Today's Austin Food-Related Groupon

[dinaofdoom]

Since I obsessively check the Groupon deals for several cities every day, I thought I would start an Austin food-related thread.
In the past, I have seen some smatterings of "how is this place?" posts for certain restaurants or stores when there is a Groupon in effect, so hopefully this topic will be useful.
And just so you know, I am in no way affiliated with Groupon.
I just love getting good stuff for cheap(er).

[dinaofdoom]

today's plum district steal is pretty darn good--
$5 for $10 at central market and HEB (austin only).

http://www.plumdistrict.com/moms/disc...

[agoodbite]

Crap! The one day I didn't check, this came up and it's sold out now.

[dinaofdoom]

bummer! i had almost given up on plum district, because it's more mommyish.
but i guess i will keep looking just in case.

[agoodbite]

I don't check it specifically, but I go through the daily Dealery rundown. Aggregates are good.

[dinaofdoom]

i've been using austin on the cheap-- they have the deal sites plus other stuff.

[dinaofdoom]

scoutmob has a coupon for annie's, and there's 4 days left to claim one:

http://scoutmob.com/austin/today/2011...
Expires: 09/27/2011
$20 max discount. 1 per party.
Can't combine offers.
Excludes alcohol.
18% gratuity may be added.

[dinaofdoom]

el arbol on living social today: $15 for $30, expires 10/20/11.

[dinaofdoom]

la condesa today!
$25 for $50, expires september 1st.

also, scoutmob has a biscuits and groovy discount.
this is a little different, where you don't pay anything for the discount, you just get it.

[addlepated]

I can't believe I beat dinaofdoom for today's Groupon report! ;)

Hudson's on the Bend - $49 for a three course tasting menu for two ($99).

http://www.groupon.com/austin/deals/h...

[dinaofdoom]

hahaha i'm on vacation so i'm a little behind in my internetting!

i am surprised that's a groupon, and that there's over 1,600 sold so far.

[dinaofdoom]

morgan's deal has a special for today only:
$10 for $20 at simplicity wine and eats.

[addlepated]

5/25/2011:

$30 for $60 worth of food at The Carillon. I'm tempted, but the fact that they have a cilantro-based dessert is a real turnoff.

[dinaofdoom]

the happy hour is supposed to be great, so i passed on the groupon.

[dinaofdoom]

lots of food deals on groupon today.

Jeffrey's
$35 for $75 Worth of New American Fare Sunday–Thursday or $30 for $60 Worth of New American Fare Friday–Saturday at Jeffrey's

Tea Embassy
$7 for Domestic and Imported Teas

wow, the farmer's market one already sold out...

[dinaofdoom]

cazamance is on nab the deal today.
you don't pay anything; you get a 50% off coupon.
http://www.nabthedeal.com/cazamance-0...

[dinaofdoom]

wow, you really gotta dig to find all the groupons now.
this was only showing when i clicked on the "see all deals"--
it was not listed in the email i received from them.

$5 for $10 Worth of Slow-Cooked Barbecue and Sausage at Southside Market & Barbeque in Elgin.

[dinaofdoom]

in the buns has an adealio today.
we've been talking about the place in this thread:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781907

http://www.adealio.com/?voucher_id=623
$7 for $15, limit 2 per person, expires in 3 months.

[dinaofdoom]

today, groupon has $15 for $30 at braise.
there is also one for corazon castle hill.

[addlepated]

So glad you posted about the Braise Groupon - I get the emails, but I just saw the Mommy and Me Botox Special and trashed it without even bothering to look at the side deals!

[dinaofdoom]

that happened to me too, until i got the austin on the cheap email with everything listed.

this keeps happening w/ groupon so i am making a point to open up the web page and look at all the side deals from now on!

[jamsand]

$10 for $20 Lunch at Braise!
•Expires on May 05, 2011
•Only valid for lunch.

https://365austindeals.com/offer/brai...

[dinaofdoom]

free: 50% off at frank's ($10 max discount) at www.nabthedeal.com
expires 2/28/11.

[dinaofdoom]

kenichi: groupon: $25 for $50
expiry july 27th 2011
excludes happy hour, alcohol, and 02/12-14 or 03/14-20.
reservations required for fri or sat

[dinaofdoom]

groupon:
$15 for $30 at la sombra
can purchase 'til 01/24.
expires 04/25/11.

[bookgrrl72]

Ugh, an Eddie Bernal joint. Boo. Although my husband (traitor!) has been and says that the pork torta is delicious.

[dinaofdoom]

i heard good things about it on this board from a few posters.
is eddie bernal a total ahole or something?

[bookgrrl72]

I think "total ahole" sums it up nicely. He'll never see a penny of my money.

[TroyTempest]

do you want to elaborate on why? this is a new one to me.

[dinaofdoom]

living social: $15 for $30 of products at con' olio at the arboretum; expires 05/18/11.
--i got a groupon last year and really love the truffle oil and vanilla balsamic from there.

groupon: $7 for $14 at which wich (14 locations); expires 04/18/11.
--i'm not a fan, but i know lots of people who go there for breakfast or lunch during the work week.

[dinaofdoom]

Groupon: $15 for $30 at Mirabelle
Expires May 12, 2012 (it's good for more than a year).

[singlemalt]

Wow! Bought the coupon yesterday, Sutter's review today ( gave them 2 strars). Good thing it is good for a year. They might need that long to fix things.

[topodrinko]

The yelp reviews didn't seem so bad and i saw that over 1600 people purchased, so I decided to buy it. THEN that Statesman review was posted right after wards. Chowhounders have little to say about the place. We shall see!

Got a notice today saying Groupon messed up - the expiration date is really May 12, 2011.

[singlemalt]

Actually, my wife and I gave up on this place years ago. We bought the coupon because we thought it a good deal, it is close by and we were hoping for improvement. Tant pis!

[dinaofdoom]

bummer.
i had seen some recommendations on the board for things like a composed salad, etc.

[dinaofdoom]

several groupon deals:
$49 for a Three-Course Tasting Menu for Two at Hudson's on the Bend
$65 for a Thai Cooking Class For Two at Thai Fresh ($130 Value)
$65 for Chef's Choice Dinner and Wine Pairing for Two at Satay Restaurant

the lunch deal:
$9 Gets You $20 Worth of Food & Drink at Green Mesquite

does anyone have experience with food and/or classes at thai fresh?
i'm intrigued and may buy the deal.

[NirvRush]

Today's Localiter is $29 for $65 worth of local produce delivered by Farmhouse Delivery.

"Strawberries, Apples, Grapefruit, Meyer lemons, Spinach, Greens, Baby Heirloom Lettuces, Carrots, Beets, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Leeks, Onions, Shallots, Cabbage, Chinese Greens"

Anyone used them before?

[dinaofdoom]

i haven't, but it looks like a good deal.

[abd]

Does anyone know why it listed as a "$65 value" when their weekly delivery is $37. Is it an extra big box of organic produce, or are they just exaggerating the value?

[dinaofdoom]

i think it has to do with the $20 processing and deposit fee.

[Carter B.]

Local strawberries are in season? Are they greenhouse? Is any citrus grown within 250 miles of Austin?

[dinaofdoom]

i know from my greenling experience that G&S does have citrus locally; i've had their meyer lemons in my box.
no clue about the strawberries, though i would assume they are greenhouse or hydroponic.

[karma belle]

Today's Groupon is for Olivia. Has anyone been for lunch?

[dinaofdoom]

today's deal is a little unusual-- they don't usually have you specify a lunch or dinner purchase.
in the next few months i am more likely to get down south for a lunch vs. a dinner because i have some staycation time.

i'm also wondering about their lunch, as it seems just a truncated but full price dinner menu.

[dinaofdoom]

i have been so bad about updating. sorry!

groupon: ski shores $15 for $30 (expiry Mar 31, 2011)

grouponicus: (holiday deals that last longer)
la condesa $25 for $50 (expiry Feb 28, 2011)
capital cruises dinner boat (catered by the hyatt regency ) $88 for $176.98 (expiry Aug 31, 2011)

btw, grouponicus has a carillon tasting menu deal coming up that may interest some.

and, for those of you that work downtownish, you may want to check out http://www.5dollarlunch.com/
they have daily deals; today is conscious cravings and frank.

[dinaofdoom]

addendm:

the lunch deal: peached tortilla $4 for $8 (expiry 02/10/11 )

[waaustin]

Only had wine at Opa...is the food any good? Eversave (like Groupon) is offering $10 for $20 worth of non-alcoholic fare. http://eversave.com/share/wvt7

[dinaofdoom]

just got a newletter from texas french bread that they are having a $30 for $15 groupon tomorrow.
it is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

their dinner menus, which i receive regularly in my email, look delish.
but, i have yet to try them.
it changes daily.
here is an example from the other day:
http://www.texasfrenchbread.com/dinner/

[topodrinko]

i went last week to use the groupon that was offered a while ago and thought it was really great. i had the black drum and the bf got the waygu flat iron. both proteins were cooked perfectly. the butterscotch budino was very interesting. service was kind of slow, but we expected that after reading a few reviews. I am definitely going to buy as many of those groupons as i can tomorrow. maybe they'll give us a bunch of leftover danishes again, which were proclaimed the best danishes ever! thanks for the heads up

[dinaofdoom]

today's "morgan's deal" is $9 for $20 at thai cuisine on parmer.
i'm a big fan of this place, because they have $8-range lunch entrees and a complimentary appetizer bar during lunch.
this is a really good deal and i'm totally getting it.

[dinaofdoom]

got an email from la condesa announcing they are doing a $25 for $50 worth of food groupon on thursday.
like most groupons, it will probably not include alcohol or happy hour specials but maybe some of you are interested.

[emoore]

"The offer on Groupon today is $25 for $50 at the Carillon. I looked for reviews but the Carillon has only been mentioned here briefly. Someone mentioned it isn't inspired food, but is it at least worth getting the equivalent of a free entree?"

I posted this 5 hours ago, with no response. So I guess the answer is no, it's not worth it. Because if it was, someone would have said so by now.

[Kaya_n_Austin]

Not inspired? Try the hamachi crudo with hazelnuts and ponzu sauce. Delicious. Or the pork belly...I know, everybody's doing pork belly. This pork belly is perfection! Crisp, rich, melt-in-your-mouth goodness with a "diablo" sauce that has got to be spiked with crack, I dream of this dish so much. The short ribs are also damn fine.

[dinaofdoom]

thelunchdeal.com has a kenichi deal today, which is actually for dinner and not lunch.
it's good for the next month so if you like kenichi, you should check it out.

[dinaofdoom]

we used a restaurant.com certificate at sazon last month and we were really disappointed in pretty much all aspects of sazon (food, decor, cleanliness, service, parking) and won't be back.

[NirvRush]

Today's is Hudson's on the Bend: $49 for a three course dinner for two. not too shabby.

[dinaofdoom]

i was just about to post that!
i have been really lax.
sorry peoples!

[amysuehere]

Note the expiration date. The last time they ran that mine expired before I could use it.

[amykragan]

Went last night and they have great mojitos!

[sheroxwithfood]

http://livingsocial.com is another good link for discounts. Today's deal is a Four-Course Dinner and Wine for 2 at Stone House Vineyard. I have never been here but it's a good price- $55, regularly $110.

[Lixer]

I came here to ask about this one. Anyone been here? It would be helpful if the SHV website had some information or pictures of the food that they serve, rather than one example on the living social site. I may bite though since it is a good deal regardless.

[LakeLBJ]

Today is chi'lantro, the Korean BBQ taco truck. Never tried it. They had a show on the food network this weekend showing off the original LA version. Made me want to try it, but I'm not sure I would need $12 worth of food there.

Any good?

[mkfoodie]

Grab it. Great tacos and a great owner. I highly recommend it (and have been at least a half dozen times).

[boshtx]

Hey Mkfoodie,
I've heard that you know a lot about the Austin taco cart scene?

[dinaofdoom]

el naranjo is one of today's options for the lunch deal:
http://www.thelunchdeal.com/Deal.aspx...

some people have been writing about this place so it seems a good way to try it out.
the deal mentions it's not valid for take out, but it's a trailer, so i am a little confused about that...

[amysuehere]

On a related subject, be careful when getting coupons from Living Social. They vary greatly on their expiration date. I got the Zoot one ages ago and it doesn't expire till next month and got the Hudson's on the Bend much later and it's already expired on me.

-----
Zoot
509 Hearn St, Austin, TX 78703

[dinaofdoom]

oh man, that sucks.
i haven't yet bought anything from them, but i may in the not too distant future.
definitely good to know!

[verily]

Groupon does it too. The Mann's coupon I bought was only good for two months.

[dinaofdoom]

i have only bought some stuff i was using for specific times/purposes so luckily i've had a good experience but it's helpful to know.

for instance, the garrido's are for a staycation in two weeks.
a truffle-making class in boston for a family member's birthday, etc.

if you submit an idea and it becomes a groupon, you get it for free.
so, i submitted a shit-ton of ideas...
hopefully some of them get chosen.

