Yummy SW Restaurants? (Austin, West, Sunset Valley: how much, live in, price)

[Jennibc]

Come to think of it, we almost always drive out of Southwest Austin to eat. We have a bunch of close restaurants, especially at Escarpment Village but almost everyone of them has been somewhat disappointing, and with the exception of Waterloo, overpriced.

Green Mesquite down in HEB strip mall at the Y is really hit or miss, we went once and the food tasted great. The next time we went, we were really disappointed. We tried Donn's BBQ and it was AWFUL.

We sometimes go to Chuys which if you hit at happy hour is good (cheap margaritas) but it is almost always a wait. I prefer Trudy's to Chuys so we usually end up driving all the way to I35.

I will have to check out the Cypress Grill. We went into Galaxy once and decided to leave because the prices seemed high for someplace that didn't have table service. Went to the Pizza place next door instead, and it was Ok. Don't I sound I picky?

Has anybody tried the Mediterranean Buffet that went up in Arbor Trails?

[atlanta hope]

We've been looking at the Fearless Critic guidebook to Austin and haven't really thought it was on target -- talking to people here is far more informative!

Guess I'm not the only one that thinks that either: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/374868

[IDtoTX]

We always order takeout/delivery Chinese food from Sesame Hill. They don't have on-site eating (or at least where I would eat) but the food is excellent.

[atxcio]

I second the recommendation of Milano Cafe on SW Parkway. It's got kind of a weird ambience, with the couches and stuff... and the menu is small.. but everything we've had there is very authentic and good. The pizza is delicious. The coffee is simply amazing.

I guess this is not SW enough, but the Grove off Bee Caves & 360 is a favorite. Also right off 290/Ben White is Estancia Churrascaria... and right by Central Market is Madam Mam's. Hyde Park Grill is right there too, it's a nice place but the food is so-so.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by IDtoTX

We always order takeout/delivery Chinese food from Sesame Hill. They don't have on-site eating (or at least where I would eat) but the food is excellent.

Thanks, I will give it a try. The menu looks good!

sesamehii.com, asian cuisine

[Moonlady]

Don't forget about Hill's Cafe! Not fancy, but good food and they also have live music outdoors on some nights.

Nutty Brown Cafe is also good but a little bit of a drive.

[CptnRn]

Ohh, Nutty Brown is not that far from me, I will check it out. Nutty Brown Cafe

[Trainwreck20]

That bird is in a cage with a squirt bottle hanging on it (at least in the summer), and the bird says "Squirt me!"

[achtungpv]

I haven't been in about two years but Tien Jin across from Central Market @ Westgate is good...IF you ask for and order from the Chinese menu. If you're not Asian, you will, by default, be given the Americanized menu which sucks.

Azul Tequila is the best interior Mexican in town.

Just up Lamar is Chango's which is tacos & burritos. Bit pricey for what it is but good.

[doctorjef]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

I haven't been in a very long time, but we used to like The Bakehouse on Manchaca.

The Bakehouse has been around forever and I was wondering if it still existed. It's just south of Stassney IIRC, near Crockett HS on the opposite side of Manchaca. They have a very comprhensive menu, but there was something I found a little insipid about them. Guess I just didn't like the concept -- too frumpy/cutsie. If you insist on looking for restaurants in the wilderness south of Ben White, you probably should pay them a visit though. I used to live out in Shady Hollow and always felt I had to schlep into town for any place I'd actually want to eat. We then moved to Barton Hills, which I found much better located relative to restaurants I'd actually want to go to.