Dine Back in Time at Top Notch Hamburgers

Step back in time at Top Notch Hamburgers in Austin. Since 1971, this family-owned drive-in has been serving burgers and fried chicken that’ll knock your socks off. The menu is simple and straight-forward – no fancy toppings or “aioli” here. Charcoal broiling imparts old-fashioned flavor, and you can’t go wrong with the Longhorn Special; two beef patties and a special sauce. The fried chicken is breaded on site, and comes out hot and juicy. They offer shakes and malts as well as a nice variety of fried sides including tater tots, fried okra, and onion rings from scratch. You can enjoy your meal in the car while watching a movie on their white-wall “screen.” Not only do you get the vintage atmosphere – you get a vintage price too!

Top Notch Hamburgers
7525 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-2181
www.yelp.com/biz/top-notch-austin

The Little Deli is Big on Pizza

The Little Deli brings New York to Austin. 

Although this place has Deli in the name, what the pizza makes it a gem. It's thin-crust New York-style, with homemade dough hand-tossed and baked on a two inch stone hearth to create a chewy crust. You can order by the slice, or whole pie. If you’re ordering a whole pizza, you can create your own from their long list of toppings with traditional veggies and more artisan options such as roasted eggplant, sun dried tomatoes, and pesto sauce. Or, you can try one of their specialties like the Bacon Blue that is topped with Gorgonzola and red bell peppers. There is limited seating inside, but outdoor seating is plentiful. 

The Little Deli is BYOB so you can place your order and then pick up a beverage at the supermarket next door. It can get busy for lunch — regulars suggest calling ahead to place your order if you want to avoid a wait.

The Little Deli
7101-A Woodrow Avenue
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7402
www.yelp.com/biz/little-deli-and-pizzeria-austin

Odaku Sushi: Korean and Japanese Cuisine Favorites

Odaku Sushi in Austin is a quiet spot to enjoy Korean and Japanese food. Their menu has a wide variety of traditional Japanese sushi and sashimi. Their maki specialities are artful and creative such as the dragon dance, which crafts crab, cucumber, eel, avocado and other flavors to resemble a Chinese dragon. Bento boxes – especially the lunch specials – are highly recommended; the portions are generous and include a variety of tastes at a reasonable price. Although sushi is in the name, many come for the Korean menu, which offers many favorites, including juicy BBQ meats like bulgogi and gal bi. They play a fun mix of Asian pop music – so the food isn’t the only thing that will make you smile. The restaurant is a good place if you are looking to take your time savoring the food. 

Odaku Sushi
2501 W Parmer Lane
Austin, TX 78727
(512) 834-9304
www.yelp.com/biz/odaku-sushi-austin-2

Enchiladas y Mas: Down-Home Tex-Mex Cuisine

Enchiladas y Mas is a cozy little spot that serves up some of Austin’s favorite Tex-Mex food.  Since 1994 this family-owned restaurant has relied on their family recipes to fill bellies and and put smiles on customers’ faces. They love the saying ‘never trust a skinny cook’ — leave your calorie counter at home and get ready to indulge in cheese smothered goodness.  Regulars love the spicy salsa and guacamole.  Entrees are generously portioned and don’t hide the meat.  Their specialties are enchiladas and fajitas — which have won many awards, including best fajitas from the Austin American-Statesman. This recognition can make for a busy restaurant, but the food is worth the wait. You can pass the time enjoying a margarita or Mexican beer at the bar. Remember, the art is in the food …

Enchiladas y Mas
1911 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7100
www.yelp.com/biz/enchiladas-y-mas-austin

The Steeping Room: Relax and Refresh

Whether refreshing yourself with a nice pot of tea or sitting down for a full meal, The Steeping Room is a wonderful place to visit. Service here is great, and the interior is bright and casual, making you feel right at home. The Steeping Room's selection of teas is pretty astonishing, with an extensive menu for each of the seven types of tea available. It makes it great fun to investigate and try to uncover new favorites. A number of tea services are available, or order a la carte from the menu from delicious sandwiches, salads, and other comforting dishes. There are also, of course, delicious sweets and baked goods to accompany your tea, too! The Steeping Room is also a great breakfast and brunch spot, and has happy hour specials on weekday afternoons. Whenever you come, get ready for a relaxing and pleasant time sipping and snacking the time away.

