Restaurant suggestions for Austin?
 

What would you all recommend for a good but reasonably priced meal for a Saturday night in Austin? I'd like to find someplace that's great food but that won't break the bank. Also something that's unique and interesting - that I perhaps wouldn't be able to find outside of Austin. Any suggestions??

Thanks.

For great Tex-Mex and a funky atmosphere try Chuy's for casual dining. Other suggestions Hyde Park Bar and Grill, The Osasis for the best view (on Lake Travis) but poor food and expensive drinks, The Salt Lick for Bar-b-que (family style dining, bring your own beer!)..Best in Austin and can be expensive Hudson's on The Bend and requires reservations. Where do you live?

I forgot Castle Hill....

For a truly Austin feel (and very cheap prices) eat at Magnolia's. There are two in the city, one on Lake Austin Blvd and the other on S. Congress. I don't like the S. Congress one as much.

Chuey's has great Mexican food, and for a neat restaurant that is a bit more expensive than a TGI Friday's style is on Lake Austin, called Hula Hut. It's a fun, relaxed place.

Agree! I think it is a requirement of living in Austin to go to Magnolia for brunch on weekends. Speaking of S Congress, a good brunch/lunch spot there is Sol y Luna.

Oh yeah, Chuy's!!! We don't have a CHuy's up here in Dallas, and I make their Friday night fish tacos a MUST whenever I am in Austin!

High quality, reasonably-priced Italian can be found at Asti in Hyde Park. The ingredients are so fresh and if I recall correctly, some are actually grown in the restaurant's own garden. It's a really fun place to go, too.

And definitely make the trek out to the Salt Lick. And definitely save room for dessert, as hard as that is to do!

This is actually a response to ChristieP in Dallas--yes, you do have a Chuy's in Dallas, in the Knox/Henderson neighborhood, on the corner of McKinney and Knox. Exact same menu, exact same decor.

Thanks, Rine! I honestly do not get down to Knox Henderson very often, but now that I know I can satisfy the fish taco fixation, I will make it a point to go!

I'll second the recommendations for Chuy's, Hula Hut and the Salt Lick--all have inexpensive, good food and a fun atmosphere. County Line is good too for a slightly more upscale BBQ-type place. We also used to go to a little place on Barton Springs Road called Good Eats (no, it's not a truck stop) which had the best fresh vegetables I've ever had anywhere, although their menu wasn't all vegetarian.

ChristieP

There's a Chuy's in Fort Woth as well as one in Arlington, near the Parks Mall.

For breakfast/brunch: Magnolias and/or Kirby Lane. For dinner, try Basil's restaurant.

Guero's
Las Manitas
La Luna y El Sol
all are on S. Congress and are fabulous

I have to jump in here. I vote for County Line for barbecue. Las Manitas for a tex-mext brunch, breakfast or lunch (their mole is unbelievable). For upscale dining- I'd have to go for Jeffrey's - always wonderful. I hear that Guero's has shrimp kebabs one night a week and they're great. For a real flavor of Austin - eat at Whole Foods downtown downstairs (bad date atmo but great people watching as the organic bunch checks out their groceries. But my favorite all round Austin signature stop has to be Mothers outside by a fountain. Don't waste your time trying to find something good to eat at Chuys. Hula hut's only good for the hot sauce and fried shrimp tacos. If you want to have a real taste of the Lake Austin life - eat out at Ski Shores one weekend evening and see all the sunburned boating bunch.

I like Carlos n Charlies, but I don't know if you're into that kind of atmosphere. Rudy's is very cheap but wonderful BBQ.

You guys like Chuy's??? We have a couple here in Houston and I thought both restaurants were horrible. I would never recommend it to anyone. Has anyone been to both Austin and Houston Chuy's? Is Austin better?

It's been awhile, tx girl, but I have typically found the Houston and Austin locations to have food on par with one another. I've actually always liked Chuy's, as well, but haven't had the opporutnity to eat there in about ten or so years.

If you want uniqueness I don't think anything beats the Oasis with its forty decks hanging off the side of a cliff about 400 ft above lake Travis. I wouldn't say the food is poor, just not the best in town. However, their hamburgers and chicken sandwiches are quite good. You might want to go there for a drink just before sunset and then on to dinner elsewhere.

We think the Saltlick is the best barbeque in Austin. Just be aware that they don't take credit cards. And if you want beer with your barbeque, bring your own!
Saltlick
FM Rd 1826
Driftwood, TX 78619
Phone: (512) 858-4959

Salt Lick is the best BBQ in the WORLD. :D

Salt Lick is fantastic. They definitely have the best barbeque and a unique atmosphere.

Mmmm. just drooling thinking about salt lick. A former TX native now living in S. Fla., I really miss BBQ.