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- Thread starter BuckeyeNation27
- Start date
- Status
bigBUXfan
Junior
HURRY
I just book my room for Texas. The hotel is 1/2 mile from campus. the women told me they only have a few rooms left. so hurry. GO BUCKS.
http://www.lq.com/lq/index.jsp
I just book my room for Texas. The hotel is 1/2 mile from campus. the women told me they only have a few rooms left. so hurry. GO BUCKS.
http://www.lq.com/lq/index.jsp
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High Lonesome
Hook 'Em
are you at the Laquinta at MLK and 35? I am suprised they still had rooms. You should be able to smell the fajitas on the tailgating grills from your room.
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WACO
Junior
Here is a satellite view........you a short walk up San Jacinto to DKR right next to the state capitol.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&saddr=San+Jacinto+Blvd+%26+E+Martin+Luther+King+Jr+Blvd,+Austin,+TX+78712&daddr=300+E+11th+St,+Austin,+TX&btnG=Search&f=d&ll=30.27734,-97.736199&spn=0.020161,0.033431&t=khttp://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=300+E+11th+St,+Austin,+TX
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High Lonesome
Hook 'Em
well its not the same one but thats because i was thinking of a double tree. That should be a great place to stay and you are actually on the better(safer*) side of 35. You are about 8 or 9 blocks to the stadium but only 4 or 5 from the tailgating. its definately walkable.
* safer is really a relative term in this case as you will not find many cities safer than austin
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High Lonesome
Hook 'Em
there are bars/cantina's/beer joints all over town but the two main areas are downtown
6th street (between 35 and Brazos) is lines end to end with bars. This is where you will find the college age crowd and some o the live music crowd
Warehouse district( 4th and colorado) Slightly older crowd, more of a young professional 20somethings type croud. bars are slightly more upscale and you are more likely to find clubs over here.
both areas are fun and have ups and downs.
sight seeing would take me time i dont have right now
restraunts - ditto
other - taking a day to float the river in gruene or san marcos is always refreshing on a hot summer day. call rockin' r for details.
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TexasDawg
Certified Dawg
People...
...Hope all is well with you! I am glad to see Texas people are little bit friendly this time around despite the fact that they had been prodding me ever since I moved here to Austin and opened my mouth in Longhorns country.
But, hey, it's all in fun.
Anyway, I need somebody's help...
Where can I score a ticket or two for the game at Austin?
It's an opporunity that happens only once in lifetime and I am not missing this one out. I'll scale the fence into the stadium if I have to but I don't want to. Police in Austin do funny thing to outsiders here.
Any information will be appreicated.
...Hope all is well with you! I am glad to see Texas people are little bit friendly this time around despite the fact that they had been prodding me ever since I moved here to Austin and opened my mouth in Longhorns country.
But, hey, it's all in fun.
Anyway, I need somebody's help...
Where can I score a ticket or two for the game at Austin?
It's an opporunity that happens only once in lifetime and I am not missing this one out. I'll scale the fence into the stadium if I have to but I don't want to. Police in Austin do funny thing to outsiders here.
Any information will be appreicated.
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texasfight06
All-American
If you live in austin, I would do Craig's list, but meet somebody in person to seal the deal. otherwise wait until gametime and scalp by the tailgate lots. It is difficult to determine what these tickets will be going for, as our bandwagon is busting at the seams, but in the past, the ticket situation was much better for UT games then it was for the game in columbus last year. I paid about $250 for my ticket last year in Columbus, but I would expect it to cost less in Austin. Also, look at the student ticket setup, and see if you can get in on someone else's ID, students will definitely be selling to get some cash.
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Ignatius
Newbie
Very true...
As far as places to stay, for the dollar/location you can't beat the LaQuinta on 11th street someone posted earlier. There's a Marriott a couple of blocks over from there, but outside of that if you walk from your hotel/motel to the stadium, you're going to be sweating your ass off...
