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I haven't been since the illustrious 2011 season, but I'd hit up Round Rock Donuts on your way down and get the huge donut. Delicious and starts your day off with a feeling of accomplishment.
Definitely Juan in a Million for breakfast tacos. We also went to Kerbey Lane and it was good, but it didn't change my life.
Hula Hut was cool on the lake, but I don't recall the food being anything to write home about (might be a chain?).
We parked at a bar where the OSU tailgate was and shuttled to campus for the game. I'm drawing a blank on the bar name right now, but they were good people.
Definitely Juan in a Million for breakfast tacos. We also went to Kerbey Lane and it was good, but it didn't change my life.
Hula Hut was cool on the lake, but I don't recall the food being anything to write home about (might be a chain?).
We parked at a bar where the OSU tailgate was and shuttled to campus for the game. I'm drawing a blank on the bar name right now, but they were good people.
La BBQ is no where near the top. Last time I visited, the brisket was fatty, tougher than most I've been to and not that impressive. In any other city, it would be one of the best, but not in Austin. It's overrated.
Now, Mickelthwait is better (IMO) and just down the street from Franklin. It's no brick and mortar place, so outside dining (covered) is your only option. However, they have the best side dishes of them all. The jalapeno/cheddar cheese grits and poppyseed slaw blow other boring, typical BBQ sides away. That's worth the visit.
East Austin is booming. Many bars to hang out in the 5th, 6th and 7th street areas. More local flavor than Dirty 6th.
Rainey Street is happening with tons of live music, bars, food trucks and restaurant options. Sunday is Funday on Rainey and West 6th so if you're still in town, tear it down. It gets started around noon on Rainey.
Hula Hut on the lake is a great place for scenery. The food is okay, but it's a good place to grab a drink on Lake Austin. There's a couple of other places right next door, but their reputations are not stellar.
Other great views at County Line BBQ On The Hill overlooks the Hill Country to the west. Great patio for sunsets and there's an OSU fan/server, Nathan, out there that would love to hear a "Go Pokes!" for everyone.
The Oasis is much farther out, but probably the best sunset view over Lake Travis one could possibly see. It's just about a mile from Hippy Hollow so after you get your skinny dip on (and it's not all gay -- just people that like to free swim and sunbathe).
Near Barton Springs pool (there's a free side, too) are a few places to grab food and drink: Chuy's, Shady Grove, Green Mesquite BBQ, Juliet. Farther down is El Alma, Terry Black's BBQ, Uchi for sushi on S. Lamar.
Take a walk on the bike/hike path from the pool toward the pedestrian bridge for a premier photo op of Downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake looking toward the west.
Now, Mickelthwait is better (IMO) and just down the street from Franklin. It's no brick and mortar place, so outside dining (covered) is your only option. However, they have the best side dishes of them all. The jalapeno/cheddar cheese grits and poppyseed slaw blow other boring, typical BBQ sides away. That's worth the visit.
East Austin is booming. Many bars to hang out in the 5th, 6th and 7th street areas. More local flavor than Dirty 6th.
Rainey Street is happening with tons of live music, bars, food trucks and restaurant options. Sunday is Funday on Rainey and West 6th so if you're still in town, tear it down. It gets started around noon on Rainey.
Hula Hut on the lake is a great place for scenery. The food is okay, but it's a good place to grab a drink on Lake Austin. There's a couple of other places right next door, but their reputations are not stellar.
Other great views at County Line BBQ On The Hill overlooks the Hill Country to the west. Great patio for sunsets and there's an OSU fan/server, Nathan, out there that would love to hear a "Go Pokes!" for everyone.
The Oasis is much farther out, but probably the best sunset view over Lake Travis one could possibly see. It's just about a mile from Hippy Hollow so after you get your skinny dip on (and it's not all gay -- just people that like to free swim and sunbathe).
Near Barton Springs pool (there's a free side, too) are a few places to grab food and drink: Chuy's, Shady Grove, Green Mesquite BBQ, Juliet. Farther down is El Alma, Terry Black's BBQ, Uchi for sushi on S. Lamar.
Take a walk on the bike/hike path from the pool toward the pedestrian bridge for a premier photo op of Downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake looking toward the west.
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These are good recommendations, and if you're ever in doubt on which BBQ place to go, consult Daniel Vaughn.
The Skylark Lounge is a pretty awesome spot for some jazz. I like Fareground for the variety of food, and if you don't get to Austin a lot, they have several stalls from some really good restaurants (Contigo, Dai Due, etc.). Probably not what most people are after, but if you have time or the means, Odd Duck or Emmer & Rye are great options for nicer meals and drinks. Other places I'd recommend: Loro, Noble Pig (RIP the beef tongue sandwich) Suerte, and then Better Half or Launderette for brunch.
Pinthouse Pizza has a huge beer list and good pizza (Via 313 has better pizza though and is on Rainey). Banger's has a big beer list and some decent food on Rainey. Lick has some of the best ice cream around.
The Skylark Lounge is a pretty awesome spot for some jazz. I like Fareground for the variety of food, and if you don't get to Austin a lot, they have several stalls from some really good restaurants (Contigo, Dai Due, etc.). Probably not what most people are after, but if you have time or the means, Odd Duck or Emmer & Rye are great options for nicer meals and drinks. Other places I'd recommend: Loro, Noble Pig (RIP the beef tongue sandwich) Suerte, and then Better Half or Launderette for brunch.
Pinthouse Pizza has a huge beer list and good pizza (Via 313 has better pizza though and is on Rainey). Banger's has a big beer list and some decent food on Rainey. Lick has some of the best ice cream around.
