Out-of-towners seeking restaurant advice (Austin, Mesquite: city hall, rooftop, live)

[SL Hawkeye]

We're bringing a troop of Girl Scouts on a tour of the TX Capitol and other Austin sites in June. We have most everything planned pretty well, but I'm looking for restaurant advice for a nice, Friday night dinner.

We could take the easy route by eating at one of the chain restaurants, but I thought this could be a great opportunity to really try something different and expose the kids to something new. Are there any unique or local places you would recommend for a group of about 10 fourth graders?

We're staying in the downtown area, but we have no issue with driving somewhere, if needed. We also have a few with dietary (pork) restrictions, but that's typically pretty easy to work around.

[jobert]

It might be be crazy packed at the following places, but I would try Hula Hut (Hawaiian/Mexican fusion) or Maudie's (Tex-Mex) - both on Lake Austin blvd, Guero's on South Congress (Tex-Mex), Rudy's on 360 (BBQ) or Green Mesquite (Comfort Food) on Barton Springs Road. If you want something really Austin authentic, outdoorsy, and less expensive, try a food trailer like Torchy's off of South First, or a Mighty Cone again, on South Congress. I really don't know any place good for kids in downtown proper, unfortunately. The restaurants tend to be smaller, more upscale and adult.

[Rapunzll]

I recently spent a week in Austin and loved the food carts. Here is a blog that I found helpful: Austin Food Carts

Another site I find really helpful is Kid Friendly Restaurants - Austin | Urbanspoon.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

I recently spent a week in Austin and loved the food carts. Here is a blog that I found helpful: Austin Food Carts

Another site I find really helpful is Kid Friendly Restaurants - Austin | Urbanspoon.

According to Urban Spoon: Abel's on the Lake, Moonshine, Bess Bistro, and Bikinis Sports Bar = kid friendly.. really?

How about we throw in Hooters while we're at it.

When I think kid friendly, I think fun atmosphere, music stage, horseshoes, and a playground maybe (Freddie's on S. First). The Urban Spoon list includes very small establishments such as Austin Java at city hall. That's more of a lunch place to take groups of 3-4 people, not a pack of kids. All their tables are 3'x3' and the entire place is like 1000sf. A lot of those places are kid "tolerant" and will not be appealing to the children, themselves.

[Trainwreck20]

How many kids? And what is the age range, in general? Edit: Opps, just saw you included number/age

Rudy's on 360 has a big outdoor area (if the kids need to burn some energy) and can handle large crowds pretty easily.

Chuy's on S. MoPac/Wm. Cannon also has outdoor dining and some area to stretch the legs, but harder to get a crowd in there (but they might take reservations?).

Whole Foods has a rooftop deck area and kind of a cafeteria style serving area. It is right downtown, but not sure how crowded it gets.

Central Market N. Lamar also has a really nice outdoor area and can handle larger crowds well.

[TexasHorseLady]

I'd say Central Market on North Lamar would be your best bet (it's where I'd go in this situation, and I've been a Cub Scout Den Mother in a past life - unfortunately, Central Market didn't yet exist then). Good food for kids AND adults (and you can have a glass of wine if you want!), indoor and outdoor seating, sometimes live music, VERY kid friendly and an Austin hang-out.

[Rapunzll]

Originally Posted by jobert

According to Urban Spoon: Abel's on the Lake, Moonshine, Bess Bistro, and Bikinis Sports Bar = kid friendly.. really?

How about we throw in Hooters while we're at it.

When I think kid friendly, I think fun atmosphere, music stage, horseshoes, and a playground maybe (Freddie's on S. First). The Urban Spoon list includes very small establishments such as Austin Java at city hall. That's more of a lunch place to take groups of 3-4 people, not a pack of kids. All their tables are 3'x3' and the entire place is like 1000sf. A lot of those places are kid "tolerant" and will not be appealing to the children, themselves.

I believe that the restaurants themselves choose that designation. I agree, their opinion can vary greatly from mine, if there's a website, you can often take a look and make sure it is indeed kid friendly.

[texastrigirl]

Chuys (Mexican), Amy's Ice Cream (the best in the world!) and Rudys BBQ would be my top three! Chuys and Amys are right down town on 6th Street. All are affordable. I would also add Hula Hut on Lake Austin but it's owned by the Chuys group and the food is somewhat similar. Both are fantastic places but Chuys is a little more Austin nostalgic IMO. It's the first place I always go when I land in Austin AND it's the one place all the Austinites in Seattle miss the most!

[mark311]

I agree with Rudy's and the North Central Market. I would be afraid to take that large of a group to Chuy's or Hula Hut on a Friday night, otherwise those would be good options. Chuy's and Hula Hut can both have very long waits for smaller tables. I can only imagine how long the waits would be for a large table with a small potential bill (ie. no alcohol being served).

[motherofthree]

I love Rudy's and their simple menu but if you don't have a meat lovin' kid then there's not much for them.

Chuy's is a great choice but on a Friday night with a large group is not a good idea unless you get there early - say 4 pm.