Austin Recomendations (August 2022)

Discussion in 'Southwest' started by Beer_Economicus, Jul 28, 2022.

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  1. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’m heading to Austin to present at a conference. I’ll be there for about 6 days, arriving around 6 August. The conference is occurring downtown, sandwiched between Congress and 35, near the river.

    Looking for some recommendations around the city, but also more specifically ones that aren’t too far away. Mostly looking for food, especially close or ones that won’t have an hour+ wait in the heat, but also for any whiskey bars with a good selection (especially if open late, since much of my time is pre-planned for me). As a secondary, also interested in breweries.

    I plan to visit Live Oak, but their website seems to suck, and/or they are much smaller than I thought. It seems like they only have maybe 6 beers on tap, maybe another 4 in cans, and only maybe 6 options to go? No crowlers or growlers?

    Oh, any whiskey/beer stores I need to stop at? I am likely driving in from the north, and when I leave driving East. So stores to visit aren’t relegated to ONLY Austin.

    Thanks in advance. Appreciate those that contribute to these threads very much.
     
  2. Premo88

    Premo88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,670) Jun 6, 2010 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Live Oak is worth a visit if you love good beer, especially German lager styles. You're right in that they're not going to wow you with lots of bells and whistles.

    Jester King, however, might. It's a little ways out of town but worth a trip. In fact, you might try getting out there early in your trip, because you likely will want to go back.

    The Draught House Pub & Brewery brews beer on the premises and does very good cask ale. I've not been to Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. (ABGB) but everybody who goes insists it's awesome.

    Others might be able to help you with food. Google Maps can help too.

    As for music, I'd argue the Continental Club on South Congress is a must. It or Antone's. If James McMurtry is around, he would be playing at 10 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 9) at the Continental Club and worth your trouble ($10 cover I think). The CC's Wednesday night lineup that starts with William Harries Graham and his local legend dad Jon Dee Graham also is fantastic.

    Any big Spec's or Total Wine liquor stores are good places to hunt for both beer and whisk[e]y. If you're swinging through Houston, you might consider stopping off at the Smith Street Spec's -- basically the center of the Spec's universe.

    If I think of more Austin-area spots, I'll holler.
     
  3. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Appreciate it! You had me at Cask! Yet to get to try a real cask ale, so pretty excited about that one.

    Very excited to visit Live Oak. I guess my post probably came off more bitchy than intended, but mostly I was trying to convey that it just didn't seem like they had many options. I thought they'd have more options on tap and more to go. I'm excited by what they have, but just expected more. Wasn't sure if I'd find more in stores.

    I'll be driving by (or through) Houston as I leave (heading east into LA). On my way in I am most likely going to be coming through Dallas, but I haven't yet figured out exactly which route I am taking on the way in yet.

    Remind me where you're located, and whether there's any chance to have a drink.
     
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  4. Premo88

    Premo88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,670) Jun 6, 2010 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    If you want to try cask ale, also consider Acopon Brewery in Dripping Springs, which is a little out of town in the direction of Jester King. They not only have cask ale but specialize in British ales, so it's at least a spot worthing considering.

    I'm in Bryan-College Station, about 2 hours from Austin. I'll also potentially be in the Houston area during part of your stay. DM your schedule when you know it, and maybe we can coordinate a meeting. That would be some fun.

    Cheers!
     
