In the last two years, I have gained a considerable group of friends in Austin to the point where a bi-annual visit has become imperative or else I simply miss them too much. And so last weekend, I flew over to the Third Coast for a short, sweet, and bittersweet adventure.
In my previous travels to Austin, TX, the days were hectic, packed with music shows and restaurants and cycling from one end of town to the next. In a nutshell, however, that is the essence of the city – a liberal oasis of creative minds, supportive youth, and tacos. Lots of tacos (I’ll still never forget the taco cannon from SXSW).
Unlike San Francisco, Austin is very easy to navigate, as everything is more or less in a grid with downtown right in the middle. By my fourth trip, I feel that I am a pro now, and so I spent the weekend revisiting classic food joints like La Condesa and Elizabeth Street Café.
Of course, the curiosity of the city is forever present in me, leading me to discover new aspects of Austin as well, like the following:
Fresas, a literal hole-in-the-wall, is known for its tacos (both breakfast and chicken). It’s also known for catering President Obama’s fundraiser in July, so there’s that. When you go, there is a Presidente Taco now permanently on the menu – chicken fajita, carrot, jicama, cucumber, jalapeño, and tomatillo salsa!
Castle Hill Graffiti Park: While not a food joint, this explosion of ephemeral street art is a testament to the evolving creativity of Austin. The pieces change frequently, reminding me of San Francisco’s Clarion Alley, but on a large scale. There is an equally colorful trailer helmed by Karl where you can purchase prints of the artwork to take home. Naturally, I picked this one:
As tends to happen each time I visit, Austin captures my heart in its heat and humid glory. And I’ll be back.
Linkables:
- La Condesa: 400A West 2nd Street. Known for brunch and its El Cúbico cocktail.
- Seventh Flag Coffee: 1506 South First Street. A fairly new addition to this neighborhood, the cold brew and iced soy chai are perfect for Austin’s heat.
- La Patisserie: 602 W. Annie Street. Vanilla pastry cream-filled cronut. Get it.
- Elizabeth Street Café: 1501 S. First Street. French-Vietnamese with a penchant for good banh mi sandwiches and escargot.
- Bacon: 900 W. 10th Street. Need I say more?
- Food for Fitness Café: 1112 N. Lamar Blvd. A quick way to be healthy with salads and great smoothies.
- Fresas: 915 N. Lamar Blvd
- Castle Hill Graffiti Park: 11th and Baylor Streets
That vanilla pastry cream cronut is everything.
Veggie banh mi with tofu and cucumbers
GUYS I TRIED SNAIL. I did. And it was delicious.
Menu at Fresas
Brussels sprouts torta from Fresas. On point.
GET THIS CORN. This was the best corn I have had next to Cafe Habana in NYC. It’s unreal.
Til next time!
Austin is on my must visit list this winter, and I am bringing this post with me when I go!
PLEASE tell me before you go, I have so much more to tell you about the city!
Yay Austin! Ive never been to La Condesa, but heard good things… your pic has convinced me to go! 🙂
This is my second time at La Condesa and it does not disappoint. Although confession: We put rum in the horchata to make it a boozy brunch, hehehe!
Get out! Love love love this post! Bacon To Go? For real??? Yes, please! And Fresca’s Wood Grilled Wings? Never had them – but I do love me some wings. The corn? OMG girl, that looks phenom. Seriously. Great post! = New follower! 🙂
THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY THAT YOU SAID THAT. Seriously. I am as happy as I was when I ate that insane corn!!
Nice write up on our fair city! I recently had brunch at Elizabeth Street Cafe, and my mind was BLOWN by their pastries! I had the kouign amann and a HUGE ham + gruyere croissant. Let me know the next time you’re in ATX, and we can try to met up!
I am obsessed with Austin now and am seriously considering moving there – it’s amazing. I saw the kouign amann but didn’t try it – next time! I will DEF let you know when I visit next, and i’m sure it will be soon. If you find yourself in San Francisco, find me!
I have never been to Austin but it sounds like a yummy place!! 🙂
I highly recommend a visit, it’s so fun!
Wow, your pictures are beautiful! Especially your indoor restaurant pics! You captured Austin beautifully and picked some good eating spots. I love that you picked the SWEET print. She’s a talented friend of mine…this is her instagram if you wanna check it out…. http://instagram.com/400mlbakery . You should see the ice cream cones she puts up around town. Gotta love an artist who promotes cookies & ice cream!
Melissa, that is so awesome! I followed her Instagram immediately. I’m looking at it now and the ice cream cones look so rad. I’d love to meet up with you the next time that I visit Austin!