The biggest open tailgate area near the stadium, as someone mentioned, is just south of the stadium, in an area bordered (roughly) by MLK on the north, Trinity on the east, Congress on the west, and 15th on the south. There are a lot of parking lots in this area where people set up large (hundreds of people) tailgates on Friday afternoon, and this area is always jam-packed on gameday. Scholz's, the oldest/best-known pregame watering hole, is right in the middle of this area on San Jacinto. There's no way in hell you'll be able to pull your car in here, but most of these big tailgates are wide open, especially if you come walking up with your own beer. The Hornfans.com tailgate is in this area, so if you spend any time over there between now and then you can get more details from people who regularly tailgate there. It's a very short walk from this area to the stadium, thousands of people do it.
You guys' allotment will be on the other (north) side of the stadium, however, and that's an alternative if you want to drive down toward the stadium and set up on your own. There's pretty much free parking on all of the streets north of 26th street (more or less the northern end of campus), and there's 4-5 parks in this area where some people hang out and grill/drink. There are a couple of bars in this area, I like the Posse East, at 29th and Duval, it's always full of people going to the game, although not as big as Scholz's. There's also a bar just down the street from there called the Crown and Anchor, I don't like it that much (it's the Crowded Wanker to me), but a lot of people go there.
There's also a couple of small lots right next to the stadium that require donations to the Longhorn Foundation, you won't be able to park there but there's nothing stopping you from throwing down a few chairs and a cooler and just chilling in that area, plus you'd be right next to the stadium.
A couple of differences between pregaming in Columbus and Austin, one good and one bad. The good thing is that nobody gives a rat's ass about walking around drinking beer before the game, and this goes pretty much for any area within a 2-3 miles of the stadium. Nobody meaning police, university officials, etc. I suppose if you're staggering around with a bottle of Jack and no shirt on, or if you're cruising down the street with a beer bong that a cop might hassle you, but outside of that if you're not screwing anything up for anyone and you're not obviously shitfaced, nobody cares...
The bad thing - it's gonna be hotter than hell the day of the game. Thank God it's an 7PM kickoff because it should be down to 98 or so by then, but prepare to sweat a lot. I realize it gets hot in Ohio too during the summer, but at the time of this game, we most likely won't have had a day with a high under 90 in three months, with most days being 95-100 and multiple days over 100. It doesn't usually rain much here in the summer either, so the ground is all dry and hot. Wherever you plan your pregame activity, finding shade should be top priority.
As far as tickets, I would recommend doing what I did last year in Columbus - bite the bullet and pay a ticket company early and get it over with. Last year, I paid $335 to sit in the top right section of the south end zone about two months before the game. Some friends up mine ended up getting tix somewhere on Lane in roughly the same area for (I think) $250 right before kickoff. To me, $85 was well worth the peace of mind and I had a hell of a lot better time right before the game than they did. Our bandwagon is overflowing right now, and there's going to be a lot of people here and in Houston and Dallas without tickets who'll be hitting up the scalpers also. My advice - get it over with ahead of time...
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Mobyhorn
Freshman
Go to www.hornfans.com. Register and go to Interactive. Down the menu is the "Swap Meet" where the tickets are posted.
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craigblitz
Juice, Full of Juice!!
Thanks Horn Fans for the help. I can not wait to come down. I had such a great time with you guys in Columbus last year. Well minus the final outcome of course.
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xrayrandy
Blowhard Statistician
I am a long time gameday scalper, since I get better quality tickets for less that way. So here is a quick guide.
First a caution. You must have a student ID with a student ticket. I'm not sure if the ID will have to match the name on the ticket for this game, but it might. My advice is don't buy a student ticket from a scalper. If you go that route make arrangements in advance with the student who was issued the ticket.
The UT police do go after scalpers so most of the action is off campus, mostly on the south side. There are usually professional ticket sellers, and fans selling extras along 15th, 16th, 17th, and MLK as they funnel east toward San Jacinto. The state lots along these streets are filled with tailgaters and sometimes they will have extras if you get there early. I doubt it for this game, as they will find a friend who wants it.
