Places to Visit in/around Austin Question

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by JoeKixxon

+1 to The Driskill Hotel. Don't miss it if you are on 6th. Just to see the beautiful lobby, or better yet head up the stairs, sit down on a cushy leather sofa, and order up a Shiner Bock or Fireman's 4 (two of the many local brews to choose from).

Also, the Gingerman pub (Downtown, but not on 6th) has about a bazillion beers on tap. If you head a little north you can find The Pint House where they make awesome pizzas and they brew right on the premises, in addition to having a great draft selection.

Edit: that's pint house pizza
http://pinthousepizza.com/
and no I dont work there... its just awesome...

+1 on both of those recommendations. I personally prefer Fireman's 4 to Shiner Bock since Fireman's is a lighter beer and has a slight lemony taste to it, whereas Shiner is darker and more bitter and I'm not really one for bitter beers, but Shiner is indeed very popular down here. Lone Star Beer is the state beer, but it tastes kind of cheap to me -- not as bad as Budweiser, but nowhere near as good as the others IMHO.

And yes, The Ginger Man Pub does have an obscene number of beers on tap. You should definitely go, it's reasonable walking distance from 6th St -- well, as long as you go BEFORE you start drinking a lot.

One other thing about Texas BBQ: Your focus should be on the brisket and the pork ribs, or pulled pork if ribs aren't available. I don't think the sausage is usually anything special. The chicken can be very good in some places (including Rudy's) but usually nothing amazing and never as good as the brisket and ribs. And the turkey is just there for health nuts, though ironically sometimes even that aspect is cancelled out when places compensate for turkey's dryness by dipping it in melted butter.

As for sides, beans are the most popular, but I greatly prefer German potato salad, which has a vinegar base which makes it awesome, as opposed to mayonnaise-based regular potato salad that I personally can't stand.

[OilPatch]

2222 is a very fun road to drive on while you are there

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by jphughan

I don't think the sausage is usually anything special.

[E92M356789]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Meh...I'm not really all that fond of the cuisine @ the Oasis. There's another restaurant to the right of it, www.soleilaustin.com that has better quality.

If you guys like Thai, you should try http://spinmodernthai.com/ They have very few staples on the menu, with everything else rotating every 2 weeks or so as they try new things. The former head chefs @ Uchi and Uchiko are the culinary chefs there.

Downtownish off Lamar, if you're feeling like a little cajun, I'd recommend Shoal Creek saloon, http://www.shoalcreeksaloon.com/. They have an *excellent* chicken fried steak and gumbo. Be forewarned, it is a Saints-themed place.

You'll also need to get some bar-b-que while you're here. I'd recommend Franklin's www.franklinbarbecue.com/, but the line is LONG, EVERY DAY *lol*. Everyone seems to enjoy Salt Lick a little south of Austin www.saltlickbb.com, but I prefer Rudy's smoked turkey and cream corn www.rudys.com

You can check out the reviews of any of those places online.

Have a great stay!

+111111111 on the Oasis, I do not recommend this place at all.

The other places mentioned are great!

[Jaypod]

WOW! Thanks for all the suggestions Guys! Really looking forward to the trip. Haven't been to Texas in a number of years.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by jphughan

And the turkey is just there for health nuts, though ironically sometimes even that aspect is cancelled out when places compensate for turkey's dryness by dipping it in melted butter.

Going to have to disagree with that statement, as it really sounds like you're making assumption about the turkey @ Rudy's. The turkey is neither dry, nor is it dipped in butter. Kinda hard to have butter dipped turkey that has serving size of 1/2lb and a total of 2 grams of fat per serving. It is *extremely* moist and flavorful by itself, and even better when sauced.

Jaypod, *trust* me on this one....try the smoked turkey

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Going to have to disagree with that statement, as it really sounds like you're making assumption about the turkey. Rudy's turkey is neither dry, nor is it dipped in butter. Kinda hard to have butter dipped turkey that has serving size of 1/2lb and a total of 2 grams of fat per serving.

Jaypod, *trust* me on this one....try the smoked turkey

Will do! I think I just gained 75 lbs buy reading this thread. Gonna have to buy a bigger race suit

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Going to have to disagree with that statement, as it really sounds like you're making assumption about the turkey @ Rudy's. The turkey is neither dry, nor is it dipped in butter. Kinda hard to have butter dipped turkey that has serving size of 1/2lb and a total of 2 grams of fat per serving. It is *extremely* moist and flavorful by itself, and even better when sauced.

Jaypod, *trust* me on this one....try the smoked turkey

I'm going to have to pile on and agree with the above statement.

Some places do certain things better. No place does all things awesome it seems. But Rudy's does a really good job across all of the meats. Nothing spectacular, its all good!

Although...if you stick to BBQ in Austin you are missing out on a lot of other great food!

[whats77inaname]

Oh yeah....I forgot....Texican Cafe, get the cabrito!

[sawzall]

On a similar note, are any of you folks going to be in Austin around the time we are? It would be great to meet some of our southern M3 friends!

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by sawzall

On a similar note, are any of you folks going to be in Austin around the time we are? It would be great to meet some of our southern M3 friends!

I'll be around on Jun 10-11

[bigjae1976]

I'll be at COTA 8-9 Jun.

[whats77inaname]

Oh....can you bring me like 5 Wunderbars?

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Oh....can you bring me like 5 Wunderbars?

I am sure we could hook you up

[The_Wood]

Originally Posted by OilPatch

2222 is a very fun road to drive on while you are there

watch out for the cop that sits just west of Mt Bonnell road

[The_Wood]

Originally Posted by sawzall

On a similar note, are any of you folks going to be in Austin around the time we are? It would be great to meet some of our southern M3 friends!

ill be here!

[sawzall]

Cool. Once we know a little more about our agenda, we'll fill you folks in. Hopefully, we can all get together and do some bench racing, and have a beer!