Elevate Your Cheeseburger Expectations at All Star Burger

What’s so special about Austin's All Star Burger? How about the fact that the burgers here are made with Premium Gold Angus beef from cows that are fed a vegetarian diet and are hormone- and antibiotic-free? Also, the list of toppings to pile your burger is inventive—and enormous.

Order the Make My Day burger and you'll receive a burger piled with cheddar cheese, a cage-free fried egg, smoked bacon, hash browns, red onion, and mayo on Texas Toast. The Pacific Coast features avocado, red leaf lettuce, sprouts, and creamy mustard. Not a fan of beef? No problem! Just order the Farmer and you get a veggie patty, feta cheese, sprouts, red onion, and sundried tomato pesto. Tasty salads, hand-dipped shakes, beer, and wine are also on the menu.

All Star Burger is open every day.

All Star Burger
12921 Hill Country Boulevard
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 263-7300
www.allstarburger.com
www.yelp.com/biz/all-star-burger-austin

Tadashi: Upscale Sushi and Japanese Fare

With dim lighting, contemporary furnishings, and fresh sushi, Tadashi is a unique experience for all of your senses. This authentic Japanese restaurant is located in an upscale plaza near a movie theater and other restaurants, and its interior features a spacious sushi bar, a wall of wine, and a comfortable outdoor patio filled with sleek tables and bold red chairs.

Tadashi takes great interest in using only the highest quality ingredients in every dish, and the restaurant even flies in hard-to-find types of fish from all over the world. Each roll is beautifully prepared and features artistic garnishes arranged on the plate, and the menu also lists other Japanese small plates and entrees for those who don’t prefer sushi. Tadashi offers a full wine, beer, and sake menu for of-age guests, and the welcoming staff is always available to recommend a good pairing.

Tadashi
12820 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-3200
www.home.tadashiaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tadashi-bee-cave

South Congress Cafe: An Upscale Brunch Spot With National Recognition

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

Two Saints Baking Co. & Cafe: Gourmet Cafe Fare in a Quaint Setting

Two Saints Baking Co. & Cafe is located in a popular plaza in the Bee Cave area of Austin. This classic bakery and cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and a wide variety of baked goods to eat in or take out. The full-service espresso bar makes traditional espresso drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos, freshly brewed coffee, and more adventurous specialty drinks like white chocolate mochas.

Breakfast here is very popular, and it includes a breakfast taco that is one of the cafe’s most popular items. Quiches, omelets, and biscuits come in a variety of different styles, and the glass display case full of French-inspired baked goods will tempt your sweet tooth for breakfast, as well. Lunch items include homemade soups, salads, and croissant sandwiches baked fresh on site.

Once you decide on a delicious treat or hearty lunch, Two Saints offers comfortable indoor cafe tables and a verdant outdoor patio for those who prefer to dine al fresco.

Two Saints Baking Co. & Cafe
13011 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1166
www.twosaintsbakingcompany.com
www.yelp.com/biz/two-saints-baking-co-and-cafe-bee-cave

Santa Catarina Restaurant: A Fresh Approach to Mexican Fare

Santa Catarina Restaurant takes an entirely different approach to Mexican cuisine and coastal classics. The restaurant uses only the freshest produce and highest quality meats, and each dish is prepared with olive or canola oil to keep it light and healthy.

Appetizers like ceviche and Mexican totopo nachos make a great pre-meal snack, while entrees include fresh soups, Yucatan-style fajitas, and grilled cactus salads. Tres leches cake and traditional flan are served for dessert, and Santa Catarina’s margaritas are made from scratch and handcrafted with care. With its eclectic Mexican decor, dim lighting, and patio lined with heavy curtains, this is a unique option for lunch, dinner, and even Sunday brunch.

Santa Catarina Restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, remaining open until 10 p.m. on weekends. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Santa Catarina Restaurant
1310 Ranch Road 620 South
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 300-0946
www.santacatarinarestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/santa-catarina-restaurant-lakeway

Zinger’s Bar And Grill: The Sporting Life

Zinger’s Bar and Grill in the Galleria is a sports bar at heart, but don’t let the TV’s and fireplace fool you, this place has much more to offer. The menu is full of comfort food, from cheeseburgers with jalapeno cheddar buns and sautéed mushrooms to mandarin orange salad stocked full of veggies.

