Austin is full of foodies. Whether we’re slow-cooking brisket or making tortillas from scratch, there’s no denying our thriving passion for delicious eats. These 11 wildly famous restaurants attract locals and tourists alike, and they are totally worth the hullabaloo.
- Franklin Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue/Facebook
Franklin Barbecue/Facebook Yes, you’ll have to set aside some time, but Franklin Barbecue is always worth the wait. The meat falls off of the bone and fills you with barbecue bliss. Read more about this world famous barbecue here, and try it for yourself at 900 E 11th St.
- Uchi
Clarisa R./Yelp
Uchi Austin/Facebook Sushi lovers flock to Uchi for the freshest, most inventive dishes in Austin. Uchi is perfect for a romantic date night or celebration dinner. Enjoy the culinary experience at 801 S Lamar Blvd.
- Gourdough’s Public House
Gourdough’s Public House/Facebook
Gourdough’s Public House/Facebook Just when you thought we couldn’t get more gluttonous, there’s Gourdough’s Public House. This iconic restaurant celebrates America’s favorite breakfast pastry: the donut. Nearly everything on their menu features a delicious fried piece of dough. Gourdough’s delicious creations can be found at 2700 S Lamar Blvd.
- Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos/Facebook
Torchy’s Tacos/Facebook Torchy’s Tacos expanded from a humble food truck into one of Austin’s go-to taco joints. The classic green chile pork tacos will please anyone’s palate, and their wild “secret” menu will satiate your craving for adventure. Torchy’s Tacos has several locations throughout Austin, including their taco trailer at 1311 South First Street.
- The Salt Lick
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
The Salt Lick/Facebook The Salt Lick is nothing short of legendary. Their massive BBQ pit smokes the best brisket, sausage, and turkey you’ve ever eaten. Take a trip to the Texas Hill Country for some Salt Lick barbecue. This other-worldly experience can be found at 18300 FM 1826 in Driftwood, Texas.
- Home Slice Pizza
Ivet V./Yelp
Home Slice Pizza/Facebook Home Slice Pizza is so good, they even opened up another location right next door. Whether you’re dining in or carrying out, you’ll be in pizza heaven at Home Slice. Order this New York style pizza at 1415 and 1421 South Congress Ave.
- Scholz Garten
Scholz Garten/Facebook
Scholz Garten/Facebook The oldest restaurant in Texas is still going strong, and Austinites never miss an opportunity to party here. Scholz Garten’s inventive menu combines traditional German food with spicy Tex Mex attitude. Enjoy some brews in their beer garden located at 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. To learn more about this Texas institution, read our feature article here.
- Juan in a Million
Juan in a Million/Facebook
Juan in a Million/Facebook The breakfast tacos at Juan in a Million are unlike anything you’ve ever eaten. For one thing, they’re absolutely massive. Try your hand at the Don Juan challenge and see if you can eat more than the reigning champion. These epic tacos can be found at 2300 E Cesar Chavez St. Read more about these life-changing breakfast tacos here.
- Texas Chili Parlor
Texas Chili Parlor/Facebook
Texas Chili Parlor/Facebook The Texas Chili Parlor has been serving hungry Texans since 1976. Its close proximity to The Texas State Capitol makes it popular with politicians, tourists, and locals. If you’re really adventurous, order the XXX chili. That one is sure to fire up your tastebuds. The Texas Chili Parlor is located at 1409 Lavaca St.
- Threadgill’s
Threadgill’s/Facebook
Threadgill’s/Facebook When you hear Threadgill’s you think music. Janis Joplin honed her raucous, rockin’ style at the north location, and concerts continue to wow music lovers to this day. Nothing goes better with live music than some chicken-fried steak, and Threadgill’s serves the best in the city. Two locations grace this vibrant city: the north location at 6416 N Lamar Blvd and the south location at 301 W Riverside Dr.