The action gets serious at 16th and San Jacinto where 20 or so professional ticket traders hang out. Look for fans walking up since they'll be cheaper if you get to them before the pros. But, if you want 50 yard line seats and have a newborn to trade, you can always make a deal there. Scholz Garten (commonly called Scholz' Beer Garden or just Schulz') is next to it and is a traditional place to grab a pre-game beer. I usually get to this corner an hour before the game, and get my tickets here better than half the time.
In the run in along San Jacinto north to MLK you'll come across a few sellers (and a lot of drunk Texas fans), and there are usually 3 or 4 pros on the SouthWest corner of MLK and San Jacinto. This is the last stop before campus. There are Austin Police directing traffic, but they don't hassle the ticket sellers.
On the north and west sides of campus you mostly find student housing and parking on narrow roads. There is not a lot of ticket selling action, but occasionally you can get one from a fan. The Crown and Anchor, and Posse east (On San Jacinto a block North of 26th) are a couple great gameday bars where people hang out and occasionally someone has a ticket. There are a few pros between those bars and campus and occasional 1 or 2 on teh way to the stadium.
There is not much activity in the university owned lots East of the stadium except for the occasional fan. Too much UT police and not enough late arrivals. I would not venture East of I35.
Once you get around the stadium you will see some fans selling here and there all around the stadium. If you buy there look for cops and do the deal fast. They are mostly after pros but will hassle clumsy amateurs who don't clear away fast enough.
The alumni center is across the street from the middle of the west side of the stadium, and is another popular gameday watering hole for TexasExes. In a normal game you can stand between there and the stadium and catch someone crossing the street with a ticket for sale. I've gotten some of the best tickets there, at reasonable prices. However there won't be many there for our game, and the Alumni are the least likely to sell to someone wearing an OSU shirt.
I expect to get in for under $300, but will shoot for $200.
First a caution. You must have a student ID with a student ticket. I'm not sure if the ID will have to match the name on the ticket for this game, but it might. My advice is don't buy a student ticket from a scalper. If you go that route make arrangements in advance with the student who was issued the ticket.
The UT police do go after scalpers so most of the action is off campus, mostly on the south side. There are usually professional ticket sellers, and fans selling extras along 15th, 16th, 17th, and MLK as they funnel east toward San Jacinto. The state lots along these streets are filled with tailgaters and sometimes they will have extras if you get there early. I doubt it for this game, as they will find a friend who wants it.
The action gets serious at 16th and San Jacinto where 20 or so professional ticket traders hang out. Look for fans walking up since they'll be cheaper if you get to them before the pros. But, if you want 50 yard line seats and have a newborn to trade, you can always make a deal there. Scholz Garten (commonly called Scholz' Beer Garden or just Schulz') is next to it and is a traditional place to grab a pre-game beer. I usually get to this corner an hour before the game, and get my tickets here better than half the time.
In the run in along San Jacinto north to MLK you'll come across a few sellers (and a lot of drunk Texas fans), and there are usually 3 or 4 pros on the SouthWest corner of MLK and San Jacinto. This is the last stop before campus. There are Austin Police directing traffic, but they don't hassle the ticket sellers.
On the north and west sides of campus you mostly find student housing and parking on narrow roads. There is not a lot of ticket selling action, but occasionally you can get one from a fan. The Crown and Anchor, and Posse east (On San Jacinto a block North of 26th) are a couple great gameday bars where people hang out and occasionally someone has a ticket. There are a few pros between those bars and campus and occasional 1 or 2 on teh way to the stadium.
There is not much activity in the university owned lots East of the stadium except for the occasional fan. Too much UT police and not enough late arrivals. I would not venture East of I35.
Once you get around the stadium you will see some fans selling here and there all around the stadium. If you buy there look for cops and do the deal fast. They are mostly after pros but will hassle clumsy amateurs who don't clear away fast enough.
The alumni center is across the street from the middle of the west side of the stadium, and is another popular gameday watering hole for TexasExes. In a normal game you can stand between there and the stadium and catch someone crossing the street with a ticket for sale. I've gotten some of the best tickets there, at reasonable prices. However there won't be many there for our game, and the Alumni are the least likely to sell to someone wearing an OSU shirt.
I expect to get in for under $300, but will shoot for $200.
