Restaurants in South Central Texas
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A
El Chilito
If you want quick, cheap and easy, this walk-up taco stand (with a big deck for your dining pleasure) can’t be beat. You’ve got to try breakfast tacos, and this is a good place to get them.
reviewed
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B
Green Mesquite BBQ & More
As its T-shirts say, Green Mesquite has been 'horrifying vegetarians since 1988.' This inexpensive, low-key spot has lots of meat, pecan pie, cold beer and a shady outdoor area that's lovely on cool days.
reviewed
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C
Blue Star Brewing Company
Attracting a casual, creative crowd (thanks to its location in the Blue Star Arts Complex) this brewpub and restaurant is a relaxed place to hang out for a bite served with one of its craft brews.
reviewed
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D
County Line Smokehouse
San Antonio isn't known for its barbecue – it's clearly more of a Tex-Mex kind of town – but this outpost of the Austin mini-chain does a decent job with heaping dishes of brisket, ribs and sausage.
reviewed
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E
Candy's Old Fashioned Restaurant
This little place has a tiny dining room with a nostalgic, small-town feel. But lest that sound a bit quaint, wait till you see the whoppin' burgers and big fried catfish platters they're serving up.
reviewed
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F
Uchi
When East meets West, they collide beautifully at this top-notch South Austin sushi joint. The sleek interior would feel right at home in LA, and the sushi is every bit as fresh as what you’d get there.
reviewed
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G
Galaxy Cafe
- Austin, USA
- Restaurants › Café
Oh, that flourless chocolate cake! Or is it the sweet-potato french fries with the blue- cheesey burger? Or maybe it's the retro self-serve diner decor (in a former laundromat) that keeps 'em coming back.
reviewed
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Huisache Grille
Huisache Grille, just across the railroad tracks from the plaza, serves up imaginative Southwestern cuisine, such as achiote-rubbed ‘charboiled chicken Yucatan’ in a cilantro cream sauce.
reviewed
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H
Chez Nous
This classic Parisian-style bistro has been quietly serving excellent food since 1982. Low-key and casual, Chez Nous is as unpretentious as they come, and has made many a French food lover trés heureux.
reviewed
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I
El Mirador
Impossibly tender carne asada (marinated, grilled flank steak) is always on the menu at this traditional Mexican haunt, but changing soups like caldo de rez (beef and cabbage) are the specialty.
reviewed
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Taco Cabana
Look for the pink neon sign around town for cheap, fast and delish Mexican food. This location is near the airport; look for others at 2908 Broadway near Brackenridge Park or 543 Malone south of downtown.
reviewed
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J
Vespaio
This cozy Italian restaurant gets high marks for its fresh, authentic, seasonal menus. You can always go the pizza or pasta route, but the critic’s favorites are usually found among the specialitas della casa.
reviewed
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K
Bouldin Creek Coffee House
You can get your veggie chorizo scrambler or organic oatmeal with apples all day long at this eclectic vegan/vegetarian eatery. It's got an eclectic South Austin vibe and is a great place for people-watching, finishing your novel or joining a band.
reviewed
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L
El Chile
Let the comfy red chairs on the patio scoop you up for half-price appetizers at happy hour (all night on Monday!) and grab a spicy, orange-infused Chilango Margarita, or stay for enchiladas and other especialidades.
reviewed
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M
South Congress Cafe
The stylish side of Tex-Mex can be found at this hoppin’ little cafe, which seamlessly combines a vintage space with modern architecture. Come for half-price appetizers at happy hour from 3pm to 6pm weekdays; stay for dinner.
reviewed
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N
Mr Tim's Country Kitchen Cafe
You'd think there'd be more American-style home cooking around, but this is one of a few places that serves up Texas-style comfort food: pork chops, liver and onions, and breakfast, including cinnamon rolls as big as your head.
reviewed
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O
Rosario's Mexican Cafe
This lively restaurant is always hopping, with huge windows lining the walls that let in natural light and wistful glances from hungry onlookers. The food is nothing special, but it's clearly good enough to keep people satisfied.
reviewed
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Chris Madrid's
Two words: tostada burgers. Topping a burger with tortilla chips and refried beans sounds weird, but it works, combining two of our favorite meals into one deliciously unholy alliance. Throw some jalapeños on for a memorable meal.
reviewed
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Q
Your Mom’s Burger Bar
How very Austin: these guys pawned an amp to start their burger biz (which faces Chalmers St, even though the address is on Cesar Chavez). And we’re glad they did, because these stuffed burgers are really rather excellent. Rock on!
reviewed
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R
Mi Madre’s
Barbacoa, chorizo and adobado are just a few of the authentic Mexican specialties here. In fact, it was recommended by a friend who said the barbacoa was just like his grandma used to make. Praise doesn’t come much higher than that.
reviewed
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Il Sogno Osteria
Over in the new Pearl development (built on the grounds of the old Pearl Brewery), this stylish former warehouse is frequently packed with people vying for a shot at the fresh, house-made pastas. Warning: it doesn't take reservations.
reviewed
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S
Casbeers
Known for the enchiladas and also the Kinky Burger (named after Kinky Friedman, not some weird burger fetish), this San Antonio institution has upgraded locations and is now in a rather lovely building that used to be a Methodist Church.
reviewed
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T
Little Aussie Bakery & Cafe
Gluten-free everything! If you have celiac disease or are on a low-carb diet, that's all you need to know about this place: excellent bread and other baked goodies, as well as tasty lunches, with nary any gluten with which to concern yourself.
reviewed
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U
DeWese's Tip Top Cafe
Some of the best chicken-fried steak and onion rings in the known universe are at this diner, which has been around since 1938. The made-from-scratch pies – chocolate, banana meringue, apple, coconut or egg custard – are good enough to fight over.
reviewed
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V
Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery
Dishing out traditional Mexican food since 1941, this 500-seat behemoth sprawls across several dining areas, giving the busy wait staff and strolling mariachis quite a workout. Best of all? It’s open 24 hours, which means it’s always there when you need it.
reviewed