5 Restaurants in Austin I’m Loving Right Now

I’ve been blabbing on and on about our our recent move from south Austin to….south Austin. Old news. It’s been an all-consuming part of my life for the past 2 months or so, but especially the past 2 weeks as we’ve been packing/moving/unpacking. It’s a whole thing! 

Moving means lots of take-out, pizzas, and eating out at restaurants. Since we’ve been eating out so much I’m sharing 5 restaurants in Austin in Austin that I’m loving right now….because we’ve been eating out a. lot. 

Restaurants in Austin come and go. There’s always something new and trendy, but there are also a crap load of restaurants closing every year – about 60 in Austin in 2016! The ones I’m mentioning today are mostly my tried and true, old-time favorites. I always go back to them.  

I’m a south Austinite, so I’m mostly talking about restaurants in south Austin in this blog post. Have any restaurants in north Austin you loving right now? Let me know in the comments section!

Also see: 11 Ice Cream Shops in Austin You Should Try This Summer


1. Austin Beer Garden and Brewery

This brewpub gets a huge shout out from me for basically sustaining us during the move, haha! We had ABGB’s pizza and beer multiple times during moving week. We also had a few other pizzas during the week (judge away, but there’s seriously no better food for a move than ‘ZA), and all of the pizza sampling just confirmed in my mind: ABGB’s pizza is one of the best you’ll find in Austin.

I always start with the their “Hell Yes” helles. It’s the perfect pizza pairing beer! 


www.theabgb.com


2. Fresa’s Chicken

Fresa’s isn’t new to Austin by any means, but I have a new appreciation for it since their second location opened on S. 1st at what used to be Freddy’s. I adore this place! I always try to eat outside, even if it’s hot; the big patio is one of the best hang-out spots for big groups. (They have a little playground tucked away in the corner if you’re eating with kiddos.)

It’s simple, delicious food: wood-grilled chicken, tacos, yummy sides of sweet potatoes, grilled onions, rice, and beans. It’s Nate’s and my go-to lunch date spot when we need something healthy-ish nearby.

And those sweet potatoes? Y’ALL. I could eat a whole meal of them!! 

www.FresasChicken.com


3. Jacoby’s Restaurant and Mercantile: Brunch

I finally checked out Jacoby’s brunch the other weekened while my sister was visiting. Jacoby’s is a ranch-to-table restaurant, which means their grass-fed beef is sourced from their farm in central Texas. I like knowing where my meat is coming from, y’know?

Their brunch has all the  country cooking classics you’d expect, but they’re all a bit more “polished.” Instead of “Chicken ‘n Waffles,” it’s Chicken Fried Steak and Waffles with House-made Sausage and Maple Syrup. Oh, and be sure to order the Cheddar Grits with Spicy Butter and Pickled Red Pepper. They stole my heart just a little…

www.JacobysAustin.com

Also See: My Go-To Weekday Lunch Spots in Austin


4. Thai Fresh

If you’ve been reading this blog for any time at all you probably know how much I love Thai Fresh….and since we moved we can now walk there! (Sounds like trouble to me…) Thai Fresh also gets a big ol’ shout out for basically keeping us fed and alive for the past week during the move.

I mean, friends…this is old news. I’ve been talking about Thai Fresh forever. I love how weird and quirky it is (Thai restaurant, vegan bakery, and coffee shop? Sure. Let’s just go with it). It does the whole “Keep Austin Weird” thing without even trying.

I seriously love Thai Fresh and I eat there all the time. The Pad Thai is their number one seller; try it and you’ll understand why.

www.Thai-Fresh.com


5. Uchi

If you’re visiting Austin for the first time, you have to put Uchi on your list. Nate and I celebrated three years of dating by doing the 10-course chef’s tasting menu at Uchi, which you can read about here. It was one of those meals that I finished and declared, “that was fun!!” Eating at Uchi is an experience.

If you want to save a little money, stop by the Sake Social from 5-6:30 every day for some menu samplings at a fraction of the price. Get there early, though! There’s often a long wait.

If you’re visiting Austin for the first time and are looking for one good “splurge” restaurant, I’d recommend Uchi. It’s been one of Austin’s top restaurants for a long time, and although it’s expanding to other cities (Dallas, Houston, Denver), Austin had it first. 🙂 

www.UchiAustin.com


I certainly enjoy Austin’s food scene. I mean, hello…that’s why I started this food blog! But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I am so ready to start cooking at home again! Ha! My body is craving some veggies, big time.

Yesterday, Nate and I spent some time in the afternoon doing a week’s worth of meal planning and grocery shopping so we can finally cook in the new kitchen! Can’t wait to try it out.

 

Have a great Monday!

Kelsey

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www.blovedboston.com
6 years ago

We’ve never been to Austin but it’s on our list to visit!! Also my cousin and his wife are going there in a few months and I’m sharing this list with them ASAP!! xo, Biana

Emily
6 years ago

We still need to get over to ABGB! Can’t believe we have never been. I’ll be sure to pair that helles with the pizza. 🙂 And, we also haven’t been to Jacoby’s, but it’s next on my list for a nice brunch.

Anita
6 years ago

ABGB is *still* on my to-do list! I can’t wait to go! I don’t visit these places nearly enough since I live north but the are definitely great options!

Big World Small Girl
6 years ago

So many good places! Yum, can you take me on a South Austin restaurant crawl sometime 🙂

Tony
Tony
6 years ago

Unfortunately I live on the north side, so we don’t make it that far south very often ????. That being said, I’m a big fan of Phil’s Ice House off of Burnet for a good burger.

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