Austin, TX - What to see, do, and eat?

GTAlphaPhi · #1 07-26-2010, 05:12 PM

Hello GreekChatters! I'll be in Austin, Texas August 26 - August 29. I'm staying right next to the Northcross Shopping Center/Norris Conference Center, will have limited use of a car (rental is in Mr. GTAlphaPhi's name), and am willing to use public transportation.

I'd like to hear y'all's recommendations for things to do, places to see, and food to eat. As for the restaurants, I'm particularly interested in Mexican/Tex-Mex, BBQ, other ethnic cuisines, and some upscale fine dining options.

Thank you in advance!

P.S. If anyone wants recommendations for Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and international destinations, I'm happy to oblige.

knight_shadow · #2 07-26-2010, 05:35 PM

When I lived in the area, I used Austin360 to find things going on. The only 2 places that stand out to me are Texas Chili Parlor (1409 Lavaca Street) and EZ's (3918 North Lamar Boulevard).

I'm sure someone who currently lives there will chime in.

Have fun!

xibair · #3 07-26-2010, 06:21 PM

GTAlphaPhi,

Not to dampen your spirits but the place you are staying doesn’t have much in Austin.
Houston’s is a nice restaurant which is across the street from Norris Conference Center.
Also, near the center is El Mercado’s and they have great fajitas.

If you can venture out, (the bus system is not great), you may want to visit downtown Austin. Many restaurants with live music.

Other ideas are the Domain high end shopping center which has many different restaurants and the Arboretum shopping center w/restaurants. They are not too far from each other, just accros Hwy 183 and mopac.

Here is a list of restaurants:
Serrano’s (Tex-Mex)
Chuy’s (Tex-Mex)
Rudy’s or Salt Lick (BBQ)
Pluckers (Excellent chicken fingers with many different sauses)

I have never been to Texas Chili Parlor but that is located in downtown Austin, and EZ’s has the one of the best greasy burgers and that is near/close to University of Texas.

Another fast food burger you may want to try is What-A-Burger.

I hope this helps. If you need anything, I can try to help.

knight_shadow · #4 07-26-2010, 06:32 PM

Sidebar: Is Chuy's down there the same Chuy's chain that's in DFW? Do they have the "Nacho Car" in there?

xibair · #5 07-26-2010, 06:38 PM

Yes, they have the nacho car.
I didn't know they have a Chuy's in Dallas. For the longest time, I kept calling it Chevy's because it looked like a 1950's Cheverolet.

SWTXBelle · #6 07-26-2010, 06:51 PM

There's more than one Chuy's in Austin - all good! (Check out the t-shirts!)
Is Matt's El Rancho still there?

xibair · #7 07-26-2010, 06:55 PM

I believe so in South Lamar. I have never been there.

SWTXBelle · #8 07-26-2010, 06:58 PM

Oh, Matt's is great.

Miriverite · #9 07-26-2010, 07:25 PM

Wow, so many Texans here =) Chuy's is definitely super popular, and awesome. I'm also a fan of Serrano's - they have really good rice, and their green tomato enchilada is AWESOME.

It's a pity that Northcross is now closed =( But in its place is a really nice ice skating rink. You should definitely go downtown and check out some of the historical sites and shops. There's a lot of eclectic stuff in Austin that you can do in the downtown area.

LaneSig · #10 07-26-2010, 07:26 PM

I like the Hula Hut.

GTAlphaPhi · #11 07-26-2010, 07:53 PM

Thank you all for your responses so far! Xibair, we got the hotel near the conference center because my BF couldn't find quick bus routes from downtown to the conference center. When I say "limited" access to a car, I should have clarified that of the 4 days, I won't have him to drive with for, like, half a day. Other than that, we are free to drive around to wherever we want to go. I said that more to avoid any "drive half a day outside of town to go eat at this cool place" kind of ideas. Serrano's was already on my list and I guess I need to add Chuy's. Thanks again, you guys.

APhi4Ever · #12 07-26-2010, 08:10 PM

Obviously go see the Alpha Phi house at UT.

GTAlphaPhi · #13 07-26-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APhi4Ever

Obviously go see the Alpha Phi house at UT.

Like you said, obviously! I'm excited to see the UT campus in general, but I definitely want to see some of those Texas-sized Greek houses.

aggieAXO · #14 07-29-2010, 02:13 AM

Chuys is great
Z-Tejas is my favorite restaurant
love Antonios Tex Mex too and Matts El Rancho
for late late night food-it is taco cabana or what- a- burger-their toquitos are good
check out Town Lake (now called Lady bird Lake)-That is where I spend most of my time running, you can also rent canoes.
It will be hot though !

epchick · #15 07-29-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xibair

Another fast food burger you may want to try is What-A-Burger.

Not to discount xibair's suggestion, but I'd suggest leaving out Whataburger. It is a popular chain down here (idk if it is anywhere else) but it is definitely not all that great. In fact, many times it's just downright bad. You can have better food at Sonic or any other burger place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Sidebar: Is Chuy's down there the same Chuy's chain that's in DFW?

They have Chuy's in Arizona too!