Man Bites Dog: Not Your Typical Hot Dog Stand!

Warning: this is not your typical hot dog stand! 

Man Bites Dog is South Austin’s hot dog hot spot, where signature franks are 1/5th of a pound.  The ingredients are fresh and flavorful, and you won’t find any boring buns here — they’re fluffy, sweet brioche that hold up the the mountains of toppings. The menu features inventive wieners like the Danger Dog — bacon wrapped, topped with jalapeños, hot sauce, and cotija cheese.  And, its not only beef franks on the menu; the Bruschetta Dog, for example, is made with Italian chicken sausage. These dogs are a full meal at a great price. (Smaller dogs are available for those that want a lighter snack.) There are even vegetarian franks, vegan chili, and gluten-free buns.

Man Bites Dog
3005 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 215-0422
www.yelp.com/biz/man-bites-dog-austin-4

Dine in Grand Style at Austin’s Green Pastures

Dubbed the “Grande Dame of Austin Restaurants" by the Austin Chronicle, Green Pastures offers a majestic dining experience on the grounds of a restored southern mansion in South Austin. Dining rooms are decorated with elegance, featuring antiques and fine china. You can enjoy a picturesque view of the grounds including stately live oaks, and peacocks that roam the property. The menu offers elegant French-inspired entrees with a southern twist, like pecan salmon with lobster bread pudding.  

Sunday Brunch at Green Pastures is a step into a better, more elegant world. Be sure to try their milk punch, which tastes like spiked vanilla ice cream. White linen service is friendly and top-notch, with customers swearing that the food is just as good as the atmosphere. This is THE place for an elegant special occasion meal — be sure to make a reservations.

Green Pastures
811 W. Live Oak Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-4747
www.yelp.com/biz/green-pastures-restaurant-austin

The Carillon: Ring The Bells

Austin’s culinary scene has been booming in recent years, with a number of focused, motivated chefs bringing new perspectives in fine dining to grateful eaters. Chef Josh Watkins’ tenure at The Carillon began in 2008, after he returned to Texas and worked alongside famed chef David Bull at the Driskill Grill. Watkins appeared alongside Bull on TV show Iron Chef America, where he showed off his impressive skills, and not long after he was recruited to open the Carillon. Every aspect of this restaurant is top-notch. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, the décor is classy and comfortable, and the food is some of the best you’ll find in town. Frequent diners rave about the incredible spinach salad with house bacon and poached egg yolk, as well as the duck leg confit with root vegetables and white bean cassoulet. They also offer both three-course and six-course tasting menus, which come highly recommended.

The Carillon
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 404-3655
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-carillon-austin-2

Beer Reigns at Black Sheep Lodge

South Austin's Black Sheep Lodge offers for good pub food, fun atmosphere, and cheap drinks.  There are bar specials every night of the week — including $2 cans like Lone Star and PBR tallboys on Friday and Saturday. You can catch the game on Sunday on one of their 20 TVs, while enjoying $2 off pitchers with friends. There are 26 beers on tap and over 100 bottles to choose from. Although beer is the heart of this establishment, don’t overlook the food — the menu features burgers and sandwiches with better taste and cheaper prices than most pub grub. Regulars love the “Little Stinkers Sliders” — garlic and beef patties topped with gorgonzola butter and mixed greens. If you’re in the mood to snack, the cheese curds are highly recommended, as are the fried pickles. The large outdoor patio is dog friendly.

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

Weird is Welcome at Bouldin Creek Cafe

Bouldin Creek Cafe started as a coffee house and has grown into a funky vegetarian restaurant and community destination. Austin vegetarians – and omnivores – praise this cafe for flavorful, fresh meals. It’s a popular spot for breakfast and features good vegetarian substitutes for breakfast meats – including their house-made “facon” or fake bacon. Regulars love their veggie burger that you can top with several homemade sauces like chipotle-pecan pesto. All the food is made to order, but you can enjoy a book, magazine, or game from their shelves while you wait.  There is nice outdoor seating — and bring Fido along, Bouldin Creek is dog friendly. The cafe tries to be as environmentally conscious as possible and is decorated with repurposed items like mason jar soap dispensers and bike rim light fixtures. This eclectic and free-spirited place has a welcoming, community-like atmosphere and you’ll soon become family.

Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-1601
www.yelp.com/biz/bouldin-creek-coffee-house-and-cafe-austin

It’s Always Taco Time at El Taquito

Head to South Austin's El Taquito for amazing tacos. Regulars rave that this little taqueria is one of the best in town. The meats are moist and well-seasoned, and the salsas are perfectly spiced. The menu is mostly tacos and enchiladas, but there are some breakfast options as well.  The Barbacoa and Al Pastor tacos are big favorites. The salsa bar provides many options to top your meal — make sure to give the roasted red pepper salsa a try. El Taquito offers authentic mexican beverages too, like La Fresca and Horchata, a cinnamon rice milk. They're open well past midnight every night so you can enjoy tasty tacos after a night on the town. Just don’t expect fast service — this place is quite laid back.

El Taquito
1713 E. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78741
(512) 851-8226
www.yelp.com/biz/el-taquito-austin

Regal Ravioli: Fit For a King

Don’t let the food truck fool you — South Austin's Regal Ravioli is fit for a king.

It serves homemade ravioli and gnocchi made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  The small menu is packed with flavor, like roasted beet caramelized onion and orange zest ravioli, or spicy sausage and bell peppers ravioli.  Their sauces won’t let you down either; lamb bolognese, pecan pesto … it's all fresh, it's all good. The individual raviolis are huge, but they're so good that you'll be left wanting more!  Food is made to order — even the ravioli stuffing — so the wait might be a bit longer than a typical food truck. But it's worth it. Oh, it's worth it.

Note: Regal Ravioli only serves dinner. And it does so well.

Regal Ravioli
504 West Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 364-9752
www.yelp.com/biz/regal-ravioli-austin

Fresh French Cuisine at Lenoir

South Austin's Lenoir serves fresh French cuisine with an eye on the community.

The restaurant offers a “CSR” (community supported restaurant) membership to encourage community building through ethical and delicious food. Their sense of community is reflected in the intimate dining room that features a 10-person community table. This is farm-to-table, ethically sourced cuisine, fresh, vibrant and seasonal. The menu changes weekly; be prepared to taste uncommon meats like rabbit and antelope. The prixe-fixe option allows you to order any three courses; choose from field, land, sea, and sweets.  The portions are small, so you can enjoy a variety of tastes without feeling stuffed. Reservations are recommended — if you arrive early, wait outside in the beautiful courtyard.

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

Milano Café: Discover Authentic Italian Food, Right in Austin

A European-style family eatery with a classic menu, Milano Café is a great stop for authentic Italian cooking. It's the great sort of place where you can stop in for a great cup of coffee or sit down for a nice, filling meal. The menu consists of a number of wonderful pizza and pasta possibilities, as well as some delectable bruschetta options and a host of starter and entree-sized salads. There is also a helpful and unique "family to-go" menu where you can order large, family-style portions to pick up and take back to your home. Quality is top-notch all around, with everything made from scratch from super fresh ingredients. Milano Café is a friendly, authentic taste of Italy that is a fantastic treat for anyone in the Austin area.

Milano Café
4601 Southwest Parkway
Suite 109
Austin, TX 78735
(512) 428-6076
http://www.yelp.com/biz/milano-cafe-austin


 

Oysters Al Fresco at Perla’s on South Congress

One of Austin’s best seafood restaurants, Perla’s boasts elegant al fresco dining on their large oak-shaded patio or sophisticated yet casual dining inside, including a large oyster bar and open kitchen. Their signature is over 15 varieties of fresh oysters flown in from both coasts, daily. In addition to oysters, the menu offers simple grilled fish and steak. Try the crispy Texas red snapper or their bouillabaisse — both are highly recommended. Sides are a la carte, and large enough to share — try the griddle cakes with creme fraiche and chives. For dessert, the butterscotch pot de creme is the perfect ending to your meal.  

Prices reflect the sophisticated menu, making this a good spot for special celebrations. Happy hour features $.50 off oysters and $2 off beverages from Monday – Friday, 3-6 p.m.  Reservations are recommended. 

Perla's
1400 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-7300
www.yelp.com/biz/perlas-austin

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