136. Justine’s
City: Austin, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (512) 385-2900
Address: 4710 East Fifth St.
Description: Hip Austin has jumped the Interstate into East Austin, once the heartland of the city’s Mexican-American barrio. Dubbed a “pitch-perfect French bistro” by the New York Times, Justine’s focused menu features traditional fare like escargots and coquilles St. Jacques, onion soup and steak frites, all served in a cozy cottage or outdoors on the patio. The neighborhood is transitional with working class homes and old industrial buildings, but the vibe is very modern. Open for dinner Wed through Mon.
137. Nuevo Leon
City: Austin, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (512) 479-0097
Address: 1209 East Seventh St.
Description: Dishes inspired by the family’s Northern Mexican roots are served at this colorfully decorated restaurant that has found success in a second Southwest location. Lunch and dinner are served weekdays; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekends.
138. Sam’s Bar-B-Cue
City: Austin, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (512) 478-0378
Address: 2000 East Twelfth St.
Description: Sam’s biggest fan was famed guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the walls of this authentic barbecue joint offer homage to the late musician with pictures and newspaper clippings. The menu is simple: brisket, chicken, sausage, and ribs plus spicy beans and potato salad. Take-out is available at this humble neighborhood cafe. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Open to 3 a.m. on Fri and Sat. No credit cards.
139. Catfish Parlour
City: Austin, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (512) 443-1698
Address: 4705 East Ben White Blvd.
Description: For more than two decades Catfish Parlour has been pulling in the crowds for all-you-can-eat catfish and more. Both baked and fried catfish are served, plus fried shrimp and chicken. The menu has Cajun touches with hush puppies and gumbo, plus there is a large salad bar. There is a second location in north Austin. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
140. Marisco’s Seafood
City: Austin, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (512) 462-9119
Address: 1504 Town Creek Dr.
Description: In search of an authentic neighborhood restaurant? Marisco’s is housed in an A-frame building east of I-35 on a busy street. The food here is very cheap and simple; seafood entrees are simply prepared, either boiled, fried, or broiled, but there are Mexican touches such as the vuelve la vida (back to the good life) seafood cocktail, ceviche, and seafood soup. Marisco’s is open daily for lunch and dinner.
141. Patsy’s Cowgirl Cafe
City: Austin, TX
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (512) 444-2020
Address: 501 East Ben White Blvd.
Description: Famed Austin comic performers Shannon Sedwick and Michael Shelton of Esther’s Follies fame own this country cafe on the road to Austin’s airport. It is a good place to learn local history since many of the dishes are named after local celebs, many connected to the liberal political scene, like Ann Richards, or of musical fame, like Kinky Friedman. Down-home food daily for lunch and dinner, and live music Tues through Sat.