Can you hear that sound?
It sounds like … but wait … it can’t be. It SOUNDS like someone is really, really hungry. But why is it so loud?
Oh, my. Wait. We know what that is. Hold onto your hats, Austin.
That’s sound is the collective stomachs of 150,000 SXSW attendees who will, in just three weeks, will be descending on this city … and they’re ready to EAT.
While the restauranteurs in town collect themselves and brace for the crush of geeks making their way here, where should all these folks go to feed their taco-loving, BBQ-coveting appetites?
We’ve got LOTS of ideas (if you’ve got others, post them in the comments below). And if you’re one of the taco-wanters who’s on their way here in mid-March, make reservations when and wherever you can. On a normal day, you’ll wait in line at Franklin BBQ for two hours (it’s worth it), so when you consider the tens of thousands of other folks being added to the mix during South-By, well … you get the idea, I’m sure.
Here’s Urban Provision’s list of favorite places to eat in Austin. There are a ton of joints that will make your tongues and tummies happy. What’re you most looking forward to eating?
ROUND ROCK
Main Street Grill (Cool space in an old bank building)
Louisiana Longhorn Cafe (Cajun)
NORTH AUSTIN
Din Ho Chinese BBQ (Be sure to check out the ducks hanging in the entry; they fish out fresh fish from the tank in the back!)
French Quarter Grill (Our favorite cajun joint outside of NOLA)
Cover 3 (Upscale pub grub)
MIDTOWN AUSTIN
Uchi (Japanese awesomeness. If you want to eat here, you will need reservations NOW, if not sooner.)
Epicerie – (Modern twist of French + a tiny grocery.)
Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew (NOM.)
Foreign & Domestic (Popovers!)
Bufalina (Pizza. Wine. Goodness.)
Amaya’s Taco Village (Locations both north AND south!)
Drink.Well. (Amazing food + vast beer and wine selections.)
Hopdoddy Burger Bar (Best craft burgers in town. Be prepared for big lines!)
DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
Ramen Tatsu-Ya (The cure for your munchies.)
Clark’s Oyster Bar (Betcha we can eat more oysters than you.)
La Condesa (Taco Heaven.)
24 Diner (Chicken. And. Waffles. OMG.)
Second Bar & Kitchen
Via 313 (Peeeeeeezzzzzzzzaaaaahhhhhhhh!)
Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden (Baked goods & beer. Need we say more?)
Gus’s Fried Chicken (Memphis-style chicken.)
EAST AUSTIN
Franklin BBQ (LONG as HECK line, but worth it.)
Justine’s Brasserie (This joint makes you feel as you’ve just walked into a European bar/restaurant or small city.)
Swift’s Attic (Brown gravy. It cures what ails ya!)
Salty Sow (AMAZING.)
Qi: Modern Asian (A MUST. Make reservations.)
Sawyer & Co. (Just opened and everyone raves about it!)
Salt & Time (Meat. Nuff said.)
Dai Due (All local. All yummy.)
WEST AUSTIN
Abel’s on the Lake (‘Merican food with a Texas drawl, y’all.)
Hula Hut (Mexican meets surfers. And margaritas. That’s all you need to know.)
County Line BBQ (One on the hill and one on the lake.)
Maudie’s Hacienda (Great queso, salsa and ‘ritas.)
Mozart’s (Bottomless coffee and fab pastry baked on-site, all overlooking Lake Austin.)
SOUTH & SOUTHWEST AUSTIN
Barley Swine (Small plates. Small farms. Small batch. BIG yum.)
Lenoir (You’ll need reservations; tiny space, but amazing food. They have a WINE GARDEN, people.)
Bouldin Creek (Veggie friendly! One of the best places for coffee.)
Chi’lantro (Kimchi Fries, y’all.)
East Side King (So good, your eyes’ll roll back into y’all’s heads.)
Lucy’s Fried Chicken (Someone chained my grandmother to the fryer here <– this means the chicken’s GOOD, folks.)
Whip In (Best DAMN Frito pie in Austin + their own craft brew + wine bar. Oh, yeah.)
Perla’s (Big sister to Clark’s Oyster Bar; be sure to try their bouillabaisse.)
Jack Allen’s Kitchen (Happy hour is the best time to go: 1/2 price appetizers and until 5 on weekends. Apps are amazing.)
District Kitchen + Cocktails (Locally sourced, everything hand-crafted, everything awesome. Indoor and outdoor seating.)
Chuy’s (An Austin tradition, you can’t visit our town and not go here. You just can’t.)
Kerby Lane (Open 24 hours & BREAKFAST. ALL. DAY.)
As you can see, Austin has enough food options–and GREAT ones–to soothe the most savage of appetites. If y’all are a-comin’, make your reservations now. No, NOW. For those of us already here, we’re stoked you’re on the way! We live in the greatest (and most delicious) city in the country; we think you’ll love it just as much as we do!