Have Lobster at Garbo’s Restaurant

Garbo's Restaurant is the bricks-and-mortar extension of Heidi Garbo's popular local food truck. Like the original food truck, Garbo's Restaurant specializes in fresh, buttery lobster rolls served either "Maine style" or "Connecticut style" and accompanied by fries or clam chowder, but this Austin restaurant also offers an expanded seafood menu.

Yelp reviewers recommend trying the smoked fish dip, served with crackers or grilled French bread, as well as the crispy clam fritters accompanied by a gribiche sauce for dipping. Main dishes include whole gulf shrimp simmered in a spicy herb and lemon broth, as well as beer battered fish and ships served with house-made ketchup and tartar sauce. Don't forget a bowl of creamy, New England clam chowder, topped with scallions and served with traditional oyster crackers to round out your meal.

Don't worry if seafood's just not your thing, either, because the restaurant also serves a popular Texas wagyu burger accompanied by fries and a pickle.

Garbo's Restaurant
14735 Bratton Lane
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 350-9814
www.garboslobsteratx.com/restaurant
www.yelp.com/biz/garbos-restaurant-austin

Ng BMT: Banh Mi and More in Austin

Although its name sounds like a secret code that only Austin locals understand, Ng BMT is actually a Vietnamese sandwich spot located within the Hong Kong Supermarket. This unique sandwich cafe-meets-bakery serves traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches on fresh-baked baguettes.

Each banh mi is available with your choice of peppered shrimp, tofu, pork, or other meats to accommodate both meat eaters and vegetarian guests. Diners new to the banh mi might enjoy the pork banh mi, which sandwiches slices of marinated pork within a warm baguette with creamy mayo, pickled carrots, cilantro, and, for a little spicy kick, jalapeno peppers! Counter the heat with the chilled sweet tofu dessert.

Ng BMT is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Regulars note that the prices at Ng BMT are easy on the wallet, so you can grab a cheap lunch that’s bit out of the ordinary.

Ng BMT
8557 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 931-1088
www.ngbmt.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ng-bmt-austin

Taste of Ethiopia: Enjoy Ethiopian Cuisine

From the spongy injera bread to the flavorful doro wot, every Ethiopian dish is a uniquely delicious culinary experience. Taste of Ethiopia is a wonderful way to experience Ethiopian fare in Austin, though it takes a bit of exploring to uncover this hidden gem tucked away in the Pflugerville area. The restaurant itself is modern and stylish, with tasteful Ethiopian baskets and other knick-knacks scattered about.

Taste of Ethiopia's owners are dedicated to providing authentic, healthy foods to each of their customers, so all of the dishes here are made with fresh, high quality ingredients and without harmful preservatives. Dishes like lentil stew, beef and lamb with flavorful sauce, and vegetarian sampler platters are served in the traditional Ethiopian way, which involves using injera bread to eat with instead of utensils. Taste of Ethiopia also offers a vegetarian lunch buffet on weekdays.

Taste of Ethiopia is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Taste of Ethiopia
1100 Grand Ave. Parkway
Pflugerville, TX 78613
(512) 251-4053
www.tasteofethiopiaaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/taste-of-ethiopia-pflugerville

Mother’s Cafe: Eclectic Vegetarian Fare in a Colorful Atmosphere

From its colorful outdoor patio tables to its equally bright, cheery interior, Mother’s Cafe is an eclectic eatery through and through, and a visit here is sure to brighten your mood. The menu is entirely vegetarian or vegan, but each dish is thoughtfully prepared and very filling. Soups and salads are made with fresh vegetables and spices, and the restaurant offers a number of different types of meat-free enchiladas. Specialty dishes, such as ravioli marinara and mushroom stroganoff, come in heartier portions that are great for dinner, while the quiches and sandwiches make great grab-and-go items for takeout.

Mother’s Cafe also offers a full wine and beer selection, while the eatery's made-from-scratch desserts are some of the restaurant’s most popular items. Add in convenient parking, friendly service and affordable prices and Mother’s Cafe will quickly become a staple on any Austin vegetarian or vegan’s go-to restaurant list.

Mother’s Cafe is open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Brunch is served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

Mother’s Cafe
4215 Duval Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-3994
www.motherscafeaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mothers-cafe-and-garden-austin

El Pollo Regio: Mesquite Charcoal Grilled Chicken With Humble Beginnings

El Pollo Regio came from humble beginnings before growing into a chain of 49 locations, including several in Austin. Opened by Juan Jorge Bazaldua in a special trailer with a mesquite charcoal grill, El Pollo Regio features the founder’s popular marinated chicken. You can order the whole chicken, which comes with rice, beans, and tortillas. You’ll also the chicken in such menu options as the chicken tostada, chicken soup, and chicken poblano mole. The menu also lists grilled carne asada and flour tacos.

If you want to share the popular, authentic Mexican dishes with your friends, El Pollo Regio provides catering services. Nostalgic fans of the restaurant can take it a step further and pay homage by traveling to Oklahoma City, where the original trailer is still in use at one of the branches.

