Going to be there in mid-May when my daughter graduates from Baylor. I'd love to hear some thoughts on the best places for steaks and or barbecue.
Last visit, I took her to Tim Love's Lonesome Dove in Fort Worth and we thought we had died and gone to Heaven-- and that was just the elk slider appetizers!

Some Austin BBQ reviews

Texas Monthly BBQ for all of Texas

BBQ finder App for your smart phone.

FT Worth (Cowtown) is the place for steaks.
Central Texas is the place for BBQ and Mexican food.

I've never been to the Salt Lick.I'd love to try it and I've heard it's really good.I buy their seasoning at the local grocery and put it on just about everything.Check out their link,it will make you're mouth water!
http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

BBQ and steaks are great, but don't forget a little TexMex. It's been years since I lived in Austin so I don't know what's good and what isn't anymore. Twenty five to thirty years ago, it was the County Line for BBQ, the Pecan Street Cafe on 6th Street for a nice sit down dinner, Jorge's for good Tex Mex (and margariatas guaranteed to incapacitate), and a few other places whose names I can't recall (guess their margaritas weren't too bad either). There was a good chili place near the Capitol. There was a good steakhouse, Schultz's or something like that, but I heard it closed. Don't know if any of them are still in business or are still any good.

Probably not at all helpful, but I'm sure you can find some good stuff. If nothing, it's grown considerably.

salt lick, in/near drifwood is a short drive.. do NOT be tempted to "cut over" from 35.. it just won't work out..

its great, if you love beef BBQ, bring CASH only .. and, oh yeah, while great, its still not as good as it was 15 years ago

pho house on the east end of the strip (6th street)

you have to hit a texidelphia, just to have done it.. its not great

RUDI'S smokehouse.. i like the one on 183 up north or the one down by mopac/cap. of texas intersection.. near the mall

ritas? there's ONE place.. baby alcapulco's

hula hut aint bad, if still open.

kerbey lane. sadly, is off my list anymore .. after the one on south lamar moved into a strip mall from the funky joint, it lost all character

rudi's and saltlick (driftwood) are required eatings, just saying

Jeffe: I am also hearing that Perry's is the place for a really memorable steak.

If you want something really different but really good - Hudson's-on-the-Bend in Lake Travis area.
They serve all kinds of exotic game and it's all really good. World class chefs.

BBQ - Salt Lick. Atmosphere is great and mid May is a good time to go. Any later and it's too hot. Bring your own cooler full of beer too.

There's always the Oasis. Great scenery w/ so-so food. There's a reason it's on so many traveler's lists to go to.

the oasis burnt down. did they rebuild? that shows you the last time i was there.. great views, better ritas, slop food.

perry's? i'll have to give that a try

If you are talking BBQ and near Austin Texas, then you must journey down the road a bit to the "Holy Grail" of Texas BBQ Kreuz Market, Lockhart TexasPronounced Krize. No sauce, just a couple of sides. Ribeye, Porkchops,& others. It is all about the smoke!

As far as Austin, you just need to take time and visit all the "Roach Coaches" along Congress Ave and the city.

If you are wondering where all the old 60s crowd went, then visit the new "Whole Foods".
Tie-dye, sun dresses and graying ponytails are "Haute Couture". There is a good reason they have bumper stickers that admonish you to "Keep Austin Weird"!

I'd rather go to Lockhart, too. Smitty's and Chisolm Trail are my favorites. Smitty's has excellent brisket!! Yummmm!

If she graduates from Baylor, then you need to take a left turn before you get to Austin and go to Louie Mueller's Barbecue in Taylor. It's better than any you'll find in Lockhart IMO.

Bill, looks like you should leave a week earlier and do an eating establishment tour.

There is always Hut's, Dirty Martin's, Burger-Tex and a few others for others for old time hamburgers. Oh and I forgot Fran's and Dan's. P. Terry's is another old time burger joint on Lamar about 1/2 mile north of McBride's Gunshop.
Lapalapa'a on Highway 290 E at Cameron Rd had some decent Tex-Mex.
And then I would not miss a long detour by Storm's in Lampasas for an old time hamburger drive in.

If you see a BBQ trailer, with the "No Teeth" sign stop there. No teeth is pronounced "no teefs."

