J Mueller BBQ: Hit The Pit

Texas is one of the country’s big destinations for barbecue, with a beef-centric menu and some serious slow-cooked flavor. The Hill Country is rife with barbecue joints, but locals will almost unanimously recommend J Mueller in Austin. Owner John Mueller hails from a barbecue dynasty in Taylor, Texas – his grandfather Louie’s restaurant is internationally known as one of the temples of Texas ‘cue. It took a lot for John to set out on his own, but he quickly found success in Austin. His business has had some ups and downs since then, but since opening the new location in Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood, things have been looking up for Mueller. And for good reason – this is incredible barbecue, perfectly tender and flavorful. The brisket here is the meal of choice, and it’s done up as well as you can possibly do it. Beef ribs and sausage are also quite good. Note that this place has become a little more popular since it was profiled on Anthony Bourdain’s TV show.

J Mueller BBQ
1502 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 229-7366
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jmueller-bbq-austin

Max’s Wine Dive: Eclectic Flavors

‘Fried chicken and Champagne? Why not?!’

That’s nearly the slogan at Max’s Wine Dive, which lets you know it’s not just another snooty wine bar. Gourmet comfort food, an eclectic selection of wine from around the world and a funky, relaxed setting with a jukebox is what’s earned them a host of fans. Stop by for lunch to chow down on a Puttanesca Caesar Salad, Shrimp & Grits or Max’s Signature Burger. The dinner menu features many of the same dishes as the lunch menu, including Max’s Famous Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes & greens, the Fried Egg Sandwich with applewood smoked bacon & gruyere, and the Texas Haute Dog with onion rings & French fries. Stop by for happy hour for nice food and drink specials. Open every day.

Max’s Wine Dive
207 San Jacinto Boulevard
Austin, TX 78701
Neighborhood: Downtown
(512) 904-0111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maxs-wine-dive-austin

Second Bar + Kitchen: The Wow Factor

Second Bar + Kitchen is a trendy little hotspot that will wow you. Order something from their hefty selection of beer, wine and artisan cocktails paired with an appetizer like Smoked Salmon Fritters, Black Truffle Pommes Frites or Green Garlic Gnocchi. Lunchtime offerings include a Congress Burger, a Fried Egg & Avocado Sandwich and Short Rib Sliders. Dinner rolls out some delectable artisan pizzas, plus entrées like Roasted Rainbow Trout with black radish salad, Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop with green chile hominy or Braised Beef Short Ribs with black truffle grits. Brunch offerings include Steak & Eggs, Brioche French Toast, Corned Beef Hash and Texas Eggs Benedict. Open every day.

Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 827-2750
http://www.yelp.com/biz/second-bar-kitchen-austin

Frank: Frankly Good Hot Dogs

Frank's artisan hot dogs are are paired with an amazing array of fresh ingredients. The Jackalope is made with antelope, rabbit, & pork, Notorious P.I.G. features pork, bacon, jalapeno & sage, and the Texalina is beef & pork. They come served on a bun and dressed up with a variety of toppings including barbeque sauce, spicy mustard, sauerkraut, curry sauce, cheddar cheese and mac & cheese. Not a meat eater? Get yours veggie or vegan-style. Add on some sides like cheese waffle fries, chili cheese fries, baked beans, ranch style beans, mac & cheese, coleslaw, and loaded baked potato salad. Coffee, beer, well drinks and cocktails are on the menu, too. Open for lunch and dinner.

Frank
407 Colorado St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-6916
http://www.yelp.com/biz/frank-austin

 

219 West: Drink With Style

219 West is a fave for their extended happy hour, which offers great deals on drinks and food. Also a plus is their expansive selection of libations and their spacious seating, which includes a front patio, an indoor lounge & dining room and rooftop patio with a primo view of Austin. Prepare to blow away the day’s cares with something yummy like a Blackberry Martini or Mojito and a tasty tapa like Beef Carpaccio, Shallot French Fries, Tilapia Nachos or Creole Crab Dip. If you want to go the entrée route, they’ve got taste pleasers like Teriyaki Ribeye with wasabi mashed potatoes, Chicken Fried Ahi Tuna with sugar snap peas and Lump Crab Stuffed Mushroom with grilled asparagus. Open every day.