If wings are what you are looking for, you'll find them here. They have everything from standard Buffalo wings to Cajun and lemon pepper, all fried to perfection. Whether you are looking for a place to sit and watch the game by the fireplace or a nice cozy quiet spot on the outdoor patio under the oak trees, Zinger’s is a relaxing Bee Cave spot.

If you plan on catching a game make sure and get there early: the food, atmosphere, and great seats cause Zinger’s to fill up quickly when the ball is in play.

Zinger's Bar and Grill
12700 Hill Country Blvd
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 524-2434
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zingers-bar-and-grill-bee-cave

Enjoy Upscale, Authentic Cajun Fare at Gumbo’s Steak and Seafood

New Orleans is eight hours away. Maybe you’ve been there, maybe not. If there are Cajuns in the audience, we apologize, but a quick primer for the uninitiated: Hurricanes get you a little (ahem) tipsy, “rat toes” are fried jalapenos stuffed with seafood, and gator tail is exactly what it sounds like. Got that?

Gumbo’s brings you upscale Cajun fare in the style of New Orleans legends like Antoine’s or Galatoire’s. All the classics are here: fried crawfish tails, blackened fish, remoulade, etouffee, oysters, fried green tomatoes, and a lobster bisque that puts Easterners to shame. It’s pricey — dinner entrees average $25 — but most locals love it and it beats the long drive. Lunch, brunch, and dinner are available.

Check Gumbo’s website for hours, events, and specials.

Gumbo’s Steak and Seafood
12823 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-2711
www.gumbosbeecave.com
www.yelp.com/biz/gumbos-steak-and-seafood-bee-cave

Iron Cactus: An Austin Classic at the Hill Country Galleria

A branch of the popular restaurant on Austin’s Sixth Street, Iron Cactus brings authentic Mexican cuisine to the Hill Country Galleria. There are few sit-down dining options at the mall, so it’s a welcome stop for hungry diners who want to fill up on traditional Tex-Mex favorites and let off steam at the tequila bar. There are over three-dozen varieties on the menu and they make for big, strong, memorable margaritas.

Cocktails get the most praise, but regulars call the food decent and the Sunday brunch (10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $14.99 for adults, $8.99 kids 5-12) a tasty, affordable treat in an area with few options.

Visit the Iron Cactus website for hours, menus, specials, and more information!

Iron Cactus
13420 Galleria Circle, Suite A128
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-7636
http://www.ironcactus.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/iron-cactus-bee-cave

Mimi’s Café: French-Inspired Bites at Hill Country Galleria

“What makes a perfect bite?”

Mimi’s answer is a bit sweet, a bit savory — a surprising combination of tastes and textures. No one does this better than the French, of course, so Mimi’s brings you a variety of French-inspired soups, sandwiches, and snacks. From goat cheese to orange zest, ingredients are sourced from France where possible, sauces are made in small batches, and chefs are trained in traditional techniques.

Locals like much of the retooled menu, singling out the croissants, pies, and desserts for special praise. Service is decent, and while there’s something for everyone here, diners point out that dishes are variably successful depending on your taste. There’s a full bar and reservations are recommended for nights and weekends.

Check Mimi’s site for menu details and location information.

Mimi’s Café
12316 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-9731
http://www.mimiscafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mimis-cafe-bee-cave

VERTS: An Austin Classic

Next time you find yourself in the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, grab a bite at VERTS. This Austin-area chain was started by a UT alumni and offers healthy, tasty meals. If you love kebabs and Mediterranean cuisine, you'll love the Berlin-style Gyro called a "doner kebap." The sandwich starts with a pita-like bread, baked daily, and is topped with your choice of meat, grilled on a vertical spit and sliced to order. Add on locally sourced veggies and yogurt based sauce. A favorite combo is the beef and lamb, with the garlic sauce. No matter how you top it, all sandwiches are under 550 calories and just $7. There is even a veggie loaded option for vegetarians. The snack size will satisfy most appetites, but they are so delicious, those that order a regular finish it all. VERTS also serves several bottle and tap beers, which you can have European style, meaning mixed with Sprite or Coke. 
It may sound strange, but it's a popular option!

VERTS
12800 Galleria Circle
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 369-3918
www.vertskebap.com
www.yelp.com/biz/verts-austin-11

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