Good Austin area Restaurant?

[Groves]

I have a friend who just moved he and his family back from Asia. They're living in (near) Austin, TX (Cedar Park).

I want to send his fam a gift certificate to a great place to eat nearby.

Any suggestions?

It can be either a family place or someplace special for the parents only.

[Hammock Parties]

One of the top 5 BBQ joints in Texas.

http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

[AustinChief]

One of the top 5 BBQ joints in Texas.

http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

If you think that is good BBQ, you are an idiot. The Salt Lick isn't even top 10 in Austin much less Texas. Rudy's, the chain that is also a convenience store and gas station is better. The Salt Lick is for tourists and idiots.

If you want to go that far outside of town for BBQ, go to Lockhart and get Kreuz's. (still not even close to as good as a mediocre KC BBQ joint)

[Hammock Parties]

I haven't been, it was featured on Man vs Food though and named the tastiest BBQ in America by the Travel Channel.

[AustinChief]

I have a friend who just moved he and his family back from Asia. They're living in (near) Austin, TX (Cedar Park).

I want to send his fam a gift certificate to a great place to eat nearby.

Any suggestions?

It can be either a family place or someplace special for the parents only.

Some of my favorite spots in Austin are as follows...

Green Pastures - awesome setting and great food
http://greenpasturesrestaurant.com/

Chez Nous - best French restaurant and amazingly nice staff
http://cheznousaustin.com/

Ranch 616
http://theranch616.com/

Moonshine
http://www.moonshinegrill.com/

The Emerald - a bit far outside of town but amazing atmosphere and food
http://www.irishemeraldrestaurant.com/

Curra's
http://www.currasgrill.com/

Koriente
http://www.koriente.com/ -cheap but surprisingly good

Casino El Camino (as featured on Diner, Dives and Driveins) BEST BURGER IN TOWN! Hell possibly best burger in Texas... it's a divey bar though
http://www.casinoelcamino.net/

AND FINALLY... THE BEST KEBABS IN AMERICA... you would be hard pressed to find a better kebab outside of the back alleys of Dublin... but it is a food truck, so I doubt they have gift certs.
http://www.austinkebab.com/

[AustinChief]

I haven't been, it was featured on Man vs Food though and named the tastiest BBQ in America by the Travel Channel.

They are morons. It's crap.. absolute crap. I have been dozens of times and it never fails to disappoint.

[Miles]

They are morons. It's crap.. absolute crap. I have been dozens of times and it never fails to disappoint.

I wouldn't go as far as calling it crap but it has been pretty disappointing whenever I have been. Mediocre and hardly worth the drive. Biggest problem might be their sauce.

[AustinChief]

I wouldn't go as far as calling it crap but it has been pretty disappointing whenever I have been. Mediocre and hardly worth the drive. Biggest problem might be their sauce.

OK, it's not inedible... but I can't name a SINGLE BBQ place in town that is worse... except for Stubbs...

Most of the food carts downtown are better. Far better.

[Miles]

OK, it's not inedible... but I can't name a SINGLE BBQ place in town that is worse... except for Stubbs...

Most of the food carts downtown are better. Far better.

There is always the Salt lick at Bergstrom.

I usually just get Rudy's off 360 whenever I'm in Austin. If you get lean brisket and ask for an end cut it's fairly good.

I have tried a few others. County Line which was OK and Lamberts which was highly disappointing.

Any suggestions of what BBQ place I should try next time I'm in Austin?

[Deberg_1990]

They are morons. It's crap.. absolute crap. I have been dozens of times and it never fails to disappoint.

Why do you continue to go if it continues to fail??

Rudys is delicious for a chain type place.

[Stewie]

Luly's! It's right next to the Mega-Lo Mart.

Man vs. Food said some place in Texas was the tastiest BBQ? Really? Of course, that show is all about quantity and not quality. When they were in KC they went to some obscure BBQ joint that no one had ever heard of. They did have a big sandwich, though.

[NewChief]

Reading Williams and Sonoma BBQ issue. They said Smitty's in Austin. Of course, they said BLVD in KC so not sure about the validity of their picks.

[AustinChief]

Why do you continue to go if it continues to fail??

Rudys is delicious for a chain type place.

Not my choice unfortunately. It is a popular spot for personal and corporate events... If it wasn't for the craptastic food.. it actually has a lot of room and a nice layout.

[AustinChief]

Reading Williams and Sonoma BBQ issue. They said Smitty's in Austin. Of course, they said BLVD in KC so not sure about the validity of their picks.

Smiity's = Kreuz's... Same family. And it is one of the best in texas... that isn't saying much though.

