Ronnie’s Real Food: A Different Restaurant Experience in Austin

Ronnie’s Real Food may not be for everyone but if you're an adventurous eater and looking for something other than typical table service, give this Austin, Texas restaurant a try. The business model is a bit different. It's more like eating in someone’s dining room. Rather than offering a menu that will take you twenty minutes to read, Ronnie offers a weekly four course meal of well executed dishes. Ronnie is the host, waiter, and chef. The dining room is seated at the same time and everyone dines as the same pace. Open Wednesday through Sunday for 7 p.m. dinner, reservations are essential. Menus are posted online, so you can plan your visit when a dish jumps out at you. Ronnie’s is BYOB with no corkage fee. The meal is a bargain at $25 per person – including tax and tip. Put it all together and this might be one of the most interesting dining experiences you can have in Austin!

Ronnie's Real Food
205 S. Commons Ford Road
Austin, TX 78733
(512) 402-9900
www.ronniesrealfood.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ronnies-real-food-bistro-austin

Explore the Flavors of Authentic Thai Cuisine at Madam Mam’s

Born in Bangkok, Madam Mam learned Royal- and family-style Thai cuisine in her grandmother’s kitchen. She grew up to run restaurants and be a food critic in her native country before coming to Austin in 2001.

Here, she combines family-style cuisine in a slick but comfortable atmosphere, boasting the closest thing to Thai home cooking this side of the Pacific. Ex-pats tend to agree, calling Madam Mam’s a taste of home, with no concessions or compromises for American palates. Natives love it too; they praise the huge menu across the board, saying that the classic noodle dishes and curries give them a new perspective on Thai cooking.

Prices are decent considering the quality and portion size, and there are frequent specials. Take-out is available.

Madam Mam’s
2700 West Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 371-9930
http://www.madammam.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/madam-mams-austin-2

Public Domain/Public Domain

Stop Into Chisos Grill for Southwestern-Style Comfort Food and Spirits

Chisos Grill’s logo is a monumental West Texas rock formation set against a cool desert moon. With a scene like that, it’s easy to picture cowboys sharing food by the campfire — grits, smoky meats, crawfish, tortilla soup, and tequila. That’s what you get at Hill Country Galleria: all-natural, Texas-raised, Southwestern-style comfort food.

Burgers, pulled pork, and queso get high marks from diners, and while the menu might not be as authentic as it claims, it’s reliably tasty stop at the mall. Do some down-home drinking, too; the bar sports 30 beers, 25 wines, and 20 spirits, all made in Texas and memorably deployed by a crackerjack bar staff. Nearly everything is gluten-free, and there’s happy hour every day.

Check Chisos Grill’s site for specials and live music details.

Chisos Grill
12921 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-7353
http://www.chisosgrill.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chisos-grill-bee-cave

Over 100 Beers Have a Home at Little Woodrow’s

Lots of bars offer a place to drink beer and watch the game, but few are as chilled-out and welcoming as Little Woodrow’s. Just like its siblings across the Austin area, the Bee Cave location has plenty of TVs — and plenty of beer. There are over 100 brews on the menu, and the staff are the nicest, most unpretentious beer geeks you’ve ever met! Don’t know your IPA from your Hefeweizen? No problem. They’ll hook you up and then come back to talk about the Longhorns. Bring Fido to relax on the huge patio, listen to some live music, and try your luck at Trivia Night. Little Woodrow’s is the definition of a college town destination.

Check the website for hours, events, and specials.

Little Woodrow’s
12801 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78783
(512) 263-8374
http://littlewoodrows.com/aus_bee_cave/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/little-woodrows-bee-cave

Which Sandwich Will You Order at Which Wich?

There are lots of sandwich chains, but chances are you’ve never seen one like Which Wich. Come in and grab an order form; it’s appropriately printed on a brown lunch bag. With over 50 bread, meat, and topping options, the possible combinations are endless, and deciding can be tough!

You’re not accustomed to seeing this stuff elsewhere, either; choices like Chicken Pesto or Hummus and Cucumber lift Which Wich sandwiches above the competition. Add a fresh cookie or a thick, creamy milkshake and you’ve got a cheap, memorable meal. Note that rush hours get busy, but locals praise the efficient service. Free Wi-Fi is available here.

