Is the Oasis still a great sunset dinner destination? (Austin: house, live) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Natori · 01-31-2013, 11:01 PM

I first went in the mid-90's and it remains one of my favorite Austin dining memories. Visiting the city soon and curious to know if you can still get fantastic food, service and view (heard there was a fire a while back). I'm also aware Austin is not exactly what it once was, but that's okay.

AustinGuy · 01-31-2013, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natori

I first went in the mid-90's and it remains one of my favorite Austin dining memories. Visiting the city soon and curious to know if you can still get fantastic food, service and view (heard there was a fire a while back). I'm also aware Austin is not exactly what it once was, but that's okay.

I don't recall a time when Oasis was ever known for fantastic food, but the sunsets and view are still great. I say go there for drinks and appetizers and go somewhere else to eat. They rebuilt the restaurant after the fire, plus they added other shops and restaurants around it.

10scoachrick · 01-31-2013, 11:31 PM

Well, you will be impressed with the transformation of the complex/compound/food mall. You'll also hear folks who swear the food is lousy and the only reason to go is the view(of a rather empty lake and 'sometimes islands' that look like they will be 'forever'). While I wouldn't drive out there JUST for the food, our dining experiences have been darned good. A busy night is like walking into a fire drill; but they manage to pull it off.

Depending on the date of your visit, sunset would be a bit early for dinner(6:15-6:25 right now), so keep that in mind. Of course, the later sunsets are usually accompanied by hotter temperatures. For another month, the temps will drop drastically after sunset. Closer to spring...anything goes!

Might take a little research to determine which other restaurants are open in the complex:
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atxcio · 02-01-2013, 12:25 AM

I agree with 10scoachrick, you should go just to be shocked by the transformation. When you pull into the 4 story parking garage it should give you some idea

It's still a great sunset destination. And the food is typical Austin Tex Mex: better than what you can find in a lot of the country, but won't impress the local foodies. Also, there are more restaurants there if you want to try something different.

The low level of the lake, due to the multiyear drought, is going to make it look much less spectacular than when you last saw it in the 90s. Hopefully it won't be like that permanently. But it's still a good view.

sxrckr · 02-01-2013, 06:19 AM

Sure, and it's built up around it now. You will notice the lake is low because of the drought.

sheaday · 02-01-2013, 07:18 AM

I went for the first time last summer- was not impressed at all. Food was bad and overpriced. We sat on a big deck in which they crowded as many people and tables on there as they could. View was decent but the lake isn't impressive right now. I'm glad I went to see what it was all about but I'll never go back.

mark311 · 02-01-2013, 07:47 AM

The last couple times that we went out there, we ate at Uncle Billy's and it was great. However, it closed late last year, so I'm curious to see what will happen to that huge restaurant space. I've read about rumors of a House of Blues being considered there.

It's definitely still a great place to take visitors. I think locals can only handle going out there 3 or 4 times a year because it's definitely one of the most crowded restaurant scenes in all of Austin. Since you haven't been in so long, definitely go to check it out. Hula Hut is always a nice alternative option with better food if you don't want to drive out to the Oasis, but Hula Hut can attract some crazy crowds as well. I also believe that the food at Oasis is fine as it improved greatly when they re-vamped their menu a couple years ago. People still like to bag on their food because it's a bit overpriced for locals. We still almost always take any out of town guests out there at least once, but it's rare that we go out there if we don't have guests in town.

hoffdano · 02-01-2013, 07:56 AM

The Oasis is still a destination. But I would not consider it a dinner destination. I don't think it ever has been. The food today is better than it was 20 years ago. But I think it is improved to "average." If the OP liked the food before then he/she should like it again.

Soleil, next door, has a much more interesting and refined menu. The kitchen is a bit inconsistent.

I still think the Oasis is a good place to take people, even with the lake low. The sunset is still the same. I think I would have drinks on the patio with a plate of nachos rather than a full meal.

texastrigirl · 02-01-2013, 08:34 AM

Much prefer the food here and the view is also fantastic...

Iguana Grill Mexican Restaurant - Austin, TX - Lake Travis - Mexican Food with a View and Live Music

But I know, I know...it's the Oasis.

10scoachrick · 02-01-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastrigirl

Much prefer the food here and the view is also fantastic...

Iguana Grill Mexican Restaurant - Austin, TX - Lake Travis - Mexican Food with a View and Live Music

But I know, I know...it's the Oasis.

I was going to mention the Iguana; but DW was really not impressed with the service when we had folks in for a visit. A bit TOO casual and laid back...as in...where IS our food? Still a great location for a sunset, as is the Oasis complex, even with the lake level so low. We just need to keep a few clouds in the sky to make things interesting. The purple shades in last night's sunset were really pretty.