Jeffe,
They did rebuild the Oasis. It's bigger and better than it ever was before.
They know their food isn't why people go there and even brought in chefs to upgrade it. Still didn't work. I think the problem is it's too big and let's face it, you don't go there for the food.
Their margaritas are still top notch and the views are still unbelievable.

If you are coming down just as well go back to Ft. Worth and go to the Reata Restaurant in downtown Ft. Worth. The young fellow that opened it learned his trade from the ranches in west Texas, west of the Pecos. I call it Southwestern Cuisine. Fabulous steaks and well I have not eaten anything on the menu that I did not like. If you do go there try the Chorizo Bread Pudding as an appetizer. And the best part is that they serve Hot, Fresh biscuits as well.

"No teefs"!

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
"No teefs"!

So do do you just gum and suck on a steak? Jes askin.

quote:

Originally posted by swifter 220:
If you are coming down just as well go back to Ft. Worth and go to the Reata Restaurant in downtown Ft. Worth. The young fellow that opened it learned his trade from the ranches in west Texas, west of the Pecos. I call it Southwestern Cuisine. Fabulous steaks and well I have not eaten anything on the menu that I did not like. If you do go there try the Chorizo Bread Pudding as an appetizer. And the best part is that they serve Hot, Fresh biscuits as well.

The family had dinner there last week! Good food and try the calf fries! Best I've had!

Just about the best fajitas in Austin are found at the downtown Hyatt, then stay and watch the bats come out at dark. unreal.

Rudy's BBQ is great
Stubbs is good

Black's BBQ in Lockhart has in opinion the best brisket in Texas. I live in Dallas and if I woke the kids up on a Saturday and said, "hey kids, let's go to Black's for lunch" the car would be loaded in seconds...

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Jeffe: I am also hearing that Perry's is the place for a really memorable steak.

Perry's is in Houston, too. Not bad but not really special. They crow about their grilled porkchop but it's just a thick cut of store-bought pork loin cooked until dry.

County Line is still around as is Stubb's. Nice live music at Stubb's.

Threadgil's for chicken fried steak.

Anyone else go far enough back to remember "Norman Eaton's Polonaise"?

This link will take you to reader's choice top restaurants in Austin. I like Eddie V's a lot for steaks and seafood, also the Austin Land & Cattle Compnay for steaks.

Reader's Choice

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Going to be there in mid-May when my daughter graduates from Baylor. I'd love to hear some thoughts on the best places for steaks and or barbecue.
Last visit, I took her to Tim Love's Lonesome Dove in Fort Worth and we thought we had died and gone to Heaven-- and that was just the elk slider appetizers!

The Iron Works, on SE corner of the convention cneter, is old-fashion pit barbecue. Truly good. Fonda San miguel is one of the best mexican restaurants in the US. Las Palomas, in West Lake Hills, is an unpretentious, family- run mexican restaurant with sophisticated entrees, soups, and desserts. Hudsons on the Bend, on Hwy 620, on east side of Lake Travis, is a truly great place. Try the coffee rubbed elk backstrap or the big combination plate that has quail, elk, and sausage. Mesa Ranch has good steaks, chicken fried steak, a combination platter, and good live country music. Buenos Aires, in the Hill Country Galleria, near lake Travis, has very good Argentian food.

Austin traffic is a bitch. You aren't getting anywhere quickly. Plan ahead.

quote:

County Line is still around as is Stubb's. Nice live music at Stubb's.

Is Stubb's as good as it has always been? I read a while back that Stubb had passed??

yes

Stubb himself died awhile back--and no Stubbs austin never was close to the barbecue he cooked in Lubbock.

SSR

quote:

Originally posted by 450/400:
Black's BBQ in Lockhart has in opinion the best brisket in Texas. I live in Dallas and if I woke the kids up on a Saturday and said, "hey kids, let's go to Black's for lunch" the car would be loaded in seconds...

Another in Lockhart is Kruetz's Market, dang fine BBQ.

In Old Austin, gotta hit The Chili Parlor Bar.

@swifter...any man that would rent a pig, well...God, what a great movie that was.

