Last edit by: aztimm
All about Austin, Texas
Threads that focus on Austin Specifics:
- AUS-Bergstrom International Airport
- Overnight parking
- Flyertalk Hilton Forum thread on Austin properties
- Marriott-family Hotels in Austin
- Things to see and do in Austin
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All about Austin, TX [master thread]
#16
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Drove out to Austin this past weekend to visit friends. Had dinner at Vox Table (just outside of the downtown scene) and it was amazing. It's located just down from Uchi (go if you can get in).
When are you going? I ask b/c if UT is in session then anywhere you go downtown is going to be a mob scene. If you want a bourbon street feel then go to 6th street. Same atmosphere just more homeless folk.
Rainey st has some great bars. In particular, the blackheart. Great bourbon / whiskey bar.
If you're renting a car keep in mind the traffic is horrible. And this is coming from someone who lives in Houston.
When are you going? I ask b/c if UT is in session then anywhere you go downtown is going to be a mob scene. If you want a bourbon street feel then go to 6th street. Same atmosphere just more homeless folk.
Rainey st has some great bars. In particular, the blackheart. Great bourbon / whiskey bar.
If you're renting a car keep in mind the traffic is horrible. And this is coming from someone who lives in Houston.
#17
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I'm pretty new to the Austin area and I'll be near downtown this weekend with friends. Does anyone have suggestions for a place to eat dinner on Friday night?
Looking for almost any kind of food, casual, and prices no more than $20 for dinner.
I found this place that seems to fit:
https://locu.com/places/la-condesa-austin-us/#menu
Has anyone been there? Thoughts?
Looking for almost any kind of food, casual, and prices no more than $20 for dinner.
I found this place that seems to fit:
https://locu.com/places/la-condesa-austin-us/#menu
Has anyone been there? Thoughts?
#18
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 405
I'm pretty new to the Austin area and I'll be near downtown this weekend with friends. Does anyone have suggestions for a place to eat dinner on Friday night?
Looking for almost any kind of food, casual, and prices no more than $20 for dinner.
I found this place that seems to fit:
https://locu.com/places/la-condesa-austin-us/#menu
Has anyone been there? Thoughts?
Looking for almost any kind of food, casual, and prices no more than $20 for dinner.
I found this place that seems to fit:
https://locu.com/places/la-condesa-austin-us/#menu
Has anyone been there? Thoughts?
#19
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
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Go to Salt Lick for the BYOB or for the atmosphere; don't make that trip for the food, though. Salt Lick is not on Texas Monthly's most recent (2013) list of Top 50 BBQ joints. Several places in Austin (in addition to Franklin) do make the list--and that list was compiled before three heavyweights opened here (Black's; Terry Black's; and Cooper's). If your goal is to find great BBQ, a trip to Driftwood should be pretty far down your list.
Back in the day we used to say that in Austin you can get "both kinds of food in the world: BBQ and Tex-Mex." It was always in jest, and new locals of cosmopolitan Austin would probably be completely puzzled to hear it. Still, any short-term visitor should make BBQ and Tex-Mex (or interior Mexican, something quite different), their first and second priorities.
The Fearless Critic website's current "Most delicious in Austin"list (regardless of cuisine type):
Back in the day we used to say that in Austin you can get "both kinds of food in the world: BBQ and Tex-Mex." It was always in jest, and new locals of cosmopolitan Austin would probably be completely puzzled to hear it. Still, any short-term visitor should make BBQ and Tex-Mex (or interior Mexican, something quite different), their first and second priorities.
The Fearless Critic website's current "Most delicious in Austin"list (regardless of cuisine type):
9.7 Congress
9.7 Uchiko
9.6 Uchi
9.5 Franklin Barbecue
9.4 Louie Mueller BBQ
9.3 Snow’s Bar-B-Q
9.3 Teji’s Foods
9.3 Taco More
9.2 Justine’s Brasserie
9.2 Olivia
Scores are for "food" only. See the website for other scores and price categories.
9.7 Uchiko
9.6 Uchi
9.5 Franklin Barbecue
9.4 Louie Mueller BBQ
9.3 Snow’s Bar-B-Q
9.3 Teji’s Foods
9.3 Taco More
9.2 Justine’s Brasserie
9.2 Olivia
#20
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I have some good local Mexican, Tex Mex, pizza, Chinese, and a few other restaurants that I've found here....but they are all up in Round Rock, Cedar Park, or Georgetown. It is rather surprising that there's good food even out suburbia.
#21
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Now I see they have a location in downtown Austin as well. If it's as good as Dallas then I recommend this Salvadoran / Tex Mex establishment.
#22
Used to be 'g_leyser'
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Other than downtown/6th street, does anyone have recommendations of other neighborhoods to either stay in or explore?
#23
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Rainey Street is absolutely worth exploring. I love killing an afternoon there, drifting from bar to bar drinking good beer and cocktails, checking out the food trucks that always cluster there, playing some games etc.
#24
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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The Domain area is nice, but it is basically just an outdoor mall. There are tons of shops, restaurants, and even a few hotels. But it is all chain stuff that you can find in nearly any American suburb.
I actually like downtown Georgetown. It has enough to fill an afternoon, possibly going into dinner and drinks. But there aren't any hotels in walking distance (the Hampton Inn would be a hike, not sure if they have a shuttle/transport).
Similar could be said about downtown Round Rock. Perhaps enough to fill a few hours, but not much more. There are some hotels not too far, you could check on shuttles.
Staying out here would be far less than staying in downtown Austin, but you'd definitely need a car.
You could go out near the lakes. Travis is the closest, and there are some restaurants and things nearby. But by far I really liked Marble Falls. Seemed more manageable, with a downtown area.
#25
Used to be 'g_leyser'
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Thanks all. We ended up staying at the Hilton downtown, which was perfect as it was walking distance to East 6th, Rainey street, the Capitol, and SoCo.
We also visited Barton Springs and went out one night in Zilker. We used the RideAustin app (identical to Uber) to get around when not walking.
Great first trip to Austin!
(And yes, Rahmistan is Chicago - a reference to Mayor Rahm Emanuel)
We also visited Barton Springs and went out one night in Zilker. We used the RideAustin app (identical to Uber) to get around when not walking.
Great first trip to Austin!
(And yes, Rahmistan is Chicago - a reference to Mayor Rahm Emanuel)
#26
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
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I know (but still can't believe) no uber or lyft in Austin. Do I need to rent a car for a 4 day vacation? Hotel's not set, but will be downtown. 4s-fine points, Hyatt Regency-points+cash, Hilton- points or pay are my tops, but am open for other ideas. Plan is relaxation and bar hopping, eating good food, etc. We have family there so will see them one day and I'm sure they'll come pick us up if we don't have a car.
#27
Used to be 'g_leyser'
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#28
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I enjoyed a blowout dinner at Truluck's with freshly flown in stone crab claws (the medium to large seemed more flavorful than the larger ones) and Alaska king crab legs. Ouchy expensive, a couple of the servers can be pretentious, but oh my, what a sea feast we had.