Hill-Berts Burgers: Home to Some of Austin’s Best Burgers and Wings

Since 1973, the Maldonaldo family has been building upon a burger legacy in the Austin area, and their dedication to creating fast food with great quality and fair prices has made their restaurant very popular.

Here, award-winning burgers are made to order from excellent ingredients, and locals rave about the food. Preparation is simple: Juicy patties are nestled atop grilled buns with lettuce, tomato, and onions, but simplicity is a virtue when it comes to burgers. Thick-cut french fries are perfectly prepared, as well. If you feel like branching out, the fried chicken sandwich is out of this world, and Hill-Berts is home to some of the best hot wings in town. Save some room for a “butter-fat” milkshakes, made with real ice cream.

The original Hill-Berts location on Burnet Road is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Delivery is offered.

Hill-Berts Burgers
7211 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-2317
www.hill-bertsburgers.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hill-berts-burgers-austin-3

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. 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 delicious light fare to complement your drink.

Fair Bean Coffee is open every day.

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

Cocktails and Crab-Crusted Steak at Austin’s CRAVE

Local, seasonal ingredients form an important part of the menu at CRAVE in Austin. Although not every ingredient comes from a local source, CRAVE's chefs incorporate locally sourced ingredients whenever they can.

CRAVE's menu of options includes some upscale, creative dishes, like crab-crusted filet mignon and egg rolls stuffed with chicken and avocado. Those are two of regular customers' favorites, but they're by no means the only things to enjoy here. The menu is expansive, encompassing a huge array of dishes, from pizza and pasta to pan-roasted sea bass, fried chicken and waffles, and even spicy lamb burgers. There's also a sushi menu, a huge list of specialty and cooked rolls, and the equally impressive cocktail list. Visitors can complement the upscale fare with a ginger pear martini, blackberry sage tea, agave margarita, or a sweet glass of sangria.

Visit CRAVE's website to learn more about this Austin restaurant!

CRAVE
340 E. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-0000
http://cravetexas.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/crave-austin-4

La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights: Macarons, Coffee, and More

The French know how to do dessert, from their decadent pastries to their delicately flavored macarons. La Patisserie offers all of these French delicacies and more right in the heart of Austin’s Pflugerville neighborhood, and the bakery features a stylish interior that’s equally as sweet. Glass display cases show off La Patisserie’s colorful baked goods, while hardwood floors, antique bookcases, and gleaming chandeliers offer a touch of charm.

The shop’s brightly colored macaron is one of La Patisserie's most popular desserts, but regulars also adore the pain au chocolat and the cream puffs. La Patisserie serves traditional French quiches and croissants for breakfast, as well as a few American breakfast dishes. For lunch, the menu comprises hot sandwiches like croque monsieur and croque madame, simple cold sandwiches, and fresh soups to go along with them. Don’t forget to grab an espresso on your way out!

Note that La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights is closed on Mondays.

La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights
602 W. Annie Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-0033
www.lapatisseriepfl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-patisserie-austin

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar: Fine Wine and Dining in Austin

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar features flavorful Italian fare served in a richly hued setting with a long mirrored bar and walls decorated to create a delightful ambiance. Happy Hour is a great time to cruise in for great discounts on food and drink — visit the Gusto Italian Kitchen website to find out more.

Gusto's pizza offerings include the Italian Job with sausage, mozzarella & goat cheese, and the Bianco with ricotta, cream, roasted chicken, spinach & caramelized onions. Spinach Lasagna, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Rostini alla Crema with chicken, spinach, walnuts, parmesan & cream are among the pasta choices. If you'd like to order something else, Gusto's menu of entrées includes Cioppino with salmon, shrimp, mussels, calamari & spicy tomato sauce, Grilled 10-Ounce Strip Steak with Brussels sprouts, Pan Seared Black Drum with roasted fall vegetables, and Braised Lamb Shank with creamy gorgonzola polenta.

Just a short trip from Nalle Woods in Austin, Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar is open every day.

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar
4800 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 458-1100
www.gustoitaliankitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/gusto-italian-kitchen-and-wine-bar-austin

Blue Star Cafeteria: Upscale Austin Comfort Food

Austin's Blue Star Cafeteria is more bistro than cafeteria, offering upscale comfort food in a vibrant, modern setting and serving brunch, lunch, and dinner. Stop by on Saturday or Sunday mornings to enjoy a mimosa alongside eggs Benedict, vanilla battered French toast, or quiche lorraine.

Blue Star's lunch offerings include oysters and chips, crab cakes, burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and coconut & cornflake chicken tenderloins. Dinnertime is a great time to try one of the Blue Star Platters like meatloaf with mushroom gravy, honey glazed grilled pork chops with mac & cheese, or garden vegetable bowls with cheese grits.

If you're craving something sweet at the end of your meal, you can order a dessert like buttermilk pie, chocolate cake or homemade fruit cobbler.

Blue Star Cafeteria
4800 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 454-7827
http://www.bluestarcafeteria.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-star-cafeteria-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/avlxyz

Cut Into Decadent Deep-Dish Quiche at Cafe Pacha

Austin's Cafe Pacha is a popular go-to spot for a hot cup of fair trade organic coffee and a tasty bite to eat. It’s a tiny, brightly decorated spot and a great place to enjoy breakfast. Pacha's pancakes are some of its most well-regarded breakfast fare, filled with fruit and served with real butter and maple syrup. Breakfast tacos, French toast, omelets, and burritos are also on the menu.

Cafe Pacha's food is made with organic produce, grains, dairy and eggs, and regular diners suggest that you can really taste the quality of the ingredients. You can even take home one of their delectable house-made deep dish quiches or pies. The quiche options include spinach and mozzarella, and quiche Lorraine, while pie choices include apple, berry and pecan.

Located in Austin, Texas, Cafe Pacha is open daily.

Cafe Pacha
4618 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 800-7309
www.pachatx.com/Cafe_Pacha/Welcome.html
www.yelp.com/biz/pacha-austin

La Cocina de Consuelo: Breakfast Burritos and More

Breakfast Burrito? If that’s your idea of a great way to get your motor humming in the a.m., head to La Cocina de Consuelo!

Fans of the place flock there to fuel up for the day on a hearty Burrito with your choice of egg, potato, refried beans, black beans, chorizo, turkey bacon, avocado, and cheese. Other breakfast options available here include a Migas Plate with scrambled eggs, tortillas, jack cheese and red salsa, Huevos Mexicanos, and Huevos Rancheros.

Visit La Cocina de Consuelo for lunch to feast on one of their daily specials. Options include Monday’s Nachos Compuestos, Tuesday’s Carne Guisada Plate and Wednesday’s Chicken Mole Plate. You can also order off the menu from choices that include a Taco Plate, a Tostada Plate, and Connie’s Famous Enchilada Plate.

Located in Austin, Texas, La Cocina de Consuelo is open every day.

La Cocina de Consuelo
4526 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 524-4740
http://www.consueloskitchen.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-cocina-de-consuelo-austin

Upper Crust Bakery: Breads, Pastries, and More

With more than 28 years in the bakery business in Austin, Upper Crust Bakery has earned itself a bevy of loyal fans who flock there for freshly brewed coffee and yummy breads and pastries. Croissants are available here in a dizzying array of flavors, including cinnamon almond, marzipan, ham and cheese, and chocolate. Also in the pastry case are muffins, scones, cookies, cinnamon rolls and turnovers. Brioche, baguettes, rye, whole grain, and ricotta herb are among the bread options.

Stop by Upper Crust at lunchtime for a bowl of Italian stew with spicy Italian sausage, potatoes, garlic, mushrooms, and herbs. An apple, goat cheese, and pecan salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing is a fresh and healthy option. Sandwiches include chicken salad with pecans and grapes, tuna salad, smoked turkey, and avocado with vinaigrette.

Just a short drive from Nalle Woods in Austin, Upper Crust Bakery is open every day.

Upper Crust Bakery
4508 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 467-0102
uppercrustbakery.com

Read the reviews on Yelp.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/khawkins04

Billy’s on Burnet: An Austin Gastropub

Looking for a relaxing Austin spot where you can enjoy a beer and a burger? Billy’s on Burnet is a favorite spot to do just that in a friendly setting.

Stop by for what they say is the "Happiest Hour" around, with great specials on drinks and food. Their tasty draft beer selection includes Avery Maharajah Imperial IPA, Blue Moon Belgian White, Austin Beerworks Pearl Snap, and Hops and Grain Greenhouse Hoppy Brown. Pair your beer with a dish like Fried Zucchini, Chips & Salsa, Fried Okra, Chili Cheese Fries, or Chips & Queso. The big burger menu includes choices like the Billy Burger with double meat & cheese, and the Cobra Burger with bacon, grilled jalapenos, cheddar & chipotle mayo. There’s also plenty to eat for vegetarians, including a Veggie Burger, a Veggie Dog and an Avocado Reuben.

Billy's on Burnet is open daily in Austin.

Billy's on Burnet
4526 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 524-4740
http://www.billysonburnet.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/billys-on-burnet-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

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