Little help please: Dinner for 4 near Cool River off Parmer Lane

[gntlmn6464]

I'm going to hear some music this Friday at Cool River Cafe on or near Parmer between Mopac and 620. I've never really liked thier food much, and certainly hate paying their prices, so could someone please suggest something fun and worthwhile anywhere nearby for this Friday night? It will be my wife and I and my daughter and her boyfriend. I am open to anything but it really needs to be Austin memorable...preferrably a mom and pop place with great food and questionable ambiance! Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

[rajat]

Tomo's? Just had lunch there, and it was very good.

[amykragan]

Tomo's is just around the corner from Cool RIver and has a nice decor. There is also a Thai place in that shopping center, but I can't remember what it's called.

[verily]

Thai Cuisine. I've never had it for dinner, but do like the little appetizer bar they have at lunch.

[abidonfood]

i agree with the Tomo rec.. Tomo is generally within walking distance, but could be a long wait if you don't time it right (as it's a small place). it's definitely a husband-and-wife team, but the only thing questionable about the ambience is the fish tank with fake baby jellyfish floating around in it.
the must-try item is the screaming orgasm, which i think makes this place. (the names of the sushi rolls are also suggestive, which i find amusing). also, IF they have it on the menu for the day, the live octopus is amazing.
http://www.tomosushiaustin.com/

if you really want the questionable ambiance with great food, i also agree with the asia cafe recommendation, though it's further away. several posts on this board about it...
http://www.asiamarketaustin.com/order...

[dinaofdoom]

hrm, this could be a toughie.
since i live and work in the area, i am pretty familiar with the dining options nearby.
there really isn't anything particularly memorable in the vicinity, but you can still eat well.
i guess i should ask you to define "nearby".

[gntlmn6464]

Sorry, I should have noted that the daughter is 25 and boyfriend is older, the area...lets say 183 to the south and wellsbranch to the north, 620 and IH 35 for the east west boundaries. Thanks.

[dinaofdoom]

okay, here goes.
i'm probably forgetting something good so may post again if i remember.
seems like you don't mind holes in the wall, so here are some ideas.

tomo
not saying it's like uchi, but the rumor is tyson eats here when he's northernly.
fresh and creative offerings.
had some very bad service experiences but you should be fine as a party of more than 1, on a friday night.

hoover's
southern style meat and three place. threadgills-ish.

pacifc star
hole in the wall fish place, with a cajun influence.

chon som
haven't been, but it get's some good talk on the board for thai.

shandeez grill
persian hole in the wall in a strip mall.

mang dedoy's
filipino hole in the wall in the same strip mall.

asia cafe
much-beloved of the boards for sichuan ma la yumminess.

hot bread
it's a bakery, and they have lots of indian cuisine from entrees to street food.
it's very austin to have strange amalgamations like this.

[Rene]

I haven't eaten at the Hideout Pub, but I've heard wonderful things about their burgers. I may end up trying them for dinner. The menu may be more pubbish than you prefer, but it definitely has the "Austin memorable" requirement that you have. Of course, I can't tell how old your daughter and her boyfriend are by your post so that could potentially rule it out.

http://thehideoutpub.com/