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campies
Senior
Austin Info:
1) Restaraunts: (In order of most-appealing/culturally-intriguing/Texas-flavor)
a. Tex-Mex- This is a toss-up as for top priority with TX BBQ. Tex-Mex gets the nod because great and diverse BBQ can be found around the country in the South and Southeast (though I'm obviously partial to TX, and I'll explain why), but nobody does Mexican food like Austin, TX. All contain premium cantinas/bars. In order of preference:
1. Chuy's, 1728 Barton Springs Rd, multiple locations- Uniquely Austin in its execution, colorful and welcoming atmosphere, some of the most authentic Tex-Mex and southwestern dishes in town. Southwestern enchiladas in New Mexican green chile sauce is a favorite.
2. El Arroyo, 1624 W. 5th St, multiple locations- Another Austin favorite, El Arroyo combines a cool alfresco and indoor atmosphere with excellent appetizers, affordable entrees and smooth-sipping margaritas that are a must for any relaxing weekday or weekend lunch.
3. Hula Hut, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd- From the maker of Chuy's, the Hula Hut combines that same inviting, eclectic style with top-notch Southwestern/Mexican cuisine with a Polyenesian twist. Nestled along the boat-docked banks of Lake Austin, and accesible by such, Hula Hut provides a scenic and relaxing environment for which to enjoy favorites like the corn-wrapped, chicken "Pipeline" enchiladas and a variety of cocktails. Excellent spot for a good view/atmoshpere and a fun time. Waits can be long, but there is plenty of outdoor, deck space waiting areas bar seating with TV viewing.
4. Maudie's Milagro, Capital of TX HW @ Westlake Dr in Davenport Village, 5 locations offering different atmospheres around town- An Austin classic since 1950, Maudie's offers some of the best Tex-Mex food in a causal and fun environment. Upscale but down-to-earth, Maudie's Milagro is the latest in the chain of restaurants, set in the hills of Westlake near the 360 Bridge over Lake Austin; a great area of town for scenary/upscale neighborhoods of Austin Suburbs.
5. Guero's Taco Bar, 1412 S. Congress Ave- Another Austin classic, though not my particular favorite, its still absolutely top-notch. Some of the strongest and most well-known margaritas around, they are made with fresh lime juice and premium tequilas; be advised, they will knock you around if you're into that. House verde salsa is a crowd pleaser, in conjuction with Guero's tacos; the combination is pure Mexico. Suposedly a celebrity hot-spot, the likes of Sandra Bullock being one of the frequent visitors.
b. Barbeque- As I said, it was a toss-up for first dining priority in the Lone Star Capital, and with that, here are a few classic joints that contribute to our state's revered BBQ namesake.
1. The Salt Lick- 18001 FM 1826- I dont care where you're from, I dont care where you go; NOTHING within the 50 great states of this country will top the Hill Country barbeque experience that you will recieve at the Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX (20 minutes outside of Austin). Yes, I'm biased, but after sampling the $15 all-you-can-eat family style bbq from this place, you will be too. Though Austin itself is youthful and exeburant, this short drive outside the city totally encapsalates all that is good about the peaceful and relaxed surroundings of the Texas hill country. Its BYOB, so cart up a cooler of your favorite wine or lager, and enjoy the wait for the finest, freshly-smoked brisket, ribs, sausage, or chicken, combined with never-ending sides of cole slaw, beans, potato salad and homemade bread. Oh, and their signature sauce is phenomenal, and must be experienced to fully appreciate. The homemade desserts like blackberry or peach cobbler, pecan pie, and others, come with a side of ice cream, and are a must following any dinner, no matter how full you are. Oh yeah, and the smell in the air from 2 miles away is unmistakable, as is the aroma once inside that will give you goosebumps. There is no better way to spend a Saturday or Sunday evening. Enjoy.
2. The County Line, 5204 FM 2222, two locations within 10 miles of each other- Long-time Austin establishment, with classic hill country architecture, the County Line offers exquistite views from its hill top location, or lake-front access from its other one. World-famous for its beef and pork ribs, they offer a family style similar to the Salt Lick's, complete with excellent brisket, sausage, sides and desserts. If the Salt Lick is an 11 on a scale of 1-10, the County Line comes in at about a 9.5.
