• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipe Runner, Eat Well, Run Happy

Recipe Runner

Eat Well - Run Happy

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
      • Egg Dishes
      • Muffins, Bread + Scones
      • Oatmeal
      • Pancakes + Waffles
      • Smoothies
    • Burgers + Sandwiches
    • Casseroles
    • Cocktails
    • Desserts
      • Cake + Cupcakes
      • Cheesecake
      • Cookies + Bars
      • Ice Cream + Treats
      • Pies, Crisps + Tarts
    • Dinners
      • Beef + Pork
      • Chicken + Poultry
      • Fish + Seafood
      • Pasta
      • Pizza
      • Vegetarian + Vegan
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Skillet + One Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Soup, Stew + Chili
    • Tacos + Tostadas
    • All Recipes
  • Running
  • Travel
  • About

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat

by Danae · September 7, 2015

Today instead of a recipe I’m sharing with you some of my favorite places to eat from my latest trip to Austin, Texas. I’ll be talking about where to run and what to do in a later post. My sister lives in Austin so not only is it a perfect way for me to spend a fun weekend with her, but also to get a taste of all that Austin has to offer. Let me tell you that they have a LOT to offer!

If you’ve never been to Austin it’s in central Texas and is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. Although I’ve never been to any other cities in Texas, I’ve been told that Austin isn’t like the rest of them, it’s unique, and in some cases weird. Perhaps that’s why they’ve coined the slogan “keep Austin weird”. The true meaning of the slogan is actually referring to their desire to keep small, unique, local businesses from being overrun by large corporations, something I 100% support. The number of small businesses in Austin is truly amazing. Everything from restaurants, food trailers, bars, boutique clothing shops, and so much more. My biggest interest while visiting is of course to sample some of the delicious food! Below I’ve compiled a few of my favorite spots to eat at.

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat

Where to Eat:

Torchy’s Tacos was my first stop for lunch in Austin. As their website states, they are some damn good tacos! My sister and I shared three different tacos. The Green Chile Pork, The Democrat (one of their signature tacos and a must try if you like barbacoa), and the Chicken Fajita Taco. Each of the tacos were flavorful and the meat was perfectly cooked. We had ours on corn tortillas, but if you prefer flour tortillas they have those as well. We topped our tacos with some of their sauces, my favorites were the tomatillo and the poblano. Torchy’s has multiple locations, but we happened to visit the original location which is run out of a food trailer. One of the best things I found out is that they are coming to Denver, with their first location opening this winter!

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to EatWith Torchy’s still on my mind the next morning I knew I wanted to go back and have one of their breakfast tacos! If you are only in Austin for one day and breakfast happens to be a meal you are there for, you must get your hands on a breakfast taco! A breakfast taco is everything you love about regular tacos, but filled with breakfast items instead. The basis is eggs, but then additional items like potatoes, bacon, sausage, chorizo, and even brisket can be added. I had just finished a long, sweaty, 14 mile run so I knew I wanted some salty bacon in my taco. I chose the Monk, which was eggs, bacon, green chiles, and cheese. I of course doused it in the tomatillo sauce and downed it like it was my last meal on earth. The Monk totally hit the spot and I probably could have eaten three of them, but I knew there was going to be a BBQ feast later that day so I resisted.

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat | Monk breakfast taco from Torchy's TacosLet’s talk barbecue, because it’s Texas after all. The original plan was to try out Franklin Barbecue. This is supposedly one of the top places to get your hands on some tasty Texas barbecued meat! Well we got there at 11:15 and there was a two hour wait and we had just missed the cutoff for a guarantee that would have something left. The people who want to eat here are serious about it. They get there early in the morning with their lawn chairs and cold drinks and park their butts in line for hours just to get their hands on some of the coveted smoked meat. As much as I wanted to taste it, the thought of standing in the humidity and hot sun that long was not appealing.

