Destinations

Guide to Eating in Austin

Published

10 months ago

June 30, 2023

I’ve been living in Austin for two months now, and in that time, I’ve consumed a lot of food. After all, Austin is home to an incredible food scene — from BBQ joints to food trucks to healthy, organic outlets to (of course) Mexican restaurants. As more and more people move to Austin (close to 160 a day at last count) and the city balloons with a more diverse population, Austin has expanded its dining fare to include more varied and higher-quality food.

Part of the reason Austin’s food tastes so delicious is because of the locally-sourced ingredients. As the birthplace of Whole Foods, Austin has always embraced organic food, and it was one of the frontrunners in the farm-to-table movement.

Moreover, to meet the needs of the expanding population, nearly 200 new food trucks and restaurants open up each year! With so many eateries opening all the time, you’re going to get hugely increased variety, selection, and quality.

While I still have much more exploring to do and food to eat, I want to share some of my favorite places to eat in the city for your next visit:

Asian

If there is anything I dislike about Austin, it would be the lack of good Asian cuisine, as it is my favorite in the world. When it comes to Asian food, it has a lot of those fusion joints that serve Chinese, Thai, sushi, and Korean all at once. Most are simply acceptable; they won’t blow you away. However, there are a few restaurants worth eating at:

Bar Chi (206 Colorado St., (512) 382-5557, www.barchiaustin.com) – Decent sushi but an unbelievably affordable happy hour (5-7pm each day). My friends and I come here because it satisfies the sushi craving on the cheap!
East Side King (1618 1/2 E. 6th S., (512) 407-8166, www.eskaustin.com) – Located in The Liberty Bar (also a kick-ass bar), this is best Asian-Thai fusion food truck in the city! Be sure to get the pork buns, tori meshi, or the chicken buns.
Lulu B’s (3632 S. Congress Ave., (512) 921-4828, www.facebook.com/LuLuBsAustin) – I found this place thanks to Jodi from Legal Nomads. I’m not the Vietnamese food expert she is, but this place was delectable. I’ve only had the beef pho, but it was a flavorful broth.
Piranha (207 San Jacinto Blvd. #202, (512) 473-8775, www.piranhakillersushi.com/piranha-locations/austin) – My all-around favorite sushi joint. The sushi here gives you the most value for your money, and it’s always fresh and of high quality. I particularly love their yellowtail.
Thai-Khun (1816 E. 6th St., (512) 407-8166, eskaustin.com/v2/thaikun) – As a Thai food snob (ever since I lived in Thailand), I’m always disappointed at Thai restaurants because I never think the food is as breathtaking as in Thailand. This place in Austin is the closest to true Thai food that I’ve found so far.
Uchi (801 S. Lamar, (512) 916-4808, uchiaustin.com) – The fanciest high-end sushi restaurant in the city. They also have a sister restaurant called Uchiko. Both live up to their reputations and are good date places. Reservations recommended!
Wu Cho (500 W. 5th St. #168, (512) 476-2469, wuchowaustin.com) – This is one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city. They serve a very popular dim sum brunch on Sundays. Be sure to come early as it gets packed during dinnertime and Sunday brunch, and the wait for a table can be up to an hour.

Americana

If there is one thing Austin does well, it’s “Americana” food. I define that as a fusion of multiple cuisines: burgers, fries, steaks, seafood, and the like.

Launderette (2115 Holly St., (512) 382-1599, launderetteaustin.com) – Located in an old laundry store, this restaurant is one of the hottest spots in town and serves an amazing menu of Americana and seafood, as well as a decent selection of wine. Some of my favorite dishes include crab toast, burrata, okra, brussels sprouts, and grilled octopus. If you’re coming for dinner, come early, as it fills up fast.
Truluck (400 Colorado St., (512) 482-9000, trulucks.com) – This is my favorite steak restaurant because it’s one of the few places where you can also get fresh seafood (crab, oysters, lobster). It’s not cheap, but if you want a upscale steak house, try this.
Péché (208 W. 4th St., (512) 494-4011, www.pecheaustin.com) – A New Orleans–inspired restaurant serving Bayou food, and it has a very friendly staff, tasty cocktails, and an extensive whiskey list.