3. Stubb's BBQ, 801 Red River St.- This classic, stone-walled establishment in downtown Austin might be as famous for its excellent live music acts as it is for its signature sauce. A moderately-priced, well-rounded place with great brisket plates and a top-notch Bloody Mary bar; if you get a chance to catch a good show along with your meal at this place, take it.
4. Green Mesquite BBQ, 1400 Barton Springs Rd - As much for the quality of its atmosphere and its excellent food, the proximity along Barton Springs Rd to the plethora of other uniquely-Austin eating establishments such as Chuy's, Shady Grove and SnoBeach sno cones(best shave ice cones in town from cute girl servers [you cant be too old though]), is what lands this place on my list. Its similar in nature to a few other spots that I didn't feel like listing (Iron Works BBQ in downtown for one), and the variety of meats and atmosphere are part of what make this spot desirable. Mesquite-smoked buffalo wings are a favorite, as is their complete sampler platter with brisket, pork ribs, and sausage.
c. Seafood - Close enough to the Gulf of Mexico and the state of Louisiana, rest assured, Austin isn't so far away that it can't pull off some great seafood that definitely won't scare you, and might actually impress you.
1. Eddie V's, downtown 301 E. 5th St. - Probably regarded as the highest-quality, widest offering seafood bistro in town, Eddie V's has quality selections across the board. The simpler preparations seem to be the best, including the Gulf snapper fillet, macadamia-crusted trout, and Gulf fried shrimp. Plenty of soups and prime steaks to choose from as well.
2. Pappadeaux, N. I35 just past HW 290 junct. - Not to be confused with its neighboring Papasitos of the same owner, Papadeaux offers a wide range of seafood and Cajun dishes, in a large, entertaining environment. QB Vince Young's favorite Austin restaurant, for whatever thats worth. :)
3. Roy's, downtown 340 E. 2nd St. - Made famous by chef Roy Yamaguchi (no relation to Kristi that I know of) with his coined "Hawaiian fusion" dishes- local ingredients with European sauces, and bold Asian spices. While the intriguing seafood dishes are the headliner, the fine meat dishes, such as the Szechaun baby back ribs, may also spark your interests.
4. Carlos 'N Charlie's, 5923 Hiline Rd (get directions)- Loses preference just because of the location (30 minutes NW of Austin), but the famously festive restaurant chain more than makes up for it in the experience for those who make the trip. A boat-docked, landing site of an establishment, this activity headquarters on Lake Travis (northern portion of Colorado River which forms Lake Austin past a dam) exemplies the lake experience of Austin. Excellent seafood/mexican choices like grilled shrimp entrees and flame-broiled fajitas adorn the menu, though the quality-to-price ratio is not quite as high as it could be. Overall quality, though, drink bar, and atmosphere make it more than worth the while. In addition to boat dock marinas, sand volley ball courts, patio dining, and live music stage add to the enjoyable lake experience.
d. Uniquely-Austin/Places that break the Mold-but must be listed:
1. Z-Tejas, 1110 W. 6th St., multiple locations- A signature Southwestern favorite thats hard to classify, but impossible to keep people away from. An excellent variety of upscale dishes that has something for everybody, such as the catfish tacos with Asian dipping sauce, cheese/chorizo/poblano-stuffed pork tenderloin, and the appetizing chipotle-smoked queso. Gotta try it to appreciate it. Very Texas, Very Austin.
2. Trudy's, 409 W. 30th St. - Perfect UT campus location, with several others around town, Trudy's is similar to Z-Tejas in offerings but more emphasis on the Tex-Mex side of things. A cool, middleaged establishment that older people will still feel quite comfortable at, Trudy's is maybe most famous for its Mexican Martinis- basically an olive-garnished margarita on the rocks, served in a shaker with martini glass; good for 3-4 servings. There is a 2-order limit on these babies, just to give you an idea of their potency. Everything is good here, great place for groups, hell of a time, pre-or-post game.
