Salt Licks - which location? (Austin, Cisco: restaurants, food, oil)

[JustMeInBrandon]

Thanks for all the helpful hints. We aren't coming until the end of February but wanted to ask. Congress Street sounds like a better place to stroll. Thanks!

Now . . . . about Mexican food . . . . some say Guero's and some say Chuy's. I've read reviews about both and some people say neither one has GREAT Mexican and they both have long waits but say Guero's is more expensive. Any one with comments on this one?

[JustMeInBrandon]

Originally Posted by LongTimeAustinite

I know it was mentioned but don't forget to bring your own beer.

I have never lived anywhere that you have BYOB to a restaurant. Is that common in Austin? Strange!

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by JustMeInBrandon

I have never lived anywhere that you have BYOB to a restaurant. Is that common in Austin? Strange!

Not at all. The Salt Lick in Driftwood is in a dry precinct (I believe- other long-timers, correct me if I am wrong) so they cannot serve alcohol there. They can sell you wine or beer at their little wine store but they cannot serve you alcohol in the restaurant.

[LongTimeAustinite]

The remnants of prohibition and the Bible Belt. There are many areas in Texas that are "dry". Driftwood is one of them. They don't have a liqueur license so they let their patrons bring their own booze.

Some areas in Dallas are wet and dry from block to block.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by JustMeInBrandon

Thanks for all the helpful hints. We aren't coming until the end of February but wanted to ask. Congress Street sounds like a better place to stroll. Thanks!

Now . . . . about Mexican food . . . . some say Guero's and some say Chuy's. I've read reviews about both and some people say neither one has GREAT Mexican and they both have long waits but say Guero's is more expensive. Any one with comments on this one?

they both serve tex-mex. I personally prefer chuys. It is a chain which ensures consistency. If you have lived here for a long time you would outgrow it. But as a visitor I think chuys is a great place to go.

[TexasHorseLady]

I wouldn't say EITHER Guero's or Chuy's for good Mexican food.

If you want to go fancy, Fonda San Miguel for the ambiance.

Not fancy, Azul Tequila (in a shopping strip center on the northeast corner of Ben White and South Lamar, next to a Target, but as good as Fonda San Miguel, just a lot cheaper) or Taqueria Guadalajara Arandas at 6534 Burnet Rd (REALLY not fancy, but YUM!).

There are also about 87 million other really good places to get Mexican food (Tex-Mex or interior) in and around Austin, but those are some reliables.

[Jennibc]

You should go to the original Chuys on Barton Springs Road. If not for any other reason than Jenna Bush was arrested there for trying to drink with fake ID.

[bgrn198]

Matt's El Rancho on South Lamar is a place to try

Welcome to Matt's Famous El Rancho!

[funicorn]

Now I feel bad for calling down Salt Lick's sides. It's always been a joke amongst my friends that we don't go there for the beans. I thought this was the popular opinion. Sorry.

Texas Horse Lady is spot on. ...just depends on how much ambiance you want and whether you care for TexMex or interior mexican food. Azul Tequila, like THL mentioned, is one of my favorites and one of the few that serves INTERIOR Mexican cuisine and not just Tex Mex. Cochinita Pibil...heaven. Fonda San Miguel has wonderful, fancier interior food (lobster enchiladas) and prices/ambiance to match.

I always pick Chuy's over Guerros. New Mexican martini's there are magical and make every meal taste better. Matt's El Rancho is my favorite I-want-to-drink-a-margarita-on-a-patio spot. Matt's is oddly closed on Tues. That has hurt my feelings more than once.

Have fun!

[atxcio]

I think Gueros is a nice option for a tourist who hasn't yet become too picky about their Tex Mex. It's good Tex Mex and in a fun area. Chuy's on Barton Springs, too. You'll leave full and it doesn't cost much, plus the margaritas in both places beat those you'll find in most other states.

When you are better versed in Tex Mex, you'll likely start wanting to go to places like Azul Tequila or Curras. But for now, it's like a non-wine drinker being asked to tell the difference between a $20 bottle of wine and a $50 one. They probably won't notice the difference enough for it to matter.

Also, I believe the airport Salt Lick drives their BBQ in from Driftwood. So it should be the same stuff. It's always good when I get it at the airport, but sometimes the long lines and short hours are a turnoff...