my goddaughter goes to UT, and i was thinking of going up there next weekend to see her and the town. what should i see, where should i stay, where should i eat? any suggestions?
Austin is must famous for its barbecue. Any of the places on this list should be great. http://www.texasmonthly.com/list/the-50-best-bbq-joints-in-the-world/ T
Quattro Gatti on Congress about 2 or so blocks South of the Capital. My Italian friends claim its the best Italian food they have eaten in the USA. Small and reasonably priced. Freedmans over on the west side of the campus is pretty good BBQ, has a good selection of bourbon and interesting history. The area was a community of freed slaves (Freedmen) after the Civil War and the building the restaurant is in was a community center of sorts built by them. The Capital building and grounds are very interesting. So is the Bullock Museum. They are walking distance from each other.
If you wait till the following weekend, there's an FCA breakfast. But of course, BBQ. Ferrari Challenge that weekend at COTA. Sights to see? Capitol is worth a look. UT campus, but prefer during the summer when school is not in session. Hit me up if you do come to town.
Must be us tourists that pack the place on Thurs-Sat night.....easily 800 people there if not more... Depending on where you are.......Franklins and Lamberts are equally as good for BBQ.....enjoy!
Well if you want to go there for the atmosphere that's one thing but I hate for people to go home thinking that's the best Texas has to offer. The little drive up place 1/2 mile from home puts Salt Lick on the trailer.
i was at Salt Lick about two weeks ago. It is cool but service was slow and I didn't think the food was any better than any of the BBQ places I have been. I wouldn't go out of my way to go again. malcolm
Have never been a fan of Salt Lick. Good place to go with a group of people for the atmosphere, but BBQ is fair to average. Also, I don't like the mustard based sauce there. Oh course there is always Lockhart BBQ where you will be thrown out if you even ask for sauce (meat doesn't need it anyway.). Also, Lockhart is just down the tollway (85 mph) from COTA.
The Challenge at COTA is the big event next weekend, car wise.. Socially, if you don't fit the Continental Club on Sunday afternoon for Planet Casper, any night at the Broken Spoke, but Thursday thru Saturday the best....a trip to Allen's Boots for new Texas footwear.....C Boys for Chicken **** Sunday........Lucy's Chicken on South Congress...well you havemissed the best part!! I get my BBQ at Peter's in Ellinger, next to the Shell station. Nice stop after you leave I10, and get up Hwy 71 about 20 minutes or so. Don't pay Austin $$$ for BBQ....Blacks on Riverside was $20 for two ribs, I swear! The 21st is UT Graduation I will be back then.
When I'm in Austin I ALWAYS make the drive to Lockhart and go to Kreuz Market for BBQ. I usually eat until I'm sick. Highly recommended. If you haven't been, go to the Oasis. It's become a massive tourist trap in the last 20 years, but it's still something to be seen. The views are incredible. I've always liked the Hula Hut too, food is pretty good, outside deck is fun. Also touristy. Take a fun car, there's LOTS of great roads outside of Austin.
I agree, it's overrated, but the location is great, and that open pit is worth the visit all by itself...T
Lambert's is an interesting, upscale twist on bbq. As a purist, I should hate it, but I liked the vibe. It's not the same old cue shack. Convenient downtown location. I wouldn't wait in line for Franklin's. The brisket is good. It isn't wait in line for hours good IMO. Call ahead, skip the line, and re-heat the brisket up at home. John Mueller and Stiles Switch are very good too...T
Agree on Kreuz, Oasis, and Hula Hut. Also, I don't know if it is still around, but Mozart's coffee was a nice place to sit, talk, enjoy some java, and watch the boats on the lake. Next to Hula Hut if I remember correctly. Mount Bonnell park off of FM 2222 is a good lookout point across the area.
first off, texas has once again proven to be a fantastic state ! we had a great time and really enjoyed austin. i am becoming happier by the day that i am in texas. we went to tour the capitol building, and then toured the UT campus. we had lunch at freedmen's - best bbq i have had so far (because i refuse to stand in lines for hours). we had drinks at the driskell - very nice and authentic. we had dinner at quattro gatti - very good italian (i would give it a 8/10), and gianfranco is a nice guy. today we went to hula - complete crap. avoid it other than to have a drink on the deck. mozart's was great for coffee - very good coffee and nice deck. now i have to go back to see classic jaguar, and other car related things, and visit rifledriver ! next time i will stay at the driskell. thanks for all the tips and advice - i had a great trip !
The Driskell has a ghost also...read up on that...... For the kids, the Marriott at the Capitol on 11th at IH 35, (I think Marriott has sold it, actually) has an indoor/outdoor pool. Close to the 6th Street Zone. But I agree the Driskell is very nice, I stayed there in 1963, for Hurricane Carla.
