specials. Take-out is available.

Madam Mam’s
2700 West Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 371-9930
www.madammam.com
www.yelp.com/biz/madam-mams-austin-2

Don’t Miss the Ainsworth at Fricano’s Deli

The Ainsworth doesn't refer to a single sandwich at Fricano's Deli, but rather a concept. It's new each day. That's thanks to the creative sandwich makers at Fricano's who improvise the Ainsworth on a daily basis. Using whatever fresh ingredients they have on-hand that day, they pile a brand new sandwich into existence—maybe one that's never been on the menu before.

So it should come as no surprise that the Ainsworth is a popular item to order when you visit Fricano's Deli, but it's far from your only option. Another customer favorite is the spicy Reuben, a twist on the classic with the addition of pepperoncini peppers, pepperjack cheese, red onion, and "Rocket sauce." No matter which sandwich you choose, you can't go wrong with any of the spreads slathered inside. They range from a garlicky pesto to an Italian olive tapenade to roasted red pepper hummus.

Fricano's Deli
2405 Nueces Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 482-3322
www.fricanosdeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fricanos-deli-austin-15

Expect Local Fare and Craft Beers at Snack Bar

Right off South Congress is Snack Bar, an intimate eatery serving up some delicious organic, local fare. Self-described as "indie", Snack Bar proudly boasts an authentic Austin vibe, from the local food to the Texas craft beers.

Here, meats and eggs are hormone free, humanely treated, and raised on pastures. The menu is healthy and offers plenty of vegan and gluten free options. Try the fried eggs with leek, cabbage, shrimp, and bacon, or go for the bagel topped with salmon, cream cheese, and dill. Other entrees include the avocado quinoa with pineapples and banana peppers, braised lamb with couscous and dates, and the goat tostadas with avocado and pico de gallo.

Wash everything down with local craft beers from Lone Star and Fireman's #4 to Wytchmaker and Scratchin' Hippo. Regulars love the relaxing atmosphere, outdoor fire, and the dog-friendly policy at Snack Bar.

Snack Bar
1224 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-2626
www.snackbaraustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/snack-bar-austin

Santa Catarina: Unique and Delicious Mexican Fare in Austin

Everyone has been to a traditional Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant, few have experienced a place like Santa Catarina – a boutique gourmet Mexican restaurant that prides itself on offering a rare assortment of authentic dishes from the interior. When you pull up to a strip mall you may not believe that you are about to embark on one of the best meals you have had but just keep walking in the door and you will see. The tortillas are made fresh daily in house and where most restaurants offer a chili relleno they go above and beyond to offer multiple options stuffed with local Gulf seafood, corn Mexican truffles and sauteed vegetables. The regulars come here for the food but stay for the fresh specialty drinks made in house from scratch including fresh grapefruit, agave nectar, and homemade sangria, all rich in flavor. This spot is worth the drive for adventurous diners.

Santa Catarina
1310 Ranch Rd 620 S
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 300-0946
www.yelp.com/biz/santa-catarina-restaurant-lakeway

Luke’s Inside Out: Dine Al Fresco at This Upscale Food Truck

In a city well-known for food trucks, Luke’s Inside Out stands out in the crowd. The small, green truck is permanently located next to Gibson Bar, a hip craft beer bar with a young, eclectic crowd.

Luke’s Inside Out serves gourmet, French-inspired sandwiches with truly decadent toppings, including a brisket banh mi, eight-ounce sirloin burger, and Szechuan fried chicken. Luke’s also features a menu of shareables that will hold you over until your sandwich is served. Though these shared plates include your usual salads and fries, the appetizer menu also features fish fingers with sesame slaw, a cheese plate with fresh herbs, and many daily specials.

On Sundays, Luke’s offers an all-you-can-eat brunch for $12 from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. If you’ve never tasted the tater tot casserole or Szechuan chicken and waffles with brie, the Sunday brunch is not to be missed.

Luke’s Inside Out
1109 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 589-8883
www.lukesinsideout.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lukes-inside-out-austin

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