The Steeping Room
11410 Century Oaks Terrace
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 977-8337
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-steeping-room-austin

Swad: Dig Into a Dosa

A vegetarian restaurant with tantalizing food from the North and South of India, Swad is an exotic and delicious treat. The flavors and aromas here are incredibly enticing, making it a great destination even for the most carnivorous diner. The samosas are a wonderful way to start, but the real star here are the enormous dosas. Dosas are crepes made with a batter of rice and lentils, and are not only delicious, but enormous in size. Thali is another great option, in which you are served incredible bread and a plate full of numerous little dishes to eat it with. For the quality and size of the dishes here, the prices are incredibly low, too! For a fantastic, fast meal, give Swad a shot and prepare to be delighted.

Swad
9515 N. Lamar Boulevard #156
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 997-7923
http://www.yelp.com/biz/swad-austin

Casual Homemade Italian Food at Mezzaluna

 

Mezzaluna Italian Grill is a homey little italian restaurant in Austin's Wells Branch neighborhood, just a few minutes from The Marquis at Canyon Ridge.

Diners love the oven-fresh bread that starts the meal. Salads are fresh and served with homemade dressings – try the blue cheese vinaigrette. If one of their daily specials doesn’t peak your interest, the huge seafood ravioli is a go-to choice. Meat dishes are ultra-tender and the Veal Saltimbocca alla Romana – a veal cutlet wrapped with prosciutto in a lemon sage sauce – is highly recommended. 

Pizzas have fun gourmet toppings like goat cheese, grilled asparagus, and smoked salmon. Many wines are available by the glass – including several from Texas wineries – as well as a small selection of craft beers. The atmosphere is quiet and comfortable, perfect for a casual yet romantic date.
 

Mezzaluna Italian Grill
14735 Bratton Ln
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 252-1444
www.yelp.com/biz/mezzaluna-italian-grill-austin-2

Black Star Co-Op: Good For Your Conscience

At Black Star Co-Op Pub and Brewery, you can enjoy tasty pub food without worrying your conscience. This north Austin brewpub is founded on ethics; sustainable, local ingredients, fair employment with a livable wage, and democratic management. Their menu is simple and offers traditional pub grub with just as many options for vegetarians as meat-lovers.  For example, in addition to offering traditional fish and chips made from locally sourced Texas redfish, they also offer fried portobello and chips.  Try their burger made from ethically raised meat that is ground in-house.  Customers love their crispy fries!  You don’t need to be a member to enjoy dinner at Black Star.  Although the co-op title might be intimidating, the staff is friendly and there are signs to guide you through; order your dinner in one line, beer in another, and you choose and clear your own table. Livable wages for staff make tipping unnecessary.
 

Black Star Co-Op Pub and Brewery
7020 Easy Wind Dr
Ste 100
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 452-2337
www.yelp.com/biz/black-star-co-op-pub-and-brewery-austin

French Quarter Grille: Cajun Fare in Austin, Texas

If you’ve ever been to New Orleans, you know that Cajun food can be presented two different ways. There’s the quick and tasty plates of shellfish and oyster po’ boy style, and then there’s the upscale, French-influenced dining that brings out some of the most intense and nuanced flavors that the cuisine has to offer. The French Quarter Grille in Austin ably bridges the gap between those two styles, presenting excellent Cajun and Creole food at good prices in a classy atmosphere. Start your meal with an order of the crawfish beignets – these small French donuts are stuffed with spicy, tender seafood and come with a light jalapeno tartar sauce for dipping. Entrees are diverse and universally good, with some favorites including the exceptional blackened catfish gumbo, the pecan-crusted trout, and the blackened ribeye Ponchartrain, which updates surf & turf with a perfectly-seared steak topped with shrimp, crab and crawfish in a mushroom brandy cream sauce.

French Quarter Grille
13000 N. IH 35
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 832-9090
http://www.yelp.com/biz/french-quarter-grille-austin

Upper Crust Bakery: Marvelous Bread and Pastries

Upper Crust Bakery is a family owned and operated business that creates European-style breads, pastries, and cakes. Here, you'll find stellar cinnamon rolls and big, full danishes. The bread is amazing, too, especially the varieties of croissant and stuffed brioche available. There's a huge selection, and it's all fresh and of the highest quality. These acclaimed offerings have been a delightful temptation for the past fifteen years, and Upper Crust's café menu makes for a satisfying lunch stop. A host of delectable soups, salads, and sandwiches are on hand to take care of your appetite, and the variety of teas and coffee drinks here complement them perfectly. The food at Upper Crust Bakery is sure to satisfy whether you want a fresh, healthy meal or a nice way to indulge your sweet tooth.

Upper Crust Bakery
4508 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 467-0102
http://www.yelp.com/biz/upper-crust-bakery-austin
 

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