Off the Beaten Path in Austin

Description:

A favorite of the locals on Saturday mornings, this tiny family-owned business is bursting with people willing to wait in a line that extends out the front door for a simple breakfast taco. But their food is anything but simple. The Taco Shack breakfast specialty, the Shack Taco, is filled with eggs, potatoes, cheese and chorizo. Although they can certainly prepare a basic breakfast taco with your choice of fillings, try the Burnet Road Burrito if you are extra hungry and want something to fill you up. For lunch, try the Shack Lunch Special. No matter what you order, you will not be disappointed. Other locations: 8201-B1 Crosspark Drive Austin, TX (+1 512 928 3534,) 4002 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX (+1 512 467 8533,) 2825 Guadalupe St Austin, TX (+1 512 320 8889,) 3901-C Spicewood Springs Rd Austin, TX (+1 512 418 8900,) 12439 Metric Blvd Austin, TX (+1 512 873 7977) and 402 Brazos St Austin, TX (+1 512 473 0101.)

Description:

As the principal art museum in the Austin metropolitan area, the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art has a massive collection featuring more than 17,000 works, including modern and contemporary American and Latin American art, as well as 15th century to contemporary prints and drawings. Situated on the southeastern corner of the University of Texas campus, adjacent to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and within walking distance of the Texas State Capitol, the Blanton building itself embodies the clean lines of modern art with its simple granite and limestone facade, white walls and crisp interior angles. Plan a multi-day visit, if possible. With 124,000 square feet of space, the museum can't be fully explored in one day. Along with the established collections and touring exhibits, the museum also organizes lectures, gallery talks, concerts, workshops and the ever popular B Scene, a monthly evening of mingling, cocktails and musical entertainment among the art.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Second Street District is a great area for people watching. Weekend mornings draw the downtown dwellers out for coffee, dogs in tow. The area also holds a number of special events, like the annual Barkitecture doghouse-building competition, throughout the year.

Description:

Austin's city center holds more than commercial high-rises and government offices -- urban lofts, sidewalk eateries and local boutiques abound, particularly in the Second Street District. Running from the Austin Children's Museum west to the Ballet Austin headquarters, the three-block area provides an alternative shopping experience to the standard indoor mall. Trendy clothing, home decor and one-of-a-kind jewelry stores are interspersed among health food cafes, coffee shops, wine bars such as Cru and Malaga, and gourmet restaurants like Cantina Laredo and Three Forks. Many of the shops and some of the restaurants are locally owned and operated. City officials and local businesspeople invested heavily in Second Street as a way of encouraging people to live, play and work downtown. Austin's City Hall complex adds a funky element to the Second Street District (the building has an armadillo tail), while another popular shopping area, South Congress Avenue, is just a few blocks south.

Description:

Foodheads began in 1992 as a boxed lunch catering company. The recent addition of a public café in a creaky old house near the UT Drag has attracted quite a crowd. Students and Central Austinites flock to this popular lunch spot on the weekend to enjoy made-from-scratch sandwiches on Foodheads' sunny patio. The casual eatery has a favorable reputation for fresh food, homemade soups, and giant sandwiches like mom used to prepare. Try one of their award-winning specialties with a cold iced tea (herb roasted leg of lamb, tuna nicoise or grilled portabella bleu). Go on an empty stomach - Foodheads doesn't scrimp on the fixins.

Description:

This fully functional organic farm has won many awards for its urban farming techniques. Purchase fantastic fresh vegetables on Wednesday and Saturday mornings (9am-2pm). Or, let your kids experience real farm life right in the heart of the city-animals and tractors are some of the biggest attractions for the little ones on market day. While shopping for produce, take a peek at the historic farmhouse, noted as one of the oldest existing buildings in Austin (built in 1838).

