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

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 Sendera Barton Creek. 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

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

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

Make Leaf Your Go-To Spot for a Salad Lunch

If you work in downtown Austin, grab a healthy lunch from Leaf, a custom salad cafe. The salad bar is stocked with a wide variety of sustainable ingredients and dressings are made from scratch. You can choose from one of the "Big 12" signature salads, or create your own. Although service can be spotty, the staff builds your salad to order, and the results are always delicious. If the list of salad add-ins overwhelms you, try the Strawberry Fields signature salad with baby spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, bacon, red onion, sunflower seeds, and candied pecans tossed with a Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Prices are very reasonable at $10 for a portion that customers regularly describe as enormous. Become a "Loyal Leafer" and get a free salad after you buy five. Dine in the casual cafe or get your meal to-go.

Leaf
419 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-5323
http://www.leafsalad.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/leaf-austin-2

Buenos Aires Cafe: Fresh, Local And Giving Back

Nestled in the Hill Country, Galleria Buenos Aires Café’s atmosphere is a breath of fresh air. Bright, vivid colors jump at you from the walls and you get smiles from employees and customers alike. This Argentinian spot will have you staring at the menu in a daze as every single item sounds like the perfect dinner or lunch. The vegetables are all hand-picked and come from mostly local farms. Each ingredient is of the highest quality with all of the meats and greens being organic, and all dressings are made on site daily. The die-hard locals swear by the lomi beef sandwich with the chimicurri sauce, and everyone will tell you the Mojito and Spanish martini are the best they’ve had, bar none. Not only are the food and service impeccable, but they give back to the community by donating scraps for composting and making weekly trips to the Ecology Action of Texas. You won’t be disappointed.

Buenos Aires Café
Hills Country Galleria
13500 Galleria Cir, Ste 120
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 441-9000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/buenos-aires-cafe-bee-cave-2

Yaghi’s New York Pizzeria: Budget Friendly Lunch in Austin

Looking for a quick and cheap lunch in west Austin? Try Yaghi’s New York Pizzeria. This no frills Italian-American café offers pizza by the slice or pie, as well as salads and sandwiches. The $5 lunch specials are popular and include a 12 oz drink. Be traditional and go with two slices of cheese, or try the gyro sandwich. Customers recommend the Greek salad to go with any specialty pie. Yaghi’s offers several “white” pizzas. You can double down on your East Coast cuisine with the Philly Cheesesteak Pizza topped with steak, onions, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, and mozzarella. Yahi’s delivers to spots in the West Austin area. Check the website for current specials and coupons!

Yaghi's New York Pizzeria
12400 W Highway 71
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 402-0202
www.yaghisnewyorkpizzeria.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/yaghis-new-york-pizzeria-austin

Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza: Casual Pizzeria in Austin

Enjoy a casual dinner date at Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza in Bee Cave. This table service pizzeria specializes in New York style thin crust pizza. Coal-fired ovens heat to over 1000 degrees and create a perfectly crisp and chewy crusts. A favorite is the prosciutto and goat cheese pie, topped with arugula and roasted garlic. The menu also offers fresh salads and traditional pasta dishes. Reasonable prices make splitting a salad and pizza an affordable meal. Brick walls give Tony C’s a pleasant ambiance.  The second floor mezzanine is great for watching the pizza chefs at work. Conveniently located in Hill Country Galleria, just moments from Sendera Barton Creek, it's a great spot for dinner and a movie.

Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza
12800 Hill Country Boulevard
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 263-3473
www.tonycs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tony-cs-coal-fired-pizza-austin-2

Texastar Kitchen: Home Cooked Meals From A Drive Thru

Tired of the same old drive-thru fast food? Try Texastar Kitchen in Lakeway for home cooked meals in a fast food set-up. This family owned and operated cafe offers more than traditional burgers and fries. Customers love the salads made with homemade dressings like Chipotle Ranch. The crispy chicken strips that feature a tempura-like batter and the homestyle meals like a country fried steak dinner are very popular. The tortilla soup is a hands-down favorite, customers even order it by the quart or gallon. And, if you find the dressings just as addicting, you can buy those to enjoy at home, too. Check out the weekly special, a unique entree or sandwich with a side and drink for just $7. Texastar cooks everything to order, so expect a bit longer than your typical drive-thru wait. They also offer walk-up carry out orders and outdoor patio seating, in case you'd like to dine al fresco near Sendera Barton Creek.

Texastar Kitchen
1602 Ranch Road 620 S
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 402-0222
www.texastarkitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/texastar-kitchen-lakeway

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 

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