The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill: Al Fresco Dining in Austin

In January 2012, The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill brought the newest outdoor dining concept to Austin. The restaurant serves up a variety of American, Mediterranean, and Spanish fare flavors. Visit the outdoor picnic area and dine on Mediterranean fare such as veggie pitas or fire-grilled kabobs of tender lamb, marinated chicken, or spicy garlic mushrooms. There’s also a selection of burgers made with seven-ounce patties hand-formed using fresh-ground Angus beef and set atop a locally baked bun.

Every third Wednesday, stop in for SteakNights, one of the many monthly events at The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill. Other events may have you enjoying your meal with live music or yard games. If you want to take the party to your own special event, try the restaurant’s catering services!

The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill
5400 Balcones Drive
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 769-6478
www.thestonehousegrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/stonehouse-wood-fire-grill-austin

La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights: Macarons, Coffee, and More

The French know how to do dessert, from their decadent pastries to their delicately flavored macarons. La Patisserie offers all of these French delicacies and more right in the heart of Austin’s Pflugerville neighborhood, and the bakery features a stylish interior that’s equally as sweet. Glass display cases show off La Patisserie’s colorful baked goods, while hardwood floors, antique bookcases, and gleaming chandeliers offer a touch of charm.

The shop’s brightly colored macaron is one of La Patisserie's most popular desserts, but regulars also adore the pain au chocolat and the cream puffs. La Patisserie serves traditional French quiches and croissants for breakfast, as well as a few American breakfast dishes. For lunch, the menu comprises hot sandwiches like croque monsieur and croque madame, simple cold sandwiches, and fresh soups to go along with them. Don’t forget to grab an espresso on your way out!

Note that La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights is closed on Mondays.

La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights
602 W. Annie Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-0033
www.lapatisseriepfl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-patisserie-austin

Rudy’s Country Store & Barbecue: Fuel Your Car and Your Belly at This Quirky Barbecue

Texas is known for many things, but barbecue is surely one of the most important. Rudy’s Country Store and barbecue restaurant is a standout spot in Austin’s booming restaurant scene, beloved for the way it merges a restaurant, general store, and even a gas station if you need to fuel up after dinner.

While the operation is quirky, Rudy’s food menu is one to be reckoned with. Half-pound racks of tender, juicy ribs, moist brisket, tangy potato salad, and sweet creamed corn keep regulars coming back again and again. Order at the counter and watch the skillful cooks slice your meat right in front of you, and then enjoy your meal over a cold soda or beer at one of the long, communal picnic tables either inside or out. Finish your meal with Rudy’s excellent banana pudding and you’ll leave feeling positively stuffed.

Rudy’s Country Store is open 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends. On Sundays, the restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Rudy’s Country Store & Barbeque
11570 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 418-9898
www.rudysbbq.com/page/location/name/bbq-austin%20-%20360
www.yelp.com/biz/rudys-country-store-and-barbecue-austin

Try Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar for All Your Seafood Favorites

Whether you want to grab a quick bite on the go or relax with friends to watch the game, Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar is a popular choice in Austin. This eatery offers all the Cajun cuisine classics you'd expect, including a spicy gumbo, jambalaya filled with shrimp and sausage, and crawfish etouffee.

In fact, it's crawfish in any form that's the main draw for this place. Yelp reviewers report traveling for miles to feast on the Crawfish Shack's crawfish, which is best simply ordered by the pound, hot from the pot. Choose a few add-in extras, like corn, potato, and fried oysters for a truly decadent meal. Whatever you order, don’t forget to ask for the restaurant's signature moist towelettes to clean up your fingertips after you're finished eating!

The restaurant itself is clean, with brightly colored walls and offbeat decorations, like fishing nets draped here and there. There's even free Wi-Fi in case you've got a few emails to answer while waiting for your meal.

Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar
2013 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 252-7556
crawfishshacktx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/crawfish-shack-and-oyster-bar-austin

The Bonneville: New American Fare and Signature Cocktails in Austin

A menu of New American fare highlights the freshest seasonal ingredients available at The Bonneville in the 2nd Street District of Austin. The casual restaurant is open, airy, and inviting with a vibrant, fully stocked bar.

After a signature cocktail, begin your meal with a steaming bowl of housemade soup, Prince Edward Mussels in a spiced coconut-curry broth, Korean barbecue-style lamb spareribs accompanied by pear butter and pickled vegetables, or a grilled pizza. Entrees feature a number of meat, poultry, and seafood dishes such as seared scallops with a grapefruit nage and a 12-ounce Angus strip steak with potato croquettes. Desserts do not disappoint, with the chef's salted caramel tart, sticky toffee pudding, and the chocolate espresso pots de creme all earning high marks from regular diners.

The Bonneville serves dinner daily, hosts Sunday brunch, and has a lively happy hour seven days a week.

The Bonneville
202 W. Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 428-4643
www.thebonnevilleaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-bonneville-austin

Bring a Hearty Appetite for Tex-Mex Fare to Chekos in Austin

What is it that makes Chekos stand out from other restaurants? It’s all about quality and portion size here. If you're craving a really hearty meal, this is a place that serves large portions of well-regarded food.

The burritos here might just be some of the best lunch deals in Austin. You can get a burrito topped with cheese for under five bucks, and you might even have leftovers when you're done. Other popular dishes include the carne guisada, a hearty beef stew perfect for cooler days, as well as the sizzling fajitas. Tacos are also dependable (try the lengua!). Regulars also praise the margaritas at Chekos.

Note that the lunch specials menu (which promises Chekos' best deals) doesn’t allow substitutions.

Chekos
1304 W. Koenig Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 407-8480
www.gotchekos.com/GotChekos/Got_Checkos.html
www.yelp.com/biz/chekos-austin

NeWorlDeli: Taste the Art of the Deli Sandwich

Everyone loves a good sandwich, and the folks behind Austin’s NeWorlDeli believe that a truly great sandwich doesn’t need to rely on trendy presentation or fancy fixings. This casual deli serves traditional sandwiches piled high with simple ingredients such as roasted meats, fresh cheeses, and freshly baked breads. Regulars love NeWorlDeli’s French Dip, Reuben, and the Avocado Veggie sandwiches, the latter being entirely meatless for vegetarian customers. The menu also comprises a variety of burgers and fresh salads, and the New York cheesecake provides a sweet finish to any meal.

The restaurant’s interior is beautifully decorated with warm shades of gold, blue, and red, and artwork lines every wall. Comfortable tables are comfortable for lunch with a friend, and the spacious counter makes it easy to order. With a cooler full of beers and wines and live music every Monday night, NeWorlDeli is a sandwich shop with with a whole lot more to offer.

NeWorlDeli
4101 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-7170
www.neworldeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/neworldeli-austin

Iron Cactus: Brunch and More in Austin, Texas

Brunch is a favorite meal at Austin's Iron Cactus. Stop by on Saturday or Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. to feast on yummy delights like Peel & Eat Shrimp, Fajitas, Omelets, Waffles and Roast Beef Au Jus. Bottomless Mimosas are sure to add a festive spirit to your daytime meal. Happy Hour is another great time to get your party on with some tasty discounted libations and snacks.

Entrée favorites served at the eatery include Baja Fish Tacos with Iron slaw with black bean relish, Stacked Pork Enchiladas with red corn tortillas, Pescado Del Sol with roasted tomato-lobster cream sauce, Chipotle Glazed Salmon with sweet & spicy chipotle glaze, and Tournedos de Tejas – beef medallions grilled with southwest spices. Burgers are also on the menu. Iron Cactus is open every day.

Iron Cactus
10001 Stonelake Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 794-8778
http://www.ironcactus.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/iron-cactus-austin-3

Mother’s Cafe: Eclectic Vegetarian Fare in a Colorful Atmosphere

From its colorful outdoor patio tables to its equally bright, cheery interior, Mother’s Cafe is an eclectic eatery through and through, and a visit here is sure to brighten your mood. The menu is entirely vegetarian or vegan, but each dish is thoughtfully prepared and very filling. Soups and salads are made with fresh vegetables and spices, and the restaurant offers a number of different types of meat-free enchiladas. Specialty dishes, such as ravioli marinara and mushroom stroganoff, come in heartier portions that are great for dinner, while the quiches and sandwiches make great grab-and-go items for takeout.

Mother’s Cafe also offers a full wine and beer selection, while the eatery's made-from-scratch desserts are some of the restaurant’s most popular items. Add in convenient parking, friendly service and affordable prices and Mother’s Cafe will quickly become a staple on any Austin vegetarian or vegan’s go-to restaurant list.

Mother’s Cafe is open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Brunch is served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

Mother’s Cafe
4215 Duval Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-3994
www.motherscafeaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mothers-cafe-and-garden-austin

Taste of Ethiopia: Enjoy Ethiopian Cuisine

From the spongy injera bread to the flavorful doro wot, every Ethiopian dish is a uniquely delicious culinary experience. Taste of Ethiopia is a wonderful way to experience Ethiopian fare in Austin, though it takes a bit of exploring to uncover this hidden gem tucked away in the Pflugerville area. The restaurant itself is modern and stylish, with tasteful Ethiopian baskets and other knick-knacks scattered about.

Taste of Ethiopia's owners are dedicated to providing authentic, healthy foods to each of their customers, so all of the dishes here are made with fresh, high quality ingredients and without harmful preservatives. Dishes like lentil stew, beef and lamb with flavorful sauce, and vegetarian sampler platters are served in the traditional Ethiopian way, which involves using injera bread to eat with instead of utensils. Taste of Ethiopia also offers a vegetarian lunch buffet on weekdays, which many regulars say gives you the most bang for your buck.

Taste of Ethiopia is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Taste of Ethiopia
1100 Grand Ave. Parkway
Pflugerville, TX 78613
(512) 251-4053
www.tasteofethiopiaaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/taste-of-ethiopia-pflugerville

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