First time to Austin

[jennlynn318]

My boyfriend and I are going to be visiting Austin this next weekend for the first time. Can you all suggest good eats? Cheap and not so cheap... Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks.. early and late night....We love any and all cusine types~

We are also looking for good bars. We aren't the "Clubbing" type, more the pub, lounge, live music sort.

We are staying at the Omni Downtown.. so anything walking distance is what we are looking for..

Whaddda ya say?? Bring on your suggestions!

[5 and Dime Eater]

This might be too late for your most recent trip but you'll go back to Austin.

Juan In A Million had REALLY good breakfast - tacos and all manner of the usual mexi-brunch items. The $3 margaritas are excellent - not too sweet and just strong enough.

-----
Juan In A Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

[jane]

In the not-cheap category, Lamberts Barbecue on 2nd & Guadelupe has excellent barbecue in an upscale, converted-warehouse setting. (Don't scoff -- it doesn't have to come with Wonder Bread to be great.) There's also live music upstairs.

Here's a thread: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/363602.

And here's their website: http://www.lambertsaustin.com/

[jennlynn318]

Thank's for the Lambert's recommendation Jane! We had dinner there on Saturday night. Oh MY!!! Fabulous meal! The Wild Boar
Ribs were killer!!
We had a great time, went to Mean Eyed Cat, but got there too late for the music (Sunday was Easter)... The Driskil is great for drinks we went there twice. Had a great time at Buffalo Billards for shufleboard. They have a tasty Frito Pie!

Thanks Austin! We'll be back!

[kirelerya]

If you can, I highly recommend renting a car, you can see and enjoy so much more with it! Plus if you use hotwire.com, you can get a great deal. If you do decide to rent or if you want to use cabs, Zoot on Hearn street is a great expensive place for dinner (get a reservation). Azul on East Cesar Chavez has an amazing selection of lattes, waffle folds and breakfast sandwiches (not open on Sundays). The Hotel San Jose's Bar on South Congress is really a really romantic place to get a drink. Freddies on South 1st Street has a great Austin-y vibe for lunch. The Peacock on Perdenales btw East 5 and 6th streets has amsome DJs but it is still very chill place to sit and have drinks. Deep Eddy Caberet is like a dingy version of Casino El Camino, the beers are cheap and the juke box is awesome, I love it there (Lake Austin blvd). For another real slice of Austin, head to Donn's Depot to watch 20 somethings though 70 somethings mingle and dance to Donn's band. This is on East 5th street. But my Favorite place to chill with a drink is Mean Eyed Cat, the Johnny Cash tribute bar on East 5th.

[Greg Spence]

If I'm not mistaken, the Mean Eyed Cat is gone now, along with Poke - Jo's. They are building yet another condo project on that site.

[kirelerya]

Are you kidding me about mean eyed, BUMMER!!!

[Mike B]

Mean Eyed is staying. Pok-e-Joes is leaving. Apartments are being built there surrounding Mean Eyed.

[sweet100s]

Mean-Eyed Cat is gone???

Gone, or did they have to move?

[jennlynn318]

All of these sound GREAT!!! Thanks so much for the suggestions.. Still time for more :) Keep em coming!

Thank you, I can't wait :@)

[luniz]

I recommend Dona Emilia's for some South American food that isn't real common. In particular I'd try the ceviche. For a Sunday "brunch" before leaving town I always stop at Taqueria Arandas #3. I tend to avoid live music at bars so I can't help much there...to me, all the bars on 6th street are pretty much one in the same, they're all fun to finish off a night at but I do most of my drinking out back at Mugshotz (maybe I shouldn't tell people about it).

[achtungpv]

I'm a beer snob so I really like the Gingerman. The Draught House & the Dog and Duck are mighty fine also. there's more bar/live music venues than you can shake a stick at. Name your type of music and you'll get a dozen recommendations.

[markp]

Las Manitas -- Congress & 3rd. Migas for breakfast, enchiladas for lunch. Heaven on earth.

[Homero]

Check out Casino El Camino on Sixth Street for a good bar, Great burgers, and one of the best jukeboxes in town. As far as pubs go, Bull McCabes on Red River near 8th street has always been good to me. For a fancy dinner, the Driskill Grill is said to be superb. I haven't tried myself, but I have heard great things. And Chef David Bull is a talented individual. For something uniquely Austin, Find out what is showing at the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown. You can have Dinner and some beers there. That should be wnough to get the thread started. Welcome to Austin!

[Greg Spence]

Chef Bull is no longer at the Driskill. I haven't heard a report on the quality of the food since his recent departure.

[Homero]

Wow thats a bummer. How long ago did he leave?

[River Rat]

First I've heard of this -- when and why did he leave and do you know where he went?

[bhoward]

Whoa! This is news to me, too. Evidently he left in early March. I cannot believe this wasn't posted on this site sooner. Here is a link to a story:

http://www.statesman.com/news/content...