Austin Restaurants List (Mesquite, Round Rock, Spring: airport, bills, Whole Foods)

[AustinSpartan]

I've been to Casino El Camino once, and will never return. The burger was nothing special, so unless you just want to go in and eat a mediocre burger in a dark room, go for it.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Sorry, atxcio, but the foodies that I know (who mostly don't hold with being politically correct) do, indeed, love Hoffbrau, even though it's not quite politic to admit that steak cooked in butter is very tasty.

Isn't anything cooked in butter tasty, though?

I just think of something different when I think "steak house". Like a thick cut ribeye or filet mignon grilled extra rare.

[achtungpv]

Last time I went to Hut's I got the distinct impression that the patty was cooked from frozen. It definitely was not hand formed like any respectable burger should be.

My current go-to burger right now is Freddie's Place. Very good 1/2 lbs burger. Best onion rings in town, IMO. Plus some great homemade potato chips covered in a blue cheese sauce. When it's bad weather, the burgers are half price.

[ImOnFiya]

I like Hut's Hamburgers (American), El Chile (Tex-Mex), El Arbol (Argentinian), Olivia (New American), Justine's (French), and Fonda San Miguel (Interior Mexican).

[atxcio]

I notice no trailer eateries are on the OP's list.

You should try at least one, they are the big thing here right now. I'd suggest Torchy's for an easy intro, then on to something like maybe Odd Duck or Franklin's BBQ.

[Melissa78703]

Chez Nou is definitely delish.

As an old-time Austinite, I tend to like the established restaurants, as well as some that are new and upcoming. I don't like dives either. I'd recommend:

Manuels or Fonda San Miguel (for Mexican)
Vespaio (for Italian)
Uchi (for sushi/Japanese)
Threadgills (for Southern)
Galaxy Cafe-West Lynn (Nouvelle Diner Food)
Ironworks or Uncle Billy's Brew & Que (for BBQ--good local beer, too)

Bess Bistro on 6th Street is my current fave. Good food, cool atmosphere, and the servings are ginormous. This is Sandra Bullock's restaurant, BTW.

[NC to Austin]

My wife just informed me what I want. She said I do want to consider some dives as well because this is an adventurous trip. I wish she told me what I wanted before I made the no dive comment in the first post.

[Melissa78703]

Originally Posted by NC to Austin

My wife just informed me what I want. She said I do want to consider some dives as well because this is an adventurous trip. I wish she told me what I wanted before I made the no dive comment in the first post.

If you want dives that are still safe to eat at, Hut's is a good choice for burgers. Also, Dirty Martin's--an Austin institution if there ever was one. Nau's Enfield Drugstore has a soda fountain; while I wouldn't classify it as a "dive," it definitely takes you back to way back when. It's a darling place, always packed at lunchtime. That's right on my street.

There's a taco place on South Lamar that I can't remember the name of, next to Walgreens. Pretty much any of the Tex-Mex restaurants on 1st St. are pretty divey. Whenever I'm in the mood, I go to El Mercado.

[RaleighLass]

Originally Posted by NC to Austin

My wife just informed me what I want. She said I do want to consider some dives as well because this is an adventurous trip. I wish she told me what I wanted before I made the no dive comment in the first post.

That's great! I guess you are still in training and forgot you needed to check with your wife about what you want

[TexasHorseLady]

Good for your wife!

Okay, it's not really a dive, but it is in a strip center next to a reptile store and a Target - Azul Tequila. Food (and margaritas) as good as Fonda San Miguel, at a third the price. (So we go to Fonda San Miguel for anniversaries for the ambiance, to Azul Tequila regularly for the food.)

Mama Roux is also not a dive, but also in a strip center, this time next to a Walmart. Awesome Louisiana cooking. Far better than Gumbos (though they started Gumbos back when it was in a strip center before someone bought it from them, went hoity-toity, and got not as good as it was before it was purchased.) Also in Round Rock, Louisiana Longhorn. Or, for a real adventure, try Nubian Queen Lola's.

Since you're willing to go to a dive, for BBQ, it's gotta be Sam's on East 12th in East Austin. Not feeling quite that adventurous? Then, for lunch (not dinner), head on over to House Park BBQ.