[dinaofdoom]

today's groupon is $10 for $20 at garrido's (brunch, lunch or dinner).
for dinner, you can use 2 at a table so i am totally buying 2 and using it for my upcoming staycation.

shameless plug:
if anyone new to groupon is interested in purchasing the garrido deal today, feel free to use my referral code so i can get credit for it.
thanks!
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu425114

the lunch deal is for good pop and promise pizza.
there's been a pretty decent selection of CP/RR/pflugerville deals, for all you northernly types.

[dinaofdoom]

today:
groupon: rudino's (NW: pizza and sandwiches)
livingsocial: snackbar (south congress: global tapas/brunch)
thelunchdeal: the talkhouse (downtown: vegan/raw) and cafe canela (formerly mooyah's, which is a current topic getting some response)

[dinaofdoom]

today's (friday's) deal is annie's cafe and bar.
i know some of you love her sandwiches.
(scrumptiouschef, i'm lookin' at you).

[ieathereforeiam]

thelunchdeal.com has a half off thing for apothecary. I've had some good sandwiches there and the wine is cheap on sundays and mondays.

[verily]

Groupon and LivingSocial are conspiring together to put me into a diabetic coma today.

Groupon has Nothing Bundt Cakes (bundt cakes) and LivingSocial has Lick it Bite it or Both (cupcakes). I have not had either previously, so I bought both to try.

[bookgrrl72]

I've noticed that many of the deals from these sites have been Cedar Park-heavy of late. What's with that? I would love to try Nothing Bundt Cakes, but I'm too lazy to drive from Hyde Park to 78704 for Sugar Mama's; ain't nothing gonna entice me out to Cedar Park!

[verily]

As a CP resident, I'd have to disagree. The Cedar Park options have been fairly sporadic. Groupon seems to spread them out pretty well all over the Austin-RR-CP area.

[gharing]

Also not a Groupon...but Localiter (www.Localiter.com) has a deal today on Izzoz Tacos. I found a couple of people raving about their Fried Avocado tacos with a quick search of the Chow board.

[amysuehere]

Loved the cucumber skinned roll and your pot stickers are quite good. Spicy tuna roll fell flat.

[dinaofdoom]

as someone who routinely checks groupon, livingsocial and thelunchdeal, thanks for the heads-up on your site!
my budget is really tight these days so deals like this make a huge difference.

[Helind]

Not a Groupon; but The Lunch Deal has $10 for a $20 dollar coupon at Snack Bar today. Snack Bar is one of my go to places for brunch. Friendly staff, laid back atmosphere and quality food. Here's the link:

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#...

[Helind]

Ooops! Here's the link:

http://www.thelunchdeal.com/

[dinaofdoom]

i heard about this web site on the internet.
the 4 options a day is a great idea.
unfortunately, i live and work far northwest so my options are limited.

[ampeg66]

One thing about thelunchdeal.com: some of the deals are good at lunch time only, but others are good for dinner hours or for normal business hours. That can open up some options that are more convenient at one time vs. another.

I didn't get one Gumbo's (Round Rock) deal because it was for lunch only and that's a bit of a drive for a lunch hour, but a couple days later I DID get the one that was good for dinner.

[dinaofdoom]

oh, that's good to know. i was under the impression it was just lunch, based on their radio spot.
will have to read that fine print!
i have a staycation coming up, so it would be good to do things like this.

[topodrinko]

Today's Groupon is $25 for $50 worth of food at Judge's Hill Restaurant located at the Mansion Hotel. http://www.groupon.com/austin

The reviews on the internet are so-so - CH's reviews are not very extensive. It's supposedly good for romantic dinners and taking your grandma out. Hmm..

I bought one anyway. Anyone been? Have anything good or bad to say?

[amysuehere]

I'm mid-40's and I love this place for a romantic dinner. Food has always been really exceptional and service is very attentive.

[bookgrrl72]

Today it's $10 for $20 worth of food at Taj Palace. My husband and I are on the fence, as the last time we had takeout from there, it didn't really blow our hair back, but on the other hand, it seems like a convenient thing to have on hand when we don't want to cook.

Thoughts?

[amysuehere]

I find their buffet the best in town. However, the coupon doesn't allow that. I find their dinner prices pretty high, but with a coupon it could be well worth while. How's that for more fence-sitting?

[stephanieh]

A friend of a friend started this website... similar to groupon
http://www.thelunchdeal.com/

I should add, I've never met the person and have nothing to do with the company.