3. Katz's Deli & Bar, 618 W. 6th St. - One of the finest in New York-style delis, Katz's "never kloses." An Austin landmark, repleat with all the classic kosher offerings, the fried pickles are a signature item.
4. Hut's Hamburgers, 807 W. 6th St.- One of the more timeless establishments in Austin, with cool, sports memorabila spanning the last 5 decades or so along the walls, Hut's has some of the best variety and quality of burgers around. Plenty of unique toppings, and a sweet 2-for-1 deal on Mon, Wed, Sat. that makes choosing the dual Dag burgers(2 pattie, 1 lb beef each) that much more enticing. Come hungry though if you try it.
5. Magnolia Cafe, 2304 Lake Austin Blvd.- Open 24 hours, and a favorite night-spot for late-night breakfast, all of which is fantastic. A hippy-causal style diner, with friendly, prompt service, Magnolia favorites include the famous Mag 'Mud' queso w/ guac and black beans, queso-covered migas with salsa and home fries, and large, gingerbread pancakes.
6. Threadgills, 301 W. Riverside Dr., 2 locations- Another favorite, this time-tested place serves up the best comfort food with an Austin flair. A favorite of local musicians, Threadgills has good service with an excellent variety that has something for everyone.
Well, that's it for restaurants. I tried to include some of the best of what Austin has to offer, in a variety of styles and tastes, in a proximity to downtown and areas most visitors will spend, at a median price range that most can afford. Of course, Austin has plenty of higher end spots like Ruth's Chris Steak House, Sullivan's, Cafe Four Seasons, or Gumbo's, but there are literally dosens of other quality restaurants around town worth visiting that I left off simply because it would take too long to list them all. I recommend anyone coming down to purchase a copy of Austin Magazine. It has a similar though more-through list than mine in the back, with many more restaurants to choose from, not to mention other good entertainment/sight-seeing info about the city.
I'll try and give a similar break-down of the bar scene around 4th and 6th St at a later time, with some sight-seeing info as well. Hope you guys enjoy.
1) Restaraunts: (In order of most-appealing/culturally-intriguing/Texas-flavor)
a. Tex-Mex- This is a toss-up as for top priority with TX BBQ. Tex-Mex gets the nod because great and diverse BBQ can be found around the country in the South and Southeast (though I'm obviously partial to TX, and I'll explain why), but nobody does Mexican food like Austin, TX. All contain premium cantinas/bars. In order of preference:
1. Chuy's, 1728 Barton Springs Rd, multiple locations- Uniquely Austin in its execution, colorful and welcoming atmosphere, some of the most authentic Tex-Mex and southwestern dishes in town. Southwestern enchiladas in New Mexican green chile sauce is a favorite.
2. El Arroyo, 1624 W. 5th St, multiple locations- Another Austin favorite, El Arroyo combines a cool alfresco and indoor atmosphere with excellent appetizers, affordable entrees and smooth-sipping margaritas that are a must for any relaxing weekday or weekend lunch.
3. Hula Hut, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd- From the maker of Chuy's, the Hula Hut combines that same inviting, eclectic style with top-notch Southwestern/Mexican cuisine with a Polyenesian twist. Nestled along the boat-docked banks of Lake Austin, and accesible by such, Hula Hut provides a scenic and relaxing environment for which to enjoy favorites like the corn-wrapped, chicken "Pipeline" enchiladas and a variety of cocktails. Excellent spot for a good view/atmoshpere and a fun time. Waits can be long, but there is plenty of outdoor, deck space waiting areas bar seating with TV viewing.
4. Maudie's Milagro, Capital of TX HW @ Westlake Dr in Davenport Village, 5 locations offering different atmospheres around town- An Austin classic since 1950, Maudie's offers some of the best Tex-Mex food in a causal and fun environment. Upscale but down-to-earth, Maudie's Milagro is the latest in the chain of restaurants, set in the hills of Westlake near the 360 Bridge over Lake Austin; a great area of town for scenary/upscale neighborhoods of Austin Suburbs.
