Stubb’s: Legendary BBQ and Live Music

The legendary Stubb’s Bar-B-Q was originally opened in Lubbock, Texas, under the careful supervision of barbecue king Christopher B. Stubblefield. His insanely good slow-cooked meats quickly became a favorite food for central Texas’s burgeoning music scene, and eventually live music became a part of the Stubb's experience. Some of the biggest names in Lone Star rock and country played on his stage, and when the business moved to Austin it prospered even more. Stubb’s is now one of the hottest spots in Austin, continuing the tradition of bbq and great live music. Regulars rave that the beef brisket here can go toe-to-toe with any ‘cue in the world, and the sides, especially the rich macaroni and cheese, are out of sight. Live music most nights of the week features local and national bands, and the Sunday gospel brunch is truly awesome. Live gospel music, traditional Southern brunch foods like migas and fried catfish, and a great crowd will have you coming back for seconds.

Stubb’s
801 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 480-8341

Holy Cacao Is For Chocolate Lovers

Holy Cacao is Austin's sweetest food truck, a chocolate lover’s dream featuring cake balls, shakes and chocolate drinks. Their version of cake balls are unique; the fresh cake is crumbled and mixed with frosting shaped into a ball and is then dipped into chocolate to form a shell.  There are several flavors to choose from including red velvet and carrot cake. The trailer also serves cake shakes that whirl their cake into traditional vanilla or chocolate shakes.  Holy Cocao is also known for their flavorful chocolate drinks – either hot or frozen – made with 65% chocolate for a creamy and rich treat. Their Mexican Chocolate is pleasantly spiced with ancho chile, cinnamon and cayenne. If you're a chocolate lover, or need a gift for someone who is, head to Holy Cocao for a sweet treat. 

Holy Cacao (in South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery)
1311 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 851-2253
www.yelp.com/biz/holy-cacao-austin

“Chillax” at Shady Grove

Nestled in a grove of pecan trees, Shady Grove has offered American comfort food favorites since 1992. Regulars love their beefy chili — anything on the menu that features this signature creation is a guaranteed hit. The chili cheese fries, Frito pie and chicken fried steak topped with green chili sauce are also perennial favorites. If you want lighter fare, there are several salads as well as the popular vegetarian “hippie” sandwich which layers grilled veggies, mozzarella, and pesto onto homemade bread. Old-fashioned stone work complete with a fireplace makes Shady Grove a great place to stay a while and savor your food. Their outdoor patio is spacious and every Thursday they host “Unplugged at the Grove” which features Austin’s musical talent.  Don't miss the mixed drinks, either …
 

Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-9991
www.yelp.com/biz/shady-grove-austin

Mulberry: Wine and Dine

Located in the heart of Austin's downtown, Mulberry is a restaurant and wine bar that offers New American cuisine in an intimate setting. The warm and cozy atmosphere are incredibly inviting, and the extremely knowledgeable staff will make you feel confident that you're in good hands throughout your visit. The wine list contains over 150 bottles and has an impressive selection of wines by the glass, all with a focus on the world's most esteemed wine regions. Draft beer is also available. In addition to cheese and charcuterie plates, Mulberry's food menu also contains a number of salad and sandwich options as well as some enticing larger plates. These is mouth-watering cuisine, not food as an afterthought as at many wine bars. For a delicious, wine-filled outing in a great setting, you'd do well to consider Mulberry.

Mulberry
360 Nueces Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0297
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mulberry-austin
 

The Peached Tortilla: Discover Mobile Delicacies

A food truck full of personality, The Peached Tortilla is an incredible fusion of cuisines that makes for a truly unique dining experience. Drawing on Asian and Mexican influences, the food here is full of compelling combinations that will delight your taste buds. The menu has tacos and burritos loaded imaginatively with things like Pad Thai, Chinese bbq, and Szechuan-style vegetables. You can also choose among several delectable sliders. Add some parmesan or sweet-potato fries into the mix, with dipping sauces like peach mint and truffle mayo, and you've got some incredible gourmet goodness. Visit the truck's website to help track down this deliciousness, or stop by its Twitter page!

The Peached Tortilla
(512) 761-3241
http://twitter.com/peachedtortilla
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-peached-tortilla-austin
 

Wink: A Flirtatious and Delicious Bite

If you’re looking for a relaxing fine dining experience, Austin’s Wink might be right up your alley. Although the food prepared by chefs Mark Paul and Stewart Scruggs is incredibly vivid, flavorful cuisine that can go toe-to-toe with any restaurant in Austin, Wink works hard to keep its menu accessible and comfortable as well. This philosophy has paid off, as local foodies have nothing but raves about the place. Focusing on using only the best sustainably sourced ingredients, signature dishes include the fantastic sweetbreads, truffled macaroni & cheese, and the flavorful, moist duck breast. The dining room is small— really small—so be warned, you might make some new friends. The service is so welcoming that you won’t even notice the slightly cramped surroundings a bite or two into your meal. Stop into the adjoining wine bar for reasonably priced appetizers and wine from the restaurant’s impressive cellar.

Wink
1014 N. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 482-8868

Wholly Cow: Grab a Great Burger

Nestled inside the ZEN Food Mart Convenience Store, Wholly Cow Burgers is a purveyor of food that uses local, organic, and hormone & chemical free grass-fed beef. It's a high quality ingredient that, along with the local, organic produce used here, makes for some really wonderful food. The menu consists of several burger combinations as well as some classic beef and chicken sandwiches like the reuben and club. There are vegetarian options, too! Wholly Cow is also open for breakfast, where you'll find a nice selection of breakfast tacos in addition to french toast and some great breakfast sandwiches. A great thing about the location is that the store where it's located also has other great items like fresh fruit and produce, and a wide selection of wine and beer. That's quality and convenience!

Wholly Cow
3010 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-8156
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wholly-cow-austin

The Carillon: Ring The Bells

Austin’s culinary scene has been booming in recent years, with a number of focused, motivated chefs bringing new perspectives in fine dining to grateful eaters. Chef Josh Watkins’ tenure at The Carillon began in 2008, after he returned to Texas and worked alongside famed chef David Bull at the Driskill Grill. Watkins appeared alongside Bull on TV show Iron Chef America, where he showed off his impressive skills, and not long after he was recruited to open the Carillon. Every aspect of this restaurant is top-notch. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, the décor is classy and comfortable, and the food is some of the best you’ll find in town. Frequent diners rave about the incredible spinach salad with house bacon and poached egg yolk, as well as the duck leg confit with root vegetables and white bean cassoulet. They also offer both three-course and six-course tasting menus, which come highly recommended.

The Carillon
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 404-3655
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-carillon-austin-2

Way South Philly: Eat Authentic Cheese Steaks

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

Banger’s: A Classic Beer Garden and More

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

Pin It on Pinterest