Visiting Austin, TX and don’t know where to eat? We’ve got you covered! Try out one of these places to eat in Austin.
East Side King
Type of food: Asian Fusion
Website: https://eastsideking.com
Phone: +1 (512) 383-8382
Address: 2310 S Lamar Blvd, Unit 101, Austin, TX 78704
On July 12, 2010 Season six episode 15 of No Reservations was aired. Anthony Bourdain made a stop at East Side King. He dined on beef tongue sticky bun with peanut curry, basil, mint cilantro and chili peppers in sweet chili fish sauce. He also tried their deep fried sausage and sticky buns.
What we ate:
- Ramen Burger
- Kimcheese Lumpia
We made a stop here and felt spiritually pulled to try their kimcheese lumpias and ramen burger.
Kimcheese Lumpias: At first bite, you have an amazing punch of fermented goodness along with the crispness of a fried egg roll. The cheese was an afterthought in the flavor department. It somewhat creeped onto your flavor pallet but was a welcomed surprise of creamy gooiness.
Ramen Burger: Upon ordering, we assumed it would be a burger patty made of only ramen noodles. However, what we got was much better. It was as if they had hand selected the best beef in the area, battered it with dried teriyaki and bbq ramen noodles then God himself kissed the finish product. With each bite, you had the most amazing flavor bursts. Crunch, bbq, quaility beef, teriyaki and then some top-secret sauce that seemed possibly mayo based with an amazing kick of spice.
Not near as exotic as what Tony had, but it was an absolute delightfully fusionend meal of American and Asian cuisine!
I did not know how I would feel about having cheese and kimchi in the same dish. I love them both separately, but together I was not convinced.
It was a culinary explosion of flavors you would otherwise never dare to try together, but a dang good one.
Mumtaz Market by G’Raj Mahal
Type of food: Indian
Website: https://mumtazmarketatx.com
Phone: +1 (512) 480-2255
Address: 1816 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
If you have heard this once from me, well then you will hear it at least 15 more. Samosas are one of my favorite foods. I think they should consider adding them to the food pyramid. They deserve their own food group.
What we ate:
- Samosas
Samosas are fried and stuffed with your choice of lamb or vegetables mixed with a variety of delicious Indian spices. You can think of Samosas as a type of Indian fried dumpling. I have happily consumed many Samosas in my adult life and from all different areas of the world. If I had a favorite Samosas list, Mumaz Market by G’Raj Mahal would be at the top!
Although this was the only dish we tried at Mumaz Market by G’Raj Mahal, it was the perfect mid-day snack. The space was clean, the AC was kickin’ and the vibe was calming. When we make it back to Austin, we hope to stop by and see what else this adorable restaurant has to offer.
Gourdough’s
Type of food: Gourmet Donuts (Food Truck)
Website: https://gourdoughs.com
Phone: No phone at the food truck
Address: 1503 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Following in the footsteps of the food king himself, Anthony Bourdain, we sought out the most delicious donut food truck for breakfast. Although they have a brick and mortar restaurant in the Austin area with more variety on their menu, we opted for the original Gourdough’s experience at their food truck location.
What we ate:
- Nutty Valentine
The Nutty Valentine consists of a donut the size of your face smothered in nutella, fresh strawberries and cinnamon sugar. It was just as delicious as it sounds!
Austin’s Habibi
Type of food: Mediterranean Halal (Food Truck)
Website: https://www.austinshabibi.com
Phone: +1 (512) 520-5440
Address: 817 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
The food truck scene is incredibly massive in the Austin area. It can be overwhelming when trying to decide which ones to try and, in my opinion, there is no need to try only one.
What we ate:
- Gyro on fries
Austin’s Hbibi is an authentic Greek and Mediterranean halal food truck serving up some of the most deliciously authentic foods at more than fair price points. Their authentic menu consists of gyro (chicken or lamb) and falafel platters along with a variety of other mouthwatering salads and appetizers. The meats cooked to sizzling perfection and the flavors are out of this world good.
Super Burrito
Type of food: Mexican (Food Truck)
Website: https://www.ilovesuperburrito.com
Phone: +1 (512) 443-8226
Address: 817 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
With the restaurant and food industry being so competitive. You can almost taste Super Burrito’s success with a motto of “Keeping Austin Delicioso since 2007,” they must be doing something right.
What we ate:
- Tejana
- Sea Monster
- Latina
- Churros
Starting with a delicious handcrafted tortilla stuffed with perfectly seasoned meat sprinkled with a few toppings and finished off with a taco specific sauce, you really cannot go wrong here. No taco is complete without the finale of delicious fried dough heavily dusted in sugar!
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Type of food: Chicken Shop
Website: https://gusfriedchicken.com
Phone: +1 (512) 474-4877
Address: 117 San Jacinto, Austin, TX 787011
While Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken originated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2014 its growing popularity landed it a spot in Austin.
What we ate:
- Two pieces of dark chicken (thigh and leg) with fries, slaw
- Bloodwork orange beer from Austin Beerworks
It is just fried chicken, what makes it so good? It could be the flawlessly cooked crispy outside with the perfect amount of heat, the voluptuously moist inside or the array of good ole southern sides to choose from. I personally think it has something to do with the assortment of local brews to wash is all down with but hey, you decide!
Tommy Want Wingy
Type of food: Wings & Fries (Street Food)
Website: https://tommywantwingyatx.com
Phone: +1 (512) 662-8516
Address: 94 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
What we ate:
- Garlic parmesan wings
- Garlic fries
Have you ever heard of chicken lollipops? This creative take on chicken wings allows you to enjoy your wings without all the mess of traditional wings while maintaing the same great taste! When it comes to wings, there is an ongoing lifelong debate, Flats or drums? However, at Tommy want Wingy, all wings start out as drums then carefully handcrafted into their famous chicken lollipops! Choose your flavor and allow them to do the work!
Texas Chili Parlor
Type of food: Traditional American Cuisine
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063622927961
Phone: +1 (512) 472-2828
Address: 1409 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
When you walk into Texas Chili Parlor, there is an immediate dive bar vibe, but do not let this fool you, they have been serving up some of the best chili in Texas since 1976. Texas Chili Parlor even gained attention from Anthony Bourdain on an episode of “No Reservations” Austin.
What we ate:
- 5 bean veggie chili
Do not come at me for getting vegetarian chili at one of the most iconic chili parlors in Texas. It was the best bowls of chili I have had in a very long time! Not only is the food delicious, but at a price point that will fit any traveler’s budget you cannot go wrong with a stop at Texas Chili Parlor!
Scholz Garten
Type of food: German
Website: http://scholzgarten.com
Phone: +1 (512) 474-1958
Address: 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
In 1866 a German immigrant, and civil war veteran named, August Scholz opened the now Scholz Garten along with the surrounding property for a whopping $2,400 which in 2022 is the equivalent of $44,720. Scholz Garten has been a favorite meeting place for the German population in and around Austin ever since.
What we ate:
- Giant Bavarian pretzel served with bier cheese, garlic butter and dusseldorf mustard
- Weisswurst (pork, lemon, ginger, bacon, parsley) with mustard and a pretzel bun
- Charcuterie board (only available until sold out starting at 5 PM on Wednesdays)
Max is from Germany and is fussy when it comes to German food in the US. Not surprisingly, most of the German food in the US is not very authentic. However, if you are not only looking for authentic German food, but also an Authentic German experience, Scholz Garten is the place to be!
Where to Stay?
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