Dining

Way South Philly: Eat Authentic Cheese Steaks

October 16, 2012 by greystar

With the cheese steaks available at Way South Philly, you don't have to head to Pennsylvania to grab a bite of this rich and juicy comfort food. The cheese steak sandwiches here are made with fresh bread and loaded up with hefty portions of delicious meat. Way South Philly then tops it off with a generous amount of tasty Cheese Whiz to make for a wildly tasty treat. There are a number of different cheese steak options on the menu, too, that add other ingredients like mushrooms, peppers, and hot sauce. Cheesy tater tots, grilled cheese, and italian sausage sandwiches are also available. It's a true Philly food experience. There are even authentic Philadelphia Tastykakes for dessert! The awesome sandwiches at Way South Philly are something that shouldn't be missed. Authentic and delicious, it's like having a little corner of Philly right in downtown Austin.

Way South Philly
6th and Waller
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 771-6969
http://www.yelp.com/biz/way-south-philly-austin

By Authalic (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Cheesesteaks, Restaurants in Austin, Way South Philly

Banger’s: A Classic Beer Garden and More

October 9, 2012 by greystar

Central Texas has a powerful German influence, as waves of immigrants from Europe were among the first to settle the area. If you want to sample the experience of a classic Tyrolean beergarden, grab some friends and head to Banger’s. Proudly advertising the largest sausage selection in Austin as well as over 100 beers on tap, this temple of comfort food is a one-way ticket to good times. The sausages come in a huge range of flavors, from traditional brats to more adventurous currywurst and seriously out of the box options like duck, bacon & fig. They’re all prepared to perfection, served in fresh-baked pretzel buns and ready for a beer to wash them down. The libation selection is unbelievable, and the staff is great at recommending new beers to try based on your personal tastes. Sure, this may or may not be the best spot for a first date, but for a casual night out with the guys Banger’s can’t be beat.

Banger's
79 & 81 Rainey Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 386-1656
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bangers-sausage-house-and-beer-garden-austin

By Tamorlan (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Bangers's, European Cuisine, Restaurants in Austin

Gumbo’s of Round Rock: Petit France

September 25, 2012 by greystar

Enjoy amazing Cajun in surroundings worthy of the colorful characters who made the cuisine famous. Gumbo’s is located in an atmospheric stone house built in 1848; surrounded by lush gardens, during its time as a stagecoach inn it played host to people like John Wesley Hardin, the fastest gun in the West. It’s since been remade into an upscale Cajun eatery that recalls the old Bayou maison of your imagination, with low lights, coolly decadent artwork, and a breezy patio that resembles the green courtyards of Fauborg Marigny. The gumbo is often called the best in Austin, and we think it’s a contender; we’ve also heard it favorably compared to the famous Galatoire’s. Crab cakes are outstanding, meaty, and rich, with hints of cayenne, thyme, sweet basil, and bay leaf in every bite. As they say in New Orleans, Gumbo’s is a place where lunch hours become lunch afternoons, but with a generous drinks list, competitive prices, and live music on the patio every Friday and Saturday night, you just might stay all night, too.

Gumbo’s of Round Rock
901 Round Rock Avenue
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 671-7925

By Stu Spivack (Flickr) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Cajun Food, Gumbo's of Round Rock, Restaurants in Round Rock, Round Rock Dining

Titaya’s Thai Cuisine: Taste Thai Flavors

September 18, 2012 by greystar

For some of the most flavorful Thai food in Austin, you'll want to stop at Titaya's Thai Cuisine. Here, you'll find authentic and delicious Thai cuisine that's of the highest quality, made with the freshest ingredients. All of your favorites are here in style, from a killer pad thai to an array of perfectly spiced curries. You'll also want to consider some of Titaya's great special dishes, such as the spicy catfish and the sumptuous mixed seafood dish called "Treasure Island." Top it off with a thai iced tea, or wait and get a mango mousse for dessert! You may have to wait a little bit for a table, but know that it will be absolutely worth it once you sit down to amazing food and attentive service. Titaya's Thai Cuisine is a popular choice for anyone craving southeast Asian cuisine at its finest.

Titaya's Thai Cuisine
5501 N. Lamar Boulevard
Suite C101
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 458-1792
http://www.yelp.com/biz/titayas-thai-cuisine-austin

By Tomyumsoup.gif: Gobonobo is a thief! He stole my picture, cropped it, and called it as his own. derivative work: NativeForeigner (Tomyumsoup.gif) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Restaurants in Austin, Thai Cuisine, Titaya's Thai Cuisine

Tenderland: World Famous Tenderloin

September 11, 2012 by greystar

The burgers at Austin's Tenderland are great, of course. But you don’t go to a Philadelphia cheesesteak stand and choose the pork roll sandwich, and you might get some funny looks if you drive all the way to this food truck without choosing Tenderland’s eponymous, famed dish: the tenderloin sandwich!

Tenderland’s gargantuan tenderloin is properly approached without guilt and without fear. If you’re planning to begin a diet, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Until then, enjoy this oversized slap of deep-fried pork smothered in pickles, onions, and your choice of condiments. It's all barely contained by the delicious jalepeno-cheddar bun. Tenderland's fries are hot and crispy. If you can finish both them and the sandwich, you owe yourself a pat on the back… along with a trip to the gym.

Tenderland
2406 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 230-8167

By cyclonebill (Pommes frites) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Burgers, Restaurants in Austin, Tenderland

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: Classic American Food With a Twist

August 21, 2012 by greystar

If you’re looking for high-quality New American food in a great setting, Moonshine is one of Austin’s most popular restaurants. Moonshine is located just a short strip from tree in the Waterloo Compound, which includes some of the oldest commercial buildings in Austin. The restaurant opened in 2003 to rave reviews and has been racking up the accolades ever since. When you sit down for your first meal, you’ll understand why—the menu here takes traditional favorites and reinterprets them impeccably. Regulars recommend the spectacular roasted garlic bulbs and the unusual corndog shrimp, which is way better than it sounds. The green chili mac and cheese is also a favorite, packing the perfect amount of heat. Entrees get great reviews across the board, with an amazing pork chop and rainbow trout stuffed with cornbread and sweet potatoes garnering raves. The restaurant also offers an amazingly popular brunch. Lines can get really long, so make a reservation if you don’t want to wait.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-9599

By Edward Russell [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, New American Cuisine, Restaurants in Austin

Barley Swine: Pork, Beer, and More

July 10, 2012 by greystar

No, it’s not a grain-flavored pork dish. Austin's Barley Swine is so named because Chef Bryce Gilmore has imported his lifelong love of pork and beer to his chic Lamar Boulevard restaurant. Barley Swine keeps about 10 craft beers on draft (a few are always local Texan beers) along with dozens of bottled beers and wines for you to sip on while you ponder over Gilmore’s creative, gourmet menu. This isn’t an Austin roadside barbecue spot! Barley Swine’s offerings are all full of depth and care, like the grilled rabbit terraine with bacon-liver mousse and sweet onion, or the grilled wagyu tri-tip with onion puree and roasted pepper. Dishes run from $8-15, with the chefs recommending around three dishes for the average eater.

Barley Swine
2024 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-8150

By Jeremy Keith (originally posted to Flickr as Murphy's) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons