myTexas Hill Country

Austin Restaurants

One of the great things about dining in Austin, is being able to sit outside and enjoy the lush surroundings in one of Austin's fabulous, fun and sometimes funky restaurants. Of course, this isn't possible year round, but when the time and weather is right, there's not a better way to be dining than "al fresco" in Austin.

Barton Springs Area

Shady Grove: One of my favorite restaurants. It sits on busy Barton Springs road, yet the sounds of traffic always fade away as soon as I pass through the gate. They have a large outdoor seating area under a ginormous pecan tree, which I much prefer over the too dark, interior seating. They offer burgers, sandwiches and lots of stuff with green chili's. Find a shady spot in Shady Grove and appreciate the beautiful weather Austin offers up day after day. Live music starts at 8pm every Thursday, late spring through early fall. (1624 Barton Springs Road)

Chuy's: Best Tex-Mex in the world. Lively and NOISY, Chuy's isn't to be missed. You'd never guess that this place is a chain restaurant, with locations in Austin (4 of them), San Antonio and Houston. They also have several spin-off restaurants. Chuy's is WEIRD and they're proud of it. Come and enjoy the weirdness and the GREAT food. Austin on Barton Springs Rd is the ORIGINAL. (1728 Barton Springs Rd)

SoCo - South Congress

Guero's Taco Bar: Awesome Tex-Mex on South Congress. Kid Friendly..a little loud, but the relaxing and rustic atmosphere make it worthwhile. Don't worry about having to wait for a table. Put your name in and then wander down the block just a few yards to Guero's Oak Garden for a full service bar and chips. You can usually catch a band playing to pass the time until your table is ready. Keep your eyes open for possible glimpses of celebrities who call Austin home. (1412 So. Congress, 512-447-7688)

Tip: There is a free parking garage right around back. Don't fight for parking.

Freddie's Place: Best Margarita I've ever had was served up at Freddie's. Sit in the quaint, outdoor area overlooking Bouldin Creek shaded by a stand of trees. The stage for live music sits to one side, the washer pit to the other. Don't be surprised if youre table leans or your chair is sloping; it's not the margaritas. It's all part of the rustic charm of Freddie's. (1703 South 1st Street)

Homeslice: Pizza from the 50's. Great crust, funky and traditional selections. I'm talking clams and white sauce to pepperoni. By the slice or by the pie. Fun! Hip! Sparkly, patent leather booth seating and sit at the bar and watch them fly the pie crusts. (1415 South Congress)

Downtown

Alamo Drafthouse: Dinner and a movie takes on a whole new meaning at the Alamo Drafthouse. Enjoy dinner during your first-run movie. Arrive a little early so you can peruse the menu and place your order. Slender tables sit just in front of the regular movie seats. You can order another glass of wine during the movie, just by writing it down on one of the slips of paper and positioning it upright. This is truly an exerperience NOT TO BE MISSED when visiting Austin. [Multiple locations (downtown, south of downtown and north of downtown)]. Check the Alamo Drafthouse website for locations and movie schedule.

Ironworks: This place is a little scary from the outside, but worth the trauma of leaving your car in the lot and venturing inside. Great BBQ -- a place the locals eat. No AC. Tables out back look over a creek where you might catch a glimpse of turtles begging for treats. (100 Red River -- Cesar Chavez & Red River - West of I-35).

Lake Austin Area

Lucy's Boatyard: 
C L O S E D - Looks like they plan to remodel and return.

Mozart's Coffee: This is a great spot with rustic, creaky oak floors. Slip out onto the deck which overhangs Lake Austin. You can see turtles and unfortunately some trash floating around in the kelp. They have Wi-Fi so it can get crowded with laptoppers.

Hula Hut: Owned by Chuy's the food can't help but be good. A mix of Mexican and Polynesian fare in a blend they call "Mexonesian".

Tip: Parking can be a bear. Mozart's shares its small parking lot with Lucy's Boathouse and the Hula Hut. You can park across the street and walk or shuttle over on a stretch golf cart. Don't bring your own drinks or food for the outside deck or you may find yourself swimming with the turtles.

Bargain Eats

Save time and money eating at one of these "fast-food" joints where you can grab an affordable and healthy meal, fast.

Central Market (38th & Lamar) or Whole Foods (6th & Lamar) are great places to grab a bargain meal in downtown. Both are full service grocery stores that also have hot food you can purchase and eat on-site or take to-go.

Huts Hamburgers is a small hole in the wall with great hamburgers (807 W 6th Street, tel: 512-472-0693).

Another of my favorites is a chain called Jason's Deli. GREAT sandwiches, free soft-serve ice cream with purchase, awesome sweet tea (iced tea that is pre-sweetened with a sugar syrup) and crunchy dills. You can find several of these around the city. My favorite location is in the north end of the city (10225 Research Blvd, Suite 1010,78759).

Lake Travis Area

Iguana Grill: YUMMY! This place has awesome Mexican food and a spectacular view. DO NOT EAT INSIDE-- even if the wait is double for a table outside. You've got to experience the food with the view. Outdoor misting fans and umbrellas fight off the heat, but bring your sunglasses. When the sun starts to set, all of the umbrellas are removed so no one is deprived of the orange globe sinking behind the hills.

You can park your caboose on a picnic bench in the sandy area while you wait for your table and a side bar will keep a margarita in your hand. When we were there they had a two man ensemble playing Jimmy Buffet-like songs. It was a fabulous evening.