Current deals are for Your Mom's Burger Bar (I haven't tried) and East Side Pies (I wasn't too impressed, but they're also too far from my house to keep trying them)

[dinaofdoom]

04/03/10:
$5 for $10 Worth of Healthy Pita Sandwiches from Pita Pit
Pita Pit Austin
www.pitapit.com

619 Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78701
Map it!

2350 Guadalupe St.
Austin, Texas 78705
Map it!

Never been to this place, but there are two downtown locations. Plus, who doesn't like a sandwich every now and again?

**Sorry for the late post, I am working today due to a product launch.
Darn job, getting in the way of my Chowhounding!

[dinaofdoom]

04/01/10:
$12 for $25 Worth of Pizza and Drinks at Rome's Pizza

Rome's Pizza
www.romespizza.com
9225 W Parmer Ln.
Austin, Texas 78717
[phone]

This place is near my house and work, and we can get it delivered to Little Woodrow's when we have our drinks-after-work night.

The pizza is pretty good, although I got really cranky the last time I got it delivered.
The menu they left at my apartment complex that day did not mention any delivery fees, and the prices were a few dollars less than what they charged me.
The woman on the phone was kinda rude about it and said it must be an old menu.
But I was hungry, and the pizza was good.

For $12, I am willing to deal (no pun intended).

-----
Rome's Pizza
9225 W Parmer Ln, Austin, TX 78717

[dinaofdoom]

03/30/10:
$5 for One Dozen Mini-Cupcakes at Cupprimo Cupcakery ($10 value)

www.cupprimo.com
8650 Spicewood Springs Rd.
Suite 105
Austin, Texas 78759

I have not yet tried this place, but since I am an uptown girl AND it's next door to Asia Cafe and Chen's Noodle House, I am so on this.

I mean, really people. It's $5.
Definitely not a splurge.
If it's not yummy, I am only out a fin.

-----
Chen's Noodle House
8650 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759

[bookgrrl72]

I think this is a great deal for people who live that far out. But as a central city-dweller, I don't find the cupcakes there worth the drive, especially with Polkadots and Sugar Mama's within a more reasonable distance. Hope you like your c'cakes, tho!

[dinaofdoom]

i totally hear you.
i live really far out, so i always pass up the more southernly offers because i am just never down that way.
my co-worker and i were talking about how nice it would be to bring in a few dozen for our team, since our office (and other techy places) are nearby.

[thrackle]

Thanks for posting these! I've been wondering if I should sign up, since there's no way (that I can tell) to browse old groupons to see if I should bother without signing up and giving them my email.

[dinaofdoom]

there really isn't a way to look at all the old, past ones.
in my estimation, there is usually at least one restaurant offer a week, minimum.
i also look at another city i travel to routinely (boston) as well as houston and dallas, in case i visit.

i am still kicking myself for not purchasing the frank's hot dogs/cold beer one because it's a place i've been meaning to try.

[travisleroy]

I googled groupon and there is a link to the prior bargains. A daily list.

http://www.groupon.com/deals

[dinaofdoom]

03/27/10
$10 for $25 worth of Pre-packaged, Healthy, Organic Eats from Simply Fit Meals.

Simply Fit Meals
www.simplyfitmeals.com
2405 Nueces St.
Suite A
Austin, Texas 78705
[phone]

**Disclaimer: i have not tried this, but today's deal is a 60% discount so go crazy if you want to.

[dinaofdoom]

03/23/10:
$15 for $30 Worth of Gourmet Olive Oils and Vinegars from Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars

Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars
www.conolios.com
10000 Research Blvd.
Suite 130
Austin, Texas 78759

**I have been waiting to try this place, ever since I heard about it in this thread:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/669290

This will be a good way for me to stock up on pantry items.
I especially like the "tasting" concept, so you know what you are getting.

[malarkey]

They are buying oil and rebranding it with the Con'Olio label. This to me, is a warning sign that they are buying cheap oil, slapping their label on it, and selling it with a substantial markup.

The proof is in the tasting, though. If someone goes here, post a review of their oils. I'd be curious.

[dinaofdoom]

interesting point, malarkey.
it got some favorable reviews on this board, but i will have to try it for myself.

[ConOlio]

Wanted to assure you that we do not rebrand our products. We are a local Austin business and we work with other small suppliers from around the world to import the very freshest and highest quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars. You are absolutely correct Malarkey, the proof is in the tasting and that is exactly why we are setup as a tasting bar...so you can taste for yourself before you buy and see how different it is!

[dinaofdoom]

thank you for clarifying.
i got a groupon and am looking forward to using it.