Destination Infatuation: Austin

Welcome to the first edition of our newest feature – Destination Infatuation – a quick and simple food guide for traveling New Yorkers headed to unfamiliar lands. We’re on the move a lot, and wherever we go, we eat things. So between now and the time when there’s an Immaculate Infatuation for every city, we want to offer up some intel that might be helpful for your next trip to foreign soil.

Don’t expect Destination Infatuation to be as thorough as a Fodor’s guide – it’s meant to offer up a good foundation…a place to start. Did we miss something? Let us know about it with an email.

First up is Austin, Texas, the home of South By Southwest (music business spring break), and a tremendous food city. Obviously, BBQ is the main attraction here, but there is plenty of other goodness to uncover as well. Giddy up cowgirls.

Badass Photo Credit: Marco Ochoa

Uchi

Not only is Uchi the best sushi in Austin, it’s some of the best in country. Chef Tyson Cole’s modern adaptation of Japanese cuisine has received nationwide attention and multiple James Beard Award nominations. Uchi has also spawned a sister restaurant, Uchiko, which was featured in GQ as one of Alan Richman’s Best New Restaurants In America this past January. Who knows where all the fish comes from, let’s just hope it’s not Lake Travis.

Salt Lick BBQ

If Texas is the BBQ capital of the world, then the pit at the original Salt Lick is the oval office. Sure, it’s a huge tourist attraction, but the energy and excitement in the air here is unbeatable. Bring your own six pack or keg (that’s allowed, and actually encouraged) and prepare to fill up the tank with some of the best BBQ you’ll ever experience. Bobby Flay says to come Sunday for the Beef Ribs.

Some other BBQ that’s worth the hour long commute from downtown Austin: Coopers (cowboy style roadside BBQ stop), Kreuz’s Market (one of the oldest and most respected BBQ markets in Texas) and City Market (get in line with the locals and behold brisket, sausage and ribs served by the pound on paper).

Olivia

Good food, as advertised . We New Yorkers are spoiled as hell when it comes to dining out, but Olivia is a restaurant that could actually keep up in our ultra-competitive city. And it’s NYC quality, at half the price. Get the beef tartare and the bison heart, if you’ve got the balls. Outdoor seating is a must. Check out the pics from our recent visit.

24 Diner

Chef Andrew Curren specializes in what he calls “elevated comfort food”, and he’s constructed a menu that will both warm your soul and soak up all that booze you’ve been guzzling down on 6^th Street. We’re talking meat loafs, gigantic gorgonzola burgers, an award-winning no-bean brisket chili, and enough chicken and waffles to split for two and still take some home. It’s open all night, and usually bumping until four. Another prime Late Night Eats destination? Home Slice Pizza. It’s open until 4AM and serves the best thin crust in Austin.

Old Pecan Street Cafe

If you’re headed to South By Southwest, most of your mornings are probably spent hungover, downtown and starving. Well…ours are at least. It took us a couple of years to find a good go-to brunch spot, but Old Pecan Street has settled into regular rotation. There usually isn’t much of a wait, the egg dishes are excellent and the serving sizes are big enough to get you through the day. Don’t sleep on the breakfast tacos.

Curra’s Grill

Curra’s specializes in “interior” Mexican, so if you’re looking for fajitas, head to Maudie’s. This funky South Austin mainstay is all about carnitas and cochinita pibil. Save room for the flan or tres leches at the end, and make your first order an avocado margarita – tequila’s never tasted so healthy.

House Park BBQ

Most of us numbnut tourists will flock to downtown spots like Iron Works (solid and centrally located), Lambert’s (Infatuation approved, higher end BBQ) and Stubb’s (you can do better). But few grillmasters know their way around a smoker like the lifers at House Park BBQ. It’s not much to look at, but this little shack makes the best sliced brisket sandwich in the city. Just make sure you bring cash (they don’t even have an ATM), and note the odd hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm.

The Screaming Goat

The Screaming Goat is close enough to the 6th Street action to walk – or you can take a cab and be there in a hot minute. Sure, they serve a full slate of tacos, quesadillas and burritos, but the real reason to come here is the insane “Drowning” Flautas. Check out these pictures and tell us you’re not already hailing cab?