5. Guero's Taco Bar, 1412 S. Congress Ave- Another Austin classic, though not my particular favorite, its still absolutely top-notch. Some of the strongest and most well-known margaritas around, they are made with fresh lime juice and premium tequilas; be advised, they will knock you around if you're into that. House verde salsa is a crowd pleaser, in conjuction with Guero's tacos; the combination is pure Mexico. Suposedly a celebrity hot-spot, the likes of Sandra Bullock being one of the frequent visitors.
b. Barbeque- As I said, it was a toss-up for first dining priority in the Lone Star Capital, and with that, here are a few classic joints that contribute to our state's revered BBQ namesake.
1. The Salt Lick- 18001 FM 1826- I dont care where you're from, I dont care where you go; NOTHING within the 50 great states of this country will top the Hill Country barbeque experience that you will recieve at the Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX (20 minutes outside of Austin). Yes, I'm biased, but after sampling the $15 all-you-can-eat family style bbq from this place, you will be too. Though Austin itself is youthful and exeburant, this short drive outside the city totally encapsalates all that is good about the peaceful and relaxed surroundings of the Texas hill country. Its BYOB, so cart up a cooler of your favorite wine or lager, and enjoy the wait for the finest, freshly-smoked brisket, ribs, sausage, or chicken, combined with never-ending sides of cole slaw, beans, potato salad and homemade bread. Oh, and their signature sauce is phenomenal, and must be experienced to fully appreciate. The homemade desserts like blackberry or peach cobbler, pecan pie, and others, come with a side of ice cream, and are a must following any dinner, no matter how full you are. Oh yeah, and the smell in the air from 2 miles away is unmistakable, as is the aroma once inside that will give you goosebumps. There is no better way to spend a Saturday or Sunday evening. Enjoy.
2. The County Line, 5204 FM 2222, two locations within 10 miles of each other- Long-time Austin establishment, with classic hill country architecture, the County Line offers exquistite views from its hill top location, or lake-front access from its other one. World-famous for its beef and pork ribs, they offer a family style similar to the Salt Lick's, complete with excellent brisket, sausage, sides and desserts. If the Salt Lick is an 11 on a scale of 1-10, the County Line comes in at about a 9.5.
3. Stubb's BBQ, 801 Red River St.- This classic, stone-walled establishment in downtown Austin might be as famous for its excellent live music acts as it is for its signature sauce. A moderately-priced, well-rounded place with great brisket plates and a top-notch Bloody Mary bar; if you get a chance to catch a good show along with your meal at this place, take it.
4. Green Mesquite BBQ, 1400 Barton Springs Rd - As much for the quality of its atmosphere and its excellent food, the proximity along Barton Springs Rd to the plethora of other uniquely-Austin eating establishments such as Chuy's, Shady Grove and SnoBeach sno cones(best shave ice cones in town from cute girl servers [you cant be too old though]), is what lands this place on my list. Its similar in nature to a few other spots that I didn't feel like listing (Iron Works BBQ in downtown for one), and the variety of meats and atmosphere are part of what make this spot desirable. Mesquite-smoked buffalo wings are a favorite, as is their complete sampler platter with brisket, pork ribs, and sausage.
c. Seafood - Close enough to the Gulf of Mexico and the state of Louisiana, rest assured, Austin isn't so far away that it can't pull off some great seafood that definitely won't scare you, and might actually impress you.
1. Eddie V's, downtown 301 E. 5th St. - Probably regarded as the highest-quality, widest offering seafood bistro in town, Eddie V's has quality selections across the board. The simpler preparations seem to be the best, including the Gulf snapper fillet, macadamia-crusted trout, and Gulf fried shrimp. Plenty of soups and prime steaks to choose from as well.
2. Pappadeaux, N. I35 just past HW 290 junct. - Not to be confused with its neighboring Papasitos of the same owner, Papadeaux offers a wide range of seafood and Cajun dishes, in a large, entertaining environment. QB Vince Young's favorite Austin restaurant, for whatever thats worth. :)
3. Roy's, downtown 340 E. 2nd St. - Made famous by chef Roy Yamaguchi (no relation to Kristi that I know of) with his coined "Hawaiian fusion" dishes- local ingredients with European sauces, and bold Asian spices. While the intriguing seafood dishes are the headliner, the fine meat dishes, such as the Szechaun baby back ribs, may also spark your interests.
