Dietitians will try to tell you “eat to live,” but the Austinite M.O. is definitely “live to eat.”
Austin is the type of city where you can get gourmet dishes out of a food truck, so narrowing down the “must-eats” to just 50 was nearly impossible. How many of our favorites have you crossed off your bucket list?
1. Polenta Fries at St. Philip
Photo courtesy of busyveganmama.blogspot.com
Mozzarella sticks get an upgrade in this creamy, crispy appetizer.
2. Squash & Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich at FoodHeads
Photo courtesy of lifewithasideoflindsay.wordpress.com/
The squash sandwich is grilled to perfection and full of veggies, so you’ll feel healthy AF while you eat it. Don’t forget to try the homemade pickles that come on the side.
3. Campfire Churro at Churro Co.
Photo courtesy of fchblog.com/austin-tx/
Enjoy the great outdoors at the Churro Co. food truck, where this delicious dessert fusion will have you screaming for s’more.
4. Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey Ice Cream at Lick
Photo courtesy of foodspotting.com
Lick’s commitment to quality, locally-sourced ingredients is reflected in their exciting list of unique, fresh flavors. Goat cheese, thyme, and honey is the perfect combination of tangy and sweet.
5. The O.G. at Blenders and Bowls
Photo by Evan Rauch
Even if you aren’t one of those people who goes to yoga, discovers a new Indie band, and tends their rain garden (all before 8 am), you can look like one while munching on this bowl that’s overflowing with fresh fruit and hemp granola. Fake it ’til you make it.
6. Sapporo Ramen at Michi Ramen
Photo by Gabby Phi
Kick that Top Ramen to the curb with this souped-up bowl that is loaded with pork, veggies, and butter. You have the option to customize your noodles, broth, and toppings at Michi, but the Sapporo is amazing just the way it is.
7. Bob Armstrong Dip at Matt’s Famous El Rancho
Photo courtesy of onesixtyk.com
This queso filled with taco meat and guacamole gets its name from the professional wrestler and UT-alum who placed the first order. He just might be your new hero after you try a scoop.
8. Pretzel with Beer Cheese at Easy Tiger
Photo courtesy of Chris Perez – metropochris.com
Easy Tiger’s location on East 6th makes it a perfect spot for brunch or happy hour. Their pretzel is made in-house and always fresh, making it the perfect vessel for the big scoops of beer cheese you’ll be shoving in your mouth.
9. Chicken Kebab at Halal Bros
Photo by Kathleen Lee
Halal Bros is a campus favorite for simple and flavorful takeout. They are open late, so the chicken kebab is a delicious alternative for when the line at Whataburger is out the door.
10. Lobster Roll at Clark’s Oyster Bar
Photo courtesy of austinfoodratings.com
You don’t have to be a New Englander to eat like one. At Clark’s, the lobster meat is sweet, the roll is buttery, and the shoestring fries are perfectly crispy.
11. Blackout Donut at Gourdough’s Public House
Photo courtesy of grayline.com
You might not actually blackout, but you are sure to get chocolate-wasted off one of the best donuts in Austin. The Gourdough’s trailer makes them, but the restaurant on South 1st will make you feel like an Austinite.
12. Breakfast Burger at Josephine House
Photo courtesy of iwanttobeacoppola.com
Your hangover has met its match. Josephine’s juicy burger rests on a homemade bun and is topped with a fried egg and bacon.
13. Barbecue Sammy at Freedmen’s
Photo courtesy of Freedmen’s Bar
Freedmen’s is a historic yet laid-back beer garden and smoke house in West Campus that serves up delicious barbecue all day. Best part is, they won’t break your bank. Get their lunchbox deal for $10, which includes this melt-in-your-mouth barbecue sandwich, a side, and a drink.
14. Afternoon Delight at Bananarchy
Photo courtesy of keepaustineatin.com
Nothing screams “Austin” like a frozen banana stand inspired by Arrested Development. The Afternoon Delight is covered in all three dips (chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla), nuts and graham cracker.
15. Breakfast Roll at Texas Honey Ham Company
Photo by Kathleen Lee
Honey Ham is known for their breakfast tacos, but is a hard-sell when there are other taco joints closer to campus. This roll loaded with a fried egg, cheese and meat is worth the drive to Westlake.