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  5. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you find yourself in Austin over the weekend, definitely do the Comedor for brunch and get the Pancake, Cajeta, Brown Butter.
    Other recs
    Banger Sausage House & Beer Garden: great food and tap list
    Hold Out Brewing, off downtown, good beer and right next to Better Half Coffee and Coctails (good breakfast)
    Other side not really walking distance, lots in walking distance from here
    Easy Tiger: Good sandwiches and tap list (bakery)
    Zilker: solid brewery, good chicken sandwich food truck
    Lazarus: solid brewery, like 5 lagers on tap last time I was there (this weekend)

    Outside Downtown
    Uber to Pinthouse Brewing on Ben White and grab a bite then
    Short uber to Meanwhile

    Uber to Loro to eat (Franklin BBQ is partner so meat should be good)
    Walk to Austin Beer Garden (Walk back downtown, doable, have done it several times)

    Food
    Paper Boy (Breakfast)
    Odd Duck (Dinner)
    Jew Boy Burger (worth the drive)

    Sure more will pile on here, have fun
     
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  6. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader


    Really appreciate the recommendations. Super excited that you listed a couple breakfast options. Love me some good breakfast/brunch. I’m making it a point to go to the comador on my first day there.

    Speaking of my schedule, I’ll be driving in on Sat the 6th, with my first day there on Sunday the 7th. Conference starts that night, and I have to set up earlier that day. Then the conference runs the rest of the week and ends Friday night. I’ll leave Sat morning. Hopefully early. I’ll be stopping to see some family in Jennings that day, but hoping to leave early enough that I get some great views as the sun comes up. Thinking about taking a slight detour to drive through Cameron and down by the coast rather than just taking the interstate through Lake Charles. Once I leave Jennings the next day, thinking of taking another slight detour and heading down to Grand Isle for another scenic drive on my way to New Orleans before turning and heading north. I’ll actually be there for a few hours as I pickup some food to take home. Speaking of which, I need to place those orders soon.

    For those that need recommendations in the future, best Po’boys I ever had is from Daryl’s in Lake Charles and Jennings (the owner unfortunately recently deceased about 5 years ago I think). The special is great, and you have to get the Jalapeño Mayonaise. Planning to also bring some food back from ‘In-Laws’, and going to stop by Cochin Butcher in New Orleans to bring other food back. Contemplating what I can bring back from Haydel’s, since my daughter is allergic to egg. Considering getting something quick from Norma Jean, which is also delicious. Wish I had a bunch of time to spend visiting more of Donald Link’s and John Besh’s restaurants, but this is just a through trip!

    Hoping the family will send me home with some Venison too. Bringing a large Yeti…

    Only thing I am thinking about is whether when I leave Jennings, since I may not leave till Noonish if the family is making Gumbo that day, and since I am making a detour to drive down to Grand Isle, and then since I am making stops in New Orleans, if I should just plan to spend the night in New Orleans and just make the full drive the next morning instead of trying to drive for some time and then stopping. No way I’d be able to make the full drive back home that day with all the stops.

    On that note, if anyone recommends taking the drive down to Grand Isle vs the drive down to Venice - which is better just as a scenic drive (no more than 30 minutes stopping time): Let me know.
     
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  7. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    So will process this out thru the day, but if you are leaving Saturday heading to LA, and it seems that you enjoy the scenic route, I would take 290 from Austin to Houston, it is a prettier drive than taking 71 to 10. Then you can stop at one of the Hughies (location on 18th or one on Main St) for lunch and grab a Bahn Mi or a Shaking Beef Fried Rice to give you the energy to pass thru Texas into Louisiana. At that point you can make the call if you want to hit up Specs on Main street before getting back on the Highway (If you are really a breakfast person, then skip Hughies and go to Breakfast Klub, it is close to Specs downtown and has a great menu).

    Personally if you have family in Jennings, I would probably go main roads to Jennings (most of that coastline in LA was decimated by the last 2 hurricanes) and spend time with them, then on the trip to New Orleans, drop down in Lafayette and go the back way. This will take you by Parish Brewing and isn't so much out of the way.

    In Houston make sure you pick up some yellow rose (in the can now) and in Louisiana I have to recommend Jucifier by Barley Gnarly. On your return trip it shows you going thru Alabama, if your trip takes you thru Birmingham, check out some of the beers from Trimtab and Good People, might want to ping the Alabama guys to see if they have any immediate recommendations.
    Enjoy your trip
     
  8. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I am officially in Austin. I had no idea Austin was such a party city. My hotel apparently sits right in the center of the “cool kids” zone. I’m at the Kimpton.

