Need some trip help!

[AustinTexan]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Oh, lord, no, not a chain like Chut's or Hula Hut to replace the Oasis! It's an Austin tradition; it doesn't need to be "watered down" to be like chains (local or otherwise) that you can find anywhere.

The Oasis has never been about the food. Ever. It's about the view and the experience.

I don't recall "a lot of people" wishing that it had burned down entirely. Quite the contrary, in fact.

Would I go there to eat? No. But I'd definitely go there for drinks (I tend to be pretty specific when I order my drinks, right down to brand of tequila) and conversation in a beautiful setting.

Um, I think you just re-iterated what I said. Don't go there to eat, go there for the view, company, and some drinks (beer). Since the food is soooo bad, wouldn't it be nice if you COULD go there and enjoy a nice meal as well? Since they haven't been able to serve a decent meal there is the 18 years that I've lived here, had it burned down and built by a restaurant with GOOD food, how would that have been a bad thing? For the Love of God, why can't they hire a decent kitchen staff that knows how to cook? If you're going to wait that long for a table and finally get a nice view, it's a shame that you can't enjoy a meal there. The staff/management have always been very rude if you try to complain about ANYTHING, so be careful. They have these huge heads because the place is always crowded so they don't care if you complain, they know people are still going to come. It's annoying.

[i29gtaylor]

Great, thanks for the feedback. One question: where is the best place to watch the bats??

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by i29gtaylor

Great, thanks for the feedback. One question: where is the best place to watch the bats??

The most popular spot is the Congress Ave bridge.

Congress Avenue Bats in Austin Texas - Bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin (http://austin.about.com/cs/bats/p/bats.htm - broken link)

[MJinAustin]

Originally Posted by AustinTexan

Trust me, whatever you do, don't go to the Oasis to eat! Go there for some cocktails or appetizers if you must, BUT DON'T EAT DINNER THERE!!! Their service is absolutely the worst I've ever experienced in Austin and seriously, you can find better tasting food at the 7-11. I've lived here over 18 years and they've done "overhauls" with their management and kitchen staff, even came up with new menu items, however, I think that place is just cursed with horrible food! Nothing they've done in the time I've lived here has increased the quality of food that they serve. Some people will say that it's gotten better, but seriously, if it had gotten any worst, the Health Department would have shut them down. The last time I was there, the Health Department would have shut them down for the "food" they tried to serve us. When we complained to the manager, his exact words were "so....what do you want me to do? If I re-order your food, you're still not going to be happy so I'll just give you a 15% discount on your ticket." The view is awesome but do yourself a favor and just order beer there as well. I ordered Crown and Coke there and was given some cheap "well" whiskey and they had the nerve to charge me $8.25 for a drink that was watered down and wasn't even what I ordered. I'm telling you, I don't like the Oasis one bit! When part of it burned down a few years ago, a lot of people wished it would have completely burned down and re-built by a restaurant like Chuy's or Hula Hut! The owners/management there are horrendous! Okay, I'm done.

The Oasis is overpriced. The food isn't amazing. The view is nice though. It's not a place to order a special meal like a fish something...but you're probably pretty safe with some appetizers that can't be screwed up like nachos or fajitas. Margaritas are ok. That's what we get when we go there (not often). And last time I was there, the food had improved a great deal. I have not been since the fire. Can't comment on the mgmt.

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by AustinTexan

When part of it burned down a few years ago, a lot of people wished it would have completely burned down and re-built by a restaurant like Chuy's or Hula Hut!

I remember feeling very sad when I heard the news

[jimmyjack]

I am going to tell you straight up, there are only a couple of things you must do. When you are walking around and here some interesting music coming out of a building, go on in and take a look. When you are wandering around and smell something good, go on in and have a taste. When you find yourself a little dehydrated from the summer heat, mosey on in and have yourself a cold one. Find yourself a bench in the shade, sit down a spell and take a rest.

Austin is not a city of destinations and attractions. The reward is the journey and the people you meet along the way.

[i29gtaylor]

Originally Posted by jimmyjack

I am going to tell you straight up, there are only a couple of things you must do. When you are walking around and here some interesting music coming out of a building, go on in and take a look. When you are wandering around and smell something good, go on in and have a taste. When you find yourself a little dehydrated from the summer heat, mosey on in and have yourself a cold one. Find yourself a bench in the shade, sit down a spell and take a rest.

Austin is not a city of destinations and attractions. The reward is the journey and the people you meet along the way.

Great feedback; thanks. That's exactly why we want to move there. I was thinking more about the areas we have to see and the local restaurants we need to eat at. Then we can do the walking around and exploring once we're in the best place!

[texastea]

Be sure to drive down 360, see the lake from the Pennybacker Bridge and take 2222 to the Oasis.