Casa De Luz: Vegetarian and Gluten Free Food

Healthful vegetarian, gluten-free fare is what’s cooking in the kitchen of Case De Luz, a non-profit eatery in South Austin, where a love of fresh, lovingly-prepared food and a community spirit is the credo. Visit and you'll stroll past the garden and into the peaceful ambiance of the dining room. Settle in at one of the community tables and prepare to make your tastbuds happy and your body healthy with one of this restaurant's flavorful meals. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. The price is $7 and includes a set menu of porridge with granola & raisins, soup, leafy greens, mixed vegetables, beans and freshly made tortillas. Lunch and dinner are both $12 and include many of the same items, plus a veggie entrée and a hot whole grain like brown rice, or quinoa. Casa de Luz is also kid-friendly, with a playground to occupy the little ones.

Casa de Luz
1701 Toomey Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-2535
http://www.casadeluz.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-de-luz-austin

Gourdough’s: Delightful Donuts

Ready to fall in love with a big, freshly baked donut heaped with creatively decadent toppings? Head to Gourdough’s, where the motto is, ‘Big. Fat. Donuts.’ Fans flock to the shiny silver aluminum trailer in South Austin to indulge. Maybe that’s because these donuts are handmade, fried fresh to order and served hot. Combine that with creative toppings and fillings, not to mention the fun, funky names, and you’ve got a winning combination. 23 flavors include Cherry Bombs – donut holes topped with glazed cherries, cinnamon sugar & sprinkled with cake mix, Flying Pig – donut topped with bacon & maple syrup icing, Baby Rattler – topped with crumbled fudge Oreos, fudge icing and a gummy rattlesnake, and much much more!

Gourdough's
1503 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-1050
http://www.gourdoughs.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gourdoughs-austin

Curra’s Grill: Mexican Fare in South Austin

Craving Mexican fare in Austin? One top spot might be Curra's Grill. Start off with one of this place's signature drinks like an Avocado Margarita with a creamy blend of that pear-shaped green fruit you don’t normally think of as compatible with tequila. Move on to an appetizer like some crispy Chips & Guacamole, or Chile con Queso – creamy melted cheese with chiles. Follow that up with an entrée like Carne Guisada – flank steak in a rich, tomato, pepper & onion sauce, Chile Colorado – pork simmered in guajillo sauce, or Pollo Chipotle – grilled chicken breast smothered in chipotle sauce, cheese & avocado. Stop in for breakfast for tasty day-starters like Breakfast Tacos and Huevos Rancheros. Curra's Grill is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Curra's Grill
614 E. Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0012
http://www.currasgrill.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/curras-grill-austin

Fair Bean Coffee: An Austin Spot for Great Coffee

‘Drink Coffee Responsibly’ is the motto at Austin's Fair Bean Coffee, where life is about more than just a great cuppa joe. They buy all of their beans from Fair Trade organizations that ensure coffee farmers and workers get a fair price for their product and labor. But you really don’t have to know all that to enjoy a trip to this friendly little java spot and coffee roastery. Just order yourself one of their yummy coffees or an espresso drink and find yourself a comfy spot at a table or on a couch and settle in to relax. Large windows make for a sunny, open ambiance and free Wi-Fi means you can bring your laptop and surf the net or catch up on your email. Food is also on the menu, with some yummy light fare to complement your drink. Fair Bean Coffee is open every day.

Fair Bean Coffee
2210 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
http://www.fairbeancoffee.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fair-bean-coffee-austin

Le Barbecue: A South Austin Barbecue Destination

Described by one fan as "The Mount Olympus of Barbecue" Le Barbecue is South Austin destination for delightful BBQ!

Super-friendly staff, great outdoor seating, live music on weekends and some of the juiciest, most succulent barbeque around, is why people wait in line to chow down here. Brisket, Beef Ribs, Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork, Turkey and House-Made Sausage are what’s cooking, ordered by the pound, as a plate or on a sandwich. A favorite sandwich is the El Sancho with a big pile of pulled pork or chopped brisket, sausage and red onion slaw. Order it ‘loco style’ with all three meats. Yummy sides include Potato Salad, Chipotle Slaw and Pinto Beans.

Le Barbecue is open Wednesdays through Sundays for lunch and dinner.