Which Wich
12800 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1221
http://www.whichwich.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/which-wich-bee-cave

Buster’s BBQ: Delicious Smoked BBQ in West Austin

Craving barbecue near Lakeway, Texas? Try Buster’s BBQ. Here, the meats are smoked daily on a custom pit fired with pecan wood. This no frills BBQ joint offers individual platters, sandwiches, a few specialty dishes, and family sized combos. Customer favorites are the turkey and tender ribs. The sauce is a vinegary Kansas City style ‘cue, but if you’re looking for some Texas heat try the H bomb sandwich, a pork shoulder stuffed with garlic and jalapenos. Buster's offers over a dozen traditional sides, but the green beans and baked beans are recommended. If you’re feeding the family – large or small – they can accommodate large orders and offer several combos to feed anywhere between two and 18 people. Take it home and host a party at Paseo at Bee Cave!

Buster's BBQ
2125 Lohmans Crossing Road

Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-2340
www.busterslakeway.com
www.yelp.com/biz/busters-bbq-lakeway

Artisan Bistro Austin: Authentic French Cuisine

For a great meal without the fuss of heading downtown, try Artisan Bistro Austin in Lakeway, just a short drive from Paseo at Bee Cave. Don’t let the location fool you; this little restaurant offers authentic French cuisine in a charming ambiance. Brick walls, dim chandeliers, and simple French country décor aren’t the only “eye-candy”. Everything from escargot to macaroons is beautifully presented, not to mention delicious! If you’ve never had escargot, Artisan does them right with a herbed butter sauce. Another menu favorite is the duck confit, but don’t overlook any specials, including cheese and charcuterie offerings. If you're in the area for lunch, treat yourself to a classic Jambon Beurre, a ham and butter sandwich on a baguette. Save room for dessert, Artisan offers everything you’d expect of a French bakery like flaky bread, buttery croissants, delicate custards, and flavorful tarts. You can stop in to pick up baked goods anytime.

Artisan Bistro Austin
900 RR 620 S

Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-8728
www.artisanbistroaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/artisan-bistro-austin-lakeway

Chappy’s Pit BBQ: No Frills BBQ in Austin

When you’re traveling west out of Austin along Highway 290, be on the look out for Chappy’s Pit BBQ. This no frills trailer offers a straightforward menu of brisket, pork, ribs, and sausage as a plate or sandwich. Customers agree the meat is flavorful, tender, and just as delicious without the homemade BBQ sauce. Favorite sides include baked beans, cucumber and tomato salad, and corn on the cob. Chappy's Pit BBQ may not be a full service restaurant but they do accept debit cards and cash. Sure, the trailer may not look like much, but it houses what might just be one of the tastiest barbecue you'll find around Austin.
 
Chappy's Pit BBQ
6837 Highway 290 West

Austin, TX 78735
(512) 481-2227
www.facebook.com/pages/Chappys-Pit-BBQ/172990876150290
www.yelp.com/biz/chappys-bbq-austin

The Emerald Restaurant: Authentic Irish Cuisine in Austin

Celebrate a special occasion with an authentic meal at The Emerald Restaurant in Austin, Texas. The restaurant's 1927 cottage setting is decorated with Irish lace and china. The quaint ambiance transports you across the Atlantic and makes you feel like you're dining in someone’s home. Many customers enjoy the three course meals for two. “The Kinsale” is especially popular which includes the famous potato soup, a tenderloin steak with a Madeira mushroom sauce, and Irish Whiskey cake. Plan for a leisurely pace meal, as everything is made from scratch and cooked to order. The Emerald can seem pricey, but keep your eye out for discount deals and coupons. Reservations are required at this elegant West Austin restaurant.
 
The Emerald Restaurant
13614 W Highway 71
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 963-4272
www.irishemeraldrestaurant.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/emerald-restaurant-austin

Fore: Trendy American Comfort Food in Austin

Fore in Lakeway offers modern American comfort food in a trendy yet casual ambiance. This new addition to the West Austin scene is only about two years old. The owners transformed a formerly smoky and dingy bar into a fresh and modern full service restaurant. The menu has a variety of small plates and appetizers perfect for sharing with a group of friends for a girls night out. The bacon wrapped jalapeno shrimp with an apricot glaze, Hawaiian inspired tuna poke nachos with Pacific fusion flavors, and crispy blue cheese fries are customer favorites. Salads and burgers are popular entrees, but the menu has plenty of substantial main dishes from pasta to steaks. Fore's bar and lounge is known as one of the top happy hour spots in the West Austin area with inventive cocktails and martinis like the cucumber basil martini. The decor is modern chic, but if you find the metal chairs a little uncomfortable just ask the host for a pillow.


Fore
900 Ranch Road 620 S
 

Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-3673
www.lakewayfore.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fore-lakeway

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