219 West
612 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-2194
http://www.yelp.com/biz/219-west-austin

Driskill Grill: Austin Farm to Table Fare

One of Austin’s most prestigious restaurants, the Driskill Grill – located within the Driskill Hotel – is an award-winning New American restaurant that serves up innovative and exciting food to a clientele of appreciative diners. The establishment has pulled in multiple Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine, as well as solid Zagat ratings year after year. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Jonathan Gelman, the kitchen produces exceptional menus that dazzle diners. If you don’t feel like deciding, put yourself in the chef’s capable hands with his nightly three-course “farm to table” prix fixe menu, which never disappoints. Eaters who feel like dining a la carte have an excellent selection of dishes, with some favorites including the prime aged filet mignon with smoked cheddar grits, roasted wild mushrooms and glazed onions, as well as the Hawaiian ahi poke.

Driskill Grill
604 Brazos Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 391-7162
http://www.yelp.com/biz/driskill-grill-austin

Easy Tiger: Take it Easy

‘Slow Down, Stay a While’, is the motto at Easy Tiger, a friendly little bake shop and beer garden where you can settle in with a brew, a baked pretzel and a knockwurst. Order up a Snack Board with freshly baked pretzels, beef jerky, beer cheese, and some house mustard and munch away to your heart’s content. Artisan sandwiches include Smoked Pastrami with kraut & Swiss cheese, Smoked Turkey Breast with avocado & jalapeno aioli, and House Smoked Salmon Spread with cream cheese & cucumber. All are served on their freshly baked bread, which is also sold by the loaf. Order one of their house made sausages on a tasty pretzel bun. Sides include collard greens, grilled broccoli, sauerkraut and potato salad. Coffee drinks, beer, wine and cocktails are also served.

Easy Tiger
709 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 614-4972
http://www.yelp.com/biz/easy-tiger-austin

The Jalopy: Classic Cuisine

Need a bite to eat? Look for the giant, brightly painted truck and get ready to chow down at The Jalopy. Everything is made in-house in their mobile kitchen, including bread, salsas, pickles, and veggie chips. They also brine their chicken, so it’s super moist and succulent. Chicken sandwiches include the El Campo with chipotle adobo sauce, cabbage & pickled peppers, the Gadd Thai with coconut peanut sauce, sriracha & pickled onions, and the Suite 709 with tomatillo cilantro pesto, fresh herbs & red cabbage. Some creatively inspired veggie sandwiches are also on the menu, like the Butler with double cream brie, apples, almonds & agave nectar and the Jelly Gibson with peanut butter, onion marmalade, almonds & berries. Open Monday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch.

The Jalopy
1502 San Antonio St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 814-8557
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-jalopy-rotisserie-and-press-austin-2

III Forks: A Terrific Steakhouse

III Forks is a fine dining steakhouse offering a sophisticated, upscale setting, including a piano bar/lounge area, an expansive dining room, and patio seating with a primo view across Cesar Chavez Avenue to the river. Sample a varietal from their extensive wine selection stocked with over 4,000 bottles from the world over. The menu is Texas-French, with a sumptuous array of starters like Bacon-Wrapped Scallops, Shrimp Cocktail, Lobster Bisque and Crabcake St. Francis. Entrees include Filet Mignon, Bone-In Ribeye, USDA Prime Porterhouse, Rack of Lamb, Atlantic Salmon and Chilean Seabass. All entrées are served with duchess potatoes, creamed corn and fresh veggies. Other sides include sautéed spinach, fresh asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and sweet potato hash. Open for dinner only every day.

III Forks
111 Lavaca St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-1776
http://www.yelp.com/biz/iii-forks-steakhouse-austin

Peche: Sensational Cocktails

Looking for a sensational artisanal cocktail? Head to Peche, where you can imbibe the once-banned libation absinthe and other spirits in a Parisian-style environment. Nestle up to the bar, order a refreshing cocktail like the Spicy Bee’s Knees, the Corpse Reviver, or a Fig Manhattan and prepare to be bowled over by deliciousness. Food can be ordered at the bar, or settle in at a table and curb your hunger with something tasty from the French-influenced menu. The menu changes daily and might include Roasted Corn Chowder, Grilled Baby Chicken with cacciatore sauce, Roasted Marrow & Escargot, Bouillabasse in white wine broth or Steak Nicoise Tartine. Stop in for great specials during happy hour on weekdays from 4 until 6p.m.

Peche
208 W 4th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4011
http://www.yelp.com/biz/p%C3%A9ch%C3%A9-austin-3

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