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Devouring the Statesman Dining Guide

6 November 2009 853 views View Comments

Did you know that about seven times more restaurants opened than closed in the past year in Austin, Texas according to the Statesman?

This isn’t hard for me to believe in that I have a hard time keeping up with all of the new spots that are opening all around town — especially all of the food trailers!

1106xldiningcoverAfter reading through the Austin360 Dining Guide, Mike Sutter’s recommendations for dishes and meals he enjoyed during his first year as Statesman food critic, I decided it was time to make my own list of spots I need to try.

Some of these spots are new, some have been around forever, and others are a bit above my usual price range so I’ll have to wait for a special occasion.

They include Bennu Coffee, Buenos Aires Cafe East, The Carillon, Chen’s Noodle House, East Side Show Room, Elroy Sausage Co., Fabi and Rosi, Fricano’s Deli, Garrido’s, Hoffbrau, Justine’s, La Condesa, brunch at Lamberts, Restaurant Jezebel, Taquerias Arandas No. 5, Wink, and Zoot.

Others that I need to give a second shot are Mulberry, Olivia, and Perla’s.

Spots not mentioned in the dining guide that I’d like to try include Bananarchy, Chubby Hug Happy Fun Noodle Time, Counter Culture, Defresh Mode, Get Sum Dim Sum, and Me So Hungry.

What spots are on your list to check out?

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  • jodibart
    Thanks for the additional tips, guys. I've now added Fabi + Rossi to the list and am also looking forward to trying out Ventana, the restaurant at the Texas Culinary Academy, soon!
  • AlI Catastrophe
    I've been to Chubby Hug Happy Fun Noodle Time. Delicious and owned by a fellow MOT, who I use to go to camp with. His name is Avi Hartman.

    Get Some Dim Some is awesome and must try.

    Banarchy, well I wish the bananas were colder but then again it was the middle of summer and nothing would stay cold. I would go back to have another graham cracker chocolate covered banana on a stick.

    Whip In, I cannot wait to go back. Flavorful and cheap, I took home two days worth of left overs.

    Defresh Mode, cleaver name, awful food. I had a 6 dollar sandwich that looked and tasted like something I could make at home. And for the lack of complexity, it sure did take forever to make. I give it 1/2 a star. The fresh squeezed lemonade was good though.

    Josh B raved about Me So Hungry the other night. I'll take his word on it, the sandwich and spring rolls did look pretty good!
  • Wait, wait, wait. Chubby Hug Happy Fun Noodle Time? Fantastic name! Why have I not heard of this place?? Where is it? I'm off to Google. Oh, and yes to the rest of your list except Taqueria Arandas #5, which is already a standard in my rotation of restaurants, and Wink. TI almost always order lengua at TA #5--it's always yummy. Wink was a fav but fell from grace recently. My list includes the ones you've mentioned in your post plus Top Notch, Dirty Martin's (why have I never been to either of those Austin legendery spots?), Shuck Shack, Parkside and Mansion on Judges Hill. I'm also waiting to try Fork 'N Icehole just because with a name that bad the food has to be stellar...or you won't be open for long.
  • azalea1700
    Texas Cuban definitely as well as SO many other food stands, Moo Moos as well, yum!
  • FoodieIsTheNewForty
    Wow. Seven times?!? Lucky us!

    My "to check out" list includes all the ones you listed on yours except for Get Sum Dim Sum (which I've already tried). It didn't include Defresh Mode before I read this, as I hadn't heard of it previously!

    Others on my "to check out" list: Giovanni's, Texas Cuban, Highball, Tarka, Whip In, Shuck Shack, Borboleta, Peche, Sushi-a-Go-Go, that waffle trailer, T&N, Top Notch, Taste No Evil Muffin Co...and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

    I've got a lot of eating to do!
  • jodibart
    I'm looking forward to trying Tarka and Top Notch to. Thanks for reminding me!
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