    A few things I noticed while driving in:
    1. The speed limit in Texas changes more frequently than any state I have ever traveled through or worked in. Holy mother of god.
    2. Texas drivers give Chicago drivers a run for their money, and the herd seems to speed more on the whole than Louisiana, which I didn’t know was possible.
    3. Lots of trucks with lights in the wheel wells. Only seen that once before. Didn’t know that was a popular thing.
    4. Texans like to drive with their brights on.

    Really appreciate all the feedback and recommendations. Going to Comedor for Brunch tomorrow for the pancakes. Not sure yet where for dinner. Would like to make it to Live Oak tomorrow. Thinking about the sausage place for dinner. Going to try to corrupt someone into going with me, but we’ll see.

    @donspublic if you are local, let me know. I suspect there will be an opportunity for at least a brief meet up.

    To all Texans: If I am only going to buy 1 Balcones to take back; which should it be (irrespective of price)?
     
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  9. Premo88

    Premo88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,670) Jun 6, 2010 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Balcones Dusk or Dawn, if you can find them. If not, any Texas "1" Single Malt single cask if you can find one that's been in a cask you like (you can usually find the cask designation on the back label). Those are decent starting points. If you can find a Pilgrimage that's been in a cask you like, also good, and if you've never tried Mirador, their malt whisky aged exclusively in refill casks, it's great.

    All of that above is malt whisky. If you fancy yourself more of a bourbon/rye drinker, then you can't go wrong with a True Blue single cask (corn whisky but it ain't like your standard corn) or a single-cask rye (again, *not* like your standard rye — they use a chocolate/toasted malted rye, I think, and you can taste it).

    Happy hunting!
     
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  10. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    As much as I would like to, I am in Houston :slight_frown:. Keep us posted on where you go and your opinions. As for the speed limit, you should get off the main freeway and get on the farm roads that cut thru the state. On those roads the speed limit is usually between 70-75 and you have people backing out of their driveway. Always interesting.
     
  11. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I followed your recommendation and went to Comedor for brunch. Had the pancake. Asked for a side of meat - all they had was (green chorizo), which was wonderful. The butter was the star, but everything was yummy. I’m not sure how I would feel if I had spent $18 of my own money, but it was huge, filling, and yummy nonetheless.

    Went to Moonshine nearby for dinner. Not sure I was enthused, but it was fine/ cat-head biscuits were acceptable, and the garlic bulbs were fine. I got the steak salad, which was small (for a full portion), but yummy. Someone got the chicken and waffles, and they were fine. Someone got the center cut pork chop, and it was fine. Someone got the fried chicken salad, and really enjoyed it. Two people got the country fried steak, and it was huge, but too spicey for one, and fine for the other. I tried it. Not too spicey. It was OK. Their gravy is lacking.

    The star was reasonably priced W12 and EH Taylor SiB pours.
     
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  12. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes and I wish I was on an expense account when I went there, the prices are steep, but the food is pretty damned good. You lucked out, they didn't have the green chorizo when I went last year. I made a huge batch of that for Christmas this year, probably my favorite sausage.
    Thanks for the updates
     
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  13. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I am thinking about going for dinner one night, but not sure. I really only have dinner tonight, Tuesday, and Thursday to choose. Friday is a maybe. Would like to do Odd Duck for one day. So, that leaves most likely 2 days to choose. Since these events are nearly always with other people, it gets a little messy.

    …That being said, I corralled people to go to the Banger house today for lunch, which worked well for our size and timing (we got there 2 minutes before open). It was not exactly as I had expected, but I wasn’t disappointed and I was very happy/satisfied. My only “complaint” is that the appetizers (2 of the 3 we ordered) were really small. The boudin balls I expected to be closer to fist size, and instead they were goftball size (but only 3 of them).

