Eating in Austin
You know how Austin is infamous for traffic? It's also quite well-known for its extremely long food lines. The golden rule of Austin food places: If you don't have to wait in line, then it may not be that good. Some places can be as a short as 10 to 15 minute waits; some more "famous" spots can be as long as 3 hours! It all depends on the time of day. Plan ahead, and expect to be flexible.
This list doesn't even begin to cover all of the great places in Austin, so I highly recommend venturing out. These are my absolute favorites.
This list doesn't even begin to cover all of the great places in Austin, so I highly recommend venturing out. These are my absolute favorites.
Breakfast
Kerbey Lane
Whether it's a lazy Sunday afternoon or it's 4 AM and you're in the middle of an all-night cram, Kerbey Lane is open 24 hours and is always ready for you.
Recommendations:
Location: Several throughout Austin. UT-area one located on Guadalupe across from Duren Dormitory.
Whether it's a lazy Sunday afternoon or it's 4 AM and you're in the middle of an all-night cram, Kerbey Lane is open 24 hours and is always ready for you.
Recommendations:
- Kerbey Queso (or order the Classic Queso if you're not keen on pico de gallo and guacamole) - Coupled with their delicious chips, the queso is irresistible any time of day.
- Pancakes - try their unique flavors that change daily.
- Kerbey Scramble
- French Toast
- Well, any of their breakfast offerings are great!
Location: Several throughout Austin. UT-area one located on Guadalupe across from Duren Dormitory.
Pizza
Home Slice
In the words of my dad, "I thought pizza was pizza, until I tasted Home Slice." This NY-style pizza is always hot, always greasy, and always delicious, to the point where no other pizza will be good enough again. Widely considered to be the best pizza in Austin.
Recommendations:
Location: On South Congress, split into two next-door buildings: Home Slice Pizza and More Home Slice. The main restaurant is on the left side and is a sit-down restaurant, while More Home Slice is on the right and is the "to-go" place. At peak times (weekend evenings), the main restaurant can have a two hour wait to even get a table! You'll be lucky at any other time to have a wait less than 10-15 minutes. Pro-tip: call ahead and pick it up from the More Home Slice location. By the time you get there you're pizza will be hot and ready to go. You can also walk in and order at that location, but there is usually a 30 minute wait.
In the words of my dad, "I thought pizza was pizza, until I tasted Home Slice." This NY-style pizza is always hot, always greasy, and always delicious, to the point where no other pizza will be good enough again. Widely considered to be the best pizza in Austin.
Recommendations:
- Pepperoni, Sausage, and Mushroom - even if you're not sure about mushrooms, this pizza is definitely worth a try
Location: On South Congress, split into two next-door buildings: Home Slice Pizza and More Home Slice. The main restaurant is on the left side and is a sit-down restaurant, while More Home Slice is on the right and is the "to-go" place. At peak times (weekend evenings), the main restaurant can have a two hour wait to even get a table! You'll be lucky at any other time to have a wait less than 10-15 minutes. Pro-tip: call ahead and pick it up from the More Home Slice location. By the time you get there you're pizza will be hot and ready to go. You can also walk in and order at that location, but there is usually a 30 minute wait.
Wings
Pluckers
Started by UT grads in the 90's on Rio Grande, Pluckers has earned the title of one of the top ten wing restaurants in America by USA Today AND one of the top 5 sports bars in America by ESPN. It's also usually my first stop when I get back to Austin.
Recommendations:
Location: Multiple throughout Austin. The original is on Rio Grande in West Campus, a short walk from campus.
Started by UT grads in the 90's on Rio Grande, Pluckers has earned the title of one of the top ten wing restaurants in America by USA Today AND one of the top 5 sports bars in America by ESPN. It's also usually my first stop when I get back to Austin.
Recommendations:
- Choose whatever sauce you like! Personally, I like the honey BBQ or teriyaki.
- Fair warning: the "Fire in the Hole" sauce is the hottest thing I've ever tasted. If you finish 25 of these, you get your picture on a wall. Don't do it; that sauce is DANGEROUS.
- For appetizers, my go-to are either the chips & queso or the Holy Macaroni, which is fried mac & cheese (yep, you read that right and IT'S SO GOOD).
- For dessert, try the Fried Twinkie or Fried Oreos. After living here, you'll soon realize everything is better fried.
- Every time the Longhorns win in any sport, Pluckers gives out coupons for 5 free wings after the game. You must have attended the game to receive a coupon! After you receive yours, watch the ground and keep an eye out for dropped ones from people who have no idea what they're missing out on. One semester I had 17 coupons, enough for 85 FREE WINGS. (they expire at the end of the semester)
- A great place to watch games, specifically UT football games. They play Texas Fight every time Texas scores! Watch out because there could be a long wait when games are on.
Location: Multiple throughout Austin. The original is on Rio Grande in West Campus, a short walk from campus.
Burgers
Hopdoddy
Widely considered to be the best burgers in Austin. Always juicy, always fresh, and always packed.
Recommendations:
Locations: Two in Austin. The first one is in SoCo (South Congress) and usually has a long line. The other one is up north on W. Anderson Lane with a line usually not as long.
P. Terry's
Another Austin-original restaurant, P. Terry's is the best fast food place in Austin. There was a time when I would eat P. Terry's twice a week. Those were the days...
Recommendations:
Location: Multiple throughout Austin. Closest is on North Lamar about a 5-10 minute drive from campus. Original is on South Lamar and Barton Springs (drive-thru only).