Description:

The Texas Chili Parlor serves up X (mild) chili, XX (spicy) chili, XXX (hot) chili, black bean and sausage chili and vegetarian chili. On the weekends, the special is habanero chile! Despite the name, the Chili Parlor also serves Mexican food, burgers and sandwiches and has a popular bar area. Live music can be heard several nights a week.

Our Local Expert Says:

This Sixth Street anchor and Austin landmark is said to harbor a handful of friendly ghosts, including the hotel's namesake himself, Colonel Driskill.

Description:

Location. Located in downtown Austin, Texas, the Driskill Hotel was once the showplace of a cattle baron. Located seven miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, this historic 12-story hotel is adjacent to Sixth Street entertainment district and less than one mile from the Texas State Capitol Complex.
Hotel Features. Gargoyles and busts of The Driskill Hotel's owner and his sons still peer out from high above each entrance, and shorhorn steer heads adorn the outer walls. The lobby's three-story columns reach to a stained-glass dome ceiling canopying marble floors. The hotel features a full-service business center, elegant meeting facilities wired with high-tech capabilities, and a fitness studio complete with stretching room and massage tables. The Driskill Grill offers contemporary American cuisine in elegant surroundings, while old Texas-style décor is found in the 1886 Café & Bakery, serving full breakfasts and light entrees daily. The Driskill Bar is furnished with cowhide couches and features an extensive wine list, native Texas brews, and live piano music.
Guestrooms. Palatial guestrooms and suites span from the Driskill's Traditional Wing, built in 1929 featuring the... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

On weekends, this low-key restaurant attracts many who start the day with a plate of migas and a michelada.

Description:

This restaurant offers traditional Tex-Mex fare all day long. Located in a mall, you generally wouldn't expect the food to be this good or the restaurant to be so popular. Other locations: 1212 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704 (+1 512 440 8088,) 10205 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78753 (+1 512 832 0900,) 9911 W Brodie Ln Austin, TX 78748 (+1 512 280 8700) and 3801 N Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, TX 78746 (+1 512 306 8080.)

Our Local Expert Says:

For years, this out-of-town barbecue joint has been voted 'best barbecue' by locals. Part of it’s the in-house smoking of the meat and the other part is the rural, communal atmosphere of the spread-out seating. Don’t forget to bring your own libations since The Salt Lick cannot serve alcohol and DON'T FORGET CASH--credit cards are not accepted here.

Description:

For a mouthful of real Texas barbecue, head make the drive to the legendary Salt Lick. The scenery and the rustic restaurant buildings all add to that perfect Southern experience. Try the mammoth-sized sandwiches or the family style meals (inclusive of pork ribs, brisket, sausage, potato salad, cole slaw, beans, pickles, onions, and bread.) Dig into the delicious smoky sausages or the moist briskets all made with special Salt Lick sauces. You have to leave room for the irresistible homemade desserts. It must be noted though that the restaurant is located in a dry precinct so you have to bring your own alcohol. Great barbeque, melt in your mouth desserts and a drink of your choice, mmmm!

Description:

If city parking is like rain on your downtown drinking parade, look no further than the Mean Eyed Cat on West 5th Street. The one-room, no-cover dive bar has an urban feel, but boasts a parking lot that would put Costco to shame. Built to honor the late great Johnny Cash, the Mean Eyed Cat has a crowded back patio and plenty of man-in-black collectibles. The Mean Eyed stage, featuring live music almost every night of the week, is popular with patrons of all ages. Order a shot at the bar to go down, down, down into a burning ring of fire.

Our Local Expert Says:

Housed in a true Missouri-Pacific train depot transported more than 30 years ago from McNeil, Texas, Donn's includes real train cars and a caboose for the ladies' restroom area.

Description:

Come enjoy country western music in a railroad relic. This venue, although slightly outside of downtown, provides an excellent opportunity to dance and watch older country western pros strut their stuff. The old Texas feel and the relaxing atmosphere make a great team with cold beer and great music.

