Austin Area Best Restaurants (Houston, Cedar Park: eat, yard, kitchen)

[Phisch]

Has anyone eaten at Estancia Chiaroscurro off 290? I'm curious.

Is Canoli Joe's a chain? I am thinking it's not but I emailed them about their ingredients and no one ever got back to me.

[eavonius]

OMG, where to start!! Just moved here from Milwaukee area in November, and to think I was worried I'd get bored with only mexican to eat - little did I know the variety of mexican (and everything else).

Tacodeli! - The mole tacos, adobados, and fontera fundido tacos all rule and their dona sauce is amazing. I would kill to know how to make this sauce at home!!! The breakfast tacos (migas and Jess special are my favs) go great with it too.

Magnolia Cafe - Only been to the south location. Gingerbread pancakes that rule, fish tacos that are pimpin', my wife and kids have tried several other things on the menu as well. Great for breakfast too - eat outside if it's nice out.

Homeslice - True brooklyn style pizza on South Congress. Nuff said.

Thai Kitchen - Off of Bee Caves rd. west of MoPac. Hole in the wall vibe inside but awesome food.

Thundercloud subs - Elvis shakes rule. I love the Texas tuna sandwhich as well.

Sarovar - Indian off of Burnett. Buffet style but they have something for everyone, and fairly affordable too.

Amy's Ice Cream - Their pumpkin tastes so accurate you'd think they grow the pumpkins in a cone . Tons of true-to-ingredients flavors.

Thunderbird burritos - Think a way, way better version of Qdoba if you've eaten there. Never had BBQ sauce go so well with a burrito.

Trudy's - Great tex-mex - I'm especially fond of their migas.

I could go on forever. But those are some favorites.

[saavymom]

My husband and I had a wonderful date night at DiMaggios at the Domain. This is the only location in Texas for this restaurant with one other location in San Francisco. It was a beautiful evening when we decided to try it without having made reservations. We had to wait awhile, but that was okay because we enjoyed ourselves on the patio while having delicious martinis before moving inside to listen to the singer and piano player. We were then seated in the dining area where the ambiance and decor made the evening seem more special. I tried a chicken dish; can't remember exactly what it was but I ate every last bit of it. My husband, however, had the lasagna, and it was not very good. That was the only disappointment of the night. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere made our date night memorable one.

[Moonlady]

What a great list! I can't wait to try some of the restaurants listed that I haven't been to yet.

Saavymom - I had just heard about DiMaggio's - how does it rate on the $$$ scale? Just looking at their website, it seems like it would be really pricey.

[angielt]

Originally Posted by eavonius

OMG, where to start!! Just moved here from Milwaukee area in November, and to think I was worried I'd get bored with only mexican to eat - little did I know the variety of mexican (and everything else).

Tacodeli! - The mole tacos, adobados, and fontera fundido tacos all rule and their dona sauce is amazing. I would kill to know how to make this sauce at home!!! The breakfast tacos (migas and Jess special are my favs) go great with it too.

Magnolia Cafe - Only been to the south location. Gingerbread pancakes that rule, fish tacos that are pimpin', my wife and kids have tried several other things on the menu as well. Great for breakfast too - eat outside if it's nice out.

Homeslice - True brooklyn style pizza on South Congress. Nuff said.

Thai Kitchen - Off of Bee Caves rd. west of MoPac. Hole in the wall vibe inside but awesome food.

Thundercloud subs - Elvis shakes rule. I love the Texas tuna sandwhich as well.

Sarovar - Indian off of Burnett. Buffet style but they have something for everyone, and fairly affordable too.

Amy's Ice Cream - Their pumpkin tastes so accurate you'd think they grow the pumpkins in a cone . Tons of true-to-ingredients flavors.

Thunderbird burritos - Think a way, way better version of Qdoba if you've eaten there. Never had BBQ sauce go so well with a burrito.

Trudy's - Great tex-mex - I'm especially fond of their migas.

I could go on forever. But those are some favorites.

If you have not been there yet, you might also like kirby lane--similar to magnolia (i think there are 3 or 4 locations in austin), shady grove, chuy's, hula hut, austin java, can not remember name but down on lake austin off city park road .....just to name a few favs.

[jeffari-al-texani]

My favorite restaurant...in all of Austin...

Maya's Taco Village in Capital Plaza...

Nothing fancy about this place...just good food...

[Claudette]

El Arroyo on 5th St. - Enchiladas del Mar are sick! Chunks of great crab meat and an amazing flavor all together. Oh, and their list of margarita varieties are pretty good too.

Musashino Dokoro off of MoPac and Greystone is great for sushi. Try the Texas Chainsaw Massacre roll. Sounds ridiculous but it's delicious!

[Evilyne]

Replying to give this thread a bump.

There's this Italian place in the Triangle that is consistently awesome and affordable. Be prepared to wait in the line about 15-30 min to place your order, the line-up is always right back to the door every time we go. You order at the counter then pick your seat and the waiters bring the food to you. Everything is good there. Can't remember the name of this place for the life of me.

[coog78]

I'd like to find at least one decent restaurant in Austin. Have been hundreds of times and their restaurant scene is abysmal.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by Evilyne

Replying to give this thread a bump.

There's this Italian place in the Triangle that is consistently awesome and affordable. Be prepared to wait in the line about 15-30 min to place your order, the line-up is always right back to the door every time we go. You order at the counter then pick your seat and the waiters bring the food to you. Everything is good there. Can't remember the name of this place for the life of me.

Here you go!
Mandola's Market, Austin, Texas