Heather and I give high praise in our lowbrow way to our favorite foodie places here in the “Big Armadillo.”
A few months ago, I woke up to multiple text messages telling me that Austin had gotten #1 in the States (and #5 in the world) for nightlife. Generally, with this kind of thing, I’d take a moment to be really cynical and lambast Austin about everything it claims to be, but here’s the thing… it’s true. The nightlife and foodie culture here are pretty damned amazing.
Heather and I moved here over half a decade ago… which pretty much makes us native Texans at this point (at least we didn’t move here from California like Elmo, Rogan, and the rest of the tech bro culture). I’ve gained substantial weight eating my way through Austin over the years, so I wanted to list some of our favorite places in case you’re planning a visit.
First and foremost, I’m not an influencer. I don’t go into restaurants asking for free dishes to review on Instagram. Instead, I book reservations and always say it’s our 20th anniversary—we frequently get a free drink or dessert that way. Anyhoo, I’m just here to tell you about the places we love, and if you come to visit the “Big Armadillo,” you would too. Pro tip: don’t come in the summer unless you like the feeling of being melted by lava-temp queso.
Paco’s Tacos was one of the first places we ever went in Austin. It’s family-owned, they make great food, especially migas (little breakfast tacos), and the place has some really cool Texas decor. We’re on a first-name basis with the entire staff there, except none of us can ever remember each other’s names, so we have to reintroduce ourselves every time. They have live music on Sundays, and their migas are the best in town. Pro tip: Go early. They don’t run out of food, but they stop serving by 3 pm. Their coffee is black, thick, and doesn’t need fancy buzzwords.
Lazarus Brewing has two locations, but we prefer the one on Airport because we can bike there. On Saturdays, if we’re not at Paco’s, we almost always head to Lazarus for food, coffee, or beer. Their migas are different but just as amazing. The patio is wonderful, and they’re dog-friendly. Pro tip: If you want migas, go before 1 pm, as they take them off the menu after that.
JewBoy Burgers is the place to go. They serve Jewish-themed burgers, like the Goyim, which has bacon, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and a thick slab of pastrami with latkes instead of fries. The decor features Jewish wrestlers and other celebs. Pro tip: They’re closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
Devil May Care is a Mediterranean restaurant that transforms into a nightclub as the evening progresses. We love to bring out-of-town guests here. The lamb lollipops are unreal, the drinks are great, and the staff is fantastic. Pro tip: Eat the lamb lollipops. This is not a request.
Kinda Tropical is one of the few places left in Austin that embodies the old “Keep Austin Weird” vibe. The food ranges from fried egg sandwiches to Bibimbap Rice Bowls, and the clientele is a mix of wonderful weird. If we’re not at Paco’s or Lazarus, we’re here.
The Silver Medal is our favorite place ever, but I almost don’t want to rave about it because then people will go there, and it won’t be cool anymore. They serve booze, beer, burgers, and vegan options. Pro tip: They have a cat.
Imagine a coffee shop in a strip mall next to a karate dojo. The door’s glass is cracked like a bullet hit it (probably because a bullet hit it), it smells faintly like last night’s punk concert, and the cookies they make have a calorie count of…well, we don’t talk about that, ever. That’s Kick Butt Coffee and it’s 100% pure rad.
The coffee? 24 ounces of molten lava that could keep you caffeinated for a week. During the day, it’s pretty quiet and I love to go there and draw. At night it’s a seedy little place to hear awesome bands.
Pro Tip: Any cookie you pick to eat will be an absolute orgasm for your mouth. Also I love getting a coffee there that is the size of a bucket and stays warm for like, forever.
Hank’s is a minimalist café, restaurant, and bar in our neighborhood. The food is consistently great, and the staff is always awesome. My go-to dish is the Pesto Rice Bowl with a poached egg. Pro tip: They offer free refills on drip coffee, so tip your barista well.
Mum Foods is where Austin meats heaven. Their brisket and pastrami are incredible, and even their salads are amazing. Anytime Heather asks, “What do you want for lunch?” my default is always, “I wanna go to Mum’s.” Pro tip: Everyone should eat at Mum before they leave this earth.
The Milonga Room is a speakeasy tucked into the basement under Buenos Aires Café. It’s tiny, fabulously decorated, and the bartender, Jackson, makes incredible drinks. The last time we went, Jackson didn’t even have to ask what we wanted—he just knew. Pro tip: Book a reservation on a Wednesday or Thursday night when it’s less crowded.
Austin has countless places to eat and drink, and these are just a few of our favorites. Not necessarily fancy, but tasty, fun, and close to our neighborhood. If you find better spots, congrats—you’ve officially become a local.