16. Kimchi Fries at Chi’Lantro
Photo by Wylie Gorup
Mexican-Korean fusion just works. Chi’Lantro killed it as a food truck, and now they have their own restaurant. You’ll believe the hype once you take your first bite of these fries, loaded with meat, sauces, kimchi, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
17. Don Juan Taco at Juan in a Million
Photo courtesy of Juan in a Million
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and this taco is no exception. Juan in a Million’s ginormous breakfast taco brings people from all over the country to their East Austin location.
18. The Originator at JuiceLand
Photo courtesy of foodspotting.com
The Originator is a peanut butter and jelly smoothie, y’all. Minus the bread and packed with protein, Juiceland’s greatest creation will keep you full and make you feel like a kid again.
19. Texas Trash Pie at Royer’s Pie Haven
Photo courtesy of goodtaste.tv
Royer’s gets the salty and sweet duo right, combining chocolate, caramel, pecans, coconut, and pretzels into one incredible slice of heaven.
20. Green Chile Macaroni at Moonshine Grill
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Kieth – flickr
Moonshine adds some Tex-Mex flair to a classic mac-n-cheese with green chile, corn, and bacon gratin. Bonus points for serving up popcorn and to-die-for corn muffins fo’ free.
21. Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwich at Launderette
Photo courtesy of austinway.com
100% chance of this being your most-liked picture on Instagram. This ice cream sandwich is a party on your plate and in your mouth.
22. Banh Mi at Elizabeth Street Cafe
Photo by Madi Barsky
Fresh and flavorful ingredients set this banh mi apart. Elizabeth Street Cafe has an adorable outdoor seating area where you can enjoy their full menu, including made-in-house macarons and eclairs.
23. Cheeseburger at P. Terry’s
Photo by Wylie Gorup
P. Terry opened his first burger stand back in 2005 and has built an empire in the ten years since. Order some shoestring fries on the side, and tell them not to skimp on the special sauce.
24. Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes at Magnolia Cafe
Photo by Wylie Gorup
I would recommend ordering the whole menu at Mag’s (like I do every time I go). But if you had to try just one thing, make it the huge, fluffy pancakes and don’t feel bad licking your plate clean.
25. Rainbow Cone at Sno-Beach
Photo courtesy of Yelp user Katherine W.
Sno-Beach is the perfect food truck to help you beat the Texas heat. Top your cone with a drizzle of cream for a rich and refreshing snack.
26. Jess Special at Tacodeli
Photo courtesy of adamandvivian.com
The Jess Special is full of avocado, jack cheese, and migas mix. Pro-tip: they are available every morning in the RLM, so you can get your fix before your 8 am calculus discussion.
27. Duck Pastrami at Noble Sandwich Co.
Photo courtesy of Meghan McCarron-Eater Austin
This rich and flavorful sandwich was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so get your Guy Fieri on and try this new twist on a deli staple.
28. Stuffed Avocado at Trudy’s
Photo courtesy of Yelp user Isra A.
File this under “looks gross tastes great.” The avocado is fried, stuffed with chicken or veggies, and smothered in suiza sauce. Dios mio.
29. The Ainsworth at Fricano’s Deli
Photo courtesy of Yelp contributor Colin S.
If you don’t know what sandwich to choose, order the Ainsworth. The staff will pick the ingredients for you, so it’s different every time but always delicious.
30. Braised Beef Short Rib at Second Bar & Kitchen
Photo courtesy of Yelp contributor Paige B.
The perfectly tender ribs are served under grilled and fried onions and on top of black truffle grits. 10/10 would recommend.
31. Son In Law at Sway
Photo courtesy of Melody Fury
Brings a new meaning to “#putaneggonit.” Sway boasts a terrific, modern Thai dining experience that is sure to please.
32. Bacon Waffle at Bacon
Photo courtesy of aintitcool.com
As the name suggests, Bacon puts the crispy good stuff on nearly everything, including right into the waffle batter. It’s, sweet, salty and basically a superfood.
33. Chloe’s Crepe at Le Cafe Crepe
Photo by Michelle Wang
Nutella game so strong. As they say at Cafe Crepe, “bon appetit, y’all.”
34. The Notorious P.I.G. at Frank
Photo courtesy of Yelp Contributor Eric L.