[Deberg_1990]

Not my choice unfortunately. It is a popular spot for personal and corporate events... If it wasn't for the craptastic food.. it actually has a lot of room and a nice layout.

huh? I wonder how it gained its "national reputation" ? Apparantly somebody likes it.

[Stewie]

Reading Williams and Sonoma BBQ issue. They said Smitty's in Austin. Of course, they said BLVD in KC so not sure about the validity of their picks.

I'm a BBQ hound and I'm not sure what/where this is. Maybe they buy all their cookware from W&S.

[AustinChief]

There is always the Salt lick at Bergstrom.

I usually just get Rudy's off 360 whenever I'm in Austin. If you get lean brisket and ask for an end cut it's fairly good.

I have tried a few others. County Line which was OK and Lamberts which was highly disappointing.

Any suggestions of what BBQ place I should try next time I'm in Austin?

Depends. (speaking of crap filled adult diapers... that is about the quality of The Salt Lick or Stubbs)

but seriously, it does depend on what part of town and such... in DOWNTOWN Austin i would go for IronWorks http://www.ironworksbbq.com/

around campus I would go to Ruby's http://rubysbbq.com/ (nice bit of spice/kick to it)

If you want to make the drive to Lockhart... Smitty's and Kreuz's are the best.

[AustinChief]

huh? I wonder how it gained its "national reputation" ? Apparantly somebody likes it.

People in Texas have AMAZINGLY low standards for BBQ...

[NewChief]

Smiity's = Kreuz's... Same family. And it is one of the best in texas... that isn't saying much though.

Gotcha. What's the famous sushi joint down there? Also is that seafood place that was featured on No Reservations as good as the hype?

[Deberg_1990]

People in Texas have AMAZINGLY low standards for BBQ...

ROFL

[Miles]

Depends. (speaking of crap filled adult diapers... that is about the quality of The Salt Lick or Stubbs)

but seriously, it does depend on what part of town and such... in DOWNTOWN Austin i would go for IronWorks http://www.ironworksbbq.com/

around campus I would go to Ruby's http://rubysbbq.com/ (nice bit of spice/kick to it)

If you want to make the drive to Lockhart... Smitty's and Kreuz's are the best.

Thanks. I will have to check those out. Have heard some good things about IronWorks.

[AustinChief]

Gotcha. What's the famous sushi joint down there? Also is that seafood place that was featured on No Reservations as good as the hype?

Hate seafood, so I'm the last guy to ask.

Not sure which Sushi place is "famous".. but the consensus seams to be that Uchi is the best.

Perla's is the place that was on No Reservations... and I have no clue about it's quality but it's a sweet location.

If you are going to a Sushi joint in Austin, I recommend DK's Seoul Food. Super nice/fun family that own it and supposed to be good sushi.

[PunkinDrublic]

Depends. (speaking of crap filled adult diapers... that is about the quality of The Salt Lick or Stubbs)

but seriously, it does depend on what part of town and such... in DOWNTOWN Austin i would go for IronWorks http://www.ironworksbbq.com/

around campus I would go to Ruby's http://rubysbbq.com/ (nice bit of spice/kick to it)

If you want to make the drive to Lockhart... Smitty's and Kreuz's are the best.


I went to Kreuz and Blacks when I stopped by on my way to Houston for the Chiefs game last year I preferred Blacks. I go to a place called Lockhart smokehouse in Oak Cliff that is owned by the family that owns Kreuz's. Kreuz's is so strict in their belief of no sauce they don't keep any in the place. I always get funny looks whenever I bring my gates bbq sauce into the place to put on my ribs and brisket.

But yeah none of the joints in Texas can hold a candle to KC.

[AustinChief]

I went to Kreuz and Blacks when I stopped by on my way to Houston for the Chiefs game last year I preferred Blacks. I go to a place called Lockhart smokehouse in Oak Cliff that is owned by the family that owns Kreuz's. Kreuz's is so strict in their belief of no sauce they don't keep any in the place. I always get funny looks whenever I bring my gates bbq sauce into the place to put on my ribs and brisket.

But yeah none of the joints in Texas can hold a candle to KC.

I didn't know any of the Schmidts were up in Dallas... Do you know how they are related? I know Don's kids (Susie, Debbie and Tanya) so I assume they must be related to Rick or Nina somehow.

[Groves]

Treasure. Trove. of Information.

Thanks folks!

[PunkinDrublic]

I didn't know any of the Schmidts were up in Dallas... Do you know how they are related? I know Don's kids (Susie, Debbie and Tanya) so I assume they must be related to Rick or Nina somehow.

I have no idea. There are a ton of articles about Lockharts Smokehouse online so you could probably find out if you looked it up.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

It's been 10 years or so, but every time the company sent me to Austin on bidness, I would go by the original Threadgill's. It might not suit everyone, but it damsure suits me.