4. Carlos 'N Charlie's, 5923 Hiline Rd (get directions)- Loses preference just because of the location (30 minutes NW of Austin), but the famously festive restaurant chain more than makes up for it in the experience for those who make the trip. A boat-docked, landing site of an establishment, this activity headquarters on Lake Travis (northern portion of Colorado River which forms Lake Austin past a dam) exemplies the lake experience of Austin. Excellent seafood/mexican choices like grilled shrimp entrees and flame-broiled fajitas adorn the menu, though the quality-to-price ratio is not quite as high as it could be. Overall quality, though, drink bar, and atmosphere make it more than worth the while. In addition to boat dock marinas, sand volley ball courts, patio dining, and live music stage add to the enjoyable lake experience.
d. Uniquely-Austin/Places that break the Mold-but must be listed:
1. Z-Tejas, 1110 W. 6th St., multiple locations- A signature Southwestern favorite thats hard to classify, but impossible to keep people away from. An excellent variety of upscale dishes that has something for everybody, such as the catfish tacos with Asian dipping sauce, cheese/chorizo/poblano-stuffed pork tenderloin, and the appetizing chipotle-smoked queso. Gotta try it to appreciate it. Very Texas, Very Austin.
2. Trudy's, 409 W. 30th St. - Perfect UT campus location, with several others around town, Trudy's is similar to Z-Tejas in offerings but more emphasis on the Tex-Mex side of things. A cool, middleaged establishment that older people will still feel quite comfortable at, Trudy's is maybe most famous for its Mexican Martinis- basically an olive-garnished margarita on the rocks, served in a shaker with martini glass; good for 3-4 servings. There is a 2-order limit on these babies, just to give you an idea of their potency. Everything is good here, great place for groups, hell of a time, pre-or-post game.
3. Katz's Deli & Bar, 618 W. 6th St. - One of the finest in New York-style delis, Katz's "never kloses." An Austin landmark, repleat with all the classic kosher offerings, the fried pickles are a signature item.
4. Hut's Hamburgers, 807 W. 6th St.- One of the more timeless establishments in Austin, with cool, sports memorabila spanning the last 5 decades or so along the walls, Hut's has some of the best variety and quality of burgers around. Plenty of unique toppings, and a sweet 2-for-1 deal on Mon, Wed, Sat. that makes choosing the dual Dag burgers(2 pattie, 1 lb beef each) that much more enticing. Come hungry though if you try it.
5. Magnolia Cafe, 2304 Lake Austin Blvd.- Open 24 hours, and a favorite night-spot for late-night breakfast, all of which is fantastic. A hippy-causal style diner, with friendly, prompt service, Magnolia favorites include the famous Mag 'Mud' queso w/ guac and black beans, queso-covered migas with salsa and home fries, and large, gingerbread pancakes.
6. Threadgills, 301 W. Riverside Dr., 2 locations- Another favorite, this time-tested place serves up the best comfort food with an Austin flair. A favorite of local musicians, Threadgills has good service with an excellent variety that has something for everyone.
Well, that's it for restaurants. I tried to include some of the best of what Austin has to offer, in a variety of styles and tastes, in a proximity to downtown and areas most visitors will spend, at a median price range that most can afford. Of course, Austin has plenty of higher end spots like Ruth's Chris Steak House, Sullivan's, Cafe Four Seasons, or Gumbo's, but there are literally dosens of other quality restaurants around town worth visiting that I left off simply because it would take too long to list them all. I recommend anyone coming down to purchase a copy of Austin Magazine. It has a similar though more-through list than mine in the back, with many more restaurants to choose from, not to mention other good entertainment/sight-seeing info about the city.
I'll try and give a similar break-down of the bar scene around 4th and 6th St at a later time, with some sight-seeing info as well. Hope you guys enjoy.
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