Le Barbecue
1502 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 605-9696
http://labarbecue.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-barbecue-austin

Lick Ice Creams: Frozen Treats in South Austin

Seeking a sweet, frozen treat in South Austin? One top pick might be Lick Ice Creams. Go there to sample of few of their innovative flavors, before you choose a couple that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Their flavors are based on what’s fresh and local and all of their milk and cream is sourced from nearby dairies. They love to mix tastes in unique ways, combining fruits, herbs and even vegetables in the mix. In summertime you’ll find flavors like Blackberry, Lime & Basil, Mexican Marigold & Blueberry Swirl, Strawberry Basil, Lemon Lavender, and Honeyed Peaches with Rosemary. Year-round flavors include Fresh Mint & Chocolate, Hill Country Honey & Vanilla Bean, Caramel Salt Lick, Goat Cheese, Thyme & Honey and Roasted Beets & Fresh Mint. Open every day.

Lick Ice Creams
2032 S. Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 363-5622
http://www.ilikelick.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lick-ice-creams-austin

Lenoir: Fine Fare in Austin, Texas

This spectacular restaurant is paving the way for a new appreciation of fine cuisine in central Texas, and Austin diners couldn’t be happier. Owners Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher have a combined 25 years in the restaurant and hospitality business, and they’re putting forward some unique concepts at Lenoir. One of the most usual is the Community Supported Restaurant aspect – by purchasing a “membership,” you obtain discounts and other rewards while helping Lenoir grow. The menu is served prix fixe style, with each course having three or four options. It is a great way to sample the exciting seasonal offerings, with past dishes including a spectacular pork belly soup with mung bean noodles, eggplant and “ham jam,” an excellent sweet potato salad, a satisfying chickpea panisse and a number of very good desserts. Don’t miss the delicious pistachio custard with caramelized phyllo leaves. The wine list is well-curated and pairs well with the top-quality food from the kitchen.

Lenoir
1807 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 215-9778
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lenoir-austin

Vespaio: Incredible Italian Cuisine

Vespaio is an Italian restaurant with exceptional food in a laid-back environment. The simple decor of brick and dark wood is a warm invitation, and the open kitchen is a fun and welcoming sight to incoming visitors. The menu contains authentic Italian food of the highest quality. Delicious antipasti like calimari and beef carpaccio lead into delicious salads and wood-fired pizzas. There are also mouth-watering specialties like prosciutto-wrapped jumbo prawns and veal scaloppine, as well as a wide array of pasta options. There's even gluten-free pasta here! The wine list receives regular updates and is among the best in the city for Italian wines, and the bartenders make a great cocktail, as well. Vespaio is a great choice for high quality food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Vespaio
1610 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-6100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vespaio-austin

J Mueller BBQ: Hit The Pit

Texas is one of the country’s big destinations for barbecue, with a beef-centric menu and some serious slow-cooked flavor. The Hill Country is rife with barbecue joints, but locals will almost unanimously recommend J Mueller in Austin. Owner John Mueller hails from a barbecue dynasty in Taylor, Texas – his grandfather Louie’s restaurant is internationally known as one of the temples of Texas ‘cue. It took a lot for John to set out on his own, but he quickly found success in Austin. His business has had some ups and downs since then, but since opening the new location in Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood, things have been looking up for Mueller. And for good reason – this is incredible barbecue, perfectly tender and flavorful. The brisket here is the meal of choice, and it’s done up as well as you can possibly do it. Beef ribs and sausage are also quite good. Note that this place has become a little more popular since it was profiled on Anthony Bourdain’s TV show.

J Mueller BBQ
1502 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 229-7366
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jmueller-bbq-austin

Home Slice Pizza: Get a Great Slice in the Lone Star State

Pizza isn’t what you would consider a regional specialty of Texas, but you have to realize that Austin isn’t really much like the rest of the state. It’s a semi-isolated town that plays by its own rules, which means in this case, great pizza. The creatively-named Home Slice was founded to present authentic New York-style pizza—thin crust, minimal toppings, lots of attitude—and it accomplishes that task splendidly. Regulars rave about the no-nonsense pies—there’s no fusion food going on here, and none of the barbecue chicken pizza that locals seem to love. Instead, these are classic Italian combinations of fried eggplant, white sauces, and more. If you want a side, the classic salads will do you up, with special mention given to the Greek. The place is small and almost always crowded, which should give you a hint as to how good the pies are.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437

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