Threadgill's (http://www.threadgills.com/).

It won't qualify as fancy, but they do know their way around a chicken-fried steak and their side dishes are mighty fine. I esp. recommend the garlic cheese grits. Good pie, too - try some buttermilk pie, better than it might sound to a yankee ear. I never took anyone there just one time - we always had to go back at least twice.

[AustinChief]

I have no idea. There are a ton of articles about Lockharts Smokehouse online so you could probably find out if you looked it up.

I tried but they all just say the Edgar was her grandpa.. which would make her a daughter of Nina or Rick I guess....

[AustinChief]

It's been 10 years or so, but every time the company sent me to Austin on bidness, I would go by the original Threadgill's. It might not suit everyone, but it damsure suits me.

Threadgill's (http://www.threadgills.com/).

It won't qualify as fancy, but they do know their way around a chicken-fried steak and their side dishes are mighty fine. I esp. recommend the garlic cheese grits. Good pie, too - try some buttermilk pie, better than it might sound to a yankee ear. I never took anyone there just one time - we always had to go back at least twice.

HOLY CRAP. How did I forget them!?! Threadgill's is great! An Austin Landmark. Very family friendly as well. I recommend their Texas Cavier it's fantastic.
http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/04/27/ry0108_caviar_al.jpg

That reminds of two more great Austin places...

Hut's Hamburgers - cheap and tasty
http://www.hutsfrankandangies.com/

Hula Hut - great location right on the lake and pretty damn good food
http://www.hulahut.com/

[BigOlChiefsfan]

AND Threadgill's has a musical tradition that's hard to beat - Janis Joplin 'sang for her supper' there. A lot of good Texas music. The original joint has a bit of KC memorabelia on the walls as well (I can't remember where in there, it might be in the men's room) but they had an old KC Muehlebach beer tray. Current Boulevard Pilsner is supposed to be based on the old Muehlbach's recipe.

ETA: http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2009/06/22/daily36.html?ed=2009-06-25&ana=e_du_pap

[Donger]

Eddie V's. Get the lobster bisque. It should be fucking illegal.

[Miles]

Hula Hut is a very cool place depending on the weather. Even if it is somewhat hot they have a good fan system on the patio. From the same group that started Chuy's. Good food and drinks with the unique location of being on Lake Austin.

Z-Tejas is pretty good place for southwestern Mexican food. It's definitely different from the standard Tex-Mex. The downside is that the crowds can get pretty rough. They do take reservations if you are planning in advance.

I also like Fonda San Miguel. It's upscale interior Mexican food and has great drinks and atmosphere. The turnoff is that it is fairly pricey for what you usually associate with cheaper ethnic food. Reservations are pretty much a must do if you don't want to wait a long ass time for a table.

[CrazyPhuD]

People in Texas have AMAZINGLY low standards for BBQ...

Well they DO use mesquite for smoking wood so you can't expect too much. But I do find it LMAO that I'm not the only one who thinks salt lick is meh. One of the biggest problems I have is that they use a mustard based sauce....I mean come on...TX like KC BBQ is all tomato based none of that weak shit mustard based crap.

Rudy's is not bad, the cattle prod in the glass always makes me laugh.

Plus remember their beef is bread for the size of the horn not the quality of beef. It's one of the major reasons I think KC BBQ dominates TX, chef for chef they can be just as good but they do have consistently lower quality beef.

[gblowfish]

OK, it's not inedible... but I can't name a SINGLE BBQ place in town that is worse... except for Stubbs...

Most of the food carts downtown are better. Far better.

Austin Chief: Stubb's is bad? I've never been to Austin, but I've bought Stubb's BBQ sauce and thought it was pretty decent. Since their sauce is good you'd think they could make good BBQ. Why does it suck? Just curious.

[Miles]

Plus remember their beef is bread for the size of the horn not the quality of beef. It's one of the major reasons I think KC BBQ dominates TX, chef for chef they can be just as good but they do have consistently lower quality beef.

I agree that the beef quality is mostly it.

I find the same issues with the hyped local Texas steakhouses that I have tried. The higher end ones all use midwestern beef like the rest of their counterparts across the country.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

They grow a different breed of moocow in the south half of the state of Texas, usually half-breed or more zebu (what I grew up calling a "Brahma Bull") They grow 'em because they can take the heat - and the insects - better than our mostly-English breeds like Hereford and Angus. Those short, fat English moocows sure turn into some fine steaks. The Zebu, well it mostly turns into hamburger and 2nd rate steak. Still better to sell 50 live Zebu-crossbreeds than 43 purebred Angus and bury 7 moocows with a skidloader. (One of my biggest customers in Texas was the Texas Cattle Feeder's Association up in Amarillo. I learned more about Texas moocows than I really wanted to know. But I did eat some good steak on their dime! And the best beef jerky I ever tasted, at their annual convention in Houston.)