    Everyone left hungry and happy, and overall very reasonably priced.
     
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  14. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Did the Odd Duck last night. It was the only way, given what they had available. So, 5 of us went. It was nice. I am glad we had a larger table, because they put us on the extension at the very back. If we had been much closer up, my god it would have been loud.

    We shared corn bread and corn ribs. Both good. I got the burger, others got the scallops, quail, pork, and the special (pigs ear). I only tried mine, but it was good, and everyone remarked that theirs was also good. Several tried mine, and they thought it was one of the best, but one individual believes the pigs ear without a doubt is the winner.

    Have of us got the chocolate dessert, while the rest of us all got the cobbler. We all enjoyed.

    I also had one of their Old Fashioned made with their 12yr rum, which was god and different.

    Overall, great experience. Certainly not a cheap place, but a nice exciting place to try.

    Trying to figure out what to do with my remaining communal meals. Considering trying to get a steak. I want to get tacos at least once. I’m determined to go to JewBoy. I have 2-3 lunches left unplanned, and 2-3 dinners also still unplanned.
     
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  15. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    You got the best table, I had my whole family there one nite and we were in the same extension, nice little cubbyhole. JewBoy is good and worth the effort. Since you are in to moving around, might want to make it a point to hit up Bird Bird Biscuit (mainly to-go, only limited outside seating). My wife who doesn't eat much of anything, 100 lbs soaking wet, ate a whole one of these last time we went, and then was so obsessed with it brought it up in conversation again last nite. Good place for breakfast or brunch as they close early (pro tip, get the orange juice, fresh squeezed). As for Taco's, not going to give a rec, man everyone has their own opinion on what a good taco is. Last time there had tacos at De Nada Cantina which seems to be the place to be, food very reasonably priced, + points for the blue corn tortillas, margaritas are really good but pricy (need a reservation). Right across the street from Central Machine Works Brewery, not one of the better, but decent beer. And wow, just noticed this, behind Central Machine works is Koko's Bavarian Beer Garden. Has anyone been there, it looks interesting. Torchy's Tacos is an Austin staple that has branched out throughout Texas and other states. I really like their tacos and they always have a special of the month, it is counter service with seating. As for Steak, I am not the person to ask, never on my hit list when going out. Only place I have had steaks in Austin is Eddie Vs, and honestly you can't go wrong there. I like going there for the Banana's Foster Butter Cake, which is honestly to die for. Good thing about Eddie Vs is their seafood game is just as good as the steak
     
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  16. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Lots to respond to, but one thing I wanted to mention was steak.

    Steak isn’t my go to either. I want something I can’t get back home (and I can cook a mean steak anyway, so why bother by comparison?), but…I like to have one in my back pocket if the need arises.

    I was looking at Bird, Bird Biscuit last night or this morning, and pretty interested. Appreciate the rec.
     
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  17. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah and not much help on the steak, sorry. If you were in Houston I would send you to Churrascos, where their steak named after the restaurant is perhaps my favorite, butterflied filet served with chimichurri sauce
     
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  18. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    No worries. Steak is steak is steak. I can google. I appreciate the downlow on all the other local goodies, like Bird Bird.
     
  19. mhenson42

    mhenson42 Maven (1,409) Nov 20, 2011 Texas
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    Hit Pieous in Dripping Springs for the pastrami… and also Jester King. Other than that Batch Brewing, Zilker and Pinthouse Pizza are my favorites
     
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  20. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Two of us walked to Lazarus and then hit Zilker on the way back as well. Zilker was a bit better (to my taste) than Lazarus. We only had IPAs and the kellerbier at Lazarus, and at Zilker we had 2 IPAs and a Kolsh. Overall, all good and would go back.

    Don’t know what the deal is with no place selling food after 10pm. Forced myself into a hole last night. We ended up getting VooDoo doughnuts, which were great, but I ultimately needed something more.
     
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