Restaurant Listing

Most long descriptions from the Austin Chronicle Restaurant Guide ( http://www.auschron.com/guides/restaurant/ )

1. Austin Java Company (quick; great pastas; good desserts)
1206 Parkway, 476-1829, Mon-Fri, 7am-midnight; Sat, 8am-midnight; Sun, 8am-11pm
Austin Java Co. features a menu that goes far beyond that of your standard coffeehouse. At lunchtime, Austin Java crawls with both business types and students who line up for a wide variety of soup and salad combos and daily specials. Dinner proves a quieter time to dine, although the cafe's moderately priced pasta plates, handful of appetizers, and wine and beer selections, also draw a crowd. Austin Java does a mean breakfast business as well, with omelettes, several takes on Eggs Benedict, French toast, pancakes, breakfast tacos, and migas on the menu.

2. Banzai Japanese (quick; good miso soup)
2120 Guadalupe, 320-0657, Sun-Fri, 10:30am-3:30pm, 4:30-9pm; Sat, 11am-9pm
Banzai offers the UT Japanese junkies their fix, right next to the old Quack's. Very reasonable prices for a somewhat limited menu, but all the bases are covered, including sushi. Lunch specials include sushi and main dish items for around five bucks, or the Bento Box combos for $7. All the noodles are represented, along with katsus, tempuras, and teriyakis. Be sure to try the unagi (sweet glazed eel) in sushi form, or over rice ($4.99) - it's a delight. Nice vegan selections.

3. Calabash Caribbean Restaurant (sit-down restaurant; sometimes slow)
2015 Manor, 478-4857, Mon, 11am-3pm; Tue-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm
Calabash's Caribbean decor makes a perfect place to indulge in curried shrimp, curried chicken, and curried goat, but don't get too curried away – they also serve a great lineup of skewered meats, peppered shrimp, calamari, oxtail, and more. Best fried plantains in town, too.

4. Changos Taqueria (quick; great burritos)
3023 Guadalupe, 480-TACO, Daily, 11am-10pm
Brought to you by the folks who run Manuel's on Congress, Changos is a stylish taqueria that owes more to the Bay Area than the border. Witness the Mission District-style Bongos for Changos burrito, a formidable mound of beans, cheese, rice, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole, and your choice of spicy chicken, beef, pork, mushrooms, or mahi-mahi. Their heavily collegiate clientele assures sizable portions at a good price ($6-$7 per entrée).

5. Clay Pit (Indian; reservations recommended; somewhat pricey)
1601 Guadalupe, 322-5131, Mon-Thu, 11am-2pm; 5-10pm Fri-Sat, 11am-2pm; 5-11pm
The talented Maqbool Ahmed cooked in India, Europe, the Far East, and the West Coast before coming to Austin as chef of the Clay Pit, where they describe his dynamic, sophisticated cooking as "contemporary Indian cuisine." Ahmed's pairing of traditional Indian techniques and flavors with items such as mussels and salmon, plus a diverse selection of robustly seasoned vegetarian choices, make every dining experience at the Clay Pit memorable. Mussels in Garlic Curry Sauce and Chicken Kursh-i-Tursh are two of the chef's signature specialties. The waitstaff has been trained to offer all entrees prepared mild, medium, hot, or desi, "hot" for the true chile head. Located in the historic Bertram Building, the Clay Pit has recently added a jazz club called the Bombay Room upstairs.

6. Conan's Pizza (delivery available; lunch buffet)
603 W. 29th, Stassney, 478-5712, Sun-Thu, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11am-1am
The Drag just isn't the same anymore without Conan's. Student group meetings, grad-school seminars, and cheap dates were all enlivened by Conan's Chicago-style pizza along with obligatory pitchers of Shiner Bock. Fortunately, their deep-dish, whole-wheat crust and chunky sauce can still be found at three other locations. A meal-sized pan slice, salad, and soft drink (with free refills) costs $3.59. The $4.59 all-you-can-eat deal is also a valid option if your appetite is up to the task.

7. Dobie Mall Food Court (small mall food court with a few fast food options)
2nd floor of Dobie Mall [21st & Guadalupe]

8. Dog & Duck Pub (quick)
406 W. 17th, 479-0598, Sun, noon-2am; Mon-Sat, 11am-2am
In addition to having one of Austin's funniest commercial jingles and 30 beers on tap, the Dog & Duck has a respectable menu of pub grub, including British favorites like bangers and mash and a Hot Ploughmanís Lunch complete with bubble and squeak patties. The less stout-hearted can supplement their brews with tasty burgers, fish and chips, and good ol' chicken-fried steak.

9. Eastside Cafe (reservations recommended; somewhat pricey)
2113 Manor, 476-5858, Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri, 11am-11pm, Sat, 10am-10pm; Sun, 10am-10pm
This dining spot has become a destination in and of itself. The gardens, which provide the basis for many of the menu's offerings, are frequented by pre- and post-dining strollers. It's difficult to say which is more of a draw, but the delicate soups, numerous daily specials, and pastas make good use of the bounty grown out back. A charming gift shop next door offers to-go items and cookbooks featuring favorite items from the menu

10. Hoover's Cooking
2002 Manor, 479-5006, Mon-Fri, 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-10pm
A longtime luminary in the Austin restaurant scene, Hoover Alexander has finally hung his own sign out front of this unassuming storefront located on the Manor Road restaurant row. The menu offers a variety of mother-inspired meats, such as barbecued pork ribs, braised pork roast, and smoked chicken wings. His perfectly seasoned, certified Angus chicken fried steak ranks among the best in Austin. Stellar sides include creamed spinach, macaroni 'n' cheese, pinto beans, and buttered carrots. Check your diet at the door.

11. Kerbey Lane
2606 Guadalupe, 477-5717, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Everyone in town frequents this culinary institution at one time or another where "great big salads," eggs, signature pancakes, sandwiches, entree classics, and pastas are devoured around the clock. A favorite of the late-night smokes-and-coffee set, the shopping and lunch crowd, and the dinner bunch. Does that leave anyone out? The original location is housed in two quaint west Austin cottages and has old Austin charm.

12. Longhorn Po-Boys & Falafel
290-B Medical Arts, 495-9228, Mon-Fri, 11am-9pm; Sat, 11am-5pm; Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm
For a roast beef or turkey sub, this can be your place. But Longhorn Po-Boys is more than just that; it also pushes the envelope of the regular old American sandwich shop by including Mediterranean specialties like falafel - a chickpea paste spiced and fried to perfection and rolled into a flatbread - and the cinnamon-spiced ground beef and nut bundles called kibbeh. In the newer, downtown location, customers can enjoy a different home-style Lebanese lunch special every day. Stop in Mondays to try the Sheikh El Mihshi, eggplant topped with ground beef, onion, tomato, on a bed of rice.

13. Mangia Chicago Stuffed Pizza (delivery available)
3500 Guadalupe, 302-5200, Sun-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10:30pm
Regardless of whether you're an aficionado of thin or stuffed crust, Mangia has your number. Their thin-crust pizza is perfectly light and crunchy, while the heartier stuffed-crust pizza is built like a topless pot pie. Mangia's garlic-happy sauce packs a robust punch, and their toppings include several less-than-obvious choices like feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. They also serve pasta, cheese-steaks, subs, burgers, and a weekday $5.50 lunch special that includes lasagna or a six-inch pizza of the day and small Caesar salad.

14. Mi Madre's (taqueria)
2201 Manor, 480-8441, Mon-Sat, 6am-2pm
Mi Madre's is a friendly, family-run kind of a place – the kind that makes the diner feel embraced. Breakfast tacos are first-rate and heavily stuffed. The lunch crowd clamors for the enchiladas, fajitas, and soft tacos. The kitchen shows a deft touch with the sauces and salsas. It's the kind of place where you're fed like a long-lost relative, and it feels good.

15. Ruby's BBQ
512 W. 29th, 477-1651, Daily, 11am-midnight
Ruby's is the only BBQ joint in town that serves hormone-free beef, and has been around since '88. Friendly, happy folks work there, dishing out most excellent barbecue, salads and sides, gumbo and jambalaya, and killer sandwiches.The ribs (pork and beef) rule, and the smoked chicken salad represents all that is good and pure. Where else can you get collard greens, Frito pie with real chili, and barbecued mutton? Do not leave without trying Ruby's home fries – seriously tasty taters!

16. Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto, 474-1958, Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-12pm
To say Scholtz Garten is an Austin institution is something of an understatement. Opened in 1866, it's the oldest continually operating tavern in the state. As for food, Scholz's has traditional Texas culture covered – a little barbecue, a little home cooking, a little Mexican. For air-conditioned comfort, have a brew and a bite at the venerable cherrywood bar. For cool-breeze ambience, take your pleasure under the equally venerable oaks and elms outside

17. Star Seeds Cafe
3101 N. I-35, 478-7107, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
This motel-straddling institution has been around since the Armadillo days when hungry cosmic cowboys restored themselves at its booths. But aside from its cultural significance and the skilled fry cook, Star Seeds is one of the only places in town that doesn't require you to get up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday to avoid an hour wait. Star Seeds' menu has breakfast selections galore, and an à la carte section that appeals to fussbudgets. It's as close to a real diner as Austin has.

18. Texadelphia (sandwiches)
2422 Guadalupe, 480-0107, Mon-Sat, 11am-9pm
Ever since Texadelphia opened its doors on the Drag in 1985, hordes of UT students have graduated hopelessly addicted to the odd combination of Philly cheesesteak with a side of tortilla chips and salsa. Don't ask why, but it works. Texadelphia uses Black Angus sirloin for its cheesesteaks and offers toppings ranging from mushrooms to marinara to barbecue sauce. They also serve chicken cheesesteaks, burgers, and a handful of deli subs.

19. Texas Chili Parlour (burgers & chili)
1409 Lavaca, 472-2828, Mon-Wed 11am-12am; Thu-Sat 11am-2am; Sun 12pm-12am
This venerable Capitol-area joint makes it clear from the git-go what they will and won't do: no draft beer, no foo-foo drinks, and no fried anything. What they do have is several varieties of very respectable burgers. Seeing as how it's a chili joint, a chili burger would be good choice, but my advice would be to go the one X route because the XX and XXX versions taste as though raw chili powder has been stirred into them after cooking. The Bacon Cheeseburger here is mighty good: meat cooked to order, big slices of crisp bacon, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, plenty of bun. All burgers are half-price every Tuesday night.

20. Texas French Bread (sandwiches)
2270 Guadalupe, 474-2785, Mon-Fri, 7am-5pm; Sat, 9am-4pm
From its UT-area flagship to the furthest reaches of Silicon Hills, Texas French Bread keeps the faithful sated with pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads, and an above-average coffee blend. In addition to its namesake item, the focaccia sandwiches and Hobbit Bread are standouts. Dessert-minded hedonists will want to sample the Hyde Park Fudge cake.

21. Texas Union (student union with a few fast food options)
24th & Guadalupe

22. Thai Noodles, Etc., House (can be slow; excellent tofu pie)
2602 Guadalupe, 494-1011, Daily, 7:30am-10pm
This cozy campus area joint is Satay's younger sibling, and it's a popular spot with the financially challenged college crowd looking for a healthy, filling meal on a student budget. The fare here is a good selection of Thai street foods including Thai noodle soups, dry noodle bowls, and stir-fry noodles. Unique Asian breakfast items are available on weekends from 11am-3pm.

23. Thundercloud Subs
1608 Lavaca, 478-3281
Since 1975, Thundercloud Subs has served up "fresh, fast and healthy" sandwiches of every stripe to hungry, frugal Austinites. There's nothing fancy about Thundercloud's ingredients or preparation, but when you're feeling too greased out for burgers and fries, nothing beats a turkey or veggie sub on whole wheat. And the knowledge that you're keeping your money local instead of feeding some multinational corporate behemoth makes every bite taste that much better.

24. Veggie Heaven (quick; service isn't the best, but the food is good)
1914-A Guadalupe, 457-1013, Daily, 11am-9pm
Buddha meets Laura Ashley in the decor of this vegetarian and vegan restaurant. Once you've read over the philosophy of guru Suma Ching Hai on the front of the menu, you'll find an array of Asian dishes, meat- and dairy-free pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. There's something very welcoming and yet disciplined about this little spot on the Drag, evidenced by the care taken with every dish that leaves the kitchen. Don't be afraid of Protein 2000 – the fried, chewy wheat-gluten in brown sauce with rice is one of the tastiest dishes on the menu.