“Sicker than your average… hot dog. I just love your flashy ways of topping a custom-made pork, bacon, jalepeño and sage sausage with mac-n-cheese.” – Biggie Smalls
35. BLT Benny at Hillside Farmacy
Photo by Evan Rauch
Don’t feel like you are missing out at brunch by combining two meals into one. The BLT benny is an epic mashup that has got you covered for breakfast and lunch.
36. Trailer Park Taco at Torchy’s
Photo courtesy of Torchy’s Tacos
Fried chicken on a taco. What else needs to be said? If you take after Leslie Knope by avoiding salad and other disgusting things, order your taco “trashy.” They’ll leave off the lettuce and replace it with queso.
37. Shiner Bock Fajitas at Hula Hut
Photo courtesy of Hula Hut
If you haven’t combined your beer with your fajitas, you ain’t met my Texas yet. And Hula Hut’s spot overlooking Lake Austin can’t be beat.
38. Mozzarella at Bufalina
Photo courtesy of Yelp contributor Willy A.
Sure, you could order a pizza here and get your cheese-fix that way. But Bufalina makes their own mozz daily, and the accompaniments are always changing. The simplicity and quality makes this a cheese worth ordering alone.
39. Kerbey Queso at Kerbey Lane Cafe
Photo courtesy of slonerangerblog.com
Kerbey is a campus staple that’s open around the clock. Nothing tastes better than queso at 3 am after a long night of studying (or a long night of drinking, let’s be real).
40. Monte Cristo at Hey!…You Gonna Eat or What?
Photo courtesy of Yelp contributor Linette S.
Hey!…You Gonna Eat or What? serves up some awesome sandwiches out of their food truck, but this meaty, Shiner-battered Monte Cristo steals the show. No question here, you’ll eat the whole thing or die trying.
41. Beet Home Fries at East Side King
Photo by Evan Rauch
Austin’s golden boy and Top Chef winner Paul Qui created East Side King, which serves up beet fries so good, you might even forget potatoes exist.
42. Brisket at Franklin Barbecue
Photo courtesy of Franklin Barbecue
There is a reason people start lining up outside Franklin’s in the early morning. It is the epitome of Texas BBQ, and it is so worth the wait.
43. Short Rib Hash at Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile
Photo courtesy of Zach Beil
Treat yo’self to this hash at Jacoby’s, which boasts pickled peppers and a spicy hollandaise. The farm-to-table eatery ensures that every bite you take is full of the freshest ingredients Austin has to offer.
44. Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit at 24 Diner
Photo courtesy of Yelp contributor Wes W.
There’s nothing wrong with getting your HBCB from Whataburger, but 24 Diner keeps it real, too. It is definitely worth shelling out a little extra cash for this bad boy.
45. Truffled Deviled Eggs at Salty Sow
Photo courtesy of Suzanne Pressman
You won’t find these at a neighborhood picnic. Go for happy hour and nosh on these super-rich and creamy deviled eggs. You might not even need an entree.
46. Grilled Meatloaf at Eastside Cafe
Photo courtesy of Yelp contributor Michelle N.
Comfort food at it’s finest. I tend to stay away from meatloaf because it often includes ketchup (which I hate). But the bacon tomato sauce that covers this loaf made me a believer again.
47. Fried Chicken at Gus’s Fried Chicken
Photo by Vicky Nguyen
Gus’s is a simple, no-frills restaurant with a mean chicken recipe. Use your hands and don’t be afraid to get messy. #NoRagrets
48. Brussels Sprouts at Uchiko
Photo by Nikki Shiner
You may have hated vegetables as a kid (maybe you still hate them), but this dish will change your mind. The brussels sprouts are sweet and slightly spicy with a Japanese flair, a fabulous dish on Tyson Cole’s all-around outstanding menu.
49. Carrot Cake French Toast at South Congress Cafe
Photo courtesy of Cheri Lucas Rowlands
Dessert for breakfast? Count me in. This french toast is super flavorful and will keep you full all day.
50. Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza at Home Slice
Photo courtesy of Adam Kuban – flickr
Pepperoni and mushroom is the classic of all classics. Venture to South Congress to grab a big-as-your-face slice of this bad boy. Fold it in half and eat it like a New Yorker for full effect.