BBQ

Austin is world-famous for its BBQ, and you can’t walk down the street without running into a restaurant that serves it. The title for Austin’s best BBQ is hotly contested among fans, and I don’t claim to know who’s right — to me, BBQ is either good or really damn good. But these are among my favorites:

Franklin Barbecue (900 E. 11th St., (512) 653-1187, franklinbarbecue.com) – This is considered the top of the top of the top BBQ joints in the country. Even the president ate here! It’s open from 11am until they run out of food (usually in a few hours). Lines start at 8am, so it’s best to go midweek in summer when most people don’t want to wait in that line and you don’t need to line up until 9 or 10am.
La Barbecue (1906 E. Cesar Chavez St., (512) 605-9696, www.labarbecue.com) – BBQ is a matter of perspective. A lot of people say Franklin’s is the best, but La Barbecue is #1 to me. It opens at 11am. Expect two-hour waits during lunchtime, so get here early.
Iron Works BBQ (100 Red River St., (512) 478-4855, ironworksbbq.com) – Located downtown, this restaurant serves above-average BBQ with large portions and hearty helpings of side dishes. I come here for the lunch brisket plate.
Micklethwait Craft Meats (1309 Rosewood Ave., (512) 791-5961, craftmeatsaustin.com) – An awesome food truck on the east side of the city. I’m in love with its ribs, brisket, and BBQ sauce. While it’s very popular, the line here isn’t as long as the other places listed.

Tacos

Tacos are serious business in this city. I have yet to fully experience much of the wonder that Austin has to offer on this front, but I do like a few of the big names:

Veracruz (1704 E. Cesar Chavez St., (512) 981-1760, veracruztacos.com) – The best food truck in town (conveniently located across the street from my hostel). It makes wonderful breakfast tacos, and the migas was voted #1 in the country. There is never really a line, but service is slow.
Torchy’s (multiple locations, torchystacos.com/in/austin) – World famous (and another spot where the president ate), this taco place has multiple locations in the city. It lives up to all the hype! I’m a big fan of the fried avocado and trailer park tacos. Every location is always packed, so expect a wait, especially on the weekends. The food here is pretty spicy, too.
Taco Deli (multiple locations, www.tacodeli.com) – Another delicious eatery serving mouth watering breakfast tacos.

Mexican & Tex-Mex

Like tacos, there are a lot of world-class Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin! There are plenty of people who can dissect their finer points — I am not one of those people, however. But these establishments will never steer you wrong:

Vivo (6406 N. Interstate Highway 35, (512) 407-8302, vivoaustin.com) – Solid Mexican with huge portions, spicy dishes, and friendly staff.
Benji’s (716 W. 6th St., (512) 476-8226, benjiscantina.com) – Amazing margaritas, huge portions, and an outdoor patio area. Their incredible guacamole is made tableside.
Tamale House East (1707 E. 6th St., (512) 495-9504, www.facebook.com/tamalehouse.east) – Located in East Austin, this hole-in-the-wall is only open for breakfast or lunch. It’s famous for its tacos, but like the name suggests, get the tamales!

Indian

There isn’t a lot of good Indian food in town, mostly because there just isn’t a lot of good Asian food in general. I’m not an Indian food expert, but these two are my favorites:

The Clay Pit (1601 Guadalupe St., (512) 322-5131, claypit.com) – I order from this spot through UberEats all the time since it often has fast delivery. I love the samosas and jasmine rice, and their naan is just perfect!
Masala Dhaba (75 Rainey St., (512) 665-6513) – A higher-end, sit-down restaurant with a flavorful chicken tikka masala!

Miscellaneous

Some other of my favorite must-eats:

P. Terry’s (multiple locations, pterrys.com) – This is the best burger bar in the city. It’s delicious and cheap (you can get a burger, fries, and a drink for $6 USD), with filling portions. This is one of my all-time favorite spots in the city, and since it’s close to my house, I tend to eat here too often!
The Onion (408 Brazos St., (512) 476-6466, onionbaby.com) – Coming from NYC, I’m spoiled for pizza — you can buy tasty dollar slices anywhere you go there. That’s not the case in Austin: slices are around $4 USD and not as good, but if there is one pizza place I do like, it’s this one.
Gus’s Fried Chicken (117 San Jacinto, (512) 474-4877, gusfriedchicken.com/austin-texas-location) – The sister restaurant to the famous location in Memphis, this place has juicy, moist chicken with battered skin that bursts with flavor in your mouth. It’s freaking amazing! They also serve mouthwatering fried green tomatoes and pickles.
Leaf (115 W. 6th St., (512) 474-5323, leafsalad.com) – This new lunchtime salad place is incredible (also the line is long). Its gigantic salad bar has anything and everything you could ever want to put in a salad. It’s one of my favorite places for a healthy meal in Austin.
True Kitchen (222 West Ave. #HR100, (512) 777-2430, truefoodkitchen.com) – This new restaurant is incredibly popular with people after work. All its food is natural and organic. You’ll find healthy wraps, salad bowls, sandwiches, and fresh and flavorful seafood, as well as an incredible selection of wine and cocktails.

Austin’s growing food scene means that there are still plenty of places I haven’t eaten at yet — and a few locations I probably left out, as a result — but during your visit to Austin, you’ll find yourself with more than enough choices by using this list as your guide!

Destinations

Tourists Keep Getting Stranded In This Italian Village – The Culprit Turns Out To Be Google Maps

Sardinia’s Mayor the mayor has taken steps to get the navigation app blocked on the mountain village known for its hiking.

Published

12 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Owen Gardocki

Travelers often like to venture off the beaten path. But needing to be rescued as a result is a whole different story.

Leaders of the village of Baunei, on Sardinia’s eastern coast, say that’s just what’s been happening to travelers following the popular Google Maps app. And they’re trying to put an end to the misdirection that has prompted a reported 144 emergency calls from drivers and hikers over the past couple of years, according to CNN.

Misleading The Tourists

“Too many sedans and hatchbacks are getting stuck on unpassable tracks — sometimes off-road vehicles, too,” Baunei Mayor Salvatore Corrias told CNN. “All because they follow Google Maps, whose instructions are often misleading on our roads.”

So the village is urging people to use local tour guides or paper maps instead — just definitely not the technology they may be used to in their everyday lives.

The Baunei Facebook page shows roadside police signs that say in Italian and English: “Do not follow the directions suggested by Google Maps.” It also includes images of vehicles on rocky paths, including some with ropes attached for apparent towing.

#Blocked

According to the Daily Beast, the mayor has taken steps to get the navigation app blocked on the mountain village known for its hiking. He has also asked managers of tourist sites such as hotels, restaurants, and museums to use paper maps, the publication reported.

“We’re aware of an issue in Sardinia where Google Maps is routing some drivers down roads that can be difficult to navigate due to their terrain,” a Google statement said. “We’re currently working with the local government to resolve the issue, and are investigating ways we can better alert drivers about these types of roads.”

International Road Blocks

Other destinations have had their own Google Maps mishaps in the past. Between 2015 and 2017, tourists looking for the Blue Mountains in Australia were directed to a dead-end road more than 20 miles away, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Occasionally, those visitors would knock on residents’ doors looking for a restroom. In March 2017, a woman driving to the Grand Canyon followed Google Maps’ directions down a road in Arizona and ended up stranded for days when her car ran out of gas, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Tourists in Italy blamed the navigation app in 2016 when they drove over a pedestrian bridge and along the Grand Canal in Venice, according to the Local. That same year, some tourists searching for Mount Rushmore were led by Google Maps instead to a church camp, the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal reported.

A woman who worked at the Storm Mountain Center camp about 13 miles from the national memorial, Ashley Wilsey, told the newspaper that she often had to break the news to visitors that they were in the wrong place.

“For the most part, people have been very friendly, but some people are very insistent that this is where Mount Rushmore should be,” she said.

Destinations

Appreciating America’s Natural Wonders

There might be places in the US that you haven’t visited yet. Don’t miss out on the fun and check out these awesome places!

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

Owen Gardocki

With the current technological advancements in the world, lots and lots of new attractions are now being developed. Whether it be a new amusement park or a mall, we sure are always looking for a place to be in awe.

However, are you aware that apart from man-made attractions, we also have a lot of natural wonders here in the US that are a must-visit for everyone? Sit back and relax while we take a quick road-trip across some of America’s must-visit attractions, thanks to Mother Nature.

