Texas - got two nights in Austin; want BBQ and Mexican: where to go?

I have two nights coming up where I am free to explore all that Austin has to offer, culinarily speaking. I, being a Northerner, naturally want good bbq and tex-mex.

Where would you send me? Not concerned about price (although at bbq and tex-mex joints, I would hope this is not a problem :p). We'll have a car so driving is a possibility, although would obviously prefer to stay more or less around town (i.e. not in Houston).

Thanks!

Oh. My. God.

For starters:

BBQ: Countyline, Salt Lick out in Wimberly, Rudy's

Tex-Mex: Chuys, the taco shack on Lamar (and my guilty fast food pleasure, Taco Cabana!)

Oh. My. God.

For starters:

BBQ: Countyline, Salt Lick out in Wimberly, Rudy's

Tex-Mex: Chuys, the taco shack on Lamar (and my guilty fast food pleasure, Taco Cabana!)


Mmmmmmmm . . . Rudy's . . .

I love the fast response! :)

Got a couple of places to check out online.. keep it coming!

Oh. My. God.

For starters:

BBQ: Countyline, Salt Lick out in Wimberly, Rudy's



Countyline is very good, just don't stuff yourself on the fresh baked bread otherwise you'll have a hard time with the big portions they serve.

Tried Green Mesquite and found it to be pretty good too but Cl is my choice.

BBQ: Countyline, definitely
Mexican: Chuy's

It's been years, but I had some great BBQ in East Austin at place called, er...Ben's? Don's? A little saucy, more 'southern' style. Worth going (if you can get a stronger lead on it than I'm giving you--sorry), just in contrast to Texas-rancher-style, all-meat-no-sauce BBQ you get elsewhere in the hill country.

And not strictly Tex-Mex (it seems too healthy), but Las Manitas--man, I still dream of the avocados there...

On second thought, I'm pretty sure the BBQ place was Sam's, 2000 East 12th Street. Funny--hazy on the name, but I can still remember how to drive there from the highway--looking on a satellite map, this looks like the right location.

Oh, and Salt Lick--great food, gorgeous drive.

I have two nights coming up where I am free to explore all that Austin has to offer, culinarily speaking. I, being a Northerner, naturally want good bbq and tex-mex.

Where would you send me? Not concerned about price (although at bbq and tex-mex joints, I would hope this is not a problem :p). We'll have a car so driving is a possibility, although would obviously prefer to stay more or less around town (i.e. not in Houston).

Thanks!

Mexico

BBQ: Rudy's, The Salt Lick, CountyLine (in that order)
Tex-Mex: Trudy's > Chuy's

If you end up eating Mexican both nights, don't despair. You can get good bbq right at the airport (Salt Lick, and I'm partial to Harlon's) before you board your flight. Of course, the atmosphere sux.

If you don't want to drive too far (BBQ nirvana is found in Lockhart, 40 minutes south), my BBQ pick would be Cooper's in Round Rock. Very much an authentic east-TX-hill-country style place. Cafeteria style service. Huge smoker just outside the door. They do serve sides and sauce, but I wouldn't bother, just get brisket & sausage by the pound. I'm getting hungry just typing.

Call before you go, they close early, I think maybe around 8pm?

El Chile (http://www.elchilecafe.com/) is a different take on Mexican/Tex-Mex (visit the original location).

There is also El Arroyo (http://www.ditch.com/) which has a lot of construction near it but the food is decent, the drinks are good, and the atmosphere is Austin.

As for BBQ, I'd do Coopers or Kreuz Market in Lockhart or even Iron Works (though they've gone down hill IMO).

I've heard good things about Smitty's Market in Lockhart but have not been.

I think Lockhart - BBQ capital of Texas - is absolutely worth the trip from Austin (we got there in about 30 minutes - although I guess it depends on your location in Austin). Blacks - Kreuz - Smittys. You can actually eat at all 3 - since you order by the pound (1/2 pound of brisket) or the piece (2 ribs) - not by the meal. Do not miss the fatty brisket. It is heaven. Bring a bunch of friends if possible. And note that all of these places close pretty early.

Also - if the bats are "in season" when you're there - go to the bat bridge one night at sunset - and watch them. Their flight from the bridge is spectacular. Robyn

There's lots of really good Mexican food in town too. Best choice might depend on where you're staying. What part of town will you be in? Don't miss the Whole Foods near downtown (the Austin store is the flagship store for the country - and it is really something to see - or have lunch at). Robyn

BBQ: Rudy's, The Salt Lick, CountyLine (in that order)
Tex-Mex: Trudy's > Chuy's

Went to Trudy's tonight, and it was very good. I have been to Chuy's but just once over a year ago. It was also pretty good.

Looking forward to hitting Rudy's again tomorrow. Need some brisket.

I've always liked curras for mexican. Parking can be a pain during peak hrs, though. And on my last trip in I went to Angie's for the first time in years. On E7th, I think. Behind a school. In an old house?

Mexican: Posados(my fav), Jaun-in-a-million, Chuy's(not bad at all!). So many other choices . . .

BBQ: Where can I find pig on the menu???? ok, fine, so I don't consider it real BBQ since it is beef, but Rudy's isn't too bad(turkey is pretty good there), County Line, Salt Lick, don't forget Elgin's Hot Sausage sandwich if you head out that way ----pretty much mirrors everyone else, but hey, truth speaks.

Best Kept Secret in Austin for Mexican

Habeneros on Oltorf
Ask for Arturo
Best Beef Fajitas in the Nation!!!!!!!!

+1 The Salt Lick

Without a question, you need to make the drive out to The Salt Lick in Driftwood. It's about a 40 minute drive from downtown, but it's so so so so worth it. It's all you can eat, cash only, and BYOB. For lunch it's $15 all you can eat, and dinner is $19.

Just read the reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-salt-lick-bbq-driftwood

As far as mexican goes, Juan in a Million and Chuy's for me. Mmmmm

PS: Chuy's is pronounced chewies FYI

An earlier post mentioned Cooper's in Round Rock. Sorry to say but it closed a couple yrs ago when the owner Gary Cooper had health problems. That wasn't the original Coopers in Llano, TX, but he is related and they are still going strong. As far as Round Rock goes there is a new Salt Lick by the AAA ball park on Hwy 79 east of town. They claim it is a faithful reproduction of the original.

We like Meyer's BBQ in Elgin better than the Elgin's hot sausage at Southside Market. Meyer's is a few blocks further east on 290. It's easy to get to from the airport when you take the tollway north to 290E. 290 will take you right back into Austin.

Chuy's is not really Tex-Mex per se. It is one of my favorites, but it has other influences...like New Mexican green chile rellenos, which I almost always order.

Tex-Mex is kinda gringofied if you know what I mean. Enchiladas y Mas on Anderson is what I think of as Tex-Mex for example. This is good hearty food and cheap. Curras is interior Mexican. The best interior Mexican in town is Fonda San Miguel on North Loop...they have a new chef and I haven't been there since that change. Sunday brunch there is a really nice affair. I really like Manuel's either on Congress downtown or at the Arboretum area. Also more interior Mexican. Nice jazz brunch on Sunday. One can order a half plate there if wanted.

Have fun whatever you do!

PS: Chuy's is pronounced chewies FYI

???? I believe Chuy's is pronounced chooies. No "w". :p

???? I believe Chuy's is pronounced chooies. No "w". :p

Just realized that when I say Chewies I say it without the W there, so I do pronounce it like chooies. :D

BBQ

A bunch of choices and most are good ... Rudys, Rubeys, County Line, Salt Lick,

Mexican...

Texmex places are OK but not the best choices in Austin... La Fonda on North Loop is more central Mexican, expensive but an outstanding up-market buffet brunch. For a fantastic informal taco place try Taco Deli on Burnett(with mole tacos, Conchita Pilbil Tacos, Bison tacos etc.. try their Cowboy Taco outstanding!)... or for a more americanised Taco try Torchey's Taco on Spicewood Springs Rd