El Pollo Regio
1110 B. East William Canonn Drive
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 215-0235
www.elpolloregio.net
www.yelp.com/biz/el-regio-austin

Bring a Hearty Appetite for Tex-Mex Fare to Chekos in Austin

What is it that makes Chekos stand out from other restaurants? It’s all about quality and portion size here. If you're craving a really hearty meal, this is a place that serves large portions of well-regarded food.

The burritos here might just be some of the best lunch deals in Austin. You can get a burrito topped with cheese for under five bucks, and you might even have leftovers when you're done. Other popular dishes include the carne guisada, a hearty beef stew perfect for cooler days, as well as the sizzling fajitas. Tacos are also dependable (try the lengua!). Regulars also praise the margaritas at Chekos.

Note that the lunch specials menu (which promises Chekos' best deals) doesn’t allow substitutions.

Chekos
1304 W. Koenig Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 407-8480
www.gotchekos.com/GotChekos/Got_Checkos.html
www.yelp.com/biz/chekos-austin

Try Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar for All Your Seafood Favorites

Whether you want to grab a quick bite on the go or relax with friends to watch the game, Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar is a popular choice in Austin. This eatery offers all the Cajun cuisine classics you'd expect, including a spicy gumbo, jambalaya filled with shrimp and sausage, and crawfish etouffee.

In fact, it's crawfish in any form that's the main draw for this place. Yelp reviewers report traveling for miles to feast on the Crawfish Shack's crawfish, which is best simply ordered by the pound, hot from the pot. Choose a few add-in extras, like corn, potato, and fried oysters for a truly decadent meal. Whatever you order, don’t forget to ask for the restaurant's signature moist towelettes to clean up your fingertips after you're finished eating!

The restaurant itself is clean, with brightly colored walls and offbeat decorations, like fishing nets draped here and there. There's even free Wi-Fi in case you've got a few emails to answer while waiting for your meal.

Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar
2013 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 252-7556
crawfishshacktx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/crawfish-shack-and-oyster-bar-austin

La Condensa: Flavorful Food in Downtown Austin

La Condensa features a flavorful selection of fare served in a vibrant, upscale Austin setting. Go there to get your fiesta started with a tropical themed libation like a Watermelon Elderflower Martini or a Mango Passionflower Margarita. Add on a tasty starter like Guacamole & Chips, Hamache Ceviche with yellowtail & habanero truffle oil, or Vida de Cameron with poached shrimp.

La Condesa's wood-fire grilled entrees include Carne Asada – New York Strip with braised fennel, Costillas de Puerco – spicy guava-glazed pork ribs, and Robalo – whole branzino with garlic oil. Tacos, tostadas, and huaraches – crisp corn tortillas with a variety of toppings, are also available. Stop by on weekends to dine on yummy brunch items like Huevos y Carne Asada – eggs with grilled hanger steak, and Huevos Rancheros – fried eggs with black beans & salsa.

Located just a short trip from Nalle Woods in downtown Austin, La Condesa is open every day.

La Condesa
400 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-0300
www.lacondesa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-condesa-austin

Bouldin Creek Café: Get Your Veggie On

Vegetarians and vegans in the Austin area have more restaurant options than those in some other cities, and Bouldin Creek Café is just one of these favorite veggie eateries. The casual restaurant is dedicated to providing wholesome, meat-free dishes at affordable prices, as well as organic wines and fair-trade coffees to go with them.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day at Bouldin Creek Café, and the menu includes meat-free omelets, tofu scrambles, and vegan pancakes that are just as good as the originals versions. Tacos and sandwiches are some of the most popular items for lunch and dinner, and there are also more elaborate entrees for larger appetites.

Bouldin Creek Café has an industrial loft feel on the inside, with mismatched tables offering ample seating and local art hanging from the walls. Outside, there are a few patio tables where guests can enjoy their meals al fresco.

Bouldin Creek Café
1900 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-1601
www.bouldincreek.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bouldin-creek-cafe-austin

NeWorlDeli: Taste the Art of the Deli Sandwich

Everyone loves a good sandwich, and the folks behind Austin’s NeWorlDeli believe that a truly great sandwich doesn’t need to rely on trendy presentation or fancy fixings. This casual deli serves traditional sandwiches piled high with simple ingredients such as roasted meats, fresh cheeses, and freshly baked breads. Regulars love NeWorlDeli’s French Dip, Reuben, and the Avocado Veggie sandwiches, the latter being entirely meatless for vegetarian customers. The menu also comprises a variety of burgers and fresh salads, and the New York cheesecake provides a sweet finish to any meal.

The restaurant’s interior is beautifully decorated with warm shades of gold, blue, and red, and artwork lines every wall. Comfortable tables are comfortable for lunch with a friend, and the spacious counter makes it easy to order. With a cooler full of beers and wines and live music every Monday night, NeWorlDeli is a sandwich shop with with a whole lot more to offer.

NeWorlDeli
4101 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-7170
www.neworldeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/neworldeli-austin

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