[AustinChief]

Austin Chief: Stubb's is bad? I've never been to Austin, but I've bought Stubb's BBQ sauce and thought it was pretty decent. Since their sauce is good you'd think they could make good BBQ. Why does it suck? Just curious.

I don't care for their sauce at all BUT it isn't terrible and I am willing to use a ton of it to cover up the substandard meats they serve.

It's one of the major reasons I think KC BBQ dominates TX, chef for chef they can be just as good but they do have consistently lower quality beef.

You nailed it here. It's amazing that they can even make it edible. I would wager that if you took a great Texas BBQ pitmaster and gave him some decent beef and pork, he could create some badass stuff.

Beef heirarchy=
Midwest
Alberta
Japan
The rest of the US
Texas
South America
Europe (borders on dogfood quality and I have gone to some highly rated places)

(never had Australian beef so I have no opinion)

[BigOlChiefsfan]

FYI, Kansas has some of the best grass in the world for fattening a moocow (or a bison, for that matter). Our 'Big Bluestem' is amazing stuff, and where it grows you can pack in more moocows per acre than you'd believe possible. Every year they ship beefcattle from Texas and Oklahoma up here to put on weight. If you want to have some fun, get down around Emporia to Strong City to watch 'em unload cattle and turn 'em loose. Cowboy up!

[Alton deFlat]

When I was there last summer, I ate at Manuels. It was very good. I was at the one on Jollyville Road - or something like that. It had great atmosphere.

[patteeu]

It's been 10 years or so, but every time the company sent me to Austin on bidness, I would go by the original Threadgill's. It might not suit everyone, but it damsure suits me.

Threadgill's (http://www.threadgills.com/).

It won't qualify as fancy, but they do know their way around a chicken-fried steak and their side dishes are mighty fine. I esp. recommend the garlic cheese grits. Good pie, too - try some buttermilk pie, better than it might sound to a yankee ear. I never took anyone there just one time - we always had to go back at least twice.

Seconded. It's kind of like the Strouds of Austin, except IMO better.

[patteeu]

A decade ago, Kerbey Lane was a good breakfast place (either in the morning or late night after partying) with a pretty good variety of huge pancakes. I assume it's still around.

[the Talking Can]

Eat Side Kings food truck

korean/japanese fusion...tasty fucking korean ribs

for some BBQ, you can get a respectable brisket at Green Mesquite

Franklins bbq moved from a truck to a store and supposedly has "to die for" brisket, but you have to get in line 2 hours early to even have a chance at getting any before they run out....so fuck that

[patteeu]

If it's someone who thinks of BBQ in terms of KC BBQ, I would just avoid all the BBQ places in Austin for purposes of this gift. Good Tex-Mex is plentiful in Austin and there are lots of good places for other cuisine, so don't mess with the universally sub-standard BBQ, IMO.

[AndChiefs]

People in Texas have AMAZINGLY low standards for BBQ...

You're not kidding. When I lived in Texas I was amazed at the low quality crap that they claimed was the best BBQ ever. I felt sad for them. And then they ordered beer and I felt even worse. How anyone can be happy with cheap beer and crappy BBQ all the time I can't figure out.

(Yes, cheap beer is okay sometimes but I prefer quality)

[MOhillbilly]

Ill never forget gdub tellin me how great texas BBQ was.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

http://www.goodecompany.com/our-restaurants/goode-company-bar-b-q.html

Wrong town for your buddy...but this place, in Houston, was my favorite BBQ joint in Texas. They didn't do it like we do in KC, but at least they took Q serious, had some ok sauce (the only place with sauce I liked), and they had some side dishes that I frankly wish KC would copy. Their cheese-chile bread was awesome, fer instance. Awesome pecan pie, too. Pretty good mail order selection of desserts, BBQ and Texas stuff.

http://store.goodecompany.com/

The owner is a good bidnessman, has a variety of other restaurants, I liked 'em all. A trip down to Houston may be in their future, mention the place to your buddy.

[Phobia]

I always enjoyed Chuys. But it's not necessarily a family place and the food doesn't blow me away. But I always had fun there and usually found something on the menu that worked for me. They're doing something right.

[NewChief]

Hey AC (and other Austinites):


Anyone checked out Contigo (http://contigotexas.com/austin) yet? I've heard good things.

[otherstar]

I've eaten at IronWorks BBQ and I would recommend it (best I've had outside of KC or my own smoker). I also like Threadgill's...good food and atmosphere!