Our Local Expert Says:

This Sixth Street anchor and Austin landmark is said to harbor a handful of friendly ghosts, including the hotel's namesake himself, Colonel Driskill.

Description:

Location. Located in downtown Austin, Texas, the Driskill Hotel was once the showplace of a cattle baron. Located seven miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, this historic 12-story hotel is adjacent to Sixth Street entertainment district and less than one mile from the Texas State Capitol Complex.
Hotel Features. Gargoyles and busts of The Driskill Hotel's owner and his sons still peer out from high above each entrance, and shorhorn steer heads adorn the outer walls. The lobby's three-story columns reach to a stained-glass dome ceiling canopying marble floors. The hotel features a full-service business center, elegant meeting facilities wired with high-tech capabilities, and a fitness studio complete with stretching room and massage tables. The Driskill Grill offers contemporary American cuisine in elegant surroundings, while old Texas-style décor is found in the 1886 Café & Bakery, serving full breakfasts and light entrees daily. The Driskill Bar is furnished with cowhide couches and features an extensive wine list, native Texas brews, and live piano music.
Guestrooms. Palatial guestrooms and suites span from the Driskill's Traditional Wing, built in 1929 featuring the... read more

Description:

Do you feel like forgetting about your diet and just feasting on junk food for a change? Then Dan's the place for you. Cheese omelets, hamburgers, fries, onion rings, tacos, and chocolate shakes are what you can expect to eat here. The staff is professional and warm and the service is very quick. Only cash payments are accepted and there is ample parking space. Don't forget about the south location at 4308 Manchaca Rd Austin, TX 78704 (+1 512 443 6131.)

Our Local Expert Says:

This lake is a favorite starting point for tubers who laze the day away by floating the Guadalupe River.

Description:

This lake is a favorite starting point for tubers who laze the day away by floating the Guadalupe River.This is an area settled by early German immigrants. From New Braunfels, travel 15 miles northwest along FM 306.

Our Local Expert Says:

This neighborhood fish market offers daily specials for dining in, including Texas Thursdays which marry local music with discounted seafood meals.

Description:

This restaurant is part of the owner's retail and wholesale market, so you are sure that the fish is fresh. While buying fish to cook at home, grab some delicious fried shrimp and oyster poboys, which come with the essential French fries and cole slaw. You can bring your whole family here, as the rates are moderate. Make sure you pick up a free copy of recipes on your way out.

Description:

Operational for over a decade, Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon has earned the reputation for being the city's country-music stop. It's not your usual nightclub with thumping music; but is a great place for drinks and good music. It hosts live musical performances every Thursday - Billy Dee & Redd Volkaert, Justin Treviño and Dale Watson have kept this place alive on several occasions. So stop by for a memorable night at this simple place, which not surprisingly, has a cult following.

Our Local Expert Says:

This Sixth Street anchor and Austin landmark is said to harbor a handful of friendly ghosts, including the hotel's namesake himself, Colonel Driskill.

Description:

Location. Located in downtown Austin, Texas, the Driskill Hotel was once the showplace of a cattle baron. Located seven miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, this historic 12-story hotel is adjacent to Sixth Street entertainment district and less than one mile from the Texas State Capitol Complex.
Hotel Features. Gargoyles and busts of The Driskill Hotel's owner and his sons still peer out from high above each entrance, and shorhorn steer heads adorn the outer walls. The lobby's three-story columns reach to a stained-glass dome ceiling canopying marble floors. The hotel features a full-service business center, elegant meeting facilities wired with high-tech capabilities, and a fitness studio complete with stretching room and massage tables. The Driskill Grill offers contemporary American cuisine in elegant surroundings, while old Texas-style décor is found in the 1886 Café & Bakery, serving full breakfasts and light entrees daily. The Driskill Bar is furnished with cowhide couches and features an extensive wine list, native Texas brews, and live piano music.
Guestrooms. Palatial guestrooms and suites span from the Driskill's Traditional Wing, built in 1929 featuring the... read more