If you frequently peruse the South Congress shopping district and have yet to stop by Tesoros Trading Company, then you should make it a point to drop by on your next outing. Inside, you'll find a large selection of one-of-a-kind goods from all over the world, as well as items made here in the United States.

Tesoros is dedicated to providing customers with ethically sourced goods that help support the artisans' local communities. The shelves are crammed with interesting things to look at, especially "little somethings" that can make a great birthday gift or thoughtful trinket. Among the selection is musical instruments, dolls, folk art, weavings, and more. Be sure to look through the jewelry for a piece to complement your outfit, and keep an eye out for in-store trunk shows.

Tesoros Trading Company
1500 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-7500
www.tesoros.com/homepage.html
www.yelp.com/biz/tesoros-trading-company-austin

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The folks behind South Congress Cafe were inspired by Austin’s growing artist community and its new generation of foodies, and in 2003 they set out to open a restaurant that reflects that creative culture. The restaurant itself is housed in a former 1940s drugstore, and it maintains much of the original charm. The exposed brick bar is one of the main focal points, but the rest of the restaurant is colorful and modern.

South Congress Cafe is best known for its delicious brunch, and its bloody Mary was voted one of the best in America by the Huffington Post! Brunch is served daily and includes unique dishes like jalapeno venison meatloaf, carrot cake French toast, and gumbo with duck and oysters. With a stylish, mid-century aesthetic and a menu full of creative Texan dishes, South Congress Cafe is a truly out-of-the-ordinary eatery.

South Congress Cafe is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekends.

South Congress Cafe
1600 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-3905
www.southcongresscafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/south-congress-cafe-austin

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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
http://www.maudies.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maudies-restaurant-bee-cave

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jeffreyww