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat | Franklin Barbecue, Austin, TX

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat | Long line at Franklin Barbecue, Austin, TXWe decided to skip it for the day and the following day found ourselves at Cooper’s BBQ in Llano, Texas. Since we were already headed out of Austin to see some caverns, Cooper’s was the perfect stop on the way back. This was my second time eating here and it was every bit as good as I remembered it being. Perfectly smoked meat served up on fancy Texas china, aka a piece of paper! We sampled the lean brisket which has some of the best bark on it that I’ve ever had, smoked turkey, pork loin, and finished of the meatfest with one of their pork ribs. Our eyes were clearly bigger than our stomachs and we went home with plenty of leftover.

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat | Cooper's BBQ, smoked turkey, pork ribs, and brisketTorchy’s isn’t the only place to grab tacos in Austin. You can find a different taco place on almost every street, that’s not to say they are all worth eating at. Another taco shop that I fell in love with on my first visit to Austin, and again on this trip was Tacodeli. After spending the morning running around Lady Bird Lake we refueled with another round of breakfast tacos. I went with their Taco Blanco that is made with egg whites, and of course added bacon because I can’t help myself, and some pico de gallo. My sister enjoyed their Migas Taco which is one of her favorites. My favorite salsa to drench my tacos with is their signature Salsa Doña. This salsa has quite the kick to it, but it’s completely addicting!

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat | Tacodeli breakfast taco, Taco Blanco You all know by now my love of ice cream and Austin has some that is not to be missed! First stop was Amy’s Ice Creams. Amy’s has a great selection of flavors, all of which are creamy and delicious! We went there a couple times and on top of sampling about 10 different flavors I got a bowl of their Butterfinger and Chai Tea Latte. They offer a variety of mix-ins and toppings as well, my sister opted for the brownie both times, so so good! She also informed me that if you are there in the winter, their peppermint ice cream is very good! Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat | Amy's Ice CreamsThe second ice cream shop we went to was Lick. Lick is known for their unique flavors and pure, wholesome ingredients. The milk and cream comes from a local dairy in central Texas and all of their toppings are made by hand in their kitchen. After much debate on what to get and multiple samples, I decided on a scoop of the Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey ice cream and their most popular flavor, Caramel Salt Lick. The rich flavor of this ice cream is not to be missed! Some of the other flavors I would recommend are the Milk and Cookies, Dark Chocolate with Olive Oil and Sea Salt, and S’more Meringue. They also carry several vegan ice creams, the peanut butter chocolate was delish!

Austin, Texas: Favorite Places to Eat | Lick Honest Ice CreamsThere are hundreds of choices of places to eat at while you are in Austin and I have barely scraped the surface of all they have to offer. However, the places I’ve shared are all delicious and ones I will definitely go to again on my next trip!

4693 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Yummly

Categories: Travel Tags: Austin, food, restaurants, review, Texas, travel

You May Also Like...

Hotel Jerome: Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado and the Hotel Jerome
Things to Do and Where to Run in Austin, Texas
Things to Do and Where to Run in Austin, Texas
Vail, Colorado: Where to Stay, Eat and Run
Vail, Colorado: Where to Stay, Eat and Run
Where to Eat and Hike into Aspen, Colorado
Where to Eat and Hike in Aspen, Colorado
Danae of Recipe Runner

Hi, I’m Danae! Blogger, photographer, and avid runner! My mission is to create delicious, mostly healthy, easy, and balanced meals that use a variety of fresh and affordable ingredients. You’ll find everything from one pan skillet dinners, to colorful salads, comforting pasta recipes, the occasional treat, and more.

About · Work With Me · Contact
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Subscribe for the Latest Recipes!

You can unsubscribe anytime.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle Waag says

    April 15, 2019 at 12:43 pm

    Hi,
    We live in Dripping Springs (5 minutes away from Austin-our mailing address is even Austin, haha). Some of the best places to eat are Chuy’s & Flores if you enjoy Mexican-it’s THE best! Pizza Cave, Maudies Hacienda (wonderful Italian) Hill Country Ranch Pizzeria, Torchy’s Tacos, Austin Pizza Garden, the list can be endless. Enjoy your trip & be sure to checkout the Green belt & Town Lake, also called Lady Bird Lake.

    Reply
  2. Nutmeg Nanny says

    September 9, 2015 at 5:49 am

    I just read this post and said to my husband “we need to plan a trip to Austin ASAP!” All that food looks amazing and now I want tacos for breakfast….haha.

    Reply
    • Danae says

      September 10, 2015 at 1:19 pm

      You guys would love Austin Brandy! There are so many great places to eat there, more than I could ever go to in one visit. Breakfast tacos are a must!

      Reply
  3. Julie | Small Green Kitchen says

    September 8, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    I’ve heard Austin is a pretty great town. I’d like to visit one day. Thank you for the suggestions, Danae!

    Reply
    • Danae says

      September 10, 2015 at 1:20 pm

      Austin is great Julie, so much to do and so many places to eat! I think you’d love it!

      Reply
  4. Rachael @ Catch Me if You Can says

    September 8, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Im a Texas native and I can 100% say Austin is unique. No other city is quite like it but then again that goes for pretty much all Texas cities :) Im in Houston but San Antonio is another really fun city. You hit some great food places, if you ever go back though Kerby Lane is THE BEST breakfast place. It gets pretty crowded too but in my opinion totally worth it. And the salt lick, yum yum yum ribs.

    Reply
    • Danae says

      September 8, 2015 at 2:51 pm

      I will definitely be back Rachael, there are still so many places to EAT!! I’ve heard of Kerby Lane and I will make sure to check it out the next time I’m there. Thanks for the recommendation!

      Reply
  5. Caren Gittleman says

    September 7, 2015 at 11:46 am

    Oh wow!! I will be going to Austin for the first time this October……THANK YOU for posting this! Everything sounds WONDERFUL!!!!!! Olive oil in ice cream? I am dying to try those flavors!

    Reply
    • Danae says

      September 8, 2015 at 10:46 am

      You have to make a stop into Lick Caren! The ice cream flavors are amazing! I had such a hard time deciding which ones to get.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Danae of Recipe Runner

Hi, I’m Danae! Blogger, photographer, and avid runner! My mission is to create delicious, mostly healthy, easy, and balanced meals that use a variety of fresh and affordable ingredients. You’ll find everything from one pan skillet dinners, to colorful salads, comforting pasta recipes, the occasional treat, and more.

About · Work With Me · Contact
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter
Work With Me · Contact
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Subscribe for the Latest Recipes!

You can unsubscribe anytime.

Reader Favorites

  • Spinach Bacon, Cheese Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust in a cast iron skillet with a piece cut out and a serving spatula in it's place.
    Spinach, Bacon, Cheese Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust
  • Overhead photo of sausage potato and kale soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
    Sausage Potato and Kale Soup (Zuppa Toscana)
  • Chicken and Spinach Spaghetti Squash Alfredo in a metal skillet with a wooden serving spoon.
    Chicken and Spinach Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
  • Overhead photo of a Pomegranate Margarita topped with a slice of lime and pomegranate seeds.
    Pomegranate Margaritas
  • Metal skillet filled with Greek Meatballs and Orzo and a black serving spoon.
    Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet
  • Southwest Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Rice Skillet topped with slices of avocado.
    Southwest Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Rice Skillet
Recipe Runner
About · Work With Me · Contact
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Burgers + Sandwiches
  • Casseroles
  • Cocktails
  • Desserts
  • Dinners
  • Pasta
  • Pizza
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Skillet + One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Snacks
  • Soup, Stew + Chili
  • Tacos + Tostadas

© 2023 · Recipe Runner · Disclosure & Privacy Policy

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “ACCEPT ALL”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsREJECT ALLACCEPT ALL
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
4693 shares