Do not go to sixth street...at least the parts between The Driskill and I35...it’s become a somewhat dangerous frat boy and homeless scene. If you want to go to a place where you have to yell all night standing arsehole to elbow with a drink in your hand that took 30m waiting at the bar to get, then whoop it up on ‘dirty sixth’.
If you want to stay in that general downtown area then I’d recommend the Kung Fu Saloon/Dogwood/Key Bar part of 6th (west of the dirty sixth part). Kung Fu has arcade machines as a fun diversion.
Closer to the stadium is Scholz Garten which has been a mainstay of pre-game here for ages, it’ll be massively crowded but it’s a large place and an Austin thing I suppose.
If you want a little more laid back atmosphere but still downtown, Rainey Street is covered with bars like Lustre Pear where you can grab a game of Jenga or Craft Pride with a ton of local Texas beer...512 Pecan Porter is something I’m addicted to. There’s good street food down there too with G’Raj Mahal and Bangers. If you want to try some upscale food but can’t stomach the wait or prices at Uchi, our second favorite restaurant in Austin is also on Rainey called Emmer and Rye...love that place. Do not even think about driving on Rainey yourself.
I made fun of The Domain when it opened, a North Austin mixed development...but the Rock Rose area there is our go to for ‘we want to walk about and drink/eat but don’t feel like facing downtown.’ There’s a Kung Fu Saloon there too. We watched the Texas/LSU game at Yard House and it was great, not very Austin-y but after a day getting squashed around campus tailgating it was nice to chill out.
Otherwise catch a Master Pancake show at The Drafthouse while comedians make fun of movies as you drink and eat. Check out the bats at sunset under Congress bridge. Take a day trip out to Jester King, or see whoever is playing at Stubbs/Emos/etc...I lived at Stubbs my first decade here but ACL Moody theater is my preferred venue now (the racetrack sucks).
I haven’t read the whole thread so probably wrote a novel that repeats what others have said...but wanted to jump in to clarify on which parts of sixth I’d recommend for anyone over 25 years old...and maybe you can cross reference places we all mentioned to narrow your list.
If you want to stay in that general downtown area then I’d recommend the Kung Fu Saloon/Dogwood/Key Bar part of 6th (west of the dirty sixth part). Kung Fu has arcade machines as a fun diversion.
Closer to the stadium is Scholz Garten which has been a mainstay of pre-game here for ages, it’ll be massively crowded but it’s a large place and an Austin thing I suppose.
If you want a little more laid back atmosphere but still downtown, Rainey Street is covered with bars like Lustre Pear where you can grab a game of Jenga or Craft Pride with a ton of local Texas beer...512 Pecan Porter is something I’m addicted to. There’s good street food down there too with G’Raj Mahal and Bangers. If you want to try some upscale food but can’t stomach the wait or prices at Uchi, our second favorite restaurant in Austin is also on Rainey called Emmer and Rye...love that place. Do not even think about driving on Rainey yourself.
I made fun of The Domain when it opened, a North Austin mixed development...but the Rock Rose area there is our go to for ‘we want to walk about and drink/eat but don’t feel like facing downtown.’ There’s a Kung Fu Saloon there too. We watched the Texas/LSU game at Yard House and it was great, not very Austin-y but after a day getting squashed around campus tailgating it was nice to chill out.
Otherwise catch a Master Pancake show at The Drafthouse while comedians make fun of movies as you drink and eat. Check out the bats at sunset under Congress bridge. Take a day trip out to Jester King, or see whoever is playing at Stubbs/Emos/etc...I lived at Stubbs my first decade here but ACL Moody theater is my preferred venue now (the racetrack sucks).
I haven’t read the whole thread so probably wrote a novel that repeats what others have said...but wanted to jump in to clarify on which parts of sixth I’d recommend for anyone over 25 years old...and maybe you can cross reference places we all mentioned to narrow your list.
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Good suggestion on the drinking spots. Avoid East 6th Street.
Bad suggestion on Mexican. You can do waaaaay better than Matt's, though it is a landmark
Terrible suggestion on pizza unless you are into 90% crust. I can't even believe Detroit style pizza is a thing it's so bad. Actually, it's not bad, it's just not pizza. It's like a thick piece of bread with some marinara sauce on it and some toppings.
Bad suggestion on Mexican. You can do waaaaay better than Matt's, though it is a landmark
Terrible suggestion on pizza unless you are into 90% crust. I can't even believe Detroit style pizza is a thing it's so bad. Actually, it's not bad, it's just not pizza. It's like a thick piece of bread with some marinara sauce on it and some toppings.
Normally I would agree with you on the Detroit style pizza. Then we happened into the Brown Dog in Telluride. I hate this hackneyed expression, but... Oh...my...God. Nirvana on a squareish pan. Still not a favorite, but there is good Detroit style out there.
Anyway, the crust thing is why I like East Side Pies in Austin. All the good stuff of your choice with a crust just thick enough to hold everything in place.
Anyway, the crust thing is why I like East Side Pies in Austin. All the good stuff of your choice with a crust just thick enough to hold everything in place.
Interesting. I'm a lover of pizza so if I ever get a chance to try Detroit style again, I'd probably have a piece just to try to figure out what the attraction is. Chicago style? Not my thing, I'm a thin crust guy. But I definitely see the attraction and I ate the hell out of it when I was in Chicago. But this Detroit stuff was just weird. Maybe it was just Via311 that I don't get and most Detroit style pizza is better. It just seemed like it was all bread with a little cheese and sauce. I'm going to Google Detroit style pizza because, dammit!, I love pizza and I don't like the thought of there being a style out there that I don't like.
Ok, back to sports and stuff.
Ok, back to sports and stuff.