- Matt’s Famous El Rancho
Matt’s El Rancho/Facebook
Matt’s El Rancho/Facebook Matt’s El Rancho is so good, President Lyndon B. Johnson had it delivered to the White House on several occasions. If the spicy salsa and tangy margaritas aren’t enough to get you through the door, then their fresh tortillas will. Visit Matt’s Famous El Rancho at 2613 S Lamar Blvd.
Of course, there’s so much more to Austin than just the famous eateries. Check out these 10 under the radar restaurants and discover your new favorite place!
Franklin Barbecue/Facebook
Yes, you’ll have to set aside some time, but Franklin Barbecue is always worth the wait. The meat falls off of the bone and fills you with barbecue bliss. Read more about this world famous barbecue here, and try it for yourself at 900 E 11th St.
Clarisa R./Yelp
Uchi Austin/Facebook
Sushi lovers flock to Uchi for the freshest, most inventive dishes in Austin. Uchi is perfect for a romantic date night or celebration dinner. Enjoy the culinary experience at 801 S Lamar Blvd.
Gourdough’s Public House/Facebook
Just when you thought we couldn’t get more gluttonous, there’s Gourdough’s Public House. This iconic restaurant celebrates America’s favorite breakfast pastry: the donut. Nearly everything on their menu features a delicious fried piece of dough. Gourdough’s delicious creations can be found at 2700 S Lamar Blvd.
Torchy’s Tacos/Facebook
Torchy’s Tacos expanded from a humble food truck into one of Austin’s go-to taco joints. The classic green chile pork tacos will please anyone’s palate, and their wild “secret” menu will satiate your craving for adventure. Torchy’s Tacos has several locations throughout Austin, including their taco trailer at 1311 South First Street.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
The Salt Lick/Facebook
The Salt Lick is nothing short of legendary. Their massive BBQ pit smokes the best brisket, sausage, and turkey you’ve ever eaten. Take a trip to the Texas Hill Country for some Salt Lick barbecue. This other-worldly experience can be found at 18300 FM 1826 in Driftwood, Texas.
Ivet V./Yelp
Home Slice Pizza/Facebook
Home Slice Pizza is so good, they even opened up another location right next door. Whether you’re dining in or carrying out, you’ll be in pizza heaven at Home Slice. Order this New York style pizza at 1415 and 1421 South Congress Ave.
Scholz Garten/Facebook
The oldest restaurant in Texas is still going strong, and Austinites never miss an opportunity to party here. Scholz Garten’s inventive menu combines traditional German food with spicy Tex Mex attitude. Enjoy some brews in their beer garden located at 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. To learn more about this Texas institution, read our feature article here.
Juan in a Million/Facebook
The breakfast tacos at Juan in a Million are unlike anything you’ve ever eaten. For one thing, they’re absolutely massive. Try your hand at the Don Juan challenge and see if you can eat more than the reigning champion. These epic tacos can be found at 2300 E Cesar Chavez St. Read more about these life-changing breakfast tacos here.
Texas Chili Parlor/Facebook
The Texas Chili Parlor has been serving hungry Texans since 1976. Its close proximity to The Texas State Capitol makes it popular with politicians, tourists, and locals. If you’re really adventurous, order the XXX chili. That one is sure to fire up your tastebuds. The Texas Chili Parlor is located at 1409 Lavaca St.
Threadgill’s/Facebook
When you hear Threadgill’s you think music. Janis Joplin honed her raucous, rockin’ style at the north location, and concerts continue to wow music lovers to this day. Nothing goes better with live music than some chicken-fried steak, and Threadgill’s serves the best in the city. Two locations grace this vibrant city: the north location at 6416 N Lamar Blvd and the south location at 301 W Riverside Dr.
Matt’s El Rancho/Facebook
Matt’s El Rancho is so good, President Lyndon B. Johnson had it delivered to the White House on several occasions. If the spicy salsa and tangy margaritas aren’t enough to get you through the door, then their fresh tortillas will. Visit Matt’s Famous El Rancho at 2613 S Lamar Blvd.
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