Threadgill's World Headquarters on Barton Springs+ Riverside.Great chicken fried steak + catfish as well;unlimited refills on side orders (the swiss cheese + spinach casserole is my favorite.)Also live music in the beer garden every night. If you want some good Tex-Mex,try Guero's on south congress ave.I live here + I eat at these places.That should say some thing.

Damn ya'll gonna make me want to go home!

Well, just back from Austin and I can tell you it is a lovely city and folks seemed much friendlier than average, at least to me.
I wish I had a nice chow report, but what with all the graduation goings on at Baylor and the ex-wife and her family also having a claim on my girl, I only had her for a few hours of clothes shopping (grad gift) in Round Rock, so we ate at the Salt Lick. The atmosphere was great and I sent my daughter and her pal back to Waco with several pounds of smoked brisket, sausage and turkey. I would rate the BBQ a 6 on a 10-point scale. What this means of course, is that I now HAVE TO GO BACK and try some of the joints you fellas have been so kind as to list. That's all fine, as I have gotten information that my GG grandfather was murdered in 1855 not in San Saba, as I have always been told, but over in Washington County near Chapelle Hill. I see a "Bill's excellent genealogy and BBQ expedition" shaping up now ...
Norman: Threadgills will be the first stop on the catfish tour.

Thanks Bill,enjoy the catfish + a look at 'old Austin'.

Bill, we will be glad to see you back in Texas!

"I swear Ted",

Yep, I think it was probably the best westerns ever made. I will catch heck from the John Wayne fans for that remark I bet.

My wife gave the movie to me a couple of years ago in Blu Ray. Very nice except the night shots were a little graney.

UVA UVAM VIVENDO VARIA FIT

Rusty, now if I could just come back with a double rifle and kill a couple of hogs on the side, I would almost consider myself an honorary Texican ...
Norman: There also was a catfish joint on East Ben White whose parking lot was full every time we passed it on our way to the hotel near Austin Bergman ... My first experience with a real catfish joint was in St. Petersburg, Florida, and that was my first taste of hush puppies, fried plantain and key lime pie. Made me realize that God really does love us and want us to be happy ...

Bill, the catfish joint on Ben White is Catfish Parlour, and its a good place to fill up on catfish and hush puppies. I'll kinda ruin my credibility as a southerner here, but I recommend their grilled catfish. Tasty and doesn't "linger" with you as long as the deep fried.

When you make it back down here, Smitty's BBQ in Lockhart is worth the trip, as is Kreuz's.

Steak: I second the Perry's recommendation.

Tex Mex: Matt's El Rancho. Old style tex mex, covered with a ton of melted yellow cheese. Bring some metamucil with you on the trip.

Interior Mexican: Fonda San Miguel if your budget allows (very high end) or Azul Tequila on S. Lamar if you want reasonably priced cabrito, cochinita pibil, and lots of different fish dishes.

Not exactly Austin, but the Hill Country Cafe at the intersection of 281 and 290/Main St., in Johnson City is excellent. Pork Chops and Chicken Fried Steak with home made pie chasers. Just great food.

Well, Bill you were within rock throwing distance of my office and didn't even stop to say Hi. Come on back to Round Rock sometime and we'll find you some BBQ.
k

perrys... grat pork chops, steaks also good. One pork chop per two people, they have a great deal on fridays for lunch on the porkchops

truelucks, great seafood down town

Sullivans for steak and a oltime steakhouse feel

Gumbos, great cajun food

Driskill bar and grill, all types of stuff

Roaring fork also american food

eddy v's... also great seafood and steaks

rudy's for bbq

ironworks down town also for good bbq

hudsons on the bend , out of the way but great

polvos, awesome authentic interior mexican food

Maudies, awesome tex mex, best cheese enchiladas

East side kings, inside the liberty bar.... great vietnamese fusion food truck

Food truck inside the tiniest bar in texas across from whole foods, they make fantastic sanwiches with home made bread

Torchy's tacos truck, try a ranchhand , steak with eggs, delicios

Ciscos for breakfast , closes at 2 also great tacos

Baby Acapulcos, good mexican, and great margaritas.

And my absolute favorite right now BARLEY SWINE, south lamar, however get there right as they open at 6pm or be prepared to wait a couple hours

I don't know how things are in OR, but as a general rule, having cash to pay for BBQ or Tex Mex is a good idea in TX.