In-N-Out
Considered the best burgers in the nation. While extremely famous in California, In-N-Out just recently started opening in Texas, with an Austin location that opened just last year!
Recommendations:
Location: Just off of Airport Blvd. and I-35. Drive-thru line may be long at times, but it goes really fast.
Widely considered to be the best burgers in Austin. Always juicy, always fresh, and always packed.
Recommendations:
- Don't be boring and get a normal burger, be adventurous! My favorite, the Magic Shroom burger, is topped with goat cheese, fried mushrooms, mayo, and basil pesto. After tasting this heavenly creation, I fell in love with two things I had never tried before: goat cheese and mushrooms.
Locations: Two in Austin. The first one is in SoCo (South Congress) and usually has a long line. The other one is up north on W. Anderson Lane with a line usually not as long.
P. Terry's
Another Austin-original restaurant, P. Terry's is the best fast food place in Austin. There was a time when I would eat P. Terry's twice a week. Those were the days...
Recommendations:
- Burger
- Fries
- Milkshake
- Burger + Fries
- Burger + Milkshake
- Fries + Milkshake
- Burger + Fries + Milkshake = Freshman 15
Location: Multiple throughout Austin. Closest is on North Lamar about a 5-10 minute drive from campus. Original is on South Lamar and Barton Springs (drive-thru only).
In-N-Out
Considered the best burgers in the nation. While extremely famous in California, In-N-Out just recently started opening in Texas, with an Austin location that opened just last year!
Recommendations:
- BURGER.
- Unfortunately, the fries aren't so great.
- Don't tell any Austinite that In-N-Out is better than P. Terry's because that's just considered BLASPHEMY around here.
- Personally, In-N-Out burgers > P. Terry's burgers, but P. Terry's fries >>>>>>>>>>>>> In-N-Out fries
Location: Just off of Airport Blvd. and I-35. Drive-thru line may be long at times, but it goes really fast.
Ice Cream
Amy's Ice Cream
Yes, ice cream gets an entire category on this list just because of Amy's. Lots of unique flavors and mix-ins, plus an always cool staff. Another Austin-based business opened by a UT grad.
Recommendations:
Location: Multiple throughout Austin. There's one a short bus ride (and a really long walk) from campus north on Guadalupe. There's also ones on W. 6th near Lamar and in SoCo (South Congress).
Yes, ice cream gets an entire category on this list just because of Amy's. Lots of unique flavors and mix-ins, plus an always cool staff. Another Austin-based business opened by a UT grad.
Recommendations:
- Although their "Just Vanilla" is pretty good, try venturing out and try their rotating list of flavors that changes daily. Favorites like "Mexican Vanilla", "Sweet Cream", and "Dark Chocolate" (my favorite) are always there.
- Not sure what to get? Try a free sample of any flavor!
Location: Multiple throughout Austin. There's one a short bus ride (and a really long walk) from campus north on Guadalupe. There's also ones on W. 6th near Lamar and in SoCo (South Congress).
Barbecue
Oh boy, where do I start! Each place has their own style, specialties, and even their own rules!
Franklin Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue
The most famous BBQ place in Austin and considered one of the best in the world. It's so famous you need to get in line AT LEAST 3 hours before it opens if you want any chance at getting its delicious food before they sellout around 1 (it has sold out EVERY SINGLE DAY OF ITS EXISTENCE). And it's one of the few places that's well worth it. Aaron Franklin cooks, cuts, and serves almost everything himself, making everything consistently good. The brisket is by far the best I've ever had, and the sausage and ribs are just as good. Try a little bit of everything.
Location: 900 E. 11th St
Salt Lick BBQ
Location: 900 E. 11th St
Salt Lick BBQ
Sandra Bullock, David Letterman, Bobby Flay, Dennis Quaid, Matthew McConaughey, and even U2 have all been spotted enjoying the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth delicacy that is Salt Lick BBQ. Chances are if you ever watched any Food Network/Travel Channel special on Texas BBQ, you've seen it, too. Its atmosphere coupled with its tasty BBQ make it the perfect destination for parties, taking the family out, or just a relaxing afternoon meal. I even had my graduation party here!
Recommendations:
Location: Both restaurants aren't actually within Austin. The original and most famous one is in Driftwood, TX, about a 30 minute drive outside of Austin. Another is located in Round Rock, and a small one is in the airport as well.
Other good BBQ places to check out:
Recommendations:
- Hands-down the best sausage I've ever had
- One of my top favorite places for ribs
- My favorite BBQ sauce. It's non-tomato-based, and it compliments the food perfectly
- If you have a big party, call ahead and make reservations. The earlier the better (and I mean making reservations DAYS earlier).
- If you are with a group, try ordering "Family Style". Its a little bit of everything AND all you can eat!
- Cash only (ATM located outside)
Location: Both restaurants aren't actually within Austin. The original and most famous one is in Driftwood, TX, about a 30 minute drive outside of Austin. Another is located in Round Rock, and a small one is in the airport as well.
Other good BBQ places to check out:
- La Barbecue
- Mickelthwait (I think I spelled that right)
Tacos
Torchy's
Can you believe I barely tried Torchy's for the first time this summer? It is SO good! Most people don't like the breakfast tacos for some strange reason I will never comprehend, but they are my absolute favorite breakfast tacos in Austin. Try "The Wrangler."
Can you believe I barely tried Torchy's for the first time this summer? It is SO good! Most people don't like the breakfast tacos for some strange reason I will never comprehend, but they are my absolute favorite breakfast tacos in Austin. Try "The Wrangler."