Death Valley

Just because Death is part of its name, doesn’t mean that you need to run away. Though considered as an extreme place due to its weather condition, it is a beautiful place to visit and favorite places to conduct activities to test yourself.

Grand Canyon

One of the most famous attractions, not only in the US but also in the world, is the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a breathtaking place, not only by its beauty but also by its scale and its terrain and landscape.

Hawaii Volcanoes National park

When you say Hawaii, the first things that come to mind are the beach, coconut, hulas, and volcanoes. Hawaii is known to be the home to many volcanoes, including Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the world.

Great Lakes

Great lakes are inter-connected lakes, know for its beautiful surroundings and uninterrupted habitat. The best way to explore them is thru guided boat trips.

Monument Valley

Come and wear your cowboy boots when you visit Monument Valley. Seeing the beautiful and picturesque landscape of red-sand dessert makes you wanna feel like you are staring in one of your favorite wild, wild west movies.

Niagara Falls

Want to be in two different countries in the same exact time? It’s easy to do that when you are having a boat ride in Niagara Falls. Situated right between the border of Ontario, Canada and the US, the place offers you a breathtaking view of three waterfalls.

Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

The old faithful geyser had been a favorite attraction since 1870. It is a cone geyser that spews out vapor as high as 180 feet every 35-120 minutes.

Mississippi River

Let’s all be Tom Sawyer just for once and explore the beauty of the longest river in the world. Spanning across 10 states, it is best to enjoy while having a smooth cruise on steamboats.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If you are someone who loves to get the chills when seeing surreal landscapes, it is best to visit the Great Smokey Mountain, National Park. Perfect for biking,hiking and simply taking in the view. The best place to explore and experience the great outdoors.

There you have it. I hope you got your camera loaded with amazing shots of these natural wonders. If not, I wouldn’t mind coming back for another tour.

Destinations

Timeshares – Worth The Opportunity?

Timeshares – pleasure and investment opportunity or waste of cash?

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2024

Owen Gardocki

Timeshares are a controversial topic. Many are convinced that they only exist to scam and that all parties should avoid them at all costs. Then, there are plenty of others that enjoy them and insist on their value. Who are you to believe?

The Pros

THEY FEEL LIKE A HOME

Unlike, a hotel or similar accommodation, timeshares are much more likely to have that homey, lived-in vibe. Specifically, the benefit of having your own kitchen and laundry in the unit are huge, starting pros.

THEY’RE AFFORDABLE

Despite the common belief that they are scams, timeshares can actually be had fairly cheap. If you have family and looking to hang on to one for a long period of time, you’re in luck. With each vacation spent at the timeshare, you’re getting a portion of your money back from your original investment.

YOU CAN MAKE MONEY OFF OF IT

If you plan properly and know you won’t be able to use your week at the unit, you can rent it out to family and friends! You may incur a small fee from the company that manages the timeshare, but it’s still a great way to make a little extra money and make back some of your investment.

Now, let’s talk about the cons:

NEW AND UNPREDICTABLE COSTS

Maintenance. If you’re looking to invest in a timeshare, ensure maintenance fees are capped and will never change. Additionally, check to see if major upgrades like replacing carpets are included in your investment or if you’ll have to pay for that should it come up.

USE IT OR LOSE IT

In many timeshare situations, you have to pick your week in advance and that’s the only week you can use it each year. So if you aren’t able to make your week or rent it to someone else it will just sit there, not being enjoyed. And you’re still paying for it. That lack of flexibility and risk of potentially not even being able to use it turns many people away from timeshares.

THEY’RE DIFFICULT TO SELL

If you buy into a timeshare and then sometime later decide you want to sell, it can be difficult. There are many people out there trying to sell off timeshares so you will face great competition. Many management companies will include in your contract that they receive a commission if you sell. Often people trying to sell are so troubled in the process that they end up getting much less back than they originally paid for their share.

THEY’RE A BIG AND LONG-TERM COMMITMENT

If you’re considering investing in a timeshare you better be ready to commit long-term, because it’s the only way they’re financially worth it. Not to mention most timeshare contracts require you to pay taxes and maintenance fees indefinitely. If you miss or refuse payments